Blog 2 - the return of the internet

Well hello to any readers out there - sorry for the delay in posting anything recently, but I've just moved house and only just got internet access again. Boy, you miss it when it's not there, eh?
Anyway, I thought I'd just share some thoughts about writing, today - as a published author, people have started listening to me, which is not something I'm used to! However, if I can encourage others to have a go at writing, or try to get something published, then I think it's worth having a go.
Sometimes a story will just fall out of you, if you give it the opportunity - with my novel The Siege, I had a basic idea of what the story would be about, but the way it happened was just kind of made up as I went along. I've read other authors' blogs and interviews, and many of them decry this sort of thing, saying that 'writing is something you really have to work hard at' etc., but that's not always the case. If you can enjoy what you do, then chances are pretty good that other people will enjoy it too!
However, sometimes you really do have to put the hours in, researching and studying and plotting - it really depends on what you're writing and how familiar you are with what you're trying to accomplish.
The real work - as I've discovered - comes when you're accepted for publication. The editing process can be a bit repetitive and soul-destroying if you lose your focus - but just try and remember why you're doing it: You're being published!
So let the ideas out! And if they won't come, get out the pry-bar...
More to come as soon as I can - and thanks for reading :-)

First blog on my new page!

Hello to any and all who may be reading out there, and thank you very much for taking the time to have a look at my blog page!

This is all still quite new to me, so I hope I don't disappoint anyone (or haven't already...)

If you've read my book The Siege already, you'll know the story - and if you haven't, you won't want it spoiled! So I'm not going to go into any plot details in the blog. Over the coming weeks, I hope to be able to bring some insights into the background and research I did, and some of my favourite parts of the novel.

I'm not sure how, but if you want to please feel free to ask any questions, and I'll do my best to reply to as many people as I can!
I'm also hoping to do some articles on writing and getting published, and accounts of my own experiences etc. for the benefit of any aspiring authors out there.

For the time being, that's it! I'll keep these blogs to a manageable length (don't want to put anyone off through sheer weight of text - if you've read my book, you'll have realized that already!) Thanks again for having a look, and hopefully see you next time :-)