Category Archives: Writing

I’ve just shared my latest update about my second “Lissa Blackwood” conspiracy thriller novel

from my original blog on 20/8/19: – take a look at https://youtu.be/Mpni7Ldni0c I’m very excited to be 15k words into the writing, with just circa 85k to go! I also reflect on whether I should self-publish this trilogy or seek an agent + Trad deal.

More progress on my 2nd ‘Lissa Blackwood’ conspiracy-thriller…

From my earlier blog on 9/6/19: I’m now ready to start writing the 2nd novel in my ‘Lissa Blackwood’ Conspiracy-Thriller series. The overall plot has been fully defined and now works within the 7-Step Story Structure. Over the past month I have really enjoyed defining the 5 increasingly significant attacks that Lissa Blackwood will haveContinue reading “More progress on my 2nd ‘Lissa Blackwood’ conspiracy-thriller…”

Change of style for showing inner thoughts in my writing…

‘PAIN’ – noun: that terrible feeling you get when you decide to abandon the method you were taught about 40 years ago for formatting inner voice in fiction! I’ve just made the choice to adopt one of the modern styles: no quote marks, italicised text with a tag. Heck – this means I’ve now gotContinue reading “Change of style for showing inner thoughts in my writing…”

Approaches to writing Effectively and Efficiently…

In my latest vlog I talk about how to write Efficiently and Effectively using a combination of: – Plotting (not “pantsing’) – Mind-mapping in “FreeMind” – The 7-Point Story Structure – A writing tool like yWriter5 – Dictating a first draft using the “Dictanote” Chrome app – Editing with SmartEdit, Hemingway and editMinion Take aContinue reading “Approaches to writing Effectively and Efficiently…”

Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…

I just stumbled upon this wonderful quote about love from legendary sc-fi author Ray Bradbury… “The only thing you’re ever going to own in your life is your work… we belong only by doing, and we owned [things] only by doing, and we loved only by doing… if you want an interpretation of life andContinue reading “Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…”

First Alpha-reader feedback about “Evil Eye”…

I’m just getting the first feedback from my Alpha-readers about ‘Evil Eye’. One lady told me today that it is well written, fun and moves along at a good pace, with an obvious link for a Book 2, which she would also like to read – “You should feel proud of yourself,” she said –Continue reading “First Alpha-reader feedback about “Evil Eye”…”

Using a digital voice recorder and YouTube to automatically convert your spoken word into text…

My latest author vlog is now up on my YouTube channel – today I explain how you can use a digital voice recorder and YouTube to automatically convert your spoken word into text – take a look at https://youtu.be/DZnVoV3Qt0c The DVR I’m using is a Sony ICD PX370. The lavalier lapel mic is an unbrandedContinue reading “Using a digital voice recorder and YouTube to automatically convert your spoken word into text…”

I’ve now printed the first 4 alpha copies of ‘Evil Eye – A Lissa Blackwood Thriller’…

Back in August I announced that I had finished the first draft of ‘Evil Eye’, and like all writers I immediately started work on improving that copy. ‘Evil Eye’ is my third novel and I’m getting used to that process of polishing and embellishing my work, but this time around I was thrown by someContinue reading “I’ve now printed the first 4 alpha copies of ‘Evil Eye – A Lissa Blackwood Thriller’…”

The 10 Rules of Writing Large Casts of Characters…

I’ve just read a good article about “The 10 Rules of Writing Large Casts of Characters” by K.M. Weiland on https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/large-casts-of-characters/ This always seems to trip me up and I found this to be a helpful summary of some things to think about – it’s worth taking a look at… #authorlee #amwriting