One writer’s random learnings from 2019

As with every year there is much to learn, even if it’s I have a tendency to keep repeating my mistakes. Anyway, here’s a few of the random ramblings I’ve picked up from 2019: 1. […]

Stuck? Writers block? Not sure how to get out?

I’ve always maintained I don’t suffer from “writer’s block”, there’s always something I can write.  However, finally, I’ve come close.  I got stuck.  It’s the fourth Inspector Kirby book and I’d written about 30,000 words.  […]

Characters – where do they come from?

For me getting to know your characters and seeing them develop into fully rounded, if at times eccentric, individuals is one of the great pleasures of writing.  They become friends (is that strange?).  This is […]

How do you choose the settings for your stories?

When you read a book the setting is like another character.  It’s important, you want to picture the characters in their surroundings, even if your version of that picture is different to everyone else.  I’ve […]

Story settings and the reader’s mind

For me the setting of any book if it’s pivotal to the story becomes a character in the story.  The reader has to be able to see the setting in the same way they vision […]