Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com Pitching a passion project should be easy, shouldn't it? After all, you've dedicated years of your life to writing a book, to polishing your precious words until they gleam. Surely everyone will appreciate your efforts and clamour to read your story, won't they? Unfortunately, the answer is often 'no', … Continue reading Pitch perfection: finding the spark to hook an agent or publisher
Self-confidence is a decision
Photo by Jeffrey Czum on Pexels.co When you set your sights on traditional publication, at every stage of the process your success relies on convincing others of your worth: agents, publishers, reviewers, readers. You are constantly seeking external validation. And most of the time, when hundreds apply for every opportunity, that validation is not forthcoming. … Continue reading Self-confidence is a decision
The superpower you need to become a published author
The shadowy path to the ocean at my local beach Life is punctuated by highs and lows, no doubt about that. But some weeks are more tumultuous than others. In the space of a week, I've experienced the extraordinary high of a rare writing win (making the longlist for the prestigious Richell Prize - woo … Continue reading The superpower you need to become a published author
Free online resources for writers
Photo by Julia M Cameron on Pexels.com There's no skirting around the fact that 2020 has been the year from hell. So many people worldwide are dealing, quite literally, with life and death. Heartbreak and devastation. Overwhelming grief. In the midst of this global tragedy, it can be hard to find the will or the … Continue reading Free online resources for writers
Should you use American English for submissions to US agents and publishers?
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels. Over the years, I've submitted many short stories to international literary journals. Most of the work I've had published overseas, though, has been in the UK and Ireland. As I contemplate approaching overseas agents for representation of my psychological suspense novel, I've been wondering about expectations for manuscripts submitted … Continue reading Should you use American English for submissions to US agents and publishers?
The importance of kindness in the #WritingCommunity
Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com In the last few months, we've all been affected by the global pandemic. Not one of us has escaped. Some have lost jobs or loved ones, some have faced the stress of exposure to the virus at work, and others are dealing with disrupted routines and the nightmare juggle … Continue reading The importance of kindness in the #WritingCommunity
Write what hurts, but only when you’re good and ready
Photo by Vidal Balielo Jr. on Pexels.com Recently, as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and swamped everything else, my day job and my writing world collided. As I work as an anaesthetist (or anesthesiologist, depending on where you live), I found myself preparing for work on the front line of this crisis. My email inbox was … Continue reading Write what hurts, but only when you’re good and ready
The joy of artistic collaboration
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com As I write this, I'm listening to Christopher Dicker's atmospheric instrumental music, and am transported to the moody mudflats of Ben Hobson's wonderful literary thriller, 'Snake Island'. The album was conceived as a soundtrack to accompany Ben's novel, and enriches his story in the most unique way. The two … Continue reading The joy of artistic collaboration
How to write a new novel when you can’t remember where to begin
My writing desk. New year, new notebook. For the last two years or so, I've been writing, rewriting, editing and polishing my latest manuscript. My baby is finally ready to pitch—exciting times—and I've tentatively started to send it out. Now that the manuscript is out of my hands, though, I need to decide on the … Continue reading How to write a new novel when you can’t remember where to begin
Edit with your ears: the value of hearing your words
Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com I've spent most of the year editing my psychological suspense novel. Initially, this involved improving big-picture aspects of the story—pacing, character development, themes, tense—we're talking a big structural edit. For the last couple of months, though, I've been sweating the small stuff: the line edit and proofreading prior to … Continue reading Edit with your ears: the value of hearing your words
