Don’t waste time trying to perfect your beginning – says novelist Elizabeth Enfield QUOTES FOR WRITERS
The beginning has to anticipate and reflect what happens in the rest of the book and often you don’t know this until you have reached the end of the first … Continue reading
How Do I find a Husband? and other important questions answered by MRS FINNEGAN the celebrated Brighton housekeeper from the 1830s
Mrs Finnegan, an Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT is pleased to dispense advice to the lovelorn, heart-heavy and world weary. She also answers queries on fashion, … Continue reading
Getting back to basics with your story – Joanne Harris QUOTES FOR WRITERS
Keep thinking about what’s most important in your story. Is it a character, an incident, a relationship? Whatever it is, it should feature in your story’s opening. You’re taking the … Continue reading
What to do with a maid who can’t work – ADVICE from the 1830s BRIGHTON HOUSEKEEPER AND AGONY AUNT
Mrs Finnegan, the Celebrated Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT, only has time to answer one question this week because some people will not listen to good … Continue reading
Celebrating the wonderful technology of a book – E.L.Doctorow QUOTES FOR WRITERS
A physical book is great technology if you think about it. Once it’s produced it doesn’t use up any energy, and if you take decent care of it, it will … Continue reading
Unwanted Hair and the dangers of Romantic Novels – ADVICE from the 1830s BRIGHTON HOUSEKEEPER AND AGONY AUNT
Mrs Finnegan, the Celebrated Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT, never fails to give satisfaction in her advice-giving role while attending to her numerous duties at The Regency … Continue reading
Fantasy and Science Fiction are absorbed with now – Brandon Sanderson QUOTES FOR WRITERS
People say science fiction looks to the future, fantasy looks at the past. But the truth is both of them look at the now, just through different metaphorical lenses. Brandon Sanderson … Continue reading
Too late for this year but perhaps next…? A competition for self-published authors
August 31st is the deadline for the Kindle Storyteller Award which Amazon celebrates the best self-published story in the UK with a £20,000 cash prize. I know that is still … Continue reading
International Poetry Competition with Two Language Categories
The Oxford Brookes 2020 International Poetry Competition for new and established poets has two categories: Open category (open to all poets aged 18 years and over) English as an Additional Language … Continue reading
Unrequited love and the Science of Warts ADVICE from the 1830s BRIGHTON HOUSEKEEPER AND AGONY AUNT
Mrs Finnegan, the Celebrated Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT, is giving advice despite damp feet at The Regency Town House …and meets a new neighbour for the first … Continue reading
Publisher Open days for New Picture Book Writers and Illustrators: Scotland and North of England
Hachette Children’s Group will host two virtual open days to discover new picture book writers and illustrators from the North of England and Scotland. The first virtual open day will … Continue reading
The difference between journalism and fiction Garcia Marquez QUOTES FOR WRITERS
In journalism just one fact that is false prejudices the entire work. In contrast, in fiction one single fact that is true gives legitimacy to the entire work. That’s the … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 