How she did it. Kath McGurl’s 11 year Route to Publishing a Novel
The guest post this week comes from Kath McGurl and I am very glad to welcome her. I know Kath through her popular blog where she offers advice and information … Continue reading
“Coal miners don’t get coal miners’ block” John Green’s Dad — Quotes for writers (and people who like quotes)
I delete about 90% of my first drafts…so it doesn’t really matter much if on a particular day I write beautiful and brilliant prose that will stick in the minds … Continue reading
What book makes you happy?
The Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year during the summer holidays in the UK. Children can sign up at their local library, then read six library books of their … Continue reading
A Criminal ADVENTure – call for Christmasy short stories with a twist
I’ve just been contacted by a former City Lit student to tell me that she is now part of a group of aspiring crime writers who want to create a … Continue reading
Elizabeth Hein’s Route to Publication – a lesson in learning the craft, a lesson in not giving up or giving in…
I am very glad to hand over my blog today to Elizabeth Hein who lives in North Carolina. We have only met online – but as a regular reader of … Continue reading
Full house for ‘Dancing with words’
It was a wonderful night at Brighton’s Amnesty Bookshop – a great launch for DANCING WITH WORDS. Ann Perrin has captured some of the fun in her popular blog. Thanks … Continue reading
If you can read you can write – not so says Richard Hugo, even if you have a Phd — Quotes for writers (and people who like quotes)
Scholars seem to assume that if you can read you can write. It’s sad to see someone with a fresh Ph.D. coast for a few years, understandably after such a … Continue reading
Tomorrow – the launch of a very special book
DANCING WITH WORDS – the Brighton charity anthology in aid of Martlets Hospice – will be launched at 7pm on Saturday September 20th at the Amnesty Bookshop in the heart … Continue reading
Given up on a novel or a memoir? Need a manuscript MOT? Join me on a Saturday workshop and get back on the road…
It started so well. Your word count was rising and your creative satnav was set to ‘go’. And then around chapter four, you lost your way and ground to a … Continue reading
Stephanie Lam’s route to publication began with a make-believe town…
Today’s guest post is from Stephanie Lam whose first novel The Mysterious Affair at Castaway House was published a few weeks ago. Her journey to becoming a published writer sounds … Continue reading
William Safire on the Great Rules of Writing — Quotes for writers (and people who like quotes)
Do not put statements in the negative form. And don’t start sentences with a conjunction. If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of … Continue reading
CAPTURING THE QUIET MOMENTS… examples of good writing
I’ve come across three figures of speech that I like very much and thought I would share because of their gentle, soft quality. It’s easy to be dramatic. It’s much … Continue reading
Vita Sackville-West on what we lose if we don’t write — Quotes for writers (and people who like quotes)
It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment … Continue reading
Questions, Questions, Questions…. a novelist has to have a lot of answers before putting pen to paper, says guest writer Helen Carey
I’m delighted that I’m handing over my blog today to novelist Helen Carey. She is best known for her bestselling World War Two novels Lavender Road, Some Sunny Day and … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 