Characters

People ask writers about the best piece of advice they ever received. I haven't received many, but I recall one particularly well.  Read more

There's something so satisfying about meeting a person and thinking, "She really does look like a Jenny!"  Read more

Never give up

I still have my first rejection letter from Mills and Boon. They were so encouraging, I tried again, and my next book was accepted. I had studied a law degree, and spent years in a job I hated, as a computer programme manager. Finally, I took redundancy, and that gave me the chance to write. So if you think you have a story in your head - write it down.

Conventional wisdom in the Western literary tradition holds that character determines plot. A protagonist possesses a fatal flaw that dashes his otherwise charming character and sets him on a path to slay the dragon, save the world, and get the girl - all while resolving the problem of this fatal flaw. Captain America saves the day.  Read more

Introducing a villain's point of view in a novel-whether it be one of several perspectives or solely the antagonists' viewpoint-has as many great benefits as it does potential pitfalls. So caution is advised when entering the mind of a villain in order to tell a story, because you never know what might go wrong.  Read more