Yesterday I found myself having to decide whether to watch Birdman or Whiplash. Both recent additions to Netflix, both contenders for Best Picture at the 2015 Academy Awards and both vaguely associated with performing arts. I opted for Whiplash. Mainly because unlike Birdman it didn't win Best Picture so I had (slightly) lower expectations which (as I … Continue reading Review: Whiplash
I've decided it's about time I do something other than moan about writing so I've employed myself as a reviewer, and to kick things off I'll be reviewing the Netflix original Medici: Masters of Florence. First things first, I've been wanting to watch this since I first heard about it some time last year and … Continue reading Review – Medici: Masters of Florence
Today (January 25th) is what we Welsh call Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen, or St Dwynwen's Day for those who don't speak Cymraeg. St Dwynwen's Day is the Welsh equivalent of Valentine's Day so hugs, kisses and presents are in abundance. The background to St Dwynwen's day is actually quite a heartbreaking tale, young Dwynwen falls in … Continue reading The Ones that Got Away
I'm writing a trilogy called St Victoria's, it's set in 19th century London and tells the story of Rosetta Heroski an upper class teenager who has just moved from Russia with her family and enrolls into an all female boarding school called St Victoria's. There she befriends a group of rebellious, misfit girls and ends … Continue reading The Art of Insulting – Why True Friends Hate Each Other
My sister once told me I was her twin born 4 years before her. Sometimes I think she's right, we definitely have a 'twin-thing', always on the same wave-length, often having the same random thoughts and knowing when the other is down or happy even when we're miles apart. (Yes, we're weird okay?) Maybe because … Continue reading Double Trouble, it’s a Twin-Thing
Have you ever written something completely original and authentic only to give it to a friend to read through and have them say "that character was totally based on me right?" If this has never happened to you then lucky you, if it has happened to you then I'm sure it makes your blood boil … Continue reading Any Similarity is Purely Coincidental…sort of
One of my favourite things about writing fiction is creating and developing characters. I'm a bit of a character junkie actually, I like to build reasonably detailed character profiles when I write and I cover some pretty trivial details, I like knowing my characters' zodiac, their height, where they've lived, who their best friends are, … Continue reading Why Main Characters Suck
What makes a good story great? It's a question I'm sure many budding writers ask themselves, and as far as I'm concerned there's no real answer. A good story can be attributed to many different factors: a unique, gripping plot, interesting characters, witty dialogue, incredible world-building, any of these combined with good writing (i.e. something … Continue reading The Measure of a Good Story or Why Tears are Everything
I hate beginnings. I really do, I hate them. With a passion. I hate beginning a new novel, or watching the beginning of a new film. I hate the first episodes of brand new TV shows and most of all I hate writing beginnings. Why do I hate beginnings? It's simple really, nobody looks forward to the … Continue reading Why I hate Beginnings…
I Should Write That Down... 