Identity Crisis
Freya and Lucy sit on a wooden bench outside the front of their school. Sweet-smelling roses surround them in an ornate garden edged with perfectly shaped hedges and manicured flowerbeds. But instead of savouring the horticultural delights, their gaze fixates on the wrought-iron gates, hoping for a fleeting glimpse of any fit boys passing through…
Centenarian Inspiration
I thought I would dedicate a blog post to one of the main characters in the book I’m currently working on. The reason being I was inspired by a special lady who frequents our café. I first met Betsy four years ago when she was ninety-six! Yes, she turned one hundred this week, and my…
Curtain Twitcher
I blink my eyes to try and get a clearer picture of what I’m seeing. What looks like dozens of tiny pink mice are hanging lifeless on the washing line in our neighbour’s garden. It’s a dull, grey day, the mortar-coloured landscape exacerbated by the net curtain hanging between me and the bedroom window. I…
Phone Junkie
I throw my rucksack down in the hall and make a beeline for the kitchen. There’s no smell of burnt food or trails of kitchen paraphernalia, which means either mum’s not cooking until much later, or, (hopefully), we’ll be having a takeaway tonight. There’s one packet of skips left in the cupboard which won’t go…
The Stalker!
Every good novel needs more than just the classic hero and villain archetype. They also need side characters that provide depth, especially in psychological thrillers – which happens to be my genre. My current work in progress has a side character who is stalking my main character, but this stalker offers much more than a…
How to Become an Author?
So you want to write a book? Then this post is for you! FORGET YOUR WRITING SKILLS FOR A MOMENT In the early stages of becoming an Author, it’s easy to suffer from ‘imposter syndrome’. Should I really be doing this? Am I good enough? Is my writing worth reading? The answer is yes! Above…
How to Write a Convincing Antagonist
Every great story needs both a protagonist and an antagonist: it’s the conflict between these two characters that keeps the audience invested and pushes the plot forward. What is an Antagonist? In simple terms, the antagonist is ‘the baddy’. Every story has a protagonist (usually the main character) and a contrasting antagonist. In fiction (especially…
My Key Takeaway From the Self Publishing Show
Mark Dawson’s SPS 2023 I dug my heels in and made every excuse why I couldn’t go to the SPS at the Southbank Centre in London. My disability would make travelling alone difficult, I couldn’t afford the extortionate price for London hotels and I wouldn’t know anybody. But then, after speaking to D J Bowman-Smith…
Why Directing a Show is like Writing a Book
There are many crossovers in the arts, especially during the creative process. This came to light recently whilst editing and putting the finishing touches to my upcoming book The Hoax at the same time as my husband was directing Evita. A show that I am proud to be involved with. I am in the chorus of Evita whilst being…
On the Edge of Your Seat Vs Change Your Pants!
Have you ever wondered what separates a thriller from a horror story? Well, the first clue is in the title. A horror story intends to horrify the reader, whereas a thriller wants to thrill and excite the reader! The experience A horror film/book sets out to make you feel afraid. Really afraid! If you think…