Roz Morris's Blog, page 20

Let pollocks be pollocks – a little chat about dialogue tags

On Facebook, I was having a deeply serious conversation about the use of exclamation marks, and my friend Indigo Roth said this: ‘Should it be: “Pollocks,” he exclaimed. Or “Pollocks!” he exclaimed. (Indigo actually used a more anatomical word, but I don’t want to get my blog blacklisted for bad language so I have used […]

The books that are our teachers – and 5 of my favourite reads (at @muddysurrey )

Today I have a guest spot at Muddy Stilettos, talking about five books I can read again and again. I read them chiefly for pleasure, but also with awe and envy. Writers learn from reading as much as from writing. I can’t tell you the number of times I have advised an editing client: read […]

How to become an author (and how to stay one) – interview at Write-Hearted with @MisterWakefield

How do you become an author? I realised, while recording this interview, that for me it had two elements. There was an Outer Me, who didn’t know what I wanted to do in life, and an Inner Me who did. If only they could talk to each other, but they didn’t, and that was the […]

How I made my writing career – novelist, playwright, photographer, actor Steve Zettler @szettlerauthor

How do you become a fiction writer? For some people, it’s almost by accident. That’s how it was for Steve Zettler, but after a series of cosy mysteries, another series of thrillers and a play, he seems to have found a good groove. His latest title, Careless Love, puts romance and thriller together, and is […]

Win a signed print edition of #EverRest

This novel I’ve been telling you about. You can win one of three signed copies by taking part in a simple game at the TripFiction website. TripFiction is a massive online library that categorises books according to their setting. So if you have a yen for the Fens or a penchant for Peru, you can […]

Dragon Warriors Ride Again... a longing look...

Dragon Warriors ride again, Ever Rest in the wild (first exciting reviews), a longing look for music lovers, a little horse. Roz's newsletter https://mailchi.mp/2c7b1c069e5e/drago...

How do you like to talk about books? Themes, juxtapositions and the complication of being human – an interview at Late Last Night Books @L8NiteBooks

I have a Bachelor’s degree in English literature, but if I’m honest, I didn’t enjoy the course. However, I loved studying English literature in the final two years of school, at A level. (Note for non-Brits: you probably call this high school, age 16-18.) My degree disappointed me because it was too wideswept; it seemed […]

On nailing your novel, finding your blind spots and writing with artistic integrity. And a few horses. Interview with @CarlyKadeAuthor

Today I’m at the online home of Carly Kade, an award-winning author and creativity coach who helps authors start and develop their writing careers. We talk about writing, writing processes and deepening your craft by learning about your own blind spots – and strengths. Carly was interested in my career as a ghostwriter. We talk […]

Comments from experts… how to use factual feedback wisely in your story (and not go mad when your plot falls apart)

For the novel I’ve just released, Ever Rest, I needed a lot of expert input. I consulted musicians, artists, doctors, priests, music lawyers, morticians… the most significant, of course, was mountaineers. I’ve been reading about Everest, high-altitude climbing and lost climbers for more than 20 years. I also had help from my friend Peter Snell […]

Your first pages – 5 more book openings critiqued by a literary agent, author/Bookstagrammer @KateESalisbury (and me!) at @Litopia

I’ve just guested again at Litopia, the online writers’ colony and community. Each week they have a YouTube show, Pop-Up Submissions, where five manuscripts are read and critiqued live on air by literary agent Peter Cox @agentpete and a guest, or sometimes two. This time the other guest was one of Litopia’s producers, Kate Salisbury, […]