The ballet-scarred rhinoceros

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Two-minute grammar explainer: active vs passive voice

What is the passive voice? How do you recognise it? Why would you use it? All the answers can be found in this two-minute video!

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What I've learned after writing thirteen novels OR How to not give up on your first draft

How to not give up? How not to give up? Does it matter if I split the infinitive? I should probably check a style manual. Or two. And...

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Is this a story or is it just a scenario?

So you've had an idea, and you think it could be a novel (or a short story, play or film script). But is there enough in it to sustain a...

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Summoning the idea fairy – how to find a great premise for your novel... and see it grow

Mama, where does inspiration come from? Well child, that’s a good question. Let’s ask Uncle Neil, king of the awesome idea. What is...

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"So now get up" − writing a first page to captivate your reader

Your book sits on the table at Waterstones and a reader picks it up. Your manuscript lands in the inbox of a prospective agent or...

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Writing and publishing advice from a ballet-scarred rhinoceros

Once, when typing at speed, I described a character as a "ballet-scarred rhinoceros”. I shared the joke with a friend, and she gave me...