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What’s a scene? What’s a chapter? How do we use them to keep the reader hooked?

I’ve had this interesting question from Tom Austin. Could you please tell me the difference between a scene and a chapter, and define what they are? How long should a chapter be? To some of us, these differences are clear and elementary. We just know what scenes and chapters are. For others this is puzzling and confusing. Tom isn’t the only person I’ve come across who’s wondered about this –…

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#Chapter endings #creative writing #how long should a chapter be #how long should a scene be #how to write a book #how to write a novel #pacing #pacing in storytelling #storytelling #what is a scene #writing in chapters #writing in scenes

Larkin and Jones, two versions; John Whitbourn; Comicon Bergamo and legendary Dave Morris; legendary DJ Simon Bates reads a memoir by a person he's never heard of; Simon says… and listeners do; a little horse. All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/8496e2d1908c/larkin-about-comicon-bergamo

#roz morris #nail your novel #literary fiction #how to write a book #publishing #writers #writing life #fiction #horses #comicon #Dave Morris #Philip Larkin #Monica Jones #JOhn Whitbourn

When the truth must out: what memoir taught me about story when I couldn’t invent anything

In a novel we are able to invent. And even if we’re drawing on real life, some invention is usually essential because real life will rarely do just as it is (here’s a post I wrote about that). But when I decided to write a memoir (Not Quite Lost) and then another memoir (Turn Right At The Rainbow) I found myself without my usual narrative toolbox. This taught me some interesting things. Learn…

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#character in memoir #CNF #creative nonfiction #creative writing #how to write a good memoir #how to write memoir #novelist to memoirist #slow living #story structure #structure #travel memoir

Utterly in love with Grayson Perry's House for Essex. Starting to write a new novel!! 'A truly personal and memorable story' (Turn Right At The Rainbow), 'shades of Daisy Jones AND Into Thin Air (Ever Rest). A little horse. All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/6b33d00696fe/this-house-is-a-concept-album-im-starting-a-new-novel

#roz morris #nail your novel #how to write a novel #literary fiction #publishing #how to write a book #writers #writing life #grayson perry #horses #slow living #slow life

The envy that sends writers back to work

Let’s talk about one of the emotions of the creative life: envy. I don’t mean malice. The kind that wants someone else to fail. I mean the sharp twinge we feel when another writer, director, artist, musician or creator has made something wonderful and a part of us thinks: I wish I’d done that. Where this came from The other day in a Facebook conversation, someone mentioned a London theatre…

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#artistic envy #author life #comparisonitis #creative life #creative practice #envy #how to write a book #inspiration #rankings #social media #social media for authors #social media for writers

Vanished houses, traces that remain. One of the preoccupations of Turn Right At The Rainbow. 'Hooked from the first sentence.' 'A heartwarming exploration of what makes a home.' New book bubbling along, or is it books plural? A little horse. All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/705eaf1068cd/your-mind-becomes-a-ghost

#literary fiction #writing #nail your novel #roz morris #fiction #writing life #self-publishing #horses #horselife #househunting #relocation #movers #writers

Let the messages emerge from characters and story – how journalist Alice Wright switched to novels

Alice Wright’s usual writing was entertainment columns until one day her imagination took an unexpected swerve. A beautiful day, a spooky song in the headphones, and she found she needed to write a paranormal novel with a dual timeline. I’ve worked with many journalists who transitioned to novels and it’s quite a different way of writing. My first question was how did she find the switch? Very…

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#Alice Wright #books inspired by home #dual timelines #historical fiction #home #how to switch from journalism to novels #how to write historical fiction #memoirs #memoirs about dogs #memoirs about pets #paranormal fiction #Vine Leaves Press

From lifeless to compelling: 5 craft fixes that transform a story

If you’re working on a novel or memoir, you might see this feedback at some point: it’s not quite working yet. It’s a bit lifeless. What might be wrong? Although we all have different strengths and blind spots, I find certain issues come up fairly regularly. Here they are – and practical ways to fix them. 1. ‘I was devastated.’ (But the reader isn’t) One of the most frequent weaknesses in…

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#beginnings #chapter breaks #Chapter endings #endings #how to describe people #how to self-edit #how to write a compelling book #how to write a memoir #how to write a novel #parallel narratives #show not tell #titles

Tower of beasts; guesting on The Creative Penn, also Stark Reflections; 'I didn't want this book to end' - and other lovely new reviews; yes, you can buy the merch! A little horse. All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/0d2fab1da872/tower-of-beasts-i-didnt-want-this-book-to-end-on-the-creative-penn-a-little-horse

#roz morris #nail your novel #literary fiction #publishing #writing life #self-publishing #memoir #essays #humour #househunting #church bells #bell ringing #English church bells #horses #horse riding #equitation

Lessons from hiring the wrong editor – and how to find the right match. Honest advice after the Indie Author Lab

A developmental editor is usually the first professional to see your book. Ideally they’ll help you nurture its strengths, tone up its weaknesses, get you writing your best work. But finding that person can be a minefield. This week I was one of the resident experts at the Alliance of Independent Authors Indie Author Lab in London. Several authors there had mixed experiences with…

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#advice for writers #advice on self-publishing #author life #developmental editing #how to find an editor #how to work with an editor #Indie Author Lab 2026 #publishing #self-publishing

Long-haul writing careers, writing memoir and slow-but-steady marketing. Thrilled to be talking again to @thecreativepenn

Fifteen years ago I guested on a podcast called The Creative Penn hosted by Joanna Penn. We were both setting sail as indie authors. Fifteen years on, we’re both still at it. In this podcast we’re looking at why! There’s been a lot of change, but indie authorship still suits us both. It doesn’t matter that we don’t write the same kinds of books or produce at the same rate. Joanna must have…

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#author life #book marketing #how to be an indie author #how to market your book #how to pick a good title for your book #how to write about real people #interview #Joanna Penn #memoir #podcast #podcast for writers #publishing #self-publishing #sustainable marketing for books #The Creative Penn #title #Turn Right At The Rainbow #writing memoir

Big stories from small beginnings - and how to pivot between memoir and fiction: interviewed by Mark Leslie Lefebvre

What are the key differences between writing memoir and writing fiction? That’s one of the questions I’m tackling today at Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing, the podcast from horror/ speculative fiction author and longtime publishing guru Mark Leslie Lefebvre. I’m thrilled to be invited to Mark’s show because he’s one of the old-timers in the self-publishing world. We talk about that –…

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#audio interview #difference between memoir and autobiography #difference between memoir and fiction #how to write a memoir #interview #interviews #Mark Lefebvre #Mark Leslie #memoir #podcast #self-publishing #Stark Reflections #switching from fiction to memoir #switching from memoir to fiction #writing and publishing

I didn't dare ask. (You'll have to read it to find out.)

The winners in the prize draw - and yes, by popular demand, you can buy the merch. Also, meet me at the London Book Fair Indie Author Lab. A few reviews: 'OMG such a lovely book!' That's Turn Right At The Rainbow.

And of course: a little horse.

All in my newsletter https://mailchi.mp/8e27ed3540ba/i-didnt-dare-ask-prize-winners-omg-such-a-lovely-book-a-little-horse

#roz morris #how to write a novel #nail your novel #literary fiction #writing #fiction #writers #turn right at the rainbow #memoir #memoir about home #househunting #books about househunting #new memoir #humour #like Bill Bryson #British humour #real life stories #home collage

I made this! Turn Right At The Rainbow is now available

It’s been nearly five years since I published a book. About time I published another. I am thrilled to announce the launch of Turn Right At The Rainbow: A Diary of Househunting, Happenstance & Home. What’s it like? Here are a few reviews to help you decide. (Back soon with a post on writing and publishing.)

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A story is unfolding in your life? That's when writers write. Post at Women Writers

You might have seen I have a book coming out. Next week, gosh. It’s a follow-up to my travel memoir Not Quite Lost – a set of humorous Bill Brysonesque tales that also asks serious questions. Some of those questions are unanswerable, but they swim alongside us as we do ordinary life things. They demand our attention – and suddenly, we’re in a story. When you find yourself in such a place, you…

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#author life #CNF #creative non-fiction #creative nonfiction #guest post #home #home collage #househunting #how we write memoir #inspiration #interview #memoir #moving house #personal essays #relocation #Turn Right At The Rainbow #Women Writers Women Books #writing life

When fiction is the right choice; when memoir is – Merav Fima on the shifting boundaries of story

As writers, we often start with a person, a place, or a haunting piece of history—and assume we know what shape it will take. It seems to be a novel, then we find the material demands the naked honesty of a memoir. Or we try to document a life exactly as it happened, only to realise that the truth needs the breathing room of fiction to truly come alive. My guest today, Merav Fima, has navigated…

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#author life #creative writing #historical fiction #how to write a memoir #Late Blossoms #memoir #Merav Fima #Sephardic heritage #Vine Leaves Press #writing a memoir #writing a novel - Nail Your Novel #writing life

Four shades of planning and pantsing… and how to get the most out of your chosen writing method

Traditionally the writing world is split between planners and pantsers. Planners like to prepare an outline before they start writing; pantsers see the writing as a voyage of discovery, letting the story and the characters unfold as they go. In reality, we’re probably all a mixture of both. Many planners discover new things they want to include during the process. They might adjust the plan… or…

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#characters driven #characters first #how to plan a novel #how to plan a story #pantsing #pantsing versus planning #Planning #plot driven #plot first #plotting #revision

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