In the final instalment of my ‘what does writer do all day’ blog I’m going to finish off describing my busiest month of the year so far. I started week three with another appearance in the Literature Festival, this time in Shiney Row library. The crowd was a little bit smaller than the one at … More Festival fever (What does a writer do all day? Part three)
In my last blog I tried to explain a little bit about what I get up to when I am being a writer. I only got as far as Wednesday in the first week so I’m going to carry on from where I left off and see where I end up. Working alone has its … More Bingo, Jazz Bands and pigeons. (What does a writer do all day? Part 2)
You may have noticed that my blog has been quiet for a couple of weeks. You may not have noticed, you may not care but as you are reading this blog I’m going to tell you what I have been up to because, for the past month or so, I’ve been really busy. At this … More It’s all gone quiet. (What does a writer do all day?)
Some years ago I wrote about the editing process for Leg It and how I expected to edit Idle Threats. Now that I have finished my third novel, Counterbalance, it is probably time to revisit the process and see if anything has changed. As always, this is how I chose to do it. It isn’t … More Did I make the cut? My guide to editing.
I mentioned a couple of days ago that I will be appearing at the Sunderland Literature and Creative Writing Festival. Today I was lucky enough to get invited along to the official launch photoshoot alongside fellow authors Sheila Quigley, Holly Sterling and Iain Rowan. As all of my previous ‘official’ photos were taken either in … More Getting my face in the paper.
Very pleased to officially announce my involvement in the Sunderland Literature and Creative Writing Festival 2016. I shall be making three appearances. The first two are talks about my books and where I get my inspiration. Monday 3rd October 3-4pm National Glass Centre. Monday 17th October 2-3pm Shiney Row Library. The final appearance will be … More Sunderland Literature and Creative Writing Festival 2016
There are as many writing routines as there are writers. Some lock themselves away from the world until their book is done, slowly going mad, then come out blinking into the sunlight with 200,000 words of rambling nonsense. Others will balance children, pets, spouses and a day job whilst jotting down a few hundred words … More Word counts, naps and blood transfusions. (How to get your book written.)
In part two of my review of how the approach to writing my three novels differs, I will be looking at plotting and planning. Plotting and Planning I approached the writing of Leg It in the same way a drunk approaches a kebab shop. I ended up with the equivalent of a Bolognese Pizza, a … More Plotting to be a planner.
In all the excitement of writing novels, short stories, blogs and setting up a website, I’ve neglected to write anything new about the writing process itself. With my latest novel, Counterbalance, ready to be submitted to agents, it’s time to look back at the process I have gone through and see if there is anything … More The ideal idea. How to get started writing a novel.
A couple of months back I got a text from my brother. ‘Are you the one who mentioned that you like the author Chris Brookmyre?’ ‘Yes,’ I replied, ‘he’s my favourite author and I’ve read all of his books, why do you ask?’ ‘He’s appearing in the Literature Festival in the town where I live.’ … More Ampthill LitFest 2016
Alan Parkinson 