creative writing | creative life
Ever since I started coaching aspiring and established authors and illustrators over at girlandduck.com, I've been saying the same thing: This is a personal development bootcamp, honey! Remember when Goldie Hawn joined the US army in Private Benjamin? She thought it would be a lark. Maybe they'd do a little stretching, some 'jogging' (remember jogging?), …
Continue reading "Writer? Illustrator? Six reasons you’re in a personal development bootcamp"
Hello pop tart! I've never done one of these review blog posts. But I LOVE reading 'em! So, this year, I'm giving it a whirl. To be honest, I'm wondering where to go with it all. How far, how wide, how deep? It's like plotting a novel. I need groupings. Headings. Chapters. Maybe even a …
Continue reading "Part One. My Year in Review: The Tree Change."
Lights! Camera! Book Week! I LOVE dressing my characters. I have to know what they're wearing, in order to get a true sense of them. Over the years, loads of readers (and their parents) have sent me their Book Week, Truly Tan pics. But there's plenty more inspiration in my books. Here's my own little …
Continue reading "Let’s dress up! Book Week costumes a-plenty. Send me your pics!"
The other day my friend, Tania McCartney, told me about Bullet Journalling. Sounds like fun! I'll follow it up. It made me think of Bullet Blogging. Could I try that??? Is that even a thing? It is now. Here goes: The hunt for a country house continues. We've seen millions (well, that's how it feels). …
Continue reading "House Huntin’, Book Writin’, and the Inaugural Scribbles Live Round"
You know how I used to have a blog called Baxter Street? Well I did. It was more personal that this blog. For 2018 I've decided to combine the best of Baxter Street with the best of Girl & Duck. Which means sometimes I'll bang on about personal stuff that might not interest you. Other …
Continue reading "News from the house hunt, and ‘where to from here?’ for this blog"
Hello! I like writing blog posts at Christmas. No one expects much. Do they? Writing: I finally finished Truly Tan: Baffled! (book seven) and delivered it to my publisher on time (working right up until December 15, the day it was due). Phew! Next year I'll be waaaay more organised. Ahem. Finalising: We signed off …
Does your writing sometimes feel a bit, erm, pedestrian? The following post will give you some fresh ideas, help you shove more energy into your stories. Dear Diary Will letters, notes, doodles or lists add interest to my stories? Yours sincerely Inventive Author These days kids have words and images coming at them from all …
Continue reading "Oi! Here’s an easy way to liven up your stories"
Lights! Cameras! Book Week! I LOVE dressing my characters. Over the years lots of readers (and their parents) have sent me their Truly Tan pics from Book Week. I've compiled my own little parade to give you some ideas. See below. Scroll down for other costume ideas, too! Plus a little bit about my next …
Continue reading "Book Week costumes and another TV appearance!"
Nifty tips. Everyone wants them. Ten Tips for Honing Voice. Seven Steps to Quirky Characters. Three Ways to Ensure your Lipstick Never Moves while Public Speaking. (Actually, I should write that last one. I’ve got it covered). Tips about creative writing abound and for those of us in the trade they’re fairly easy to knock …
Continue reading "My Random Writing Routine. Or, How To Bumble Your Way to Success."