Melanie Fraser

I’d guess probably not, Alan! Maybe publishing novellas is something to look forward to once one’s career is established 🙂 Though as they seem mostly to be written by big names such as Hill and Ian McEwan, you probably have to be very established.

Well done, Elle. 🙂

Thank you Daeds, I really appreciate it.

I’ve found your nonfic book on the Amberley publishing site and will order a copy forthwith! It’s a while since I read a pilot biog or autobiog and am looking forward to learning about Duncan Menzies.

Thanks Elle. Setting is something I usually skim over, so I will try applying this and see what happens!

Sounds like you might be doing spider diagrams, Philippa – more poshly called mind mapping I think, but ‘mind mapping’ sounds too abstract for me. Anyhow, I find the technique very helpful. Completely agree with the two ‘touch points’. I need somewhere to head for – that itself is the basis of an idea. Also need to know the main theme before I…[Read more]

That’s really kind of you Daeds. I’m OK at the moment but there could well be something as I still do bits of research as I draft. I promise not to bombard you. My story deals with flying before and during WW2 but I admit I’ve kept naval aviation at arm’s length as something I don’t need to include, at least not in any detail.

You’ve already…[Read more]

I too really enjoyed this, Daeds. Thank you for sharing it. I’d never have found the programme otherwise, and it does cover some of the period of my WIP. The episode was really well paced and, as you say, didn’t talk down. I learned a lot and thought all the experts were well chosen – you most of all of course. I can find documentaries…[Read more]

Thanks for your notes, Raine. They are very helpful and come at a timely moment as I polish the structure of my novel in progress.

A few immediate thoughts which may not stand up to scrutiny. Athelstone wonders about the universality of such frameworks. This has always been my question too. They seem to me too rigid to allow for individual…[Read more]

This is great Raine. I’ve read a few structure books and I can see how they all reflect in this arc. It’s nice to have it in this concise summary. I’m going to print it out and pin it to the wall!

It’s not my cup of tea but I’m supportive of anyone who does it. I know someone who sets her own word count for the month and that works well for her.

I think you’ve just answered your own question. 😀 Good luck with developing it.

I’m with you and Sandra on not going graphic. Ramping up the PD and inferring what’s going on rather than full on graphic is definitely my preferred route. BUT, don’t ignore feedback either. What percentage of your Beta readers had this reaction? Could you ask the ones who didn’t mention this how they felt. It may be you’re being too short and…[Read more]

You are scorching hot at the moment. Long may it last!

I’ve been tempted to read Earthsea a few times, but was put off when I read Le Guin uses a quite distant narrative style.
This blog has piqued my interest though, and I think I might go find out for myself, because The Dispossessed sounds fascinating.
Thanks for writing about it Richard.