Category: about writing
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Faeries in history: cute / dangerous / erotic
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If you lived in medieval times, you were constantly trying to ward off all the evil that fairies, magical beings who lurked in the woods, could foist upon you. Legends portrayed them as looking human, with a decided bent for trickery. They might be any size from tiny to our…
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Why conventions and book festivals matter
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I wrote my first novel during the COVID lockdown and experienced the surreal situation of getting vaccinated in a crowded arena, all while staying home to avoid infection and worrying about a friend’s son who was critically ill, as well as waiting in long lines for groceries. How did that…
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On hiatus this week
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Back next week with a look at the origins of faerie eroticism, the super-popular trend in fantasy sub-genres at the moment.
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Why haven’t I written a vampire tale?
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Keeping up with everyone who’s now referring to this month as ‘Augtober’, dreaming of the impending Halloween season, I thought I’d address this burning question. (At least to me, maybe not anyone else 😉) I’ve been enthralled with vampire stories and movies ever since I first saw the superb Christopher…
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Fae-ry Tales, Not so nice
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But the old woman had only pretended to be friendly. She was a wicked witch who was lying in wait there for children. She had built her house of bread only in order to lure them to her, and if she captured one, she would kill him, cook him, and…
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Where do ideas come from?
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It’s a common question for authors. I was reading an interesting article the other day, from a writer who was facing severe idea-blockage during the COVID lockdowns, until his wife convinced him to get a dog. He found inspiration in the new relationship, as so many people have. Maybe blockage…
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Book Promo: our love\hate relationship
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Would you turn down a $175,000 prize to avoid having to do promotional activities? That’s exactly what US writer Helen DeWitt did in April. It made the news. I’ve been reading through her blog posts about this, and, without passing any judgement, she seems highly stressed by a series of…
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From Draft to Published
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“Writing the last page of the first draft is the most enjoyable moment in writing.” Nicholas Sparks It’s alive! It’s alive! Well, sort of. I feel like a proud mad scientist, having stitched together my creation, given it its first breath of life. But it’s not ready for the world…
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On hiatus this week to finish the book
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“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” — Jodi Picoult Like the storm that brought Dracula to the shores of England, a storm of evil is descending on the town of Llithfaen. I’m down to the last few chapters that will decide the fate…
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Bringing a dream bookstore to life
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It was the bookstore of my dreams – literally. White shelves zigzagging in and out along the walls, on a raised perimeter just a couple of steps above the central space. A treasure trove of wonderful books of all kinds, from fiction to historical. Tables in the centre with delightful…