Writing
The best Android apps for writers (part one)
2017 note: this article is now several years old. Please don’t consider it current advice. As computers diversify and specialise, many modern writers are choosing to take advantage of the greater mobility offered by tablets and smartphones. I have already written a very popular post on how writers can
Recent reviews for “Crowley’s Rival”
Crowley’s Rival is a piece I’m proud of. While it doesn’t approach the length or complexity of The Only Genuine Jones, and only touches on the more profound issues I have explored in my full-length novel, I feel it showcases some of my best writing in a
An interview with Gordon Stainforth, author of FIVA
Photo from Gordon’s site: http://goo.gl/HQYyT This is the first of a series of interviews with authors, photographers, film-makers, and other creative people who all have one thing in common: a connection with mountaineering culture. Tonight’s interview is with Gordon Stainforth, award-winning author of FIVA: An
“What about the next book?”
This is a question I have been asked several times over the last few days. Unfortunately the answer is far from simple! On Wednesday night at the book launch I dived headlong into a conversation about glaciers and legends and the remarkable books I have read over the last year
The ascent of the Pinnacle Face: anatomy of a near-disaster
January the 27th, 2009 This is my account of a personal experience in the mountains of Glencoe: the closest I’ve ever come to an ‘epic’, or prolonged mountain incident. All dialogue is paraphrased although I believe I have recalled events accurately. Pictures were taken by me on the day.
Running an ad on Goodreads: my experience
Goodreads is a social network I have been trying to get to grips with for some time. For those of you who have yet to delve into its wonders, it can be summarised as Facebook for book lovers. It has all the trappings of a social network (profiles, timelines, comments,
A sneak preview of Alpine Dawn, my work in progress
Regulars will be aware that I am presently working on an ambitious novel called Alpine Dawn. This book takes the reader back to the years immediately before the golden age of Alpine exploration–with my own unique fictional take on events, of course!Here is the first draft of my
Drabble #1: “First Flight”
A Drabble is defined as a work of fiction less than 100 words in length. Here is my first attempt: First Flight What if I let go? Below, the wall echoes and grasps at my weakening body. Gravity is undeniable. I begin to realise that my attempt to cheat it
Facts and the historical novelist
Fact or fiction? The historical novelist has a very important responsibility. Most people stop formally learning about history at school, which means that as an adult, the bulk of our historical education comes from fiction: in the broadest possible sense, that includes books, movies, and costume dramas on the BBC.