My Blog
How to Let Your Characters Win Without Being Boring
Sometimes your characters need a break – sometimes you need to let your characters win. This is a companion piece to the blog post I wrote a little while ago: Defeat is More Interesting Than Victory. I stand by that – I think in most good books the balance of...
Maybe in Another Life: Book Review
Maybe in Another Life plot summary Hannah Martin hasn’t been having the best luck. She’s spent the last few years meandering through different cities and jobs. She’s just broken off a truly terrible relationship, and she’s not sure where to go next. Other than maybe,...
What is Chekhov’s Gun, and Why Does it Matter?
You may well have heard the phrase ‘Chekhov’s gun’ thrown about in reference to movies, books or TV shows. It’s an interesting dramatic principle, and once you’re aware of it you’ll probably recognise examples everywhere. Including in your own work! What is it, and...
Galatea: Book Review
Galatea plot summary Carved from marble by a master sculptor and brought to life by a goddess, Galatea was never going to be the pliable thing her husband hoped for. Hidden away, under the supervision of doctors, she practices her deceptions and bides her time. She’s...
The Gilded Wolves: Book Review
The Gilded Wolves plot summary Séverin Montagnet-Alarie was cheated out of his inheritance, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make it right. Together with a rag-tag team of specialists, he’s sucked into a mission for the almost all-powerful Order of Babel. But the...
What is the Five-Act Structure?
The three-act structure is fine, sure, but what about the five-act structure? It isn’t all that different, don’t worry! If you like working with three acts, but they don’t give you quite the support you’d like, you might find five acts more helpful. So: what’s...