Writing Blog
Book Review: After You
Like many readers, I had read and enjoyed Jojo Moyes Me Before You. I didn’t think a sequel was really necessary, as I generally like endings that leave things open for the readers’ imaginations. Nevertheless, I still picked this up when it came out and enjoyed this novel – although perhaps not as much as…
Read MoreBook review: Paris Time Capsule
In Paris Time Capsule, by Ella Carey, New-York photographer Cat Jordan is stunned to learn she has inherited an apartment in Paris from Isabelle de Florian, a woman she’s never heard of. She leaves behind her society boyfriend and travels to France to handle the practicalities. There she learns that Isabelle de Florian and her…
Read MoreHolidays as creative writing time?
I’m not sure how I feel about this. Sometimes as I leave for holidays I have big plans for what I want to accomplish writing-wise. Other departures, I realize that there is very little point in hoping I’ll accomplish anything beyond normal vacation recharging. This year I have writing goals, but I’m not sure how…
Read MoreBook Review: The Improbability of Love
I didn’t know anything about this novel until I saw it shortlisted for the Bailey’s Prize – always a source of inspiration for my reading – and loved its premise. I wasn’t disappointed at all. This was a fabulous find, and its interesting plot and cast of whimsical characters kept up a quick pace throughout…
Read MoreBook Review: Along the Infinite Sea
I’ve already reviewed A Hundred Summers, a book I enjoyed by author Beatriz Williams, in an earlier post. You can see my earlier review here. After having enjoyed Williams’ debut novel, I was happy to (bad pun alert) dive back…
Read MoreThe links between authors and painters
“I learn as much from painters about how to write as from writers.” -Ernest Hemingway An interesting question raised by an author I have to admit (stereotypically? unfairly?) I would never have imagined to have pondered such a question. But I have always loved art for many of the same reasons I’ve always loved literature…
Read MoreWriting as a second life
“Writing is neither a happy nor an unhappy occupation—it is something between. It is a second life.” —Ismail Kadare Thought-provoking words from the talented Albanian author Ismail Kadare. Writing is a type of second life for authors who have an imaginary word in their heads, with their characters speaking to one another, acting out possible…
Read MoreBook review: The Storm Sister
I’m usually not a fan of book series. I know they’re all the rage, and authors and readers swear by them, but personally, I tend to avoid them. I picked up, The Seven Sisters, the first book of this series by Lucinda Riley last year without knowing it was part of a developing series. I…
Read MoreDo you ever need incentives to edit?
Your novel is all completed and now it’s just down to the easy peasy task of editing, right? Well, err, I doubt many would describe it that way. I find the initial writing to be the easier task, and the editing process to be much slower going. That’s why I like to look at photos…
Read MoreBook review: A Hundred Summers
Plot in a nutshell: Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Years later, boy returns into girl’s life, now married to girl’s best friend. Classic story, but it’s what the author does with it. This wonderful debut novel by Beatriz Williams is told in alternating story lines. The first unrolls in 1931 as smart, ambitious Smith…
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