Being the perfect guest. On the list of things I should do more of, guest blogging is there, but it’s not something I’ve ever quite got around to. I did a blog for 99% Perspiration and another one for Sunderland’s City of Culture bid last year but I’ve never quite followed it up with any … More Being the perfect guest.
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I recently ‘finished’ my fourth novel, Troll Life, and I am awaiting feedback from my trusted team of reviewers. As they are doing me a massive favour, I am working to their timescales and they will read it whenever they are ready. So, how does a writer fill … More What a writer does when awaiting feedback.
It’s been quite some time since I last gave an update on my editing process. Back in October I was up to 197 hours worth of effort in writing and editing my fourth novel, Troll Life. This week I hit a major milestone when I finally sent copies to my review team for their critiques … More Time to write. (How long does it take to write a novel? Pt 5)
Ever wondered what the writer in your life wants from you? Here’s a handy guide. … More What writers want.
One month, nine venues, eighteen events and nearly five hundred attendees, I think it’s fair to say that the Sunderland Creative Writing Festival has been a bit of a success. I’m not sure when Iain Rowan first asked me if I wanted to be involved, it was probably in a dream or something. I’d run … More Tweets, Beasts and Writing Treats (The story of the Sunderland Creative Writing Festival 2018)
When you think of a writer’s group, how do you picture it? I’d always assumed it would be a bunch of lonely old women wanting to be Catherine Cookson or something resembling table nine from The Wedding Singer. With this in mind, when I stepped through the door of Holmeside Coffee, home of Holmeside Writers, … More Happy 4th birthday to Holmeside Writers.
Editing workshop. Last week I was asked to do a last-minute editing workshop for Year Nines (13-14). With little time to prepare and not much information on what they wanted or expected from me, I had to come up with something quick and adaptable. I’m currently eighty hours into the editing process of my latest … More My top ten editing tips.
A writer when he’s not writing. The life of a writer is rarely all about writing and along with working on novel number four, the last month or so has been a frenzy of activity. Once the Great North Run was out of the way, the focus was on culture. As mentioned in a previous … More What a writer does when he’s not writing.
It’s been a while since I posted about the editing of my new novel as I’ve been a little bit busy with other stuff. More to follow on that in another blog soon. In my last blog on how long it was taking to write Troll Life, I was up to 158 hours. I’ve had … More Time to write. (How long does it take to write a novel? Pt 4)
In my previous blogs I have tried to outline how long it is taking me to write my latest novel. I’d got up to the second read through of the first draft and that had taken me 140 hours. Synopsis and character profiles – 10 hours Plot outline – 30 hours Write first draft – … More Time to write. (How long does it take to write a novel Pt.3)
Alan Parkinson 