What draws you into a book and makes you want to read beyond the first page? Then what makes you keep on reading? Have you ever been up half the night because you couldn't put the book down? Next week, I'll write about cliffhangers... The Hook The first line of a book (or at least… Continue reading Writing Hints and Tips – How to Write a Great Hook
Why I Write – Morwenna Blackwood
I'm really excited to be able to welcome another brilliant Darkstroke author, Morwenna Blackwood, to my blog today. Hi, Jo, and thanks for having me over today! I can’t remember there being a time when I didn’t write. It’s the one constant in my life. The first ‘proper’ story I wrote was about a frog,… Continue reading Why I Write – Morwenna Blackwood
Writing Hints and Tips – Genres
Choosing a genre to write can be the easiest thing in the world. Sometimes the genre will choose you. Other times, it's really tricky. Many authors write the book, and decide afterwards if it will fit into a specific genre. If it doesn't, it might fit the criteria of literary fiction. "Literary fiction is a… Continue reading Writing Hints and Tips – Genres
Why I Write – Jess B Moore
I'm very excited today, because I'm featuring one of my favourite authors on this blog. Jess Moore is a fabulous romance writer whose books always have tremendous depth, and I always look forward to her new releases. “And by the way, everything in life writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do… Continue reading Why I Write – Jess B Moore
Writing Hints and Tips – How To Write Every Day
For those authors who write for their day job, it should be relatively straightforward to find time to write, but even they can find that time disappears more quickly than a disapparating wizard. It is even more challenging for the rest of us, trying to fit writing (and often editing and marketing) into a day… Continue reading Writing Hints and Tips – How To Write Every Day
Why I Write – Carynn Bohley
I'm delighted to welcome fabulous young writer, Carynn Bohley to my blog today to talk about her writing motivations. I’ve always thought of writing as a superpower. In a world where magic is strictly found in art or in metaphorical conversation, I find it refreshing that there are people who can bring fantasy to life.… Continue reading Why I Write – Carynn Bohley
Writing Hints and Tips – Write What You Know
A lot of novice writers receive the advice 'write what you know' and feel very restricted by it. We've not all had the benefit of travelling to exciting places, working in thrilling jobs or getting involved in unusual events. We are all alive though and have experience in some way. Some of our experiences are… Continue reading Writing Hints and Tips – Write What You Know
Why I Write – Angela Fish
It's my great pleasure today to welcome Darkstroke author, Angela Fish to my blog to discuss her writing journey. Why I write… Thank you so much for inviting me to visit your blog today to share my writing motivation and journey with you. As a baby and young child I was badly asthmatic and I… Continue reading Why I Write – Angela Fish
Writing Hints and Tips – Plotter, Pantser or Plantser
Do you plot your novel in detail before you even write the first word? (plotter). Or do you start writing with nary a clue in which direction your story is heading? (pantser - writing by the seat of your pants!) Maybe you're somewhere in the middle - a plantser (like me!) There are pros… Continue reading Writing Hints and Tips – Plotter, Pantser or Plantser
Why I Write – Michelle Cook
I'm very excited today to welcome fellow Darkstroke author, Michelle Cook to my blog. Read on to discover what compels Michelle to write. Thank you so much for having me, Jo. I’m feeling philosophical these days so the subject of why I write is perfect for the moment! I’ll be honest. When I started out… Continue reading Why I Write – Michelle Cook