creative writing | creative life
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!"
I run a private Facebook group for aspiring authors and illustrators. You might have heard of it (ahem). It’s called The Duck Pond. Hop on my mailing list if you'd like to join. I also run a private Facebook group for those who are doing my online course, Scribbles. I love both groups equally …
I remember reading one time, that the difference between secondary characters and minor characters  is  that minor characters don't speak. Sometimes they don't even have names. This definition confused me. All my stories have minor characters who speak. Sometimes they have quite a lot to say. Does that make them secondary characters? Is that how they …
Continue reading "Here’s why minor characters are important"
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!"
If your story isn't taking off, maybe you're telling it from the wrong perspective. The wrong point of view. I've been known to go on about this. But it's important. I've grappled with it so often it's become a fallback for when things are going badly. If my story is dragging its feet, I reassess. I think, okay, can …
Continue reading "How Point of View can save your story (Part One of two posts)"
‘Narnia! It’s all in the wardrobe, just like I told you!’ As hard as it is to believe, the first girl & duck creative writing course is now over. I will blog about it and celebrate its little triumphs over on Baxter Street soon. But this here is my serious site. Ahem. This site is …