writing a novel
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Location, location, location ~ How important is a sense of place in a novel?
Is a strong sense of place important for a novel’s success? Good characterisation is vital for a successful novel, as is a sense of the time period. In fact the era, whether a modern setting or in the past, needs to seep into every nook and cranny of the plot, dialogue, setting and language too, but I…
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100th Post! Diana Jackson gives an on line Interview
What are your earliest memories of writing when you were a child? My earliest recollections of writing creatively for pleasure must have been in my mid teens when I started writing poetry and short stories. I still have some of them in my memories box! What inspired you to write Riduna? Well, I wrote a…
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A novel impression – unsung heroes v familiar friends and foes
Have you ever thought of the people who never experience the accolade they deserve for their contribution. Last week we focussed on Steve Jobs, remembering his greatness rather than the technology he created. When you listen to a wonderful rendition of Mozart, Bach or Beethoven do you ever think of the individual violinist or percussionist? When you watch a…
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There’s a time for every season – Which period to choose?
I’ve never written in the here and now. Always inspired by social history and the classics it was not a surprise that I chose the Victorian Age for Riduna. Writing its sequel in the Edwardian era and through the First World War has been an even more rewarding journey since I have reseached a period in history which I…
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Which characters – Who gave you inspiration?
Choosing the right characters for your novel is vital but how do we do it? I have already written about the joys and pitfalls of choosing a name on another blog but where do we begin choosing characters? I must admit that my characters seem to creep up on me like new aquaintances many of whom, over subsequent months,…
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Which Setting? An Inspiration to Write
Choosing the right setting for your novel is vital but how do we do it? Familiar or Imaginary If we choose a familar location it has loads of advantages: You can imagine each scene and the descriptions flow effortlessly as you write Your audience loves to read about places they know Promotion is more straight forward because your…