Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
How to cope with a ⭐ review
Gail shares her thoughts on coping with a lesss than complimentary review.
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
How did I get to publication day?
This post coincides with the release of my psychological suspense mystery The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell. Friends at Pens Around the World who acted as beta readers have a mention in…
Posted inPensives
Journeys and writing
I’ve drafted and scheduled this post early as by the time it reaches you, I’ll be on my way home from a two-week holiday in Cambodia, flying from Siem Reap.…
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
How important is self-belief to a writer?
This was a question I posed on Twitter recently and the answer came back: crucial. If self-belief is crucial for a writer, how do I get some?
Posted inPensives
Using psychic distance
Psychic distance is a term coined by John Gardner in his book The Art of Fiction. It relates to the distance the reader feels between themselves and events in the story. He…
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
Walking and Writing
I have often extolled the value of running and writing yet of late, I’m more inclined to think that walking and writing are better partners. When I completed two half…
Posted inPensives
Random words and pasta
How do you fancy using random words as a writing prompt? The aim is to use each of the five words presented in a piece of short fiction up to…
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
Writing Residencies
I am currently spending time on a writing residency at the wonderful Brisons Veor, close to St Just in Cornwall. This is made possible by the trust which accepts applications from anyone…
Posted inPensives
A Pensive on Writing Place
Use the opening passages from these novels to inspire a piece of your own writing. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez starts in a village: Macondo was…