The years I spent working as a feature writer for magazines and newspapers, taught me so much about writing. How to do it quickly and effectively; when to be succinct, when to waffle. How to get something down on an empty page, without worrying about making every word perfect; how to edit a dismal first draft into something more polished and presentable.
It also taught me a great deal about people. As a journalist I interviewed hundreds of them – from child stars to ageing Hollywood divas, businessmen promoting a product, experts on health, consumer and property, people who had overcome illness, saved lives, scaled mountains, swum oceans, walked across continents. There were many uplifting stories - and equally as many tragic ones. Listening to and writing about so many extraordinary – and often ordinary – human experiences taught me invaluable lessons about character. We can’t always explain why we behave the way we do – and we don’t always like ourselves for it. But there are reasons and motives behind every action. And of course there are also consequences.
It also taught me a great deal about people. As a journalist I interviewed hundreds of them – from child stars to ageing Hollywood divas, businessmen promoting a product, experts on health, consumer and property, people who had overcome illness, saved lives, scaled mountains, swum oceans, walked across continents. There were many uplifting stories - and equally as many tragic ones. Listening to and writing about so many extraordinary – and often ordinary – human experiences taught me invaluable lessons about character. We can’t always explain why we behave the way we do – and we don’t always like ourselves for it. But there are reasons and motives behind every action. And of course there are also consequences.
Five years ago, I decided to try my hand at writing fiction. I wrote my first book: quickly and without much preparation. Then I started a second, soon to be abandoned for a third. I was lucky enough to get a place on the Faber Academy Novel Writing course, and made some wonderful, talented friends there. Since then I have written three more books, and I am trying my hand at flash fiction and short stories.
When I started writing fiction, I realised I was a pantser – the sort of writer who doesn’t come up with a plot or even a list of characters, but has an idea and launches straight in. It may not be the most logical (or sensible) way to write, but it was the only way I knew how to do it. Even now, I love the excitement of coming up with the germ of an idea and starting something fresh; letting my fingers fly across the keyboard, trying to keep up with the stream of words that are popping into my head. However, the trouble with pantsing, is that it can cause problems with structure and plot arcs and everything else - because you're basically winging it. So, over the last year or so, I have tried to turn myself into a plotter, working out a plot, fleshing out my characters and putting all the building blocks in place before I let myself start. I have to admit, it means you can fly through the writing once you start. During NaNoWriMo in November 2020, I wrote 51,000 words of my latest novel in less than four weeks - because I'd planned it, chapter by chapter, and knew exactly where I was going with it. That doesn't mean the writing always goes well, but at least I'm getting a first draft down quickly and relatively easily.
I am currently out on submission with my novel The Best Version of Me and A Thousand Tiny Disappointments will be published in September 2021. I hope other people may enjoy reading this book, as much as I enjoyed writing it.
When I started writing fiction, I realised I was a pantser – the sort of writer who doesn’t come up with a plot or even a list of characters, but has an idea and launches straight in. It may not be the most logical (or sensible) way to write, but it was the only way I knew how to do it. Even now, I love the excitement of coming up with the germ of an idea and starting something fresh; letting my fingers fly across the keyboard, trying to keep up with the stream of words that are popping into my head. However, the trouble with pantsing, is that it can cause problems with structure and plot arcs and everything else - because you're basically winging it. So, over the last year or so, I have tried to turn myself into a plotter, working out a plot, fleshing out my characters and putting all the building blocks in place before I let myself start. I have to admit, it means you can fly through the writing once you start. During NaNoWriMo in November 2020, I wrote 51,000 words of my latest novel in less than four weeks - because I'd planned it, chapter by chapter, and knew exactly where I was going with it. That doesn't mean the writing always goes well, but at least I'm getting a first draft down quickly and relatively easily.
I am currently out on submission with my novel The Best Version of Me and A Thousand Tiny Disappointments will be published in September 2021. I hope other people may enjoy reading this book, as much as I enjoyed writing it.
