Tag: writing

• May 19, 2022

  Writing prompt: Marmite

  If you’re in Australia you have the better version, which is vegemite. If you’re in the US/Canada you’ll have to do some writing research on this one. Don’t embarrass yourself (as a writer I know did) by describing it as “green” because it has “veg” in the Australian name. It’s not green. Do your research. […]
• May 12, 2022

  Weekly writing prompt: Galaxy

  What do you think of when you imagine a galaxy? A swirl of stars and planets, space dust and other wondrous sky stuff? Or are you going straight for the chocolate bar? Is that a thing where you live? I know in Britain and Ireland there are galaxy bars but I honestly can’t remember if […]
• May 6, 2022

  Should you get your books translated?

  I’ve pondered over this question back and forth for several years and I’m still not sure what the answer is. I’ve even reached out to translators who haven’t replied. It’s funny how people say they are looking for translation work and don’t know why they can’t get it, but when you actually contact them they […]
• May 5, 2022

  Weekly writing prompt: Game

  Game the bird? Game the thing you play? Game the system? Game smell? What’s your interpretation? This week’s writing prompt challenge is “game”. Here’s how to take part: Write a post, including your 100-word response to the challenge, any words of explanation or inspiration you wish to share, and a link to this challenge page. […]
• April 28, 2022

  Writing prompt challenge: Gate

  

  I was driving home yesterday and saw a red gate amongst dozens of brown ones, and it got me thinking it would make a great story opener. The whole village was abuzz. A new scandal was in progress. This one was more exciting than the time Mrs. Foyle had accidentally hung her knickers to dry […]
• April 14, 2022

  A brief explanation of British pre-decimal money for authors

  If you’re writing about British money in your historical romance, saga or historical fiction, you need to know our money has changed enormously over the years. This is about old money (which is not the same as being Old Money) from pre-decimalisation. Here’s what you need to know for your author research: The penny has […]
• March 26, 2022

  Review: James Acaster’s Classic Scrapes

  

  James Acaster is funny. Hilarious actually. And reading his book James Acaster’s Classic Scrapes got me into a scrape of my own. It was all Dara O’Briain’s fault. See, every time I have a baby (which is twice now… welcome little butterfly), I have to sit at home on the sofa doing nothing while the […]
• March 3, 2022

  Weekly writing prompt: Hare

  This week, write 100 words about a hare. It could be a March hare, or a harebrained scheme, or something else entirely. It’s up to you! Here’s how to take part: Write a post, including your 100-word response to the challenge, any words of explanation or inspiration you wish to share, and a link to […]
• February 24, 2022

  Weekly writing prompt: Light

  How do you describe light? This week, write 100 words about it. Traditionally, an artist’s talent lay in his ability to depict the way light fell on things. How do you cast light on the right aspects of your story and leave the less important areas in shade? How do you take care not to […]
• February 17, 2022

  Weekly writing prompt: Unknown

  This week, write 100 words about something that is unknown. How do you describe something when you don’t know what it is? Most of the horror genre hinges on the ability to do just that! The first example that comes to mind is Birdbox, where through the whole book, all we ever see are the […]