Quick Tips: Goals
I keep having people ask how I work: how do I get my ideas down on paper? How do I write so quickly? Well, I work one hour at a time. In 50 minutes I can type 1,000 words, and that is most of a scene, usually. Then I’ll take a ten minute break, during which I … Continue reading
Day Jobs
There is a different mindset in Britain compared with more entrepreneurial nations like America. In Britain we have always been pigeonholed at an early age. Men would learn a trade, serve an apprenticeship with a leatherworker, cordwainer, butcher or smith, or perhaps, if he was lucky, he might get a post with a bank and … Continue reading
Football’s Over – Yippee!
I know. It’s rather immature (mind you, no one’s ever accused me of maturity), but I so detest football, that I cannot help a little frisson of delight that the damn nonsense is over for a while. My poor son is a perfectly ordinary lad. He enjoys all kinds of sports: he adores cricket, swimming, … Continue reading
MPs
Lovely photo last night of our revered Members of Parliament discussing some important matters about the UK’s relationship with Europe. Seriously, if our MPs can’t be bothered to vote, why the hell should they expect us to vote for them? I am developing grumpy old git syndrome.
The Research Into Author Incomes
I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth reconsidering this week. The Authors Licensing and Collecting Society is a marvellous organisation that helps authors by collecting odd amounts of money. For example, I recently had some few pounds because someone in Germany had been copying pages from one of my novels for use in classes in … Continue reading
I’m Constantly Being Astonished …
Okay, so I used to be a salesman. And now I’m a writer, which means I’m still a salesman. There are many rules about salesmanship. One is, that you spend a little time thinking about your potential client and make the best pitch you can based on his or her needs. You use all kinds … Continue reading
A New Character
It is always hard to invent stories. First, you have to invent people, who have to feel real, well-rounded characters with lives and motivations of their own. Then you have to create a world in which they can live, and infuse that with logic and atmosphere. Finally, you need to take those people (and the … Continue reading
REVIEW: SHE DEMONS by Donald Hauka, published by Dundurn Press
REVIEW: SHE DEMONS by Donald Hauka, published by Dundurn Press ISBN: 9781554887637, £6.99 While I was cavorting in crime with the Crime Writers of Canada in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate to be given books in my goody bag by a number of authors I’d never heard of. This is always … Continue reading
Complaints and Reviews
I’m just back from a trip to Belstone, talking on video about BELLADONNA AT BELSTONE. And while talking about BaB, I was struck by some of the things that stick in my mind. It’s not the usual old rant. There are people, generally, who love to point out errors in an author’s research, for example. … Continue reading
Conferences – and other ways to waste time!
Yesterday I went all the way up to Bristol to attend a conference with the Society of Authors, all about the weird and wonderful brave new world we inhabit. The main thing was, the Society wanted to brief we authors on how to sell our books more efficiently and achieve better sales. A praiseworthy ambition! The … Continue reading
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