Published by Profile Books ISBN: 9781800811881. I am surely not the only person who has become fascinated by Russian and Ukrainian history in the last twelve months. Over the years I have read quite a lot about the history of the USSR and Russian imperialism during the 20th century, and I’ve followed Putin’s rise through … Continue reading →
Published by Faber & Faber – ISBN: 978-0-571-36057-4 @faberbooks Apologies for such a long period of silence – work has been keeping me from blogging for a while. Today I have to review a book which has held me completely spellbound for the last week. This book, subtitled “A Disaster in the New World” tells … Continue reading →
Posted by writerlywitterer on 27/04/2016 · 2 Comments
I have written before about books arriving when I really don’t need them. So often they are books that are entirely inappropriate. Say a book that is historical, and since I am known as a historical writer, they will send it to me. The trouble is, it’s historical romance, or it’s historical-ish, and has a … Continue reading →
Posted by writerlywitterer on 17/08/2015 · 8 Comments
Last week was one of those exciting times when I was allowed out for a couple of days. It’s not easy when you’re let off the leash. I was going to Swanwick Writers’ School, which was a first for me, to give two one-hour workshops to aspiring and existing writers, but all the time while … Continue reading →
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Posted by writerlywitterer on 18/05/2015 · 5 Comments
Sorry to have been quiet last week, but I was working on the latest book. I still am, which is why this is likely to be a short blog too. However, it occurred to me that I ought to share the results of my last week’s work. I am in the period which I normally … Continue reading →
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Posted by writerlywitterer on 27/04/2015 · 5 Comments
This is one of those little posts where I discuss the way that I get things done. Not that my methods will work with everyone. They certainly won’t! However, if you are trying to write up a report for the boss, or get ideas down for an important essay, or even a dissertation, and you just … Continue reading →
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Posted by writerlywitterer on 20/04/2015 · 5 Comments
This is one of those blogs where I have a brief rant. And why not? I’m sitting here before a computer that is gleaming and lovely, when outside the birds are singing, the sun is shining and … yes, I’m sitting here indoors, in a Dartmoor granite house that is freezing. It’s so cold I’m wearing … Continue reading →
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Posted by writerlywitterer on 13/04/2015 · 15 Comments
One of the hardest aspects of writing is the fact that there are so many damnably attractive alternatives. You sit at the desk and try to focus on the day ahead. That involves thinking about the coming scenes, planning, plotting, getting the mind into the right frame for envisioning bloody murder or a battle scene, … Continue reading →
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Posted by writerlywitterer on 30/03/2015 · 9 Comments
Welcome to another Jecks wittering. There are times when I sit at my desk and type and think about all kinds of happy things. There are times when I happily wallow in blood and guts in my mind – which is why I, like most crime writers, am such a well-balanced, pleasant, amiable fellow. I … Continue reading →
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Posted by writerlywitterer on 23/03/2015 · 14 Comments
I was reading in a magazine an article by the excellent Simon Brett earlier today. It was an obituary for Phyllis James and mentioned that some time ago, while talking about writing, they discussed the worst questions authors are asked. My own favourite worst is, “Where do your books sell?” It’s a natural question. It’s … Continue reading →
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