Writing tips focuses on practical ways to improve craft—refining structure, strengthening voice, and sharpening clarity. These posts offer direct, experience-driven guidance, where technique meets application and small adjustments can reshape how effectively a piece is written and understood.
Writing fictional murder is dangerous not for the act, but for the shortcuts it can invite. “Low-hanging fruit” victims are a no-go zone. For many, it’s too much to bear. People often ask why writing about murder in fiction is dangerous. Not because of violence itself, but because of who the violence lands on. If
Permission to Harm Low Hanging Fruit in Fiction Read More »
SEETHINGS didn’t just test my ability to write—it dismantled me, rebuilt me, and demanded persistence long after quitting felt reasonable. Eight years, three books, and one obsession later, the story finally learned how to breathe. Now that SEETHINGS III is finally out in the world, there’s a strange stillness I didn’t expect. Relief, yes—but also
SEETHINGS Nearly Killed Me Read More »
Most authors are taught to chase exposure. More clicks. More downloads. More “eyes on the page.” And yet, the more widely a book is scattered—especially for free—the more likely it is to be misread, misunderstood, and misjudged. (I know. I can testify, your Honour.) Not because the writing is poor. But because the wrong reader
Writers Don’t Need More Readers. They Need Better Ones. Read More »
Characters from completed stories can linger in a writer’s memory, evolving from mere inventions to figures resembling real acquaintances. This persistent familiarity can lead to moments where fictional characters feel like past friends. Over years, rich details allow these characters to blend into memories, necessitating a responsible portrayal to maintain their integrity.
“I’m Living With Characters Who Never Existed,” Author Admits Read More »
Ask a dozen writers whether prologues belong in modern novels and you’ll get a dozen different answers—many of them loud and polarising. Some literary agents openly admit they skip them. They’ve seen too many slow world-building lectures, disconnected flashbacks, and “teaser scenes” that never quite earn their place. Writing forums are full of warnings telling
Prologues, Yay or Nay? Read More »
There’s a moment in every writer’s life when they face the impossible: the decision to end the life of a character who cannot defend themselves. The child. The frail. The broken. The innocent. They exist in our stories to evoke protection, empathy, and hope—and when we end their lives, something inside the reader dies too.
Is It Right To Kill Vulnerable Characters? Read More »
A book summary—or synopsis—is more than a simple retelling of your story. It’s the ultimate handshake between you and a potential reader, agent, or publisher. Done right, it ignites curiosity and promises a journey worth taking. Done wrong, it gives too much away—or worse, puts your audience to sleep. A great summary distils the heart
Crafting the Perfect Book Summary: Tips and Tricks Read More »
The author discusses the limitations of artificial intelligence in creating dark fiction, particularly psychological thrillers. AI fails to engage with complex, uncomfortable themes like betrayal and moral decay, opting for sanitization instead. While useful for technical tasks, authentic exploration of human darkness remains a uniquely human endeavor, necessitating empathy and depth.
When AI Refuses to Go Dark Read More »
Felicity Snow is effortless grace wrapped in power. She doesn’t just enter a room; she calibrates it—light, gaze, and mood bending around her composure. A doctor, hostess, and queen skipper of the super-catamaran Mon Homme, she is the character who proves that glamour is never merely decoration; it is a strategic move. Dr Felicity Snow
Character Spotlight: Dr Felicity Snow Read More »
Sandra Williams arrives like a promise you didn’t know you were waiting for. She doesn’t bulldoze a room; she blooms in it—warmth first, then wit, then a glint of playful daring. In Seethings III, she is the fulcrum where curiosity tilts into chemistry. Sandra Williams. She is meticulous without being fussy, glamorous without being brittle.
Character Spotlight: Sandra Williams Read More »