I've shared moments with two species of tarantula spider (those are my hands in the photo*). But neither experience can match the terror of waiting for the first reviews of a new novel. Writing always feels like exposing a little bit of the soul. … [Read more...] about On reviews and spiders
Not a writer’s paradise
The glamorous writing locales inhabited by this author include a rather cramped home office, the passenger seat of our car, and the plastic chairs of my son's club canteen. But when the sun makes its reappearance, I do like to sit on our balcony … [Read more...] about Not a writer’s paradise
Why do you like Jane Austen?
It's a question I get asked a lot. Which is odd, because it's not as if Ms Austen is undiscovered or underrated. Nobody ever thinks to ask why I like novels by Terry Pratchett or Mark Lawrence. Or football. Or twiglets. Or even Poldark. … [Read more...] about Why do you like Jane Austen?
10 lessons from writing 50,000 words in a month
Novels don't write themselves (yet), and there's never enough time. Not with kids, a job, housework and, um, football to watch. Which is where National Novel Writing Month comes in - you commit to producing 50,000 words in November. Coming from … [Read more...] about 10 lessons from writing 50,000 words in a month