The Test of Time

This week I’ve been revising the openings of both my novels for the Mslexia Women’s Novel Competition www.mslexia.co.uk/novelcompetition and once again I’ve been reminded of the importance of time as a revision tool. As we all know it’s impossible to be objective about your own writing – it’s either brilliant, the best thing you’ve ever written [...]

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Back in The Writing Saddle – Again.

So, after giving myself some time off to do things other than write – and not feel guilty about it – by this morning I had well and truly run out of excuses. The party was over, the house was (sort of) tidy, the washing done and the diary empty. I’d even given fair warning [...]

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Revise And Revise Again

This week I’ve had the … let’s say pleasure, of revising not one but two manuscripts to submit to the QWC/Hachette Manuscript Development Program. Here’s a few things I’ve learnt, or re-learnt, as a result: 1. Revision is an ongoing process. Even when you think you’ve nailed it, that the manuscript is as close to [...]

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The Writer’s Mind

Great interview with Australian Writer Sue Woolfe on the writing process at www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2007/1935554.htm Here’s an excerpt, taken from her book on the writing process, The Mystery of the Cleaning Lady: A Writer Looks at Creativity and Neuroscience. Sue Woolfe: [Reads] I tried to control my wayward imagination but again and again I discovered that I [...]

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