Recently on Facebook there was a link going around that listed 100 classic books. You could go in and tick which ones you’d read and see how high you scored. I scored 23, and it could be said I cheated a little, as I ticked both Hamlet and The Complete Works of Shakespeare (which I have on my shelf) and also both The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Chronicles of Narnia. That’s a bit of doubling up. I felt ashamed as I saw the numbers my friends got. Aren’t I, as an author, supposed to be well […]

I am posting a day early owing to my participation in a blog tour. Thank you, Jeanette O’Hagan, for nominating me! You can see Jeanette’s post here: http://jeanetteohagan.com/my-writing-process/ 1) What am I working on? I’m currently putting the final touches on The Reign. It’s the last book in the Verindon trilogy and is scheduled for release in May this year. 2) How does my work differ from others of its genre? I’d like to think every author brings something original to the table when they write. While my trilogy does have some familiar themes: forbidden love, teen angst, etc, it […]

So wrote Nelson Algren in Entrapment and Other Writings, and I think it’s true. Authors are encouraged to write what they know. When I began writing, I assumed this meant if you have worked in a bookshop then you should set your novel in one, as you can write about it with authority. I believe this is true also, but I think when we authors write about ‘what we know’, we write about more than just familiar locations. Our beliefs, for instance, will make their way onto our pages whether we like it or not. How could they not? If […]

This was said by Austin Phelps, an American Congregational minister, and I think it is a wise saying. While there’s no doubt a lot of knowledge, wisdom and inspiration to be gained from a book, I think some readers read to avoid thinking for themselves. They will take whatever idea is presented in the latest book they’ve read, sometimes changing their opinion on important topics just to match the ideas presented there. While I’m all for keeping an open mind and allowing myself to be swayed in my opinion on things if I believe there is good reason, I think […]