As we stood in the Plaça Catalunya this year, grapes in hand and waiting for churchbells to chime, it struck me that once again, I was celebrating New Year’s Eve upon an unknown shore. Ten seconds to midnight, the crowd started counting down, ten, nine, eight. And then, at midnight– Nothing. The fireworks were aContinue reading “Facing 2023”
Category Archives: Skills
That Expat Girl’s Guide to Writing a Novel | Part 2: The First Draft (1)
Sometimes writing a first draft is more like getting lost in a city, and sometimes it’s more like planning the perfect vacation. Either way, things rarely go completely according to plan….
February – Lockdown Updates and Worldbuilding Questions
In the midst of a third lockdown without sight of any sort of relief on the horizon, things have felt a lot more grim lately. I didn’t think that I’d be missing parties and my bookselling job all that much, and yet, here we are, and all I really want is to actually hang outContinue reading “February – Lockdown Updates and Worldbuilding Questions”
The Absolute Beginner Writers’ Guide: Freewriting, or how to get started with creative writing in just ten minutes
Writing, like any other craft takes practice. Take the pressure off your writing and let the words flow with this versatile and fundamental writing exercise.
Salvaging Stories: On the Publication of Like Clockwork
Click Here to read Like Clockwork. Back in 2007, I found myself in a place that was becoming all-too-familiar in the worst possible way. Once again, my mind and body had betayed me, and several weeks removed from the flow of my life was the result. From the barred window of my room in theContinue reading “Salvaging Stories: On the Publication of Like Clockwork”
An Advent Calendar of Prose Poems 4
It’s officially the beginning of The Season. This year, I’m challenging myself to write a piece of prose poetry for each of the days leading up to Christmas. This is week four — for days one through six, start here, days seven through twelve, here, and the previous days here. Check back for new onesContinue reading “An Advent Calendar of Prose Poems 4”
An Advent Calendar of Prose Poems 3
It’s officially the beginning of The Season. This year, I’m challenging myself to write a piece of prose poetry for each of the days leading up to Christmas. This is week three — for days one through six, start here, and days seven through twelve, here. Check back for new ones regularly, and let meContinue reading “An Advent Calendar of Prose Poems 3”
An Advent Calendar of Prose Poems 2
It’s officially the beginning of The Season. This year, I’m challenging myself to write a piece of prose poetry for each of the days leading up to Christmas. Here comes week two — for days one through six, start here. Check back for new ones regularly, and let me know your thoughts! 7 | ChristmasesContinue reading “An Advent Calendar of Prose Poems 2”
An Advent Calendar of Prose Poems
It’s officially the beginning of The Season. This year, I’m challenging myself to write a piece of prose poetry for each of the days leading up to Christmas. Trying to get back into the rhythm of writing prose poetry — we’ll see how it goes. Check back for new ones regularly, and let me knowContinue reading “An Advent Calendar of Prose Poems”
Rivers of London Award Shortlist Interview: Dan Buchanan
The skeleton of my story … serves as a useful guide, not only in terms of inspiring the questions my world-building needs to answer, but also as a kind of framework on which I can bounce the story around, and chop and change as needed. Dan Buchanan on knowing the story you’re telling Shortly afterContinue reading “Rivers of London Award Shortlist Interview: Dan Buchanan”
The Venture 