It occurred to me the other day that I have been a published writer of short stories for six years now. I've been writing for far longer than that - since I was very young, in fact (my first poem was written at 6 years old. My mum still has it.) My 'journey' (god I… Continue reading How I came to write short stories
Tag: writing
a love letter to impostors everywhere
I'm an impostor. At least, I perceive myself to be: I am a fraud, a know-nothing, a talentless buffoon who wrote a story people liked and have cruised by on their goodwill ever since. Is this true? Possibly, possibly not. My brain choruses YES at a deafening volume: yes, you're going to get found out… Continue reading a love letter to impostors everywhere
‘write about the desert’, my brain said
inspiration is strange. One day, quite recently, a story arrived in my head almost fully formed - a thing that rarely happens to me, and a joy when it does. And that story was set in the Mojave desert in California. I have never been to California, much less the desert. I have never been… Continue reading ‘write about the desert’, my brain said
Tidy house, tidy mind – but not for me
A recent study published in Psychological Science revealed that environmental disorder - aka 'mess and clutter' - could actually aid the creative process. Reading this was something of an epiphany for me. Modern wisdom is full of the idea that we ought to declutter our lives - that hanging on to possessions and memories and… Continue reading Tidy house, tidy mind – but not for me
Inspiration
Going from 'inspiration' to 'story' is kind of like setting out on a voyage without knowing how you'll get there, or where exactly you're going. Some people think of this process as something organic - a plant growing from seed, for example. I think it's more like a flow chart, or some kind of weird… Continue reading Inspiration
‘one-hit wonder’
I'm not sure if this is a common fear among writers who are just starting out, or whether it's just neurosis on my part (and I am always completely willing to accept the latter possibility) But when you write something, and it's well-received - far better received than you were ever expecting it to be… Continue reading ‘one-hit wonder’
Soundtrack To Writing
Some people write with music, some people need dead silence. I also know people who can work happily with the TV on. For me, some kind of sound is necessary - although if it's a playlist full of songs I know very well, I'll inevitably end up singing along. Whilst writing the novella, I've had… Continue reading Soundtrack To Writing
on writing women, and why I do it
I recognise that I've been somewhat lax in actually utilising this blog for...well, for blogging, and that's due in part to me daring to go on holiday, but also because I forgot I had a blog. So I wanted to talk a little bit about writing female characters. It was pointed out to me that… Continue reading on writing women, and why I do it
exciting (and scary) times ahead…
Some of you may already know that I'm going to be writing a novella for Salt Publishing's new horror imprint, REMAINS - editor Johnny Mains is at the helm, and I'll be in esteemed company, with Lynda E Rucker, John Llewellyn Probert, Nathan Balingrud, Thana Niveau and others to be confirmed. At the moment it's… Continue reading exciting (and scary) times ahead…
Dispatches from the Sinister Room 