The devil is in the blackberries
The other day I discovered a small sheltered bramble bush with a few stubborn blackberries that hadn’t withered away like the rest. Their season in …
About last night
It’s interesting how we talk about the calm before the storm, but never the calm after the storm. We’ve had a wild few days of …
What’s in the box?
While out for a walk on the beach near our house, we found a large, empty, red plastic box. It had the name of an …
Weather we like it or not
It’s a Friday evening at the end of August, and heavy rain pounds the office window and strong winds shake the roof of our coastal …
And we have lift-off!
Finally, after what has felt like an eternity of planning, THE MADNESS OF THE FAITHFUL was officially released today. I say officially, but the book …
The dance of the rose-tinted jellyfish
I took my two young children paddleboarding in the estuary near our house yesterday. The UK is in the middle of a heatwave and the …
Back to where you once belonged
I’m back online after nearly three weeks away. I didn’t intend to disappear off the virtual map for so long, but our recent relocation from …
Change is nature’s delight
This week, we’ve been busy packing up our life in Singapore as we prepare for our departure next Saturday. After five years here, going back …
What the Stoics taught me about writing
While writing my debut novel (The Madness of the Faithful – released on 28th July), I came to learn about the Stoics and their philosophy. …
What neuroscience tells us about stories as simulators
Literary fiction provides us with a simulation of the real world that takes us away to made-up places and experience the feelings and thoughts of …
You’ve written a book – you can do anything!
As I continue on the journey to get my debut book published (The Madness of the Faithful, released July 28th), this week I have been …
Learning to let go is the most important lesson
On Twitter this morning, I came across a great thread with a simple message for new writers who want to succeed in publishing: stop thinking …
Returning to the mothership
In just over six weeks, my family and I will be leaving Singapore and returning to live in the UK – specifically, rural Anglesey in …
The proof is in the pudding
For the last few weeks, my editorial focus has been on the proofing and reviewing of typeset versions of my debut novel, The Madness of …
Forget about the rules – focus on the audience
You don’t have to search hard online to find new writers ranting about editorial rules and style guides. Whether it’s adverbs or the passive voice …
Top tips for writers starting out on Twitter
Twitter is a great place to connect with others in the writing community. Across the years, I’ve dabbled with it occasionally, but it wasn’t until …
Getting lost in a good book is a pain
Earlier this week, while reading Ray Bradbury’s classic, Fahrenheit 451, on the bus to work, I somehow managed to miss my stop because I was …
The Ballad of Big Thumbs
Years ago, when my wife and I first lived together, our house was in regular need of maintenance. One recurring issue we had was with …
The Madness of the Faithful – COVER REVEAL
Here it is – the cover of my debut novel, The Madness of the Faithful, which will be released with Matador Books on 28th July; …
The awkward pairing of laughter and tears
At my father’s funeral, four years ago, my cousin turned to my mother, now a widow who had lost her husband of sixty-odd years, and …