I spend most New Year’s days reflecting on the past year and all the highs and lows. I begin to plan for the year ahead, marking significant days–birthdays, anniversaries, upcoming events, work commitments holidays, travel–the knowns. I also plan for adventure, but to be honest, with 2020 and 2021 and some of 2022 being so …
Category Archives: Writers Life
Adding Front and Back Matter to Give Our Readers More
When we create a novel for our readers to enjoy, we might start with the first sentence of chapter one, but we shouldn’t consider it finished when we type “The End” after the last sentence of the story. It’s time to write the front and back matter to give our readers more. We can add …
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2022 in Review
I thought for my last post for the year I’d share about some of the things I’ve learned from releasing 11 books in this past year and writing quite a few more. There have been some wins, some losses and rejections, and lots of learning. Ready? Let’s go! Firstly, I’m going to preface everything by …
Writer’s Life | Where do ideas come from?
‘Where do you get all your ideas?’ is the most common question I’m asked. I laugh. ‘From God, I suppose. I used to tell people I was born with a pen in my hand.’ Ideas seem to be everywhere. Sometimes they interrupt me at awkward times, like when I’m falling asleep. I used to lie …
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Writers Life | Mending Holes, Writing Whole
Imagine trying to open your front door with someone else’s key. Cutting, sharpening or lubricating it will likely prove futile because it’s not your key. In the same way, attempting to mend holes in your writing schedule with strategies that have worked for other writers may not always unlock your specific-to-you writing best. A Hole …
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Fixing Logistical Problems in Fiction
Just as Jilly was about to mount her horse, something spooked him and he started going round in circles. Jilly hopped along, one foot twisted in the stirrup and the other trying to launch off the ground. With a Herculean effort she leapt onto the horse, discovering too late that she was facing the wrong …
Reviews – how to get them
You’re a new author with your first book. Everyone has told you that you need as many reviews as possible but it is so difficult to get them. Are they really so important and if so, how do you get them? Why are reviews so important? Reviews are social proof for a book. If a …
Writers Life | Print or E-Book?
This (Monday) morning, Australia Post delivered a long-awaited box. I was on edge all last week, hoping the box would arrive by Friday, in time to take for its contents – five copies of my newly formatted Akrad’s Children – along with my other books for the Rendered Realms stall at the Brisbane Supanova on …
Writers Life | A visit to America – in my head
For many years (24 to be exact) I have written Christian fiction based mostly in Australia. I’m Australian, so it makes sense to write what you know, or at least where you know. I had a short adventure living in the UK for a year in 2008, and during that time I was inspired to …
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How to Design Covers Both Men and Women Love
For a man to check out a book online or in a store, the cover must hold the promise of a story men would enjoy. Historical novels where romance isn’t the most important plot focus are often enjoyed by both men and women. So, how can our choice of cover let men know our story …
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