Women of Scotland by Helen Susan Swift is my most recent read. Who wouldn’t want to know more about the historical importance of women? I bought it expecting a polished piece and I was disappointed, in places. Mainly because it wasn’t proofread. Up to the point where it became a Read more…
Book research is the name of this article. Based on the initial research I have done into the lives of gypsies in the UK and fisherfolk in Auchmithie, to get a sense of their lives and challenges, I have begun to draft my early scenes in my new noval (The Read more…
On conducting research for my current book The Fisherwomen of Auchmithie, it’s been tough going finding information on the lives of fisherfolk in the 19th century. I began to read The Antiquary (Walter Scott), as cited on some websites. However, there’s but one description of the inside of a fisherman’s Read more…
How to find an agent, or no agent at all? I felt inspired on the subject of how to find an agent by this quote from K.Welsh: “When I was querying agents with The Wages of Sin, I posted the opening chapters to my website on the off-chance someone might Read more…
I received a lovely present in the post today: a book! Not just any book, but a gift from one of my clients. Very charming of Roobens to bother to send me a copy with a small note of thank you for helping him proofread the final version. The book Read more…
I’ve been asked by some inquisitive readers why my novella Shattered Roses tells Rose’s fragmented story. And why this old lady’s story is told through the eyes of 16-year-old Megan? To answer this question requires talking about the writing process. It can be so much fun to explore new Read more…
In describing the theme of the book Waterstones says: “One of our greatest living novelists resurrects the short life of Hamnet Shakespeare, in this lyrically written and emotionally devastating account of the Bard’s only son. Utterly immersive and convincing, Hamnet is a poignant period tale that not only shines a Read more…
Surprised I managed to finish it, what with juggling work and writing and some time for relaxation and mental health, but this month I read the above novel. And I am struck by the characterisation of The hippopotamus, and thus delved deeper into Stephen Fry’s writing psyche. But not Read more…
Post-Brexit, coronavirus, whatever the current political or global crisis writers keep writing. Don’t they? Not always. During 9/11 it has been noted that creativity took a nosedive… okay, I’m going to be honest here… I couldn’t find my original reference. Some years ago I read something related to something. Just Read more…
For a breakdown of the different types of dash/hyphen see my article on Em dash use in formal writing. The easiest way to understand em dash use in creative writing is to read and decide for yourself what works and what doesn’t work. So below I will demonstrate through three Read more…