What drives me to write?

I’ve often asked myself this question and I can’t come up with a definitive answer. Yes, I have a vivid imagination and a measure of talent that enables me to create worlds and characters – but that doesn’t tell me why I engage in what can be a thankless occupation.

Time after time I’ve sworn to knock writing on the head, but I can’t, I’m addicted. Without it, an already mundane life would be totally barren. There’d be no escape from the humdrum, nothing special to look forward to. Now you may say the above answers my question, but it doesn’t – not really. Why choose writing as a means to create, within my own head anyway, the freedom we all so long for? Why not learn to dance or skydive? They’re both far more active and exciting -  aren’t they?

Writing is a solitary occupation, but I’m never lonely, not while I can construct worlds of my own and create characters with whom I can “chat.” I know how that might sound, but hey, aren’t all writers a little crazy?

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Killing off your darlings.

“Kill your darlings” is a common piece of advice given to writers. What it means, I suppose, is that when a character has run their course, it’s time to let them go. It isn’t an easy maxim to follow, but sometimes it has to be done.

That said, in speculative fiction, it’s easy enough to bring a character “back from the dead”, but only if doing so enhances the story and not because the writer can’t bear to be parted from one of their creations.

In my latest WIP, Through the Gloaming, I’ve had to make the decision to let some of the characters go, for two reasons. First, as mentioned above, they’ve run their course. Second, I want to introduce new characters and don’t want to confuse readers with too many names and faces. So they’re gone and while I’m sad to see their departure, there’s always the chance that at least one of them will make a reappearance in the third book of The Silver flute trilogy.

So, so long and farewell, my dear friends, but life and plot move on.

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Virtual Worlds.

As a writer that’s what I try to do, create worlds that are virtually as real as the one we all live in. The difference lies in what goes on in my creations.

Adventures abound. Characters larger than life occupy the pages, against backdrops both fantastical and horrifying. My stories are mercurial, swerving between beauty and darkness, sublime joy and deep sorrow. I endevour to grab the readers and shake them out of the hum drum routine of their lives.

A book can carry you everywhere and anywhere, so Carpe Dium – seize the day and live a little!

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Dear diary…conumdrum

What to do, what to do? All my characters, being my creations, are dear to me – even the bad ‘uns. You’ve heard the phrase: “kill your darlings?” Well the time’s come for me to do just that. Er, not “kill” exactly, but extract from the rest of the story.

I really don’t want to do it, however this character, dear though he is to my heart, no longer has a part to play in the unfolding saga of my wip. So in order for the plot to move on he has to go, partly for the reason given above, but mostly to make room for new personalities.

It strikes me that being a “creator” isn’t all fun and games, one sometimes has to be quite ruthless. That said, perhaps this particular character can make a spectacular return in the final book.

Now there’s a thought.

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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351100423&sr=1-1 ((Kindle UK)

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My blog, all things writing.

When I first started to blog, I sometimes found it hard to find something to say. Nowadays it’s very different. I love to write, fiction mostly, and found composing articles something of a chore. However, my passion as an author has now transferred itself to expanding my writing horizons and I take great pleasure in “talking” about, not just my own work, but others too. It’s wonderful to share the success of my fellow novelists, to egg them on to even greater efforts and to be supported in turn.

Writing is a solitary occupation, although there’s always the “company” of your characters to fall back on. That said, it doesn’t do to become too insular. In order to write, even fantasy, you need to have life experiences that can be transferred to your stories; most anything can be molded to fit. And of course people themselves can be a limitless source of inspiration. Their traits, habits and idiosyncrasies can provide great ideas for fictional characters.

So I shall, I hope, be blogging for some considerable time to come. Forever reaching out into the world, seeking and searching for inspiration and the rich resources that await the attention of my pen.

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Love me, love my books.

As anyone who regularly reads this blog will know, I love books. I love reading them, collecting them, writing them; in short I love everything about books.

I’m an eclectic reader, in that I will read most fiction genres, historical works, autobiographies, biographies and so on. What I won’t read, and never will, are so called “celebrity” books. Such works leave me cold, the very thought of picking one up from a supermarket shelf, let alone paying good money for it, makes me shudder. Having said that, each to their own.

Another thing I absolutely adore is charity shops. Why? Because amongst all the clothes and gee gaws, they also have – yes you’ve guessed it – books! Everyone loves a bargain and I’ve had several from the likes of Oxfam, Barnados, Age Concern and others. They’re wonderful treasure houses, as far as I’m concerned, and stock only books that are in near perfect condition at a fraction of the price you’d have to pay in the shops.

So my fellow readers and writers, indulge yourselves, sally forth and build your own personal library. Let your imagination absorb all the various worlds, characters and stories out there.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1345235895&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Silver-Flute-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008Z10Y3E/