Tag: writing tips

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What’s on my desk?

Today I thought I’d share a snapshot of my desk!

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Hugs in the time of COVID

You know, I never thought I would think of a hug as a powerful thing, until this year.

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What makes the best writing room?

As many of you who are subscribed to my newsletter know, I moved just before the pandemic and that means that I’ve only just got my writing room into the order that I wanted!

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Writing during the hard times

I have been a little quiet on the blog side of things, and I do apologise for that – it’s been a busy and emotional few weeks. The details I will keep private to protect those I love but suffice to say, I’ve been bereaved about a fortnight ago and it’s been an emotional journey. Writing during such a time becomes challenging for two … Read More Writing during the hard times

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What is your favourite historical period?

I love history so much! It’s one of the subjects that I studied at university, and in the UK that’s quite a big deal: typically, you only study one subject at university but I loved history and literature so much, I studied both! When I first started writing historical romance, I was studying my Medieval Studies Masters at university, and so it seemed perfect … Read More What is your favourite historical period?

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The perfect kiss

What makes a perfect kiss? This is one of the questions that, as a romance author, I spend a huge amount of time thinking about. It’s important to me that my readers experience wonderful romance, soaring emotions – but also romance that feels real, like it could actually have happened. That’s a bit of a challenge with historical romance, especially when gentlemen and ladies … Read More The perfect kiss

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Dukes, Viscounts, Earls oh my!

It’s difficult to read a historical romance these days without getting utterly overwhelmed by titles. Dukes, Earls, Viscounts, Counts: every single man seems to need a title to be attractive, and that can make things complicated. Take William Lennox, Duke of Mercia, for example (spoilers: he’s a character in a new book that will be published next year!). To his brother, he’s Will. To … Read More Dukes, Viscounts, Earls oh my!

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My most productive writing day!

I don’t want to jinx it (in case it never happens again!) but I have just had my most productive writing day EVER. And I mean, ever. Today, I wrote over 18,500 words. I know, it doesn’t look real, does it? It’s such a huge number, even for me – and I’m quite accustomed to writing around 10,000 words on a good writing day. … Read More My most productive writing day!

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The perfect ending to a romance

I’ve written over 25,000 words this weekend (!) because I was desperate to finish book 3 of a new series which will be coming out next year. The words were just flowing from my fingertips and although I will of course lose some of them in the editing process, I’m glad to get so many of them down. And yet the bit I found … Read More The perfect ending to a romance

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Rain, rain, go away…

I don’t want to confirm any stereotypes of England…but it’s been raining for the last six days.

In June! SIX DAYS!

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The best historical romances

What makes a truly great historical romance? It’s something that (as you can imagine) I think about almost continuously. What’s missing from this? What’s going to make it the best book my readers have ever read? What’s going to make it stick in their minds, stay on their bookshelf, be recommended to friends? Some say it’s characters A truly great character, a hero or … Read More The best historical romances

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Keeping Spoilers Secret!

We all have that one book, TV, or film series that we’re desperate NOT to discover the spoilers for the ending. Right now in my house, it’s Avengers: Endgame. We just haven’t got around to seeing it, and we’re having to keep telling our friends not to talk about it when we’re around, just in case they let something slip!