As you know, I’ve always been an avid reader. Also, I’ve always been pretty opinionated - on all topics but especially what I like and dislike. I’d be happy enough to verbally extol the virtues or dramatise the horrors of a book I’d read, but until I published Between the Lines, I had no idea … Continue reading In praise of the reviewers
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The three children’s books I can’t wait to teach
Following on from yesterday’s post about what makes a good teachable children’s book (and of course they don’t all have to be teachable to be enjoyed by children!), here’s my top five I’m itching to get into the classroom. Long Way Down I read Jason Reynolds’ Long Way Down as part of the UKLA awards … Continue reading The three children’s books I can’t wait to teach
What I look for in children’s literature
Yeah, yeah... I’ve written a book. It’s still available to buy on Kindle - please feel free to indulge. And then maybe review. I wanted to talk about something different today though; children’s literature. It’s the time of year again when I shadow the Carnegie Award at school - me and twenty excited Year 7s … Continue reading What I look for in children’s literature
The biggest surprise of all
What an exciting weekend I’ve had. Got my COVID jab which was pretty cool. And released my book. Which was even cooler. I’ve had a massive surprise though, and something completely unexpected has just blown my tiny mind. I felt incredibly awkward launching the book. Too much look at me. I sent round an email … Continue reading The biggest surprise of all
A bit of horn-tooting
It's release day! Excuse me a little bit of my own horn-tooting. Let's face it; if I'm going to make it as a self-published author, I'm going to have to get used to blowing my own horn! It's not a state of affairs that comes naturally to me. Whether it's because I'm a woman, or … Continue reading A bit of horn-tooting
Five things I’ve learned on the final countdown
They make it sound so easy. Just pop it on Amazon. Job done. Ha! I'm not even fully there yet and I'm already stressed out beyond belief and have this pit of churning nerves instead of a stomach. Here are five things that I've learned as I approached P-Day (Publication Day in case the acronym … Continue reading Five things I’ve learned on the final countdown
Going it alone… sort of… self-publishing
So it’s been a funny old year, hasn’t it? You’d’ve thought that the pandemic would make writing easier. All that time cooped up inside. Especially if you read the Daily Mail and believe that teachers have been doing nothing in lockdown - hours and hours of uninterrupted time! Of course, the reality has been very … Continue reading Going it alone… sort of… self-publishing
Productive things to do on lockdown when you’ve finished your book (or just can’t face writing any more!)
Yay! Lockdown! Hours and hours and hour of uninterruped time where I can just sit and write and be the most productive creative writer ever (apart from all the time where I'm working for school, family or just my own well-being!) Only, I finished the book before we went into lockdown. So what am I … Continue reading Productive things to do on lockdown when you’ve finished your book (or just can’t face writing any more!)
Three reasons why it’s a good thing if your first book goes nowhere
So, long time, no see. I've been neglectful of my blog. But not neglectful of the writing. I've been busy writing my second novel, Witness, a standalone domestic crime thriller. And while I've been beavering away at that, I've actually been appreciating the fact that Between The Lines hasn't been a runaway success (or any … Continue reading Three reasons why it’s a good thing if your first book goes nowhere
Inspirational truths… reality is stranger than fiction
Another way that us inspirational-surroundings-deficient writers can find ideas is from reading current and old media stories. The old adage that the truth is often way weirder than even the most hardcore fiction writer can think of holds true. There is some very whacky stuff out there - just think about Peter Madsen who murdered … Continue reading Inspirational truths… reality is stranger than fiction
Inspirational Questions
So, in the absence of spectacular Maine scenery, where can we find inspiration? Just lately, I've found myself using 'what if' questions as the starting place for much bigger ideas. My next Vida and Slater novel is going to start from one of these 'what if' questions. While we were in Maine, we went on … Continue reading Inspirational Questions
The nature of inspiration… or inspirational nature
I've been lucky enough to spend the last three weeks in Maine, on the East Coast of the US. Wow, what a beautiful state! Some of my favourite writers are based in or are from Maine, such as Stephen King and Tess Gerritsen. Not to mention good old Jessica Fletcher. And it got me thinking … Continue reading The nature of inspiration… or inspirational nature
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