‘How’s the writing going?’
It’s the million-dollar question. Often it’s best to bat it away with a ‘fine, coming along’ followed by a rapid change of subject. Do people really want to know that sometimes the writing gods smile down, showering inspiration and motivation on all who call on them, and sometimes they… well… don’t?
Read MoreTop tips on how to write teenage friendships
Read MoreIt’s been four weeks since Summer of No Regrets was published.
I’m resisting the urge to express myself using only emojis and superlatives. It has been an incredible month: exciting, nerve-wracking with many new experiences and one of the steepest learning curves I’ve ever experienced.
Read MoreSo you’ve had a writer for a while now and you’ve learnt that writers need an unlimited supply of tea or coffee and plenty of snacks. You know that if a writer is head down, tapping furiously on a laptop then not to disturb them. And no, there is no exception to this rule.
Read MoreOne of my new year’s aims is to read more. But it’s not just reading more – I’m making it A Thing. I’m going to savour it (and savouring ticks mental health boxes galore). I’m going to light the fire, warm my slippers, unearth the cosy blanket from wherever the kids have hidden it, make a cup of tea in my favourite mug and snuggle right into that book.
As ever, I feel like I’m late to the enlightened party.
Read MoreI recently had the pleasure of speaking on a panel about Up Lit at the Society of Young Publishers’ annual conference. With me on the panel were Lisa Highton from Two Roads, publisher of The Keeper of Lost Things and Martha Ashby, editorial director of Harper Fiction, but specifically in this case, editor of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. It was a fascinating session, so here is what was said about this relatively new genre of ‘Up Lit’.
Read MoreI’m having a year of ‘No Regrets’. What this means in reality is saying yes to things I might regret saying no to later. And since signing my book deal, there is an increasing number of these and it all feels a bit… new.
Read MoreThe announcement of my YA book deal with Firefly Press came pinging onto my phone as I attempted to navigate the school summer fair. Picture me with four kids, three plant pots and a bag of assorted purchases, trying to make sense of the tweets that were streaming onto my phone.
(Small pause while I let fly a whoop and a yeeeehaw!)
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