The Book Beat

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Wednesday, 26 February 2025

How to write a novel when you have no time

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One of the biggest challenges for most writers is finding the time. In my 20s and early 30s, I could sit for hours and devote entire weekend...
Tuesday, 25 February 2025

Curtis Sittenfeld on Writing: Openness, routine, and authentic storytelling

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I'm a huge fan of Curtis Sittenfeld, and Prep and Rodham are favourites. Her writing is always sharply observed and full of depth and me...
Monday, 24 February 2025

Publication of Joan Didion’s journal creates an ethical literary dilemma

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Joan Didion has been a monumental influence on countless writers, including myself. Her works, from Slouching Towards Bethlehem to The Year ...
Friday, 21 February 2025

There are no New plots: And that’s a good thing

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As writers, we often hear the dreaded phrase: "Every story has already been told." It’s the kind of thought that can stop creativi...
Thursday, 20 February 2025

Six novels that demonstrate why “show, don’t tell” is worth getting right

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When I wrote about “The art of showing, not telling” recently, I realised how many great examples of this technique exist in literature. So...
Monday, 17 February 2025

How to nail the crucial first five pages of your novel

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I recently wrote about books that can help with style and craft when writing your novel, and now I want to look at those crucial first five ...
Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Dialogue that does double duty: How to advance plot and reveal character

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Dialogue isn’t just there to make characters sound like they’re speaking. It’s one of the most powerful tools in a novelist’s kit. The righ...
Tuesday, 11 February 2025

The art of showing, not telling: Crafting novels readers can’t put down

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I've struggled with this one without knowing and have been guilty of too much telling.  “Show, don’t tell” is one of the oldest pieces o...
Monday, 10 February 2025

How to develop character backstories that bring your novel to life

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Every character, even those that appear briefly, benefits from a backstory. Understanding their past not only aids in writing them more con...
Friday, 7 February 2025

7 books that will help you write your novel

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When I started writing, I honestly didn’t believe I could learn anything. I just sat down at my laptop, put words on the page, and wrote. No...
Monday, 3 February 2025

Notes to John by Joan Didion

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I am a huge fan of Joan Didion so this is an unexpected book treat. A new book from the much missed Joan Didion.
Sunday, 2 February 2025

Five ways to create unforgettable characters

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When I think back to the characters that have stuck with me, long after I’ve closed the book, it’s not just their roles in the story that co...