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The Importance of Relationships in a Thriller Series
WHY DO RELATIONSHIPS MATTER? In thrillers, relationships = drama = story. For a writer, they develop a ‘two for the price of one’ dynamic. Build a good relationship between characters, and you’re also developing the characters. The warmth (or antipathy) of the relationship reveals important character traits, through actions, dialogue and inner monologues. When readers… Read more
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Book Review: Stay Alive – The Life and Death of Stuart Adamson
When I was a teenager, a friend introduced me to Big Country. I even remember the song he played: Fields of Fire. After that, I became an avid fan, buying and repeatedly listening to their first three albums. I’d got into them during the long wait for their fourth album, so The Crossing, Steeltown and… Read more
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Top Ten Big Country songs
Stay Alive I’ve just finished listening to the audiobook Stay Alive, Scott Rowley’s biography of Stuart Adamson, which inspired me to compile a list of my top ten Big Country songs, more or less in order, in Top of the Pops fashion, along with a standout lyric from each song. 10. In This Place One… Read more
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Iceland (5): Land of Canyons, Waterfalls and Hot Dogs
For the drive from Egilstaddir to Acureyri (‘the capital of the north’), we left at 9.00am to avoid more incoming bad weather. Nevertheless, what should have been a three hour journey took seven, partly because of three detours. Mainly, though, it was because of, once again, extremely bad weather conditions. I’d hate to liken myself… Read more
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My Podcast Appearance on the Funky Writer Show
One year ago, I made my first podcast appearance on The Funky Writer Show and my cat Bertie nearly sabotaged the whole thing with his ridiculously loud meowing. Today, I made my second appearance. This time Bertie behaved himself. But my other cat? Not so much. And I haven’t even mentioned my family yet… Preparations… Read more
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Appearing on a Writing Podcast
Yesterday, I appeared on a writing podcast – The Funky Writer Show with Rob Batista. It’s a terrific show that features wide-ranging discussions about writing, marketing and books. Rob himself is a charming and enthusiastic host. Our discussions ranged across Indonesia, AI, teacher burnout, writing influences (spoiler, I cited David Morrell) and how fictional characters… Read more