I will admit to loving antiques and vintage things generally but when I'm writing about a particular character, I have an urge to find items they may have (or I could make them) use or own. When I started writing my first abandoned novel, it was set in the 1880s and I bought this duo … Continue reading Buying things for my characters
Reading for writing: new blog post series
In my post about how to join a writing group I said I was passionate about the advice to writers to read. And I am. Reading is essential to writing (and to life, I'd argue) because it tells us both what to do and what not to do as writers (and as humans). Reading for … Continue reading Reading for writing: new blog post series
Finding time and the will to write
This week I met a deadline I made for myself: to send my first three chapters to some wonderful readers who have offered to give feedback. This deadline allows me plenty of time to wait for feedback then edit again before I need to send the chapters off to the Richell Prize (eeek!) Finding the … Continue reading Finding time and the will to write
Sentence Joy #1
While I do love words, I think I actually love sentences more. Sentences take you somewhere, transport you and drill into your heart. Beautiful sentences are hard won but worth it. In this series of blog posts I want spread some sentence joy. No reason. Just for the joy of it (that's why there is … Continue reading Sentence Joy #1
The cow that inspired my novel-in-progress (plus a rant about women’s history)
It is a bit strange to think that two little words in an advertisement from 1919 would spark the idea for a whole novel, but it did. I have a fondness for browsing small, local newspapers from the early twentieth century looking for evidence of women working and running businesses. I do this because it … Continue reading The cow that inspired my novel-in-progress (plus a rant about women’s history)
On not having a mind’s eye
If I ask you to picture a strawberry, or a chair, or a saucepan can you see those things in your mind's eye? About 15 years ago I realised I didn't see things in my head the way other people seem to. If I try to picture a strawberry I see nothing. A chair only … Continue reading On not having a mind’s eye
How to join a writing group
Join a writing group. This advice for writers is pretty universal. I've sat in so many audiences at author events when the question 'what advice would you give to emerging writers?' is asked. And I want to get up and walk out because I have heard it all before: Read Write Join a writing group … Continue reading How to join a writing group
Killing my darlings
I'd always thought the advice to 'kill your darlings' related to unnecessary fluff in a manuscript. Some say adverbs should never see the light of day, others want to stab into oblivion every second and subsequent adjective. It is all very violent. The saying comes from an Edwardian guy (Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch) who advocated that … Continue reading Killing my darlings
How a week away saved my novel (and me)
Last Saturday I pulled into my carport, weary after a five hour drive and keen to unpack the car, put on a load of washing and have a bath. But I was also totally inspired, felt a wonderful sense of achievement and was fired up for the next few months at least. I was arriving … Continue reading How a week away saved my novel (and me)
REVIEW: The Secret River by Kate Grenville
This review series will concentrate on the books I read specifically for my writing. These are the books I dip into to check writerly things (like tone, pace, dialogue, character and how long exactly an opening scene should be) or are reference books that I've found useful and return to again and again. The Secret … Continue reading REVIEW: The Secret River by Kate Grenville
