I had a lovely lazy breakfast on Sunday, reading the latest issue of Mslexia. I’ve blogged about this magazine for women writers before. For a taste of what’s in the latest issue, click here. Inspiration is a regular section, which currently includes a series of articles on basic elements of fiction. The format is a … Continue reading Hooks in Fiction – Five of the Best
Category: For writers – all posts
Crime Fiction – how important is the puzzle?
I recently followed a link circulating on Twitter to an article by Ian Rankin in The Daily Mail. Rankin was giving ten tips on crime writing, and since he’s one of my favourite authors, I thought they’d be well worth a look. I was interested to learn that Rankin never set out to be a … Continue reading Crime Fiction – how important is the puzzle?
Proofreading… Something Gained (and Something Lost)
I have spent a lot of the last week and a half proofreading my work. I’ve got a nasty feeling I’ll still have missed mistakes, but at least with each sweep I weed out a few more clangers. My proofreading has removed some unconscious humour, and since I generally like the odd laugh, I can’t … Continue reading Proofreading… Something Gained (and Something Lost)
A Sense of Place in Fiction: Five of the Best
Following on from last week’s post on creating a sense of place in fiction, I felt the urge to recommend five of my favourite novels that combine evocative descriptions with involving plots: The Sea House by Esther Freud. For me reading this book was like diving under water and immersing myself in another world. … Continue reading A Sense of Place in Fiction: Five of the Best
Settings in Fiction – London and Cambridge
I've been thinking about settings in fiction this week. Two of my favourite locations for novels are London – where I went to University – and Cambridge, where I live and work. At first glance, they appear to be quite different. I love the great, heaving mass of activity that makes up London: the diversity, … Continue reading Settings in Fiction – London and Cambridge
Clean the bath to kick-start Creativity
I recently watched The Creative Brain, an episode of Horizon looking at how moments of inspiration come about. I found it fascinating, and I’m sure one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was that it chimed in with my own experience. It was so nice (and, let's be honest, rare) to find something … Continue reading Clean the bath to kick-start Creativity
Novelicious and Romantic Mysteries
Voting is now open for Novelicious Undiscovered 2012, with the voting form here and my entry here if anyone would like to take a look or vote.The extract I’ve submitted is from a romantic thriller. I realise that from childhood up, I’ve enjoyed this sort of combination. I used to pore over adventure stories like … Continue reading Novelicious and Romantic Mysteries
Novelicious, Platforms and Stage Fright
There’s a lot of talk these days about the need for aspiring writers to develop a platform. Whether it’s Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest, getting yourself out there seems to be the order of the day. Having been shortlisted for Novelicious 2012, I suddenly find I have an extra platform, and how do I feel? I’m … Continue reading Novelicious, Platforms and Stage Fright
Write Stuff – Advice c/o Cambridge Wordfest
As promised, here is a follow-up post relaying the excellent advice for aspiring authors provided at Getting Published Today, a Wordfest event that took place on Saturday. Those passing on their tips were: Nicola Morgan - an award-winning author of 90 books and giver of crabbit advice to aspiring writers everywhere. Nicola runs a … Continue reading Write Stuff – Advice c/o Cambridge Wordfest
Write Stuff – Cambridge Wordfest Spring 2012
Feeling very excited now as the rather large batch of Wordfest tickets I ordered the other day popped through my letterbox this morning. Only limited funds prevented me from booking the weekend of 13/14/15 April solid. The Cambridge Union Society - a Wordfest venueHighlights for yet-to-be published writers include the Getting Published Today workshop with … Continue reading Write Stuff – Cambridge Wordfest Spring 2012
Clare Chase 