2023-03-22 13:16
You're writing forests wrong! Here's a big list of words and considerations you need for describing forests Read More
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Writing tips, short stories, and the musings of a writer.
2023-03-15 12:18
My reading of Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart. This story is in the Public Domain Read More
2023-03-08 13:06
Cover by Doogie Horner First, I must say that I love this trilogy. I haven’t loved a trilogy of books this much for years. I freaking adored reading these so much that I read them all… Read More
2023-03-01 12:15
Just like last month, I'm sharing a small snippet from my monthly writings. Last time I shared the opening page of my dark fantasy novel, quite possibly the most important part of any book… Read More
2023-02-22 12:07
Today I’m reviewing the top ranked creepypastas (at the time of me writing this) on creepypasta.com. What Is A Creepypasta? If you’re not familiar with the term, a ‘creepyp… Read More
2023-02-15 14:53
My ace romance story featuring mermen, Compatible, is now in audio form! Read More
2023-02-08 12:38
Listen to a free short story by me! Click & Scroll is now in audio. Read by the author. This story is available for free on writerinahat.com. It is the sole property of the author and ca… Read More
2023-02-01 12:17
Ever since I posted about my 2023 writing goals, I’ve wanted to do some kind of accountability series – a monthly update where I share what I’m working on, in the hopes tha… Read More
2023-01-25 14:31
I’ve decided to get into those books I got for Christmas and was immediately drawn to Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. I absolutely adored her non-linear pre and post apoca… Read More
2023-01-25 14:31
I’ve decided to get into those books I got for Christmas and was immediately drawn to Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. I absolutely adored her non-linear pre and post apoca… Read More
2023-01-25 14:31
I’ve decided to get into those books I got for Christmas and was immediately drawn to Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. I absolutely adored her non-linear pre and post apoca… Read More
2023-01-18 15:48
Writers are always told they need a great concept, but what if your story problems lie in a concept that's too great? Let me explain Read More
2023-01-11 10:44
Cover by Steve Wells An oldie book with a goldie book cover. It’s time to some love to the design of Emily Diamand’s Flood Child. This cover is a masterclass in how to show exact… Read More
2023-01-04 10:41
New Years Resolutions are often met with eyerolls. It’s a classic tale of promising to Not Do The Thing or to Do The Thing, a promise that lasts all of five seconds, and is forgotten a… Read More
2022-12-28 11:48
I don’t usually post book hauls because I’m not particulary active in the bookish community (Is that a thing?) and I don’t surf Best Sellers for my next read of choice, so… Read More
2022-12-21 15:54
There are hundreds of Christmas movies out there. Quite possibly too many. Definately too many to watch all of them during the Christmas season. Never fear, here’s a list of just five… Read More
2022-12-14 14:49
This isn't a book review. I'm not here to gripe about the story, I'm here to appreciate some good design work Read More
2022-12-07 15:43
Are you struggling to title your novel? Do you admire a great collection of words? Look no further than this list of absolutely fantastic story titles Read More
2022-11-30 16:30
National Novel Writing Month has officially come to a close. It’s time to reflect, be positive, and carry on. The Inevitable Anti-Climax Of Finishing NaNoWriMo Here’s something I… Read More
2022-11-23 10:11
We're officially heading into the final week of National Novel Writing Month 2022. That's the final seven days, people! The chance for one last push to get over the 50k finish line or comple… Read More
2022-11-16 11:33
Hello everyone. This is my third update on my NaNoWriMo progress. (Here’s part one and two.) Here we are. Halfway through the month. Those working on a NaNoWriMo project are either rip… Read More
2022-11-09 11:19
Hello again everyone. Eh, isn’t this strange? Weekly connected life updates? I feel like a proper blogger now. Next I’ll be posting pictures of my cat. Anyway, it’s over a… Read More
2022-11-02 11:19
Those of you who read my 5 Signs NaNoWriMo Might Not Be For You and 10 Pros and Pitfalls To Know This National Novel Writing Month might be wondering... wtf am I doing NaNoWriMo again if I t… Read More
2022-10-26 13:00
Horror story featuring gore and hair loss. TW: Hemophobia, trichophobia, and peladophobia. For 18+ Read More
2022-10-19 12:39
I've done NaNoWriMo a couple of times now and it has it's pros and cons. It's certainly not for everyone. Here's some signs it might not be for you Read More
2022-10-12 14:19
Welcome to another installment of Stuff I Learnt For My Novel – a spooky October special! There is no shortage… Read more 10 Ways To Protect Yourself From Evil Spirits This &hell…Read More
2022-10-05 09:18
I don’t usually post photos on this blog, but these wobbly gravestones are very fitting for this spooky month and,… Read more A Writer’s Reference Photos: Crooked Gra… Read More
2022-09-28 12:44
Finding a suitable comp title for my novel has been a slow journey. I expected that. There’s this whole process… Read more Finding The Perfect Comp Title: The Hazel Wood by Meli… Read More
2022-09-21 13:28
Here’s some common opinions of fanfiction: Basically fanfic is viewed as a lesser literary form – if we dare call… Read more Is Fan Fiction A Productive Use Of A Writer&rs&hell…Read More
2022-09-14 11:01
Writing a protagonist isn't always easy. It's something I've had trouble with myself, but one thing I've always tried to do with whatever I write is to make the character likable in some way… Read More
2022-09-07 11:15
Sometimes when you’re writing, you need a little help. Sometimes that means a huge undergoing of research, as you’ll see… Read more 12 Bizarre Questions I’ve Googled… Read More
2022-08-31 11:50
Have you built your author platform on shaky ground?
I've noticed some worrying traps aspiring authors are falling into - and I know because I'm an aspiring author who has fallen into thes… Read More
2022-08-24 11:10
When I started sharing the research that’s going into my novels, the first strange tidbit I talked about was robots who love you back. This was for a science fiction novel I was workin… Read More
2022-08-17 09:59
Most books are divided into chapters, but some books are divided into chapters and ‘parts.’ Some people think breaks like this are arbitrary. These people are wrong. Not so long… Read More
2022-08-10 12:43
I have re-written my first chapter for my dark fantasy WIP A Path Of Roots a few times now, but in the past week I’ve hit on a version of the opening that is really working for me. Gra… Read More
2022-08-03 15:16
If you’re a writer looking to be traditionally published, you will have heard of comp titles. A comp title or a comparison title can be used to give agents a general idea for what to e… Read More
2022-07-27 11:28
I've decided to count my writing achievements. And you should too Read More
2022-07-20 12:02
Every writer has heard the "pantsing" versus "plotting" debate. The crux of the debate is that some writers prefer to plan a lot before they start their novel and others don't plan as much… Read More
2022-07-13 10:28
Writing fantasy gives the opportunity to draw inspiration from folklore and history around the world. While European lore has taken over the fantasy genre, thanks to the popularity of Lord o… Read More
2022-07-06 16:24
Cinema is not what it used to be. The problem with modern filmmaking Read More
2022-06-29 11:20
Choosing a genre as a writer, to me, has always felt a little pointless. My somewhat ambiguous process is to get an idea, develop it, and see what genre fits the story - not the other way ro… Read More
2022-06-22 13:23
Writing is hard. But it's also one of the best things ever Read More
2022-06-15 10:31
When querying a book, it's often vital for two or more comparison titles to be included in the pitch. Comparison or comp titles are books that are similar to the one being queried. They… Read More
2022-06-08 11:45
The bane of every writer’s existence is writers block. Here's a simple remedy to try Read More
2022-06-01 13:45
Bad book covers can really hurt a story, despite the common phrase ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Truth is, we all judge books by their covers. I definitely did when I… Read More
2022-05-25 12:41
A little while ago I submitted my super villain story My Masked Lady for publication in a small online e-zine. As you can guess from the title of this post, it wasn't accepted. This marks my… Read More
2022-05-18 08:52
A supervillain story: In a world full of masked heroes and villains, two enemies meet to negotiate the fate of a stolen child Read More
2022-05-11 11:45
As a reader, I love a book I can't put down - and yet I've lost count of the books I've put down mid-way, or worse just pages in Read More
2022-05-04 12:17
It's May 4th, which means it's Star Wars Day. It's also been a couple of weeks since the Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary. Why not celebrate both? Enjoy this list of similarities between the… Read More
2022-04-27 12:46
Because first chapters suck Read More
2022-04-20 12:38
Wtf? Read More
2022-03-02 12:40
Welcome to a new series I'm doing called Sh*t I Found Out While Researching My WIP! Read More
2022-01-02 19:33
Have you got two or more characters in a budding friendship, but not sure how to get it to blossom? Do you want know how to write a heart-swooning bromance? Are you writing enemies to friend… Read More
2021-10-31 13:00
Are you a procrastinating writer? Maybe what you need is a 30 day writing marathon. Let me introduce you to... *drumroll* National Novel Writing Month! But before you plunge into the challen… Read More
2021-09-30 20:16
It ended with two bodies on Mars. Their bleached flesh was sucked stiff against their bones. Eyeless sockets stared through matching glass helmets. Many years of consumption had brought us t… Read More
2021-08-15 06:35
I've raved about Lilo & Stitch before. And for good reason. It has great characters, it respects the Hawaiian culture, and it features one of the most lovable aliens of all time. But the… Read More
2021-06-13 12:30
Sometimes, characters don't get on. Sometimes, these characters grow closer. Let me tell you - I freaking love that. That's character development at its finest. And none does it better than… Read More
2021-05-30 14:20
Who doesn't love dynamic characters? Character relationships, watching them form and change, is what makes fiction so enjoyable. Unsurprisingly, one of the most popular writing tropes is Ene… Read More
2021-03-28 11:50
I aced my 2020 NaNoWriMo. Here's how Read More
2021-03-28 11:50
I aced my 2020 NaNoWriMo. Here's how Read More
2021-02-28 18:17
At first, I thought my scars were the reason why he’d changed Read More
2021-01-31 04:31
I wasn't exactly interested in WandaVision. Yet, the way good shows do, I was hooked in the first few minutes. Is this miniseries the best thing to have happened for these two? Read More
2020-12-13 04:14
There's something special about The Muppet's Christmas Carol. Even people who aren't fans of the Muppets like it. It's full of heart, wit, and great songs, including one that's gained some i… Read More
2020-10-31 21:07
Earlier tonight, Boris Johnson announced that the UK would be going to a second national lockdown. I know people across the country will be devastated – friends included – but I… Read More
2020-08-09 13:14
Non-linear narratives can be super engaging and fun, but are prone to problems that kill their good qualities. So when should a story be told in a non-linear way? Read More
2020-08-09 13:14
Non-linear narratives can be super engaging and fun, but are prone to problems that kill their good qualities. So when should a story be told in a non-linear way? Read More
2020-07-05 18:52
The floorboard by the bed creaks. Soft footfall moves away, growing quieter and quieter until… Another creak. This one is more of a groan. A throaty groan that means they are at the d… Read More
2020-06-14 14:49
I embody my worst fear as a writer. I’ve got books on my shelf with bookmarks in the middle and I don’t have any idea when or if I’ll pick them up again. If I’m aband… Read More
2020-05-23 18:27
Homecoming season 2 is a perfect example of why you shouldn't rush a story, especially its ending Read More
![Don’t Rush Your Story! [Homecoming Season 2 Review]](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/13264/1326356-114586896.w320.jpg "Don’t Rush Your Story! [Homecoming Season 2 Review]")
2020-05-23 18:27
Homecoming season 2 is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t rush a story, especially its ending. And, yes, this will contain spoilers.
I was hoping to include season 2 of &hell…Read More
2020-04-21 16:08
Video games are great for teaching us essential writing techniques and nowhere is that more clear than in how a game sets up its story Read More
2020-04-21 16:08
When searching for writing tips, video games are rarely used as case studies. Which is sad. And disappointing. Fantastic stories are told through games, let’s acknowledge what they can… Read More
2020-03-23 17:22
Author’s Note: I finished this in September 2019 for a contest, leaving it off my blog until the results. Now I’ve decided to post it. I don’t usually include warnings… Read More
2020-02-02 10:43
Book blurbs. They tease, they intrigue, they get us excited. Whenever I buy a book, I look at the blurb first. Point is – they matter.
I know the majority of authors have no control ov… Read More
2020-01-05 15:40
Happy New Year, everyone!
At the start of 2019, I posted 5 New Year Resolutions for Writers. Since it has been 12 months (12 MONTHS?!) – here’s a refresher:
Writers should be the… Read More
2019-11-10 10:01
You’re always saying I should have more confidence.
Not to be hard on myself, that you believe in me.
My journey is only beginning. I’ll grow and improve with time.
You promise y… Read More
2019-10-20 15:16
Thick fingers grip my throat.
Cold settles around me,
The dark keeps me company.
Though I was sure I shut the door before I slept,
Dark shadows lean in,
I stumble to my feet, shut the door… Read More
2019-10-13 18:10
“I’m going to find you and smash your skull in.” The call ended with a clatter. She didn’t have time to process what happened. The next customer was fed through… Read More
2019-10-06 09:38
It was a terrible decision to rent that place. The photographs mislead me. Dirty advertising tricks.
Do not misunderstand. The place is bright and clean. No stains. No insects. I checked man… Read More
2019-09-22 08:35
Every writer knows a story needs conflict. Audiences and readers tend to agree, but sometimes conflict can go too far. Too graphic. Too dark. Too violent. Things that make us cringe, shake o… Read More
2019-09-15 15:17
A couple of weeks ago I talked about my writery-woes and mentioned a contest I planned to enter. Well, I decided on a idea. Drafted. Edited. Drafted some more. Lost my confidence. Got it bac… Read More
2019-09-08 15:39
Anyone who has read a book knows what a chapter is – a break in the flow of text that makes up a novel. A handy place for a reader to decide whether to stick in a bookmark, fold the co… Read More
2019-09-01 14:44
I’m trying to commit to a weekly blog post, since my old schedule (Once every two weeks) was a little slow. I’ve gotten new followers, more views and likes, so I can say it&rsquo&hell…Read More
2019-08-25 07:44
Here’s some more super short stories that didn’t fit with the others, because these ended up quite creepy! If you like these, check out my stories Home Not Safe and Artifici… Read More
2019-08-18 07:34
These were inspired by the single-sentence/six word stories by other WordPress users. They’re not quite six words, but I think they’re worth sharing. Enjoy! You can find the head… Read More
2019-08-11 12:26
The first chapter of Tim Bowler’s Frozen Fire is pretty good, and with an opening line like “I’m dying.” it’s hard not to be. That’s right, it&r&hell…Read More
2019-08-04 10:21
“Would you like to see outside?”
She shows no change of expression, save for her eyes narrowing. “Outside?”
She didn’t understand. He could see it in her face… Read More
2019-07-28 04:23
Hello, I’m a perfectionist. I spent sixteen hours on this sentence.
Okay, that’s an exaggeration but it’s true that when writing my novels I’ve spent months tryi… Read More
2019-07-21 08:09
Victor glanced at his son-to-be, smiling despite the flutter in his chest. “Nervous?”
“Me? You’re shaking.”
“You’re picking your scars.” The s… Read More
2019-07-07 14:59
“Seen my husband? Edward Landry. He died in a car accident ’bout twenty years ago.”
Clients will ask about deceased loved ones. Redirect. Redirect. Redirect. That was… Read More
2019-06-23 16:53
I recently got an ARC of Alien Days, a multi-author anthology of science fiction featuring 21 stories. Here’s my quick, non-spoiler, thoughts my personal favourites of the bunch… Read More
2019-06-09 18:00
I’ve talked about the great the opening scenes of a TV show and a movie. It’s time to look at a book. Today it’s one of my favourites, The Man Who Fell to Earth b… Read More
2019-05-26 09:34
Barely five minutes away from school Ava asks, “Why don’t you and Daddy love each other anymore?”
The steering wheel is damp under my sweaty hands, “Sometimes people… Read More
2019-05-12 18:22
“The book is better.”
I’ve heard that many-a-time (Mostly from that girl in the mirror. Seriously, what’s her deal?) While its understandable that adaptations get com… Read More
2019-04-21 12:00
A mother rabbit, buzzing with zest,
spied on four speckled eggs in a nest.
With the hawk away, she took her chance
and climbed branch to branch
up to the very top of the tree
and grabbed all… Read More
2019-04-07 08:00
We say we want a well-written story, that perfectly balances theme, character development, and plot. But is that really what we want?
When the average person says a story is good, what they… Read More
2019-03-24 19:15
Did you know there’s a ton of awesome stories on YouTube? From short films to audio stories, there’s plenty of fiction to enjoy.
5. FULL audio books for everyone.
Okay. This one… Read More
2019-02-14 20:00
Annabel crossed the bridge over the canal, narrowly avoiding the splash from a couple of merboys wrestling in the water. Lacuboys, not merboys, she corrected herself. A life time o… Read More
2019-01-20 17:34
Writers often struggle to write the opening of their story, but looking at an example never hurts. Last time, we looked at 2016’s Emmy Nominee Mr. Robot. Today, we’re l… Read More
2018-12-29 19:42
1. Read a book a month
Writers should be the most enthusiastic readers, but let’s be honest, a lot of us either put it off or don’t make the time.
But a book a month? That’… Read More
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