This is a post I can’t believe I am actually writing! I am so excited to reveal the gorgeous cover design for The Demon’s Dollhouse! This incredible cover was designed by Rebecca and Andrew Brown at http://www.designforwriters.com , and I cannot wait to hold the paperback version of it my hands! The Demon’s Dollhouse isContinue reading “The Demon’s Dollhouse – COVER REVEAL!”
Category Archives: Books
Ranking the Best Books on My Shelf
Since I started this blog, I’ve been posting about my favourite books from across a variety of authors and genres, and talking about what makes them examples of fabulous writing, and why they are each so very special to me. Now this theme is drawing to a close (for now), I’ve decided to attempt toContinue reading “Ranking the Best Books on My Shelf”
Writing Historical Fiction
Historical fiction is my favourite genre, to read, to watch and to write. And, as someone who has always struggled to pin down her genre, I am happy to say that I have finally found it; my debut novel, The Demon’s Dollhouse, a psychological romance set in the 1930s, is being released this July, andContinue reading “Writing Historical Fiction”
Lady Hester Stanhope (1776 – 1839)
Undoubtedly one of the most unconventional and charismatic women of her time, Lady Hester Stanhope led a life which begs a big screen adaptation. The relative of several prominent Napoleonic era prime ministers, a sharp and opinionated member of society, a passionate lover, an intrepid explorer, and a revered figure throughout the Middle East areContinue reading “Lady Hester Stanhope (1776 – 1839)”
Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass – Lana Del Rey (2020)
When it comes to writing, one of my greatest inspirations has alway been music, and when it comes to my life, its most prominent backtrack has been the music of Lana Del Rey. Ever since she released her official debut album back in 2012, I have been comforted, inspired and bewitched by her incredible abilitiesContinue reading “Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass – Lana Del Rey (2020)”
My Take on Common Narrative Tropes
Throughout the history of literature, there have always been certain narrative patterns, dynamics and sub-plots which have been popular, and have been recycled and reused over the years. There is often a highly negative connotation to the word ‘trope’, but lately there has been quite a lot of defence of the term, with many peopleContinue reading “My Take on Common Narrative Tropes”
The Familiars – Stacey Halls (2019)
(SPOILER WARNING FOR: THE FAMILIARS) . There’s something deeply, poigniantly special about The Familiars. It succeeds at being dark, harrowing, heartwarming and beautiful all at the same time, and it does so with such a gentle grace that proves both the intelligence, and the artistic talent of the author. Set in 1612 Lancashire, Stacey Halls’Continue reading “The Familiars – Stacey Halls (2019)”
Writing Female Characters
In this day and age, this may seem like a ridiculous blog topic, because it is in fact such a simple one. The thing is, writers have been tricked into believing that writing complex, three dimensional woman is a challenge that needs to be navigated with the utmost precision. Nowadays, there’s a massive rulebook whenContinue reading “Writing Female Characters”
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is undoubtedly one of the most famous works of literature of the twentieth century. Symbolic of the decade of materialism and hedonism that was the 1920s and of the fickle nature of the American Dream, it has remained relevant in pop culture for nearly a century, inspiring star studdedContinue reading “The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)”
Defining Your Genre
Pinning down the exact genre of your work is a lot more challenging a task that it initially sounds, especially if the story you have created is something that feels very new, or straddles multiple genres. From my perspective, this is a reassuring sign of the originality of your manuscript, but on the alternate hand,Continue reading “Defining Your Genre”
Rowan Speakman Books 