Category Archives: novel writing

In Which Everything is LARGE!

Hello, I am back after a long time away! My book-in-progress went off to the editor this morning (should have been there yesterday, so that’s not too bad). Unfortunately for me, reading is much quicker than writing, so I’m expecting … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Finding Time To Write, novel writing, Television, West Midlands | Tagged | 1 Comment

Writers, when is your ‘Golden Hour’?

Hellooo! I’m too tired to concentrate on my edits and it’s too early to go to bed, so I’m whizzing off a little post while I have a ‘window’. I can manage this because it’s like talking to a friend … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging, Books, Competitions, Finding Time To Write, novel writing | Tagged | 17 Comments

What I’ve Learned from Being Published

My edits are back! Which means I have to knuckle down and shape the novel into something vaguely publishable. And …sobs…some of my carefully-crafted paragraphs (and chapters!) are having to be cut (which is why I shouldn’t have spent so … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging, novel writing | Tagged | 22 Comments

Sweet Freedom!

Hello, I’m back! So, here’s the news (apologies, it’s a bit of a whinge-fest!) The first draft of the new novel – 85,000 words – winged its way to the editor on Friday, which was the new deadline, so at … Continue reading

Posted in Books, novel writing | 4 Comments

Happy New Year!

Gosh, look at that date! Over half way through January (and it’s ‘Blue Monday’ apparently!) and this is my first post of the year. Apologies but I am in head-down-saying-no-to-all-invitations writing mode, as I have a deadline of mid-March to … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Competitions, novel writing, Novels, West Midlands | 14 Comments

In Which I am Slightly ‘Behind’ with the Na-No-Wri-Mo-ing

I know I said this last time but it really is a ‘quickie’ from me today because I am *supposed* to be doing NaNoWriMo and I am miles behind. I should be on almost 22,000 words by the end of … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging, Books, Finding Time To Write, novel writing, Novels | 5 Comments

Book Launch & Paperback Giveaway!

UPDATE: The winner of my book + chocolate giveaway, drawn by random name wheel thingy (as pictured!) is Jennifer Green. I’ve been in touch with Jennifer and the goodies are on their way to her. Well done Jennifer! I meant … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Competitions, novel writing, Novels | 49 Comments

No Time Like The Presents!

The time has flown since I last wrote and I’ve been busy, busy! After almost three years, I sadly gave up my two daytime creative writing classes on 17th October (due to no time!). I was showered with cards and … Continue reading

Posted in Cotswolds, novel writing, Novels | Tagged | 11 Comments

Ten Things About My New Novel: ‘The Highland Girls at War’

1. It’s set in Scotland (yeah, I know, that’s pretty obvious from the title!) in 1942 – 3 and it’s about the ‘Lumberjills’, the Women’s Timber Corps. The Lumberjills worked in forests all over Britain, by the way but I’ve … Continue reading

Posted in Books, novel writing, Novels | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

‘Second Novel Syndrome’ & a New Short Story Market

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I finally finished the first draft of novel no. 2 on Sunday (I had to beg for a week’s extension – it was supposed to be all done and dusted on 18th March) … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Magazines, novel writing, Short Stories | 7 Comments