writer – Alan Parkinson

Beat the block

November 9, 2020

Struggling to write during lockdown? Covid wiped out your creativity?
You’re not alone. … More Beat the block

Do reviews matter? Writers, we’re a strange bunch to please. Toiling away, day after day, wondering if the words we are hammering into our keyboards are ever going to be read. Cycling through the emotions from elation at a sparkling new idea or line of prose, to the crippling self doubt of wondering whether someone … More Do reviews matter?

How to self publish. (Creating a publishing checklist.)

November 19, 2018

I am often asked about how I self-publish. In this blog I give some advice on how to self-publish and what goes into a self-publishing checklist. … More How to self publish. (Creating a publishing checklist.)

Call centre inspiration for author’s new novel.

November 13, 2018

Call centre inspiration for author’s new novel. An author has used Sunderland call centres as the inspiration behind his fourth novel. Alan Parkinson launched Troll Life at Sunderland Museum as part of the Sunderland Libraries Literature Festival in October. Set in Southwick and Doxford Park, it tells the story of an online troll who is … More Call centre inspiration for author’s new novel.

Should you edit already published work?

August 22, 2018

Should you edit already published work? As a writer, or even an artist, a filmmaker or any other creative type, there is a temptation to look at your previous work and wish you could have done it slightly differently. The general rule is that you should keep moving forward and not dwell on the past. … More Should you edit already published work?

Time to write. (How long does it take to write a novel Pt.3)

August 14, 2017

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)

The time is right. (Sunderland City of Culture bid 2021)

March 24, 2017

I’ve recently done a guest blog for the Sunderland City of Culture bid 2021. Feel free to have a read on the below link. The time is right.

Coming soon …

November 17, 2016

I’ve not been blogging as much as I’d like due to commitments elsewhere but I’ve freed up a little time and thought I would let you know what is in the pipeline. Christmas A series of blogs around the festive season and how you should behave in the same manner as my pub etiquette guides, … More Coming soon …

It’s all gone quiet. (What does a writer do all day?)

October 25, 2016

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?)

The ideal idea. How to get started writing a novel.

August 25, 2016

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.