When I'm writing a novel, I always like to have an image in my mind of what the two lead characters look like. Often, this can be a composite of two or three people - for example, in my debut novel, The Second Chance Tea Shop, Matthew Carter, the leading man, was a kind of… Continue reading How ‘Horrible Histories’ gave me Harry Sinclair.
Tag: writing about writing
Why I love…writing a new book
Photo by Lum3n on Pexels.com So, today's 'what I love' is actually about something I've just started...again. There's something about the very beginning of a new novel; when the details aren't there, when you're feeling your way, and things are just vague shapes in your mind. For me, it starts with the end. I generally,… Continue reading Why I love…writing a new book
Art Imitating Life – 10 ‘true’ things in my novels.
The truth can be stranger than fiction... Like most authors, I often get asked if I base my characters or events on real life things, and, like most authors, I always say no! However, now that my latest novel, 'Snowflakes Over Bay Tree Terrace', has been published, I thought it would be nice to talk… Continue reading Art Imitating Life – 10 ‘true’ things in my novels.
Musings on Point of View in fiction.
It occurred to me the other day, when trying to teach point of view in narrative to an exam class, that the notion of POV can be a bit confusing. Certainly, when I started writing, years ago, I didn't really consider the importance of maintaining a consistent point of view in a scene, and was… Continue reading Musings on Point of View in fiction.
Letting it fly…
You find me, once again, in that strange emotional position of having submitted one book to my publisher, Boldwood, whilst starting to work on the next one - as a contracted author, that's definitely the way of things! Usually, I'm quite pleased to send the manuscript on to agent and editor, but this time, I'm… Continue reading Letting it fly…
Letting go…
I find myself, for the fourth time, in a state of what Gwyneth and Chris would call 'conscious uncoupling'. Not from the ever devoted Husband, I hasten to add, but from a novel. It's a funny old feeling. You live with characters in your head for so long as a novelist; even when you're away… Continue reading Letting go…
The (Dare) Devil is in the details…
I'm currently on the home stretch of the first draft of my fourth novel, and I thought it would be a good point to share with you some of the things I focus on when I'm writing about the relationships that drive my work. I also want to think about how something I've been watching… Continue reading The (Dare) Devil is in the details…
How Alex Fraser got his name…
Naming a character can be tricky; like naming a baby, I've found, only MUCH harder! After all, I only had to find names for two children, whereas characters...eek! And there are only so many times you can slip in the names of people you know before they start noticing. I've put my daughters' names in… Continue reading How Alex Fraser got his name…
Welcome to my happy place…
Ever since I can remember, writing and reading have been my happy places. They are where I go when, if you'll excuse the vernacular, Shit Gets Too Real in real life. Now, before everyone gets out their tiny violins, can I just make clear that, actually, for most of the time, my life is exactly… Continue reading Welcome to my happy place…
Bookends and Cold Turkey
So this week is half term week, and I'm supposed to be stepping away from the computer, remembering I have a family and spending some time with The Husband and The Sprogs. As you can see, that's going well! I'm generally not very good at Cold Turkey, whether that's biscuits, booze or books... In all… Continue reading Bookends and Cold Turkey
Fay Keenan 