Last year I was delighted to get to know author John B. Rosenman, retired English professor from Norfolk State University. John previously designed and taught a course in how to write Science Fiction and Fantasy. He is a former Chairman of the Board of the Horror Writers’ Association and has published approximately 350 stories and…… Continue reading Repeated patterns in your writing: sifting the good from the bad
If you read my post last week on writing a synopsis, you’ll know that author James Crofoot is here at a very timely time for me. (Timely time? I expect an editor would make me change that!) James is here to tell us why it’s so important to edit your manuscript thoroughly before you submit…… Continue reading Polish your manuscript until it shines. Author James Crofoot on the importance of editing
Well, the good news is I’ve finally finished writing my latest book! Hooray! The bad news is, now I have to write the synopsis :( which is causing me as much stress as writing the whole novel. You might know already that publishers and editors need to read a synopsis of a book first before…… Continue reading How to write a synopsis without stressing
This week the Romantic Novelists’ Association announced the nine contenders for the Joan Hessayon award. This award recognises previously unpublished writers who have passed through the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme and have gone on to have their manuscripts accepted for publication. An exciting feeling – congratulations to all nine contenders! This year there’s a really…… Continue reading 10 useful things I learned from the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme
Please take a minute to check out the header at the top of my blog. Notice any changes in the text since last time you visited?… What do you mean, no? You mean you haven’t you been concentrating?? OK, then I’ll tell you!When I first started this blog a few weeks ago I described myself…… Continue reading Getting the call for my first romance novel
A few years ago I had a manuscript rejected with the gutting comment that my romantic hero had no charisma. The rest of my novel apparently had everything: likeable heroine, great setting and dialogue and believable conflict. It was just that no one actually liked the hero enough to want to fall in love with…… Continue reading The charismatic romantic hero – and how to create him
So, why start a blog? Good question! Well, I want to be a writer. That is, I am already a writer (I’ve finished writing two books – yeehaa!), but I want to be a real and actual published author and have people read what I have to say and with any luck enjoy my stories. …… Continue reading Why start a blog? Five good reasons for aspiring authors…
Helena Fairfax 