Books
Things I’ve Learned on My Proofreading Course
As many of you who read this blog will know, I’m a compulsive word nerd and in the past 2-3 years, I’ve turned this passion into an editing and proofreading service. Recently, I decided to step up this side of my overall writing business and I embarked on a proofreading course, to help me hone […]
A Writer’s Love Affair with Her Notebooks
Writers have a deeply personal relationship with their notebooks. To them, notebooks are as valuable as their right arms. When an idea flares, they capture it in their notebooks before it takes flight. Many a great book has sprung from a humble notebook. Notebooks aren’t just idea stores for writers. They’re things of beauty in […]
Three Ingredients of a Successful Creative Writing Class
When I blog about creative writing classes, I concentrate on the meat and bones of the class, the exercises, the techniques. Certainly, once you have those in place, your class will go smoothly. But it’s the ingredients you can’t predict that decide whether a creative writing class will have that extra zing. I’ve identified three […]
Is Non Fiction More Compelling Than Fiction
Last week, in my creative writing class in Clonmel, the students created characters and were encouraged to make them do slightly crazy things, like walk around the room. They did it dutifully, but dubiously. I was a little surprised, as most groups relish the chance to play God, but these things happen. Some exercises work […]
Cost-Effective Editing
On foot of last week’s post about why self published authors need editors, I thought I’d wield a blunt instrument and tackle the single biggest obstacle to hiring an editor – cost. There’s no getting away from it. If you want your book edited to a high standard, there’s a considerable cost involved. You’re paying […]
Why Self Published Writers Need Editors
Are you interested in self publishing a book, or have you self published already? Are you fed up with not being taken seriously by the literati? One of the ways of ensuring that your book competes with the top titles produced by traditional publishing houses is to hire an editor. A […]
Writing Work Is Like Buses…
There is none for ages, then the work comes in threes. Last week, there was none. It may not seem big or clever to admit this, but that’s the reality of life as a freelance writer. So I did when I always do during those blank weeks; plant seeds and tend my garden. Planting seeds […]
When’s Your Next Book Coming Out
When’s your next book coming out? That’s the question on everyone’s lips. Well, a few people anyway. It’s in the pipeline I tell them. What’s it about, is the next question. I tell them it’s about them. Keeps the reader happy. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Keeping the reader happy. The truth is, […]
