This series is aimed at helping writers use the right words to express their meaning. All thoughts and comments are welcome. As a writer, you want to inspire readers with joy, stoke their terrors, romance them with love, overwhelm them with horror. This set of posts examines ways of influencing mood by selecting the ‘right’ …
Continue reading Searching for the Right Words? Tip #22
Tempted to invite me to review your book? I receive a good number of ‘pitch’ letters sent via the contact page on this website. Let me point out to all authors, their agents, and publishers, eager to do the same for their books that I’ve signed the True Review Pledge. That means I write honest …
Continue reading A Gentle Post About Book Reviews.
This historical novel, set at the very end of the 16th century in London, is more than merely a damned good novel. It’s purpose is to help other authors improve their writing through example. John Yeoman is a well-respected writing tutor, amongst other things. He displays a wicked, sardonic, sense of humour in the story, …
Continue reading How Did the Author Do That?, by Dr. John Yeoman PhD, Reviewed.
Another week has passed and I've been prodding those keys with vigour. The WIP is now up to 45783, with 4865 of those words new to the story. Several developments are emerging following my research, and the story is twisting and turning with a life of its own. This is the first rewrite, so there …
Continue reading Progress on the WIP
This is not the first book I’ve read by this author, which is why I bought it! She has a knack of stating the relevant facts without offending but without wasting words. If you’re looking to market your book(s), read this short piece of advice before you start to spend cash on the process. It …
Following on from my post on research a couple of days ago, I thought I’d quickly update you with progress so far. I started what is effectively a re-write, rather than an edit, on Saturday. It was late in the day when I began, but I was determined to get something down, something started as …
Continue reading Research Done: Re-Writing Begun!
An unusual and intriguing anthology, this. The author introduces each piece of fiction with an account of his route to the story and some of his writing methods. It makes for an interesting read for both readers and writers. The collection is varied in both topics and style, but each tale is well structured and …
Continue reading How to Win the Lottery (And Other Stories), by Iain Parke, Reviewed.
How much research should a novelist undertake before setting out on the creative journey? How much should be done before editing to produce the final work? These are questions that probably occur to most of us at some time during the writing process. I was inspired to visit these questions this week when I finally …
Continue reading Research or Write? That is the Question.
My publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing, has just released this great little video to promote my SciFi novella, The Methuselah Strain. Please take a look, 'Like' it and, if you're looking for some exciting reading, buy a copy. It's available in both ebook and hardback versions by clicking those links. You can also find a synopsis …
Continue reading Publisher’s Trailer for The Methuselah Strain
Subtitled, The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must, this extraordinary work by Robert Zubrin, with Richard Wagner, is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Mars either as an observer or as, in my case, a writer of science fiction. In researching for my novel about Mars, I’ve read a great …
Continue reading The Case for Mars, by Robert Zubrin, Reviewed
I bought a copy of this paperback to see what sort of work might win the prizes in this much respected annual contest for writers. I’m intending to enter this year, so I wanted to discover what quality and style of work is considered good enough. Each year, the judges for the three categories of …
Continue reading The Bridport Prize Anthology 2015, Reviewed.
I was introduced to Fear of Dying by a friend after I’d read and reviewed Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying. Inevitably, there’s a temptation to compare, which I’ll attempt to resist. I’m of the same generation as the author, though a few years younger, so I’ve lived through the years she’s experienced and understand many …
Continue reading Fear of Dying, by Erica Jong, Reviewed.
Regular visitors to the blog will know I usually review works of fiction. But I also do this for nonfiction, when I think it'll be useful for readers. My recent move to the Forest of Dean has meant I've discovered species of bird unknown to me, so I bought this book to help my wife …
Continue reading Collins Complete Guide to British Birds, by Paul Sterry, Reviewed.
Madeleine McDonald’s book is a traditional romance set in an unusual location. Told from the points of view of the two main protagonists, the story reveals secrets about both that neither are aware of in each other. The clash of cultures and personal histories makes the possible resolution of this romance uncertain until the very …
Continue reading Enchantment in Morocco, by Madeleine McDonald, Reviewed.
Who’d have thought a novel written from the point of view of a fourteen-year-old American chapel-going girl would find favour with an agnostic British male pensioner? This one did, and how! Lily is given an authentic voice by the writer so that there’s no danger of author intrusion in this tale of prejudice, faith, injustice …
Continue reading The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, Reviewed.
Short stories, novel extracts and musings from an emerging author
SHORTS, NOVELS, AND OTHER THINGS
Books, writing, reading, words and images. I love them; do you?
An Independent Nondiscriminatory Platform With No Religious, Political, Financial, or Social Affiliations - FOUNDED 2014
Life Lessons, Books, and Pretty Things!
Writing Magic, Myth and Mystery
A photographer's view of the world - words and images to inspire your travels and your dreams
Book Reviews ∙ Bookish Tags ∙ Book Discussions
Retired and travelling - it doesn't get better than this!
writing circles & poetry to keep your light on
Personal Writings on life, love and beauty
Peace. Tranquility. Insanity.
A writer inspired by nature and human nature
We Survived and Arrived - Now as Warriors We Thrive
Sometimes, life is like that.
Book lover and reviewer.
Musings and Ramblings of a Disorganised Blogger
Speculative Fiction Author, & Reviews.
British Crime Writer April Taylor
Fiction, Poetry, Photography
Where The Eagles Fly . . . . Art Science Poetry Music & Ideas
Registered Charity 308286. Your local venues, Lydbrook Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground, are here to benefit our community.
Books and Shrimp!
Ù…Øمد القربي
Discover the "Inside Story" with Sassy Brit & Her Gang!
A daily selection of the best content published on WordPress, collected for you by humans who love to read.
Antidote to the Novel
Stuart Aken 