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Continue reading →: The Legend of John Macnab: how an autistic author created a compelling new tale from a Scottish classicIn this last weekend of #indieapril, the month where we celebrate indie authors, I’d like to champion an author published by an independent publisher whose work I feel deserves a much wider audience. I first came across James Christie’s book, Dear Miss Landau, after it was chosen for an episode…
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Choosing point of view: which one is best for your story?
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Continue reading →: Choosing point of view: which one is best for your story?Another month, and another authors’ Round Robin. This month our question is… What are the advantages and disadvantages of first person, third person and the omniscient point of view? It wasn’t until my first novel, The Silk Romance, was going through editing that I grasped point of view as a…
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Continue reading →: Some tips on research for fiction writers (and knowing when enough is enough)It’s time for another of our authors’ Round Robins, and this month the topic is… How important is research for your writing? Besides writing fiction, I’m also the author of a non-fiction social history, Struggle and Suffrage in Halifax: Women’s Lives and the Fight for Equality. This book covers the…
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Continue reading →: How Goal, Motivation and Conflict add essential tension to your storyIt’s my first authors’ Round Robin of the year, and this month our topic is… Using Goal, Motivation and Conflict to add tension to your story All stories are about people, because human beings love to hear stories about other human beings. At their heart, the most engrossing stories are…
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The Elf Swap: a free short story for Christmas
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Continue reading →: The Elf Swap: a free short story for ChristmasIt’s the last authors’ Round Robin of the year! And this month, we’ve each of us taken the time to write a story for our readers. And so… …here’s my free heartwarming short story, The Elf Swap. I hope you enjoy! The Elf Swap Rosie hopped from foot to foot,…
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Continue reading →: 7 tips for setting the scene in your novel (and bringing it to life)It’s another month, and another authors’ Round Robin. And this month the topic is… Setting the scene This seems a simple topic. A scene is just a scene, isn’t it? Just a few lines of description and then move on to the more interesting plot and dialogue. In fact skilful…
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Continue reading →: 7 tips to tighten the saggy middle of your story and keep readers engagedAnother month, another writers’ Round Robin. And this month our topic is a question many novel writers have grappled with at some point. How do you fix a saggy middle? Imagine you’re a writer with a killer opening. You spend the next few chapters setting up your characters and the…
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Continue reading →: #Writetip: Seven steps for creating a strong character arc in your romance novelAnother month, and another authors’ Round Robin. This month the topic has been set by author Skye Taylor How important is character arc to your stories and how does it tie in to the plot or story arc? I write and edit romance novels. These novels are character-driven rather than…
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Continue reading →: The fabulous Kew Palace and the true story of Bridgerton’s Queen CharlotteIf you haven’t yet seen the Netflix series Queen Charlotte, and if you’re looking for a touching love story, with a great script, an excellent cast, beautiful costumes and stunning scenery, then you’re in for a treat. Shonda Rhimes called this prequel to Bridgerton ‘fiction inspired by fact’. I loved…
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Continue reading →: New, Recent and Classic: 11 Brilliant American Romance Novels to Read This SummerHappy 4th July! To celebrate, I have 11 brilliant romance novels by American authors. I hope you enjoy all these as much as I did. Cut yourself a slice of pumpkin pie…and let the fireworks begin! New American romance novels Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry, by Joya Goffney Quinn…
Helena Fairfax
Freelance editor, author, tea drinker, Yorkshire lass
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Helena Fairfax 