The envy that sends writers back to work

Let’s talk about one of the emotions of the creative life: envy. I don’t mean malice. The kind that wants someone else to fail. I mean the sharp twinge we feel when another writer, director, artist, musician or creator has made something wonderful and a part of us thinks: I wish I’d done that. Where… Continue reading The envy that sends writers back to work…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/05/10/the-envy-that-sends-writers-back-to-work/

#Howtowriteabook #artisticenvy #authorlife #books #comparisonitis

Let the messages emerge from characters and story – how journalist Alice Wright switched to novels

Alice Wright’s usual writing was entertainment columns until one day her imagination took an unexpected swerve. A beautiful day, a spooky song in the headphones, and she found she needed to write a paranormal novel with a dual timeline. I’ve worked with many journalists who transitioned to novels and it’s quite a different way of… Continue reading Let the messages emerge from characters and story – how journalist Alice Wright switched to novels…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/04/29/let-the-messages-emerge-from-characters-and-story-how-journalist-alice-wright-switched-to-novels/

#Howtowriteabook #AliceWright #books #booksinspiredbyhome #dualtimelines

From lifeless to compelling: 5 craft fixes that transform a story

If you’re working on a novel or memoir, you might see this feedback at some point: it’s not quite working yet. It’s a bit lifeless. What might be wrong? Although we all have different strengths and blind spots, I find certain issues come up fairly regularly. Here they are – and practical ways to fix… Continue reading From lifeless to compelling: 5 craft fixes that transform a story…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/04/12/from-lifeless-to-compelling-5-craft-fixes-that-transform-a-story/

#Howtowriteabook #beginnings #books #chapterbreaks #Chapterendings

Lessons from hiring the wrong editor – and how to find the right match. Honest advice after the Indie Author Lab

A developmental editor is usually the first professional to see your book. Ideally they’ll help you nurture its strengths, tone up its weaknesses, get you writing your best work. But finding that person can be a minefield. This week I was one of the resident experts at the Alliance of Independent Authors Indie Author… Continue reading Lessons from hiring the wrong editor – and how to find the right match. Honest advice after the Indie Author Lab…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/03/15/lessons-from-hiring-the-wrong-editor-and-how-to-find-the-right-match-honest-advice-after-the-indie-author-lab/

#Howtowriteabook #adviceforwriters #adviceonselfpublishing #authorlife #books

Long-haul writing careers, writing memoir and slow-but-steady marketing. Thrilled to be talking again to @thecreativepenn

Fifteen years ago I guested on a podcast called The Creative Penn hosted by Joanna Penn. We were both setting sail as indie authors. Fifteen years on, we’re both still at it. In this podcast we’re looking at why! There’s been a lot of change, but indie authorship still suits us both. It doesn’t matter… Continue reading Long-haul writing careers, writing memoir and slow-but-steady marketing. Thrilled to be talking again to @thecreativepenn…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/03/10/long-haul-writing-careers-writing-memoir-and-slow-but-steady-marketing-thrilled-to-be-talking-again-to-thecreativepenn/

#Howtowriteabook #Interviews #podcasts #author #authorlife

I made this! Turn Right At The Rainbow is now available

It’s been nearly five years since I published a book. About time I published another. I am thrilled to announce the launch of Turn Right At The Rainbow: A Diary of Househunting, Happenstance & Home. What’s it like? Here are a few reviews to help you decide. (Back soon with a post on writing and… Continue reading I made this! Turn Right At The Rainbow is now available…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/03/05/i-made-this-turn-right-at-the-rainbow-is-now-available/

#Howtowriteabook #bestmemoirs #BillBryson #booksabouthome #booksabouthousehunting

A story is unfolding in your life? That’s when writers write. Post at Women Writers

You might have seen I have a book coming out. Next week, gosh. It’s a follow-up to my travel memoir Not Quite Lost – a set of humorous Bill Brysonesque tales that also asks serious questions. Some of those questions are unanswerable, but they swim alongside us as we do ordinary life things. They demand… Continue reading A story is unfolding in your life? That’s when writers write. Post at Women Writers…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/02/27/a-story-is-unfolding-in-your-life-thats-when-writers-write-post-at-women-writers/

#Howtowriteabook #authorlife #CNF #creativenonfiction #creativenonfiction

When fiction is the right choice; when memoir is – Merav Fima on the shifting boundaries of story

As writers, we often start with a person, a place, or a haunting piece of history—and assume we know what shape it will take. It seems to be a novel, then we find the material demands the naked honesty of a memoir. Or we try to document a life exactly as it happened, only to… Continue reading When fiction is the right choice; when memoir is – Merav Fima on the shifting boundaries of story…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/02/26/when-fiction-is-the-right-choice-when-memoir-is-merav-fima-on-the-shifting-boundaries-of-story/

#Howtowriteabook #authorlife #books #creativewriting #fiction

Four shades of planning and pantsing… and how to get the most out of your chosen writing method

Traditionally the writing world is split between planners and pantsers. Planners like to prepare an outline before they start writing; pantsers see the writing as a voyage of discovery, letting the story and the characters unfold as they go. In reality, we’re probably all a mixture of both. Many planners discover new things they want… Continue reading Four shades of planning and pantsing… and how to get the most out of your chosen writing method…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/02/09/four-shades-of-planning-and-pantsing-and-how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-chosen-writing-method/

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Open with panache and also caution – a simple mistake with misdirection that might turn readers off

We always want to grab the reader at the start of a story. But are we grabbing them with the right things? Especially if we’re using misdirection. When does…
https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2026/01/11/open-with-panache-and-also-caution-a-simple-mistake-with-misdirection-that-might-turn-readers-off/

#Howtowriteabook #beginnings #books #fiction #firstscenes