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6 Things I researched this week for my wip
Did you ever wonder what someone might make of the research you do for a Work in Progress? I’m currently writing The Killing Kind, the third book in my Angel of the South series. Each book is set mainly in South London. It’s a gritty, noir crime series with lots of humour. Here are six… Read more
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Lessons My Fictional Author Taught Me About Writing
My short story Life in Shadows explores writing and writers, and how both can be damaged. While writing it, I learnt a few craft and life skills along the way. Relocation v Procrastination Every writer knows the fantasy: relocate somewhere atmospheric, sip whiskey sour or gin and tonic on a balcony and begin The Great… Read more
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StARTING A NEW WIP…TO PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN.
Writing without a plan I managed to type 14,300 words of The Killing Kind, my new WIP this week. 14,300 words. It’s a height I haven’t scaled since lockdown, and I think I’ve reached it partly because I’ve been writing without a plan. To Plan or not to plan? I’m a teacher, so I’d been… Read more
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FLYING AWAY FOR A WORK-LIFE BALANCE: Why UK Teachers are quitting
In Change of Lifestyle, Gabe Shaw, a gifted teacher quits teaching in his inner city school and leaves the country. Joe, Gabe’s university friend, takes one look at the British school system and leaves to teach in Jakarta. A supply teacher called Michelle writes damning articles for an educational website about ‘teaching on the frontline… Read more
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Using a Cat as a Narrative Anchor in Literary Fiction
The Feline Sentinel – How a cat serves as a narrative anchor In my novella Change of Lifestyle, Gabe Shaw flees London for a self-imposed exile in Jakarta. He intends to kick start the writing career he has long wanted. In exchange for staying in a friend’s empty apartment, Gabe looks after Marshall Law, a… Read more