In my childhood I improvised to survive. At times my life was as fictitious as the stories I read. Pretence was sometimes the only reality. That’s what made me a writer. I was eight when my father died. Though sad at his loss, I had no idea of the struggles that lay ahead. We were … Continue reading "How deception made me a writer"
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Are you one of those people who like talking about your feelings and achievements? Me neither. If you’re an author, you want people to look at and buy your books. You have to tell them what’s good, why they invest time and money in you. The alternative is to hope readers will stumble across your … Continue reading "Getting going by going public"
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28th December 2018. It never ceases to impress me how the movement of a single digit can create such a surge of optimism to tackle one of life’s most difficult challenges. Before you start thinking conquering Everest, reading a news story based on fact rather than opinion, or inventing a washing machine that doesn’t finish … Continue reading "New Year Realisation"
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21st December 2018 It may be the shortest day of the year, but here at Crouch Corner, there’s a long list of crime novels to wade through if I’m to select my favourites of the year. Without doubt, crime’s the most diverse genre and possibly the best-selling. You can read everything from little old ladies … Continue reading "My favourite crime novels of 2018"
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9th December 2018 Like every other reader on the planet I love a good story. I want to be taken on an exciting journey to meet new people, see new places and learn new things. Sometimes, I learn something about myself I didn’t know. Occasionally, I’m moved to tears, usually by injustice or dashed dreams. … Continue reading "Why crime novels grip me, or often don’t"
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3rd December 2018 Fact can often be stranger than fiction. Here at Crouch Corner, they often blur during the writing week. It’s not the result of alcohol or any other substance, simply the power of imagination. Sometimes, the writing flows so well the characters in my fictional world burst into life and become real. Maybe … Continue reading "Life’s full of mystery stories"
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25th November 2018 Like a pop star on his third final tour, Robservations is back. Holidays, and the disruption caused by works at Crouch Corner knocked me out of my stride. They also stressed Harvey, who wasn’t happy with the changes to the kitchen, even though his water and food bowls remained in the same … Continue reading "Traumatic times in crime fiction"
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