The scent of warm cheese and freshly baked scones drifted down the main street of Middlemarch, sneaking through open windows, and luring locals toward the heart of town—Emily Mitchell’s café, Storm in a Teacup. Inside, the counter gleamed, the old timber floor creaked comfortingly, and sunlight slanted through sheer curtains. Locals packed the tables, sipping tea and coffee, chatting,...
We recently spent four days touring Matamata, the National Park, Taupo, and Rotorua before returning to Auckland and jumping on a cruise ship to Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Wellington, and Tauranga. Excellent weather, splendid company, and many...
When I started writing books, I used to get home from work, change out of my uniform, grab a coffee, and start work. I’d write for around two hours before powering down the computer and preparing dinner. I did this every weekday, and by the end of the month, I had a...
By the time I decided I wanted to write, I’d read romances for years and had unconsciously absorbed a lot about story structure and characterization. It never occurred to me to plot. I knew what I wanted to write and sat down and pounded out that sucker. After a...
If you’ve followed my advice about reading many books, you probably know what genre you want to write or at least have worked out the genres you enjoy most. Here is a post on choosing your next writing project and another post with suggestions on what to write. Some...
This advice isn’t solely for aspiring authors but is excellent advice for everyone. If you join an online group, asking questions is usually fine. Other writers/group members are generous with advice and suggestions. They’re helpful and open to sharing their...
This is the first question most people ask once they learn you’re a writer. “I don’t know how you do it,” they’ll say. Then, there will be the other smart arses who want to know if you write from real-life experience and waggle their eyebrows suggestively, knowing...
