Category Archives: writing advice

What does it mean to be credible when writing?

I often think about this. For me, there’s a fine line between an integral truth to your writing, and entertainment. I have picked up books and, frankly, been bored by how credible they are. After all, isn’t genre fiction about escapism? What strikes me as slightly ironic about people who bang on about ‘credibility’ is that I,Continue reading “What does it mean to be credible when writing?”

To be or not to be rejected? That really is the darned question.

The Writers’ Workshop

In an ideal world, the answer to the above would be categorically ‘no’. However, writing is a hard game which requires an extraordinary amount of patience and self-belief. Anyone who says it’s easy, might not be going about the whole business in the right way. Or they are kidding themselves.

Rejection is tough. God knows I’ve cried, I’ve thrown pillows across the room, I’ve drunk one too many vinos and then cried even harder the next day because my head hurts so much. There is, however, such a thing as good rejection. If an agent/an editor gives you feedback (it is a precious resource – don’t dismiss it with a wave of a hand and a ‘they don’t know what they’re talking about) grab it with both hands and use it. Rejection can arrive in the form of a standard letter – stash this away. If you receive an email or anything with a few nuggets of why the answer was ‘no’, take it on board and use it. You’ve been handed a gift. Sure, the temptation is there to think you’re above it all – no need for any help here, thank you but, frankly, you’re not. We all need help. We are all always learning.

If the advice doesn’t make sense then go to an editorial consultancy. My favourite is 

The highs and the lows

Writing is a funny business. I’ve written two books over the last year (one being a rewrite). A month or so ago, I stopped writing. It was as if I had run out of steam and I managed to convince myself that I couldn’t do it anymore. The irony? The past month has left meContinue reading “The highs and the lows”

My writing journey: a new path

A few months ago, I decided to re-write an existing novel and move away from police procedural. It was an interesting exercise and one that I approached with some trepidation. It had always been my intention to write a series of detective novels; was this really going to work? Yes. It worked because I hadContinue reading “My writing journey: a new path”

The importance of dreaming

I know it’s an absolute cliché but I do live, breathe, sleep and eat my work. In fact, I’m not sure what I’d do if the ability to write was ever taken away from me. I have always been writing – be it short stories, diaries, poetry and more recently, novels – it has becomeContinue reading “The importance of dreaming”

Write what you know. Really? Even if he’s a murderer?

If my books are a reflection of ‘what I know’ then I really should be locked up, quite frankly, and doing life. But it is important to get inside the bad guy’s head as well as the good guy’s. So, no, hand on heart I know nothing about murder but what I do know isContinue reading “Write what you know. Really? Even if he’s a murderer?”