This week, while on book tour in Canada, I guest blogged on the fantastic website 49th Shelf, a site that celebrates Canadian literature. In the spirit of giving them the web traffic they deserve, please click here for my piece on mining memories to create new fiction. I hope you enjoy…and maybe while you’re on […]
I’ll be doing a Guardian Masterclass on 25th January. Please join me for practical, actionable, deep dive into building your world for fiction (book, game, screen). To find out more, please click here. Nest Learning Thermostat Review – From AmazonPros and Cons of Use Water Saving Shower HeadBest Mobile PlanerChoosing the Perfect Rifle Scope for […]
There is no formula for great writing. No shortcuts. No magic pills (though many have tried). And no easy path. While there are shelves full of “How To” books on the craft, and I believe that writing is a craft that can be taught, it starts with talent and intent; and must be honed. If anything, […]
So here’s some great news, there’s more ‘Neurotic Zombie’ on the way! I’ve just come off an epic book tour, introducing OCD zombie Adam Meltzer to the masses and my publisher Faber has asked for a follow-up book! I’ve actually been working away on sequel story since the Spring, but it looks like it’ll come out […]
This weekend I learned with great sadness that Ray Montgomery (you may know him as R.A.Montgomery), founder and author of the Choose Your Own Adventure books passed away this week. His publisher shared a full obituary, which you can (and should!) read here: http://www.cyoa.com, but I thought I’d share my experience with Ray…. Because Ray got me […]
On the 10th of June, I’ve been invited to join the Children’s Book Circle discussion on “Should Authors Be Marketers?” at the Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford. I’ll be sharing the podium (though not clear if there will be a podium or not) with uber-agent Julia Chuchill (AM Heath)… …and talented author (and former […]
When I write, I write to music. Mostly film scores. Of course, I’ve got my stalwart favourites like John Williams, James Horner, and John Barry, and a new(er) breed of film composers like Hans Zimmer, Patrick Doyle, and Alexandre Desplat, but my favourite composer working today has got to be Michael Giacchino. He’s not a household […]
Yesterday I was invited to give a guest lecture to the MA Writing students at Kingston University. I was honoured to receive the invitation and since it was an open brief to speak to a group of incredibly talented new writers, I chose the topic of world building. I believe that great fiction comes out […]
