Author: helen

Spellbinding Sentences is a stellar book. I highly recommend it and feel it should be on every writer’s bookshelf. It was published in 2015, and written by Barbara Baig. Spellbinding Sentences looks at the nuts and bolts of writing. Different types of sentences are examined and examples are also given. I had a problem with…

Every genre of novel can benefit from an increase in suspense and tension- from external tension, in thrillers, to internal tension, in romance. Tension and suspense are inextricably linked to conflict. One of the reasons we need conflict in fiction is to create tension in the reader. Tension is a state of heightened alertness. Suspense…

Chara is the protagonist of Nesting, a determined and loving woman with two kids and a husband, Ryan. Her character is one we can easily empathise with- her concern for her kids, her fear of Ryan , who is controlling and has angry outbursts. She leaves Ryan suddenly and finds herself navigating the tumultuous world…

These are just a few of the types of protagonist you can create in a novel. Creating a main character who is an underdog can be compelling for your audience. Try coming up with a character who is at a disadvantage due to health, mental or emotional state or age. When combined with positive qualities…

In my opinion, this novel starts off slow but gathers momentum towards the middle and end. The central conflict between Beth and Justin is well drawn out and their relationship highs and lows are interesting and exciting. Beth, the protagonist is a talented swimmer. She’s also the granddaughter of a well known poet, Benjamin Crowe….

An tOileánach by Tomás Ó Criomthain is a book I read while studying Irish at UCC. It made a huge impression on me. It is a chronicle of the author’s life on the Blasket Island and the adventures of the inhabitants. I can still remember my lecturer, Liam P. Ó Murchú, waxing lyrical about ‘na…

I recently attended a reading at a short story festival in Cork. It was a showcase of writing from a new literary journal in the city library. Four authors read their work. One woman, I can’t remember her name, read a story she’d written about an old man, walking to the bog, carrying a mysterious…

I’m reading Five Editors Tackle the Twelve Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing by C.S. Larkin et al and I highly recommend it. It is available on Amazon and it is a fabulous book that gives insider tips for fiction writing. One tip is the rule of three. After three paragraphs of backstory, come back to…

I am pleased to announce that I was successful in my application for a mentoring grant. This will enable me to pay the fees of a mentor. I am really excited to start the mentoring process. My last books were written without any outside help- no editing, no mentoring or book coaching. I have since…

I recently joined a writer’s group in my local area. I have tried writer’s groups before and some of them weren’t great. They were pretty uninspiring. However this group is great. We all gel really well and a published writer comes along once a month to give us tips and feedback. I would say to…