Life-novel balance and other fictional concepts.
I have never managed the work-life balance thing. Complicated Christmas holidays, a deadline for one of our authors, the need to catch up with my own work after that, and…
Category: History
As the Sparks Fly Upwards
Last night, I went to a book launch. This is the sort of thing I’m supposed to do now as a publishing magnate, but a. COVID’s got in the way…
Gasmasks, secret Christmas cards, underpants and the reason I took 4 years of Latin.
I am so glad the weekend is here, and we’re at home for it. The last 7 days: We went away last weekend to celebrate my husband’s birthday. On Saturday,…
Big birthday with big computers
This weekend is a big birthday for my husband. I have to be kind to him because it’ll be mine next year and he’ll be able to turn anything rude…
Winchester, new experiences and playing mother-in-law to a character I don’t like.
I remember my dream from last night, which doesn’t happen much. Do other people feel the need to match the dredgings of their subconscious with the events/ television of the…
Nanowrimo week 4: “Winning” a novel and whether the Crown should be this gripping.
New blog post: “Winning” a novel and whether the Crown should be this gripping.
Bournemouth 19/05/17
It was dark, but this is Bournemouth, in the middle of a subway, under a roundabout: Is it just me being pretentious, or is there a metaphor here? Even if…
Productive ways to avoid your novel and Victorians at their best.
I have two articles out today. The first, ‘Productive Procrastination’, is in the June issue of Writing Magazine. I lay out twelve good excuses to avoid your novel. This didn’t require much…
sophie beal 