Symbolism in My Stories

Symbolism is the use of words or images to represent specific ideas or characters in stories. We can use symbols to communicate an overall theme of what you are trying to convey in the story or small gestures that can help a writer give meaning to a character or place within a story. I don't...

Could the 5am Club Elevate Your Writing?

One of the main stumbling blocks to becoming a published author is not skill or desire but time. Robin Sharma‘s popular book, The 5am Club explores how people in any field of study or work could elevate their morning routine in order to give them more time. It may seem simple, just wake up at...

Hotel Writing

When I have the chance I love to write in hotels. Whenever I get to travel, wherever I am, one of the first things I do is find a little nook in the hotel room where I can write. Wherever I travel I find inspiration for my stories and hotel rooms are the perfect place...

Is The Outsider Just Another It?

Is Stephen King's 2018 book, The Outsider similar to his other tales, specifically It? I love this title, don't you? My writing often explores the idea of the outsider within a setting, especially as a traveller. How it feels to be an outsider or feel like an outsider on your journey. “. . . or...

Morning Pages

I have been experimenting with various morning routines with a goal to be more productive. For many years I stuck to studying Spanish in the mornings. Studying a language gave me something to distract from negative thoughts and gave me a sense of achievement every day. As I have felt better in the mornings I...

A Scanner Darkly

I read Philip K. Dick's book, A Scanner Darkly (1977) in October. I have only read one other book by this author, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (1968), which became the film Blade Runner in 1982. I am very interested in classic sci-fi at the moment if any one has any ideas of what...

Sapphira Olson’s Parables

I had the privilege to spend some time with Sapphira Olson, an award winning artist and author in a little Italian cafe in Cornwall recently and listen to her own personal stories and inspirations for her new novel, Anna Newton Destroys the World. The difficulties she has faced and the love she has been shown...

Consumption

Cover design by J.D FitzRoy Consumption is my first collection of short stories with my brother, J.D FitzRoy. Consumption is a collection of contrasting, experimental short stories featuring the problems so prevalent in today's society. "Spanning the important contemporary political, economic and social issues that shape our lives and the fate of our world, these...

How to Self-Promote once You Have Self-Published

Is it worth self-publishing? Absolutely, for me, it was the best decision I made. The control of your intellectual property can only come from self-publishing. I had complete control of how the book looked, the cover design and any financial gains. Unfortunately this means I also have complete control or responsibility in promoting my work...

An Evening Inside Number 9

I was recently taken out for a surprise evening to see Inside Number 9 on stage with Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. The tour is to promote their new book, The Insider's Guide to Inside Number 9 written by Mark Salisbury. Inside Number 9 is one of my favourite psychological black comedy series. Each episode...