It never feels good to set a manuscript aside when the writing’s going well. Sadly, because I’ve never mastered the art of working on two books at once, I’m putting my half-written YA novel on hold for the next few…

I signed up for NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. It was more of an experiment than anything, though I had two good reasons for wanting to ditch my usual work practices for the month and concentrate on getting…

Recently I was a guest at the seventh Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival, hosted by the City of Geraldton. Geraldton is a country centre situated about four hours’ drive north of Perth, Western Australia. This small city built around a deep…

Actually, for a writer, the tomayto/tomahto thing doesn’t matter as it’s all in the pronunciation. But those of us who are published in separate US and UK/Australian editions do have to face a string of differences: got vs gotten, further…

When this post goes up I’ll be in Lisbon for the launch of A Vidente de Sevenwaters. I’m looking forward to some Portuguese sunshine, not to mention meeting up with my most dedicated fans. Before that, I’m presenting a workshop…

Howdy, all! Harry here. Seeing how busy Pack Leader (PL) was, I offered to jump in and write this month’s contribution for her. Not that it was easy to get the gig. ‘Harry!’ At my suggestion PL was all surprise.…

It seems publishing houses no longer have the capacity to provide the kind of promotional efforts on a writer’s behalf that they would have done only a few years ago. Market pressures have combined to put far more of the…

I’m working on a novel set in early medieval Ireland, part of my Sevenwaters series. There’s a new first person narrator for each book. As I wrestle with gnarly plotting issues, it’s struck me again what a huge impact the…

I may have the ideal living situation for a full time writer. Working from home, living alone (apart from the dog pack, of course), nice coffee shop up the road, riverside walk trails down the road – it’s a wonder…

I try not to read reviews of my own books, especially when they appear on sites where anyone at all can express an opinion. Although an author develops a thicker skin as each new book is published, her hide is…

I love a good love story. A well-written romance has the power to snare me as a lifelong fan of the author. As a writer, I find a romance the most rewarding part of a novel to craft. For purposes…

Lin Wang asked: As a writer and reader of fantasy and historical fiction, what are some good books that I should read and authors I should learn from? I’ll talk about craft books first, and then list some examples of…

By the time this gets posted, I’ll be on a trip to attend two speculative fiction conventions, Au Contraire in New Zealand and AussieCon 4 in Melbourne. I have a busy schedule at both, appearing on panels, giving a workshop…

Caption: West Highland White Terrier Ye didna expect Ah’d reet a whole post in bad Scots, did ye noo? How lang wull ye persevere wi’ that, Ah’m wonderin’? Not long, I’m sure, so I’ll revert to my usual voice! I’m…

I’ve been reading a lot of expert advice lately, both here and elsewhere, about writing your first draft quickly and not allowing yourself to become stalled too early by niceties of style, structure or character. Get the rough and ready…

For the three years it took me to write my first novel, and for the four years or so following, while I made the transition from newbie to full-time established writer, I don’t think I opened a single book on…

Because of my illness I made only one public appearance as a writer in 2009. I’m trying to make up for that in 2010. Last weekend I attended my first ever romance writers’ event, a one-day conference organised by Romance…

I’m saying goodbye to my manuscript again, though not for ever. March was revision month, during which I attended to my Australian and US editors’ joint report on Seer of Sevenwaters. This is the first time I’ve received an editorial…

One of the most often asked and most annoying questions for writers is ‘Where do you get your ideas from?’ My answer depends on the circumstances. If the questioner is, say, a talented twelve-year-old, I explain how everyday experiences can…

COMPETITION: To celebrate the re-release of my Bridei Chronicles in a lovely new Australian paperback edition, I have two complete sets of three signed books to give away. Make a comment on this post by Feb 12 to be in…

One of the hardest elements to explain to aspiring writers is voice. It’s not enough to say ‘voice is how you tell the story’. In fact, where voice is concerned, it’s easier to show, not tell, and the most effective…

How to get out of a writing rut? I’m not talking about a small blip along the way, the kind of thing that can be surmounted with the aid of a cup of good coffee and a quick brainstorming session.…

I blogged last month about myths, legends and fairy tales: the wisdom they contain and how they can be a wellspring for all kinds of storytelling. This month I’ll talk about building my new novel, Heart’s Blood, from the structural…