Clik here to view.
Writing Experience
I’ve just spent several days with a group of friends enjoying the French countryside. On Saturday, there was a plan to go to a ‘Go-Ape’ type place in a local forest, where the idea is to follow a kind...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why I’m thanking my therapist by Anne Goodwin
About eighteen months into my therapy, the death of a relative almost rent me apart. We were talking about my tendency to prioritise caring for others above caring for myself, when That Woman (as she’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Writing Life: empty nest
The Art of Survival, the second of my crime series set in Scarborough, has just gone to the proof reader. I feel a little flat. I wonder if this is partly akin to an ’empty nest’ feeling parents might...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Prayer Utters Itself
I saw the risen Christ on Crosby beach. He stood, stilled by all that we had done. I prayed to the risen Christ on Crosby Beach, anointed him with my Everyday Tesco Larger. I asked him for peace for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Long Distance Writer – the return home
I have completed my St Cuthbert’s Way – walking from Melrose in the Scottish borders to Lindisfarne in Northumberland over seven days with my sister. I’ve been back home for a week and, though I took...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Indie Publishing (again)
So the manuscript is done, copy-edited, proof-read and corrected for the 100th time and, for me, the hard graft now starts – the work of getting it out there and (maybe) read by some. I will still be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Writers Need Feedback
As my second novel, The Art of Survival, goes to press, I want to pick up again, The Art of Breathing, the third in the series. I am privileged to be part of the vibrant writing community locally, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What the Heck is Steampunk Dystopian, Anyway?
This week I am very happy to host a post from my fellow writer, Kate M. Colby, who resides in New Haven, USA. Kate’s first novel is being published by Boxthorn Press this month – grab an early copy and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Indie Publishing – when do you celebrate?
As an indie publisher, it’s sometimes hard to know when to celebrate. Could it be when I’ve completed my initial draft? My final draft? When it’s copyedited and proof read? When I have a copy from the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Book Marketing for Beginners
This morning I have been deep in the re-writing of The Art of Breathing, the third novel in my crime series. Writing, it’s what I enjoy, it’s what I have some talent and skills in. This afternoon, I am...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Virginia Woolf, Strictly Philosophers & Me
When I was doing more teaching at the university than I do now, I would give two pieces of advice to my students. Firstly, separate your essential you from your writing, a critique of your writing is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Comfort of Books
Sand skates on sand. The sea is galvanised steel. The wind buffets and chivvies. The kestrel spirals upwards, an Autumn leaf caught in the blast. I leave footprints on the beach. Small stone,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Taboos in Writing
Recently, fellow blogger, Brittany Boyce (https://aliceandeve.wordpress.com/) posted eloquently on why menstruation should not be considered a taboo subject. As I manage the symptoms accompanying my...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Healing Words
This week, I am very grateful to be hosted by fellow blogger & author, Anne Goodwin. So get on over and have a look: http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecdotal
View ArticleClik here to view.
On Crime Writing
Today I am being hosted by friend and fellow writer Kate M Colby. I met Kate C. through Twitter and began following her blog which is full of useful and insightful information for writers and indie...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Writing our shared humanity
After six weeks focusing on the launch of my latest crime novel, The Art of Survival, http://goo.gl/MfMBUj I am back to the working on the third in the series, The Art of Breathing. One of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Unlovable Characters and The Writing Year
It seems I may have created a marmite character in my crime series, The Art of the Imperfect (http://goo.gl/z7HFgz) and The Art of Survival (http://goo.gl/MfMBUj). Apparently, Hannah, bless her, evokes...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Solstice Greetings
I am taking a couple of weeks break from blogging. Thank you for sticking with me in 2015 & see you in 2016.
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Year & Old Scripts
Filled with new year resolution, I approached a well known crime writer and asked them if they would read my novel, The Art of Survival – http://goo.gl/MfMBUj – to provide me with a publicity quote. Of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Year, New Resolutions
After last week’s rather down-beat post, I have decided to approach 2016 more creatively and give this blog a bit of a make-over. I will now be running five regular strands – in rotation, though not...
View Article
