Tag Archives: writing

First Drafts – pulling them apart and putting them back together

Back in February this year, I was very excited to report that I had just finished Novel Number 6 – that is to say, I had finished writing a first draft of Novel Number 6. It’s a great feeling to know that the novel I had in my head now actually exists in the world,Continue reading “First Drafts – pulling them apart and putting them back together”

Accidentally Recurring Names

I don’t know if this is a phenomenon that happens to other writers, but I have a bad habit of reusing the same names without realising until it’s too late. Take the name Daniel. The main character in my novel The Most Beloved Boy is called Dan. I have mentioned before that he is namedContinue reading “Accidentally Recurring Names”

Novel Number Six!

In the last twelve months, I have written a few times about the new novel I have been working on. Last March, I wrote about the new experience for me of writing fiction for Young Adults. In the August, in my Summer Update, I mention that my Young Adult novel is taking shape but stillContinue reading “Novel Number Six!”

Writing – Time Travelling in Action

Work on my latest novel was going so well that at the beginning of November, I was at chapter 21 and thought it would be finished by the end of this year. Progress was flying along, even to the point that I was rushing home from work and hurrying through the evening chores just soContinue reading “Writing – Time Travelling in Action”

Hilary Mantel – a few, inadequate words

Since the death of Hilary Mantel last month, there have been many words written and broadcasted extolling her brilliance as a writer. There is nothing new I can add to the eulogising, but to let the death of my favourite author go by without writing about it seemed amiss. She is someone I have mentionedContinue reading “Hilary Mantel – a few, inadequate words”

Teen Fiction vs Young Adult

The novel I am currently developing is a change of direction for me. There is no rural setting; the action takes place around a suburban housing estate and a secondary school. It is set no further back in the past than the 1990s, which does not count as a historical setting. And my main charactersContinue reading “Teen Fiction vs Young Adult”

One Year On

It was one year ago that I blogged about beginning the process of submitting to literary agents in the hope of moving beyond self-publishing. I had a spreadsheet of agents to approach, a meticulously crafted begging letter with the all-important elevator-pitch, a carefully thought-out synopsis and highly-edited first three chapters of my novel. And beginContinue reading “One Year On”