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Creating Realistic Characters
Every gripping story needs compelling characters to tell it and as the writer it is your job to create those characters and breathe life...
authorvalpenny
Mar 83 min read
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How to Write a Novel in Ten Steps
Some people say that everybody has a book in them. I doubt this is true. Even if it were so, I do not believe that everybody has the...
authorvalpenny
Mar 13 min read
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To Plot or Not to Plot
Authors generally fall into one of two categories, those who plot or those who don't. When I first started my writing career, I admit...
authorvalpenny
Feb 223 min read
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Avoiding a Mucky Middle
We learn early on in our writing journey that every story must have a beginning a middle and an end. We are also taught that our main...
authorvalpenny
Feb 153 min read
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Are Writing Prompts Useful?
Sometimes I have difficulty settling down to write and at other times I may struggle to decide what to write about. It is at times like...
authorvalpenny
Feb 53 min read
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The Importance of Setting in DI Hunter Crime Thrillers
The main setting for the DI Hunter Wilson Crime Thrillers is Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is a beautiful city but relatively...
authorvalpenny
Jan 302 min read
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New Year, New Plans, Independent Minds
The start of a new year is always exciting with the opportunity to look forward rather than back. This year my publishers, SpellBound...
authorvalpenny
Jan 182 min read
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Why I Write by Sharon Cook
Today it is a delight to welcome my friend and fellow author Sharon Cook to the blog to explain her compulsion to write. Sharon's debut...
authorvalpenny
Jan 113 min read
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A Good Way to Start a Novel
I thought for the new year I would start at the beginning so let's look at how to start your book in a way that will grab the readers'...
authorvalpenny
Jan 84 min read
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Why I Write by Allison Symes
It is always a joy to welcome my friend and fellow author, Allison Symes to the blog. She is not only a talented writer but also an...
authorvalpenny
Jan 43 min read
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A New Writing Year
Before I review last year, may I wish you a very Happy New Year for the year ahead. The past year has been busy. Not only have I been...
authorvalpenny
Jan 14 min read
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My Writing Life by K.D. Sherrinford
It is my great pleasure to welcome author K.D. Sherringford to the blog today to discuss her journey to become a bestselling author. ...
authorvalpenny
Dec 28, 20244 min read
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Christmas Books
One of the things I like best about Christmas is that my elder daughter and I often swap books that we have read and enjoyed during the...
authorvalpenny
Dec 25, 20242 min read
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My Writing Journey by Martin J Lake
It is my great pleasure to welcome my friend and fellow author Martin J Lake to the blog today. Martin's debut novel, Beyond The Stones:...
authorvalpenny
Dec 21, 20245 min read
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My Writing Journey by Liz Pacey
It is a pleasure to introduce you to Liz Pacey this week. While Liz's journey is at an early stage I hope her thoughts will encourage...
authorvalpenny
Dec 14, 20245 min read
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A Day in the Life of an Author by Richard Robinson
I am pleased to welcome author Richard Robinson to the blog today to describe a day in his life as a busy, professional author. Thank you...
authorvalpenny
Dec 7, 20245 min read
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My Writing Life by Liz Manning
I am pleased to welcome writer Liz Manning to my blog today to discuss the trials and tribulations of her life as a writer. I have always...
authorvalpenny
Nov 30, 20243 min read
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Why I Write by Tracy Stewart
It is my great pleasure to welcome my fellow author and SpellBound Book stable mate, Tracy Stewart, to the blog to discuss why she...
authorvalpenny
Nov 23, 20246 min read
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Tips to Writing on Social Media
Most of us use social media to a greater or lesser extent to promote our work and we all know that some posts work better than others....
authorvalpenny
Nov 20, 20242 min read
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What I Write by Bryan Mason
I am pleased my friend and fellow author took time to visit the blog today to tell me all about his new book, An Old Tin Can . The book...
authorvalpenny
Nov 16, 20243 min read
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