Archive for novel writing
Should we have to study poetry?
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Should we have to study poetry? Justin Raymond guest posts on the best way to enjoy art…
Yesterday I found myself discussing poetry with a friend, secretly hoping she might volunteer to take a look at some of my recent work and provide a little feedback (always dangerous with friends, though, unless you know them well, because they tend to be more polite than honest). “I don’t read poetry,” she said. “I don’t understand it, it has so many levels, so many hidden meanings.” I was about to agree with her, until she added, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to think.” Hmm, I’m not so sure about that last point, but then again…
On repeatable plots, Scandi thrillers and black coffee…
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Let's pretend these random characters spell out 'Sweden' in Mandarin
OK, I’ve often mentioned that I love Stieg Larsson’s ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy. I thought they were amazing when I first read them, and I still love them now. I didn’t want them to end, despite the fact that the genre isn’t something which I would normally go for (I’m not really a crime reader). Despite this, from the moment I picked up the first book in the series I was hooked.
On letting the creativity back in…
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Over the past few months, Stilus has come in to its own. I really feel that the past couple of years are starting to pay off when it comes to my business being what I always hoped it could be. I have regular commissions each day for various blogs, and enough ad hoc work coming in to feel as if I am earning a decent living.
Fantastic, right?
On life getting in the way of writing
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Poor, neglected blog. It’s been so long since my last update, and I’m sorry, but you know how it is, right? A host of contracts and new customers come along, and deadlines are short, and then pregnancy and ‘flu hits, and then it’s nearly Christmas, and on and on the excuses go. My poor blog has been sitting in the back of my mind like a hungry puppy wanting sustenance, but life has rushed past like a steam train and I’m only just catching up again…
My video author interview for ‘Gardening in the Dark’
Posted by: | CommentsThose of you who have followed the blog for a while probably know that last year, my first novel ‘Gardening in the Dark’ was published with Chipmunka. I’ve been lucky enough to be interviewed by Michelle Vandepas of Talking Books TV, and I thought I’d share it with you here. As soon as I work out how to embed the code…
On the element of surprise, and getting hacked to bits
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Not as frightening as a bloke with a seventies beard
We’ve been watching the Amytville Horror film this evening, in what is evidently a ploy by the BBC to get everyone in the mood for Halloween. I’m writing this blog instead of sitting with my hands over my eyes, as somehow having a laptop between me and the TV is going to stop me jumping. Similar to Blair Witch, but I’m not hiding behind the video camera. Personally, I think the most frightening thing about the film is the main character’s beard and dodgy haircut, which is going to give me nightmares for many a week to come.
‘Gardening in the Dark’ finally available for purchase!
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Gardening in the Dark
If you a regular reader of the Stilus blog, you’ll have travelled with me for the past year, through the ups and downs of getting my novel accepted for publication, and being released.
I have news! The novel is now out, and if you go to Amazon you can purchase it from the site. I’m absolutely over the moon with the cover, the quality and the whole process. I’d like to thank Chipmunka publishing for all their support and help over the past year, and for making this amazing moment possible.
