Mr McGuffin is back for some seasonal shenanigans, in which he’s visited by 3 characters who have a bit of a bone to pick with him…
Mr McGuffin’s Christmas Carol
Tag: Writing
A Passive Aggressive and Yet Somehow Loving Exchange of Views With My Internet Profile
My Blog sits me down for a difficult heart-to-heart, questioning my loyalty, sanity, and ability to survive without posting imaginary conversations with inanimate concepts. I have to admit, it has a point. Not that I’m admitting it to My Blog.
Why Writers Should Stop Torturing Their Goals… and Fail Better
I spent a lot of 2019 insulting my goals; poking them, calling them names, and generally hating on them. I’ve decided that in 2020 I should be kinder to them, and as well all know, whenever I decide something like that, I’m going to make a blog post out of it and insist that everyone should be doing it. You’re welcome.
Why You Shouldn’t Live With An Underwritten Christmas Character
This week I’m over at Anne R. Allen’s splendiferous blog in the US, wondering what it would be like to live with a well-known fictional character stereotype. At Christmas. Curious? Well, wonder no more, and count your blessings that you don’t…
Why Brexit and Trump Mean Big Romance is Due a Comeback
The popularity of certain types of fiction waxes and wanes with economic cycles. This is because readers are human, and want to escape their reality. But if romantic fiction is the ultimate escapism, why isn’t it more popular at the moment? As usual, I have a theory about this, and I’m not afraid to use it…
How To Write A Book Blurb Part 3
In the third and final instalment of templates for writing book blurbs according to the book’s genre, we look at short story anthologies, self-help books, and literary fiction. And most importantly, I have my fun, and that’s all that matters…
How to Write A Book Blurb Part 2
In this 2nd second instalment of ‘how to write a book blurb and how it’s 100% dependent on what genre you’re writing in’, we look at crime, historical fiction and science fiction / fantasy. And I test your memory in more ways than one, but don’t worry. It’s still fun, I promise…
How To Write A Book Blurb Part 1
Christmas is coming, and the Biggest Book Publication Day of the year is already over. What does that mean for self-published authors, or authors with small presses who have a big role in their own marketing? Time to write your blurb, that’s what.
What Do Literary Agents Really Want? Try Abnormal People
What are literary agents really looking for? Well, I’ll give you a clue, and it’s not what they say they’re looking for. It’s the character, stupid….
Hey, Authors! Sorry My Mood Ruined Your Book
Imagine a world where good and bad book reviews were as random and unpredictable as a lottery, and had little or nothing to do with the book the were supposed to be describing. Terrifying, isn’t it?! Now think again. What’s the difference between that… and this thing we call Now?
Tara Sparling writes 