Whether you embrace social media or shy from it, it’s crucial for authors to master both Facebook and Twitter. Here are my tips for becoming a top Tweeter:

Read the full post here.

Social media is fast becoming an all-consuming part of our lives and for authors it’s more important then ever to make sure you’re using it to the best of your abilities. Here are my top tips for mastering Facebook:

Read the full post here.

On Saturday 27^th February, I travelled to London to take part in Foyles Discovery Day where I was able to pitch my novel to a literary agent from Curtis Brown or Conville and Walsh, followed by a mini Q&A session with another agent. Exciting, I know.

I decided to be extra prepared, so I put together the synopsis of my novel, printed out the first page and packed my bag the night before so I was all ready to go. Being me, I was secretly looking forward to the train journey, the ability to sit down and crack on with stuff I’d been meaning to do for a while, or continue reading the irresistible A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon – I’ll be posting a review of this one soon! Continue reading

The final day of our trip was dedicated to another family member. Someone who often gets forgotten because of his shy, mild-mannered nature but is the loveliest grandparent you could ask for. He never forgets a Christmas or birthday card – ever – and is always willing to open his home to his children and grandchildren. And that’s Grandad.

My favourite childhood photo is on Grandad’s garden bench where he has one arm wrapped around me, a cheeky smile on my face and blonde bunches visible on top of my head – yes that’s right, I made the pineapple-look fashionable – and of course I’m wearing some horrible 90s outfit. I think a bright pink reebok sweatshirt with some horribly patterned leggings. Back when I was all cute and innocent.

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I love going to educational lectures. I love learning stuff. That’s a good thing right? But sometimes I find myself getting so annoyed, it just ruins it. Now I’m quite a passionate person and those who know me best also know I can get passionate, or should I say angry, about silly little things. Pet peeves is what we Brits call them. Well I have a hundred of them and this is just one.

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The following day we enjoyed a lazy morning, getting up a little later, taking our time in getting dressed before heading out to the reason why were there in the first place, that’s right Mama’s birthday lunch.

We arrived at the hotel after a bit of a hairy ride in the car. Having only been insured for a matter of days, it’s safe to say that the Lover wasn’t the calmest passenger in the car. And on twisty turny roads that were unfamiliar probably wasn’t the place in which to learn how to handle the Astra.

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As the Lover drove into the Nottinghamshire countryside, I was squirming in my seat. He obviously questioned my actions with a ‘what the hell are you doing’ and the simple explanation of ‘getting changed’ did nothing to explain my situation to him.

Have you ever tried to get changed in a moving car? It’s not the easiest. In fact it’s bloody difficult. Especially when dealing with tights, which let’s face it are not the easiest garment to get on and off. Let’s also not forget, that I was having to first undress myself from my leggings – another item of clothing that is hard to change in a hurry – before then getting into the tights. A tricky task indeed.

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After a hectic morning at work counting down the hours and for once having more to do than I could handle. I could finally be whisked away on a magical long weekend for my Nan’s birthday. My Nan is in fact called Mama, something to do with my cousin having the inability to say Grandma.

So of course, my train was running late. Only four minutes behind schedule but it was enough to set me on edge. Come on! So the normally relaxed stance reading whichever book I’m halfway through was replaced by some nervous pacing. The train finally arrives with a relief and I don’t hesitate in boarding – in fact I may have elbowed some people out of the way in my haste. Not deliberately of course.

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For many authors, writing is a hobby and we dream of being able to quit our day jobs and dedicate all of our time to the written word. But for many it’s a dream that never comes true and I’m going to tell you the secret as to why this never becomes a reality…

The key to becoming a better writer is to simply write more. I read a quote somewhere once about we only improve our writing by writing more, and when I came to use it for this post, I couldn’t for the life of me find it anywhere – so maybe it doesn’t exist, but it’s something that I live by.

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So I’ve been nominated for The Liebster Award by the wonderful electrobeth. Her blog Writing Inspiration is great for overcoming writer’s block!

So the rules are as follows:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and post a link to their blog.
2. Display the Liebester Award on your blog.
3. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
4. Answer 11 question your nominee has asked.
5. Nominate up to 11 bloggers with less than 1000 followers.
6. Ask them 11 new questions or the same ones you were asked.
7. Let the bloggers you nominate know!
8. Copy the rules into your post.

So here we go, 11 random facts about me…

1. I went to Military Boarding school when I was younger
2. I am terrified of moths
3. I am still in love with Disney and am going to Disneyland next year
4. I have a degree in Creative Writing form the University of Winchester
5. The book I’m currently writing is a crime thriller and is so much fun!
6. I own over 400 books, most of which are in my Mum’s attic – being kept safe until I own a house with enough space for them all!
7. I have a fascination with cars, especially fast ones!
8. I’ve driven round the Top Gear test track in an Aston Martin and Ferrari
9. I love to travel and go exploring – lots in store for next year!
10. I can sleep forever, literally – I can easily sleep ten hours a night every night and still be tired!
11. I don’t ever shut up talking…

And now for the 11 questions I was asked by my nominee:

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