It's Mental Health Awareness week, and I've decided that makes it a great time to speak out about, and hopefully raise awareness about, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD is an illness that makes your emotions feel difficult to cope with. It is a personality disorder also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) or Emotional… Continue reading How it Feels to be a Writer with BPD
As a thriller writer, I always aim to surprise in my writing. I work on plot twists, red herrings, and unreliable narration. This week, I've been thinking of ways to really 'shock' your readers, for that mega impact in a story that gets them talking! Be brave with your themes There are a lot of… Continue reading Novelists: 4 Ways to Shock your Readers
It is with much excitement that I bring this interview with the author of the mysterious, pulse-racing YA fantasy series - Blackbirch. Having released The Collector, the final book in this four part series, I caught up with K.M. Allan to find out more about her writing journey and what comes next. First of all,… Continue reading Interview with K.M. Allan – Author of the ‘Blackbirch’ series
The concept of reading to enhance writing is not a new one, but it is so important that it can't be understated, and so I'd like to talk about it today, focusing on 4 ways reading makes you a better writer! Take a peek... 1. Reading enhances your understanding of story telling All books are… Continue reading 4 Ways Reading Makes you a Better Writer
Writers are an incredibly unique species with the remarkable ability to find a story in every place, everyone and everything. I truly believe that writers, and all creatives, truly see the world in a different light. One that is more brilliant, more beautiful and sometimes more brutal. But it's this view that gives us our… Continue reading Finding Inspiration in Creative Hobbies
The main thing that I found when I started being stricter with my deadlines was this;You don't realise how much time you're able to put aside for writing until you have a deadline. Setting deadlines not only encourages good discipline and productivity but it can also give you a confidence boost. Meeting a deadline or… Continue reading The Importance of Deadlines for Writers
Today, I'd like to focus on reasons you should visit the location in which your novel is set. Yesterday, I went to London with the sole purpose of researching the areas my character's live, work and meet their fate...I visited two years ago, when I was in the early stages of planning my novel. I… Continue reading 4 Reasons to Visit your Novel’s Location
There is nothing, quite like finishing a first draft. Nothing quite so exciting and relieving...and I have done it, fellow writers! I've always said I'd like to keep my blog posts relevant to where I am at within my writing journey, or current with new tips and advice I've discovered...so today's blog post will focus… Continue reading The Do’s and Don’ts of Finishing your First Draft
I'm adding another 'Finding Inspiration in...' post to the collection today. (See previously Finding Inspiration in Places and Music) TV and Film can be heavy distractions for writers, but if you're feeling the need to relax in front of the screen there's plenty of ways you can tie it in with fuelling your creative mind. Take… Continue reading Finding Inspiration in TV and Film
What is a writer's slump?I suppose this could be subjective but for me the writer's slump has been a period of lows and no writing due to negative thoughts. I thought I was coming so close to finishing my first draft only to realise that one whole half of the story was actually boring and… Continue reading The Writer’s Slump…and How to Beat It
M.L. Davis Writer 