During the Covid-19 Pandemic and throughout the three lockdowns in the UK, many have sought the consolation of escape – into books or films. Every so often I return to one of my top favourites – The Adventures of TinTin: the Secret of the Unicorn. To my mind this film exemplifies classic story structure; butContinue reading “Favourite Feel Good Action Heroes in Books and Cinema: TinTin and his Universal Appeal”
Tag Archives: story
The Art of Writing Backwards: a Novelist’s Sleight of Hand?
When you saw that title what did you imagine? A scene from Alice through the Looking Glass? One of those high speed reverse sequences in a magical fantasy film, when everything rewinds? Or perhaps a time-slip scenario? Or simply an image of mirror writing? Would it be wonderful if we could indeed start at theContinue reading “The Art of Writing Backwards: a Novelist’s Sleight of Hand?”
Book Review: ‘Less Than Ordinary’ by Nicki Copeland
‘Less than Ordinary‘, published by Instant Apostle, is a non-fiction inspirational self-help book, an account of one woman’s journey from low self-esteem and negative self-limiting beliefs to a place of wholeness where she is able to blossom, nurture her relationships, rejoice in her own inherent worth, and offer her gifts to the world. A quoteContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Less Than Ordinary’ by Nicki Copeland”
Fun and Excitement on the Author Stand at the UK Games Expo
Just back from the UK Games Expo – a fun event for all ages at the Birmingham NEC showcasing creative games designers, model makers, authors, artists, cosplayers and Vikings! The authors’ genres spanned fantasy, paranormal, thrillers, history, sci fi and time travel. There was a real buzz about the event, and I enjoyed networking with fellow authors, soldContinue reading “Fun and Excitement on the Author Stand at the UK Games Expo”
Build Something That Will Outlive You in Hamilton the Musical
I recently went to see the musical Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London where a magnificent cast through phenomenal singing and dancing told the story of a man who lived and died passionately and made big mistakes which swept him through to a memorable death. Through powerful singing and dynamic, electrifying, whiplash sharp dancing,Continue reading “Build Something That Will Outlive You in Hamilton the Musical”
The Writing Process for Creating a Novel In Less Than a Month
NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) begins today for 2016 and I will be once again taking this challenge – completing the first draft of my new novel “Director’s Cut”. Here is an article I wrote when I was 3 weeks into the 2011 challenge, in order to write the first draft of my second novel “AContinue reading “The Writing Process for Creating a Novel In Less Than a Month”
What does Eadfrith, artist-scribe of the Lindisfarne Gospels, have to teach creative writers and artists today?
Nothing much, you may think – because Eadfrith was a seventh century monk in a monastery on an island, and we live in the fast, materialistic, time-pressured world of 2016. I’ve just spent three days on Lindisfarne (otherwise known as Holy Island), just off the Northumberland coast, where Eadfrith sat in the monastery scriptorium and scribedContinue reading “What does Eadfrith, artist-scribe of the Lindisfarne Gospels, have to teach creative writers and artists today?”
Writing Stories That Grow Legs and Run Away From You
In my creative writing class at Lancaster University years ago, our tutor said to us: Once written and completed, your work is A Thing on the Table. The world can make what it likes of it. It doesn’t belong to you any more.” More recently, novelist Susan Hill, speaking at a local author event,Continue reading “Writing Stories That Grow Legs and Run Away From You”
Thrilling Holiday Reading: Mystical Circles and A Passionate Spirit
Looking for gripping novels to fill up your ereader with? Want to while away the time at the airport? Include A Passionate Spirit on your holiday reading list. If you like thrillers with more than a touch of the paranormal this is for you! Janice an Amazon reviewer, took A Passionate Spirit on holiday withContinue reading “Thrilling Holiday Reading: Mystical Circles and A Passionate Spirit”
How To Start a Novel
When I was signing books at the Leamington Peace Festival on Saturday 18th June, a young man came up to my book stall and started chatting to me about writing books; it turned out he was writing a book himself and wanted any advice I could give on the best way to start a book. Continue reading “How To Start a Novel”
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