What a wonderful roundup of children’s and ya books by @imogenrw.bsky.social It is joyous to see such an eclectic range

“I get melancholy if I don't [write]. I need the company of people who don't exist.” ― William Trevor

We use suspense in fiction to get the reader on the edge of their seat and make it as difficult as possible for them to put the book down 📚 So what are some of the devices and tricks that a writer can deploy? Here are some tricks for building suspense in your novel:

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 151: You don't need to describe characters in detail as soon as you introduce them. We don't tend to notice things all at once: we notice one or two main features first, then maybe add details later. Your characters can do the same. Let them learn as they go along.

When you’ve had a bad day at work but your grown up son sends you a photo of a message from one of his school friends where said friend is holding a picture of your novel that he’s got for his school. Good #authormoment #writercommunity #writing #kidslit @fireflypress

this is 💔 I spent yrs educating myself. Wrote many practice novels. Had the support of talented editors Then a greedy, lazy, cheap social media company & scrapes my work along with countless others for free from a pirate site that illegally provided my work & millions of others. #writers

There are small highs as an author like when a fellow author has spotted your books in Waterstones in Piccadilly. Very Happi-Ness!

Late to the party but loving this so much

The garden is telling me spring is coming. There is sunshine. Love it! Makes all the other pressures tolerable. Time to #write

Spent this morning talking to 25+ classes from several schools as part of #worldbookday and #nationalcareersweek. Talking about the things I am passionate about - my portfolio career and the reality of being an author. Feeling grateful today

If ever there is a time with a need to escape into a good book that time is now. Time also for me to escape into #writing #books #reading

I'm having a chat to someone who wants to get into editorial in children's books, preferably picture books but also early readers/chapter books. Basically younger kids, lots of pictures. I've been out of the biz for 5 years...any tips from anyone with more recent experience? #KidLitUK #PublishingUK

Please read this by by #joelvin open.substack.com/pub/joelvin/...

Love this. One of my fabulous colleagues talking to a lovely student about our #creativewriting degree youtube.com/watch?v=3pr_...

Sometimes I use method writing. It’s been time to get out the embroidery silks as the main character in my WIP embroiders! I love doing research. #writing #creativewriting #writer #writingcommunity #research

When you meet with your mentor and they ask if you’ve thought about writing a motivational book 😳 she can’t mean me. I spent all last night panicking after giving a talk at an awards event that I was ‘too much’! Scuttles back under her rock 😂

Judith Butler saying what we need to hear Trump is unleashing sadism upon the world. But we cannot get overwhelmed | Judith Butler www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Today this happened. The kitten sat on my back purring the whole time I pruned the roses in my garden. It was tiny and lost. It has since been reunited with owner. I am a dog person but I confess it was cute

Last day of January. Thank goodness! Right now let’s get on with the rest of the year

Writing, writing, writing tonight which makes for a very happi-Ness!

This 100%

It’s PLR statement day and I am feeling humble and grateful. The thought that so many wonderful people borrowed my books blows my mind. Libraries were my safe place as a teenager. They are still so important. Thank you #libraries and #librarians

So when you get bitterly cold at the Uni Open Day you come home and rewatch #TheSplitBarcelona for the sunshine and to be inspired by Abi Morgan’s brilliant writing as I am marking! #creativewriting #academiclife

Perfect afternoon escaping to the beach rather than marking. Cold but peaceful

First post on Substack. Could this be something new for 2025?

Wonderful morning sky

Busy marking and so often I want to remind them of Mark Twain’s quote ‘Don’t tell me an old woman screamed. Bring her on and let her, SCREAM!’ Got to love a bit of dramatisation. I know telling also has its place but I do love living the story. #writing #editing #writingcommunity

Leaf Journal' is a scholarly journal which publishes practice-based insights into creative writing for young people. They are currently welcoming submissions of articles for Volume 3 leafjournal.org/for-authors

Lovely friends please check out and follow @leafjournal.bsky.social I have the privilege to be on the Editorial Board. It is a brilliant journal and they are just coming over from THAT place #yaf #writers #academic Help them gain new followers

So in 2025 I am doing this as part of my academic role #aurora

Where billionaires control the media, and their money determines: the truth, the state, the concept of free speech, the problem isn't truth, or state, or freedom of speech. Billionaires are the problem.

Following on from yesterday’s post. When #editing check for paragraphs that should be sentences and sentences that should be paragraphs. Checking for waffle that could written tightly or a sentence that could be expanded to a scene #writing #writingcommunity

‘Whatever story you want to tell, tell it at the right size.’ Richard Linklater. Are you forcing a novel into a short story or stretching a short story into a novel? #writing #writingcommunity #editing

This is when I love living near my grandsons. It has started to snow so I met them outside to enjoy the snow in the dark. Being a grandparent is wonderful

‘I must change my life so I can live it, not wait for it.’ Susan Sontag Seems a sensible plan

Thought provoking article on AI which engages with Kate Mosse’s article on the same #writers www.thebookseller.com/news/kate-mo...

Are they trying to relive an episode of #westwing? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This is the third time in two weeks I have been here. The #nhs is amazing. They are doing everything they can to keep me and my broken body going. Am so grateful for them and all who work for the NHS.

That gut wrenching moment when an idea from your latest WIP appears in a newish Netflix film. You know it is not identical of course and nothing is original. But still… #writing

I think this an excellent idea

TGIF what a week. Deadlines moved and not in the right direction. It’s all fine!

1st December Christmas present 🎁 inspiration for readers who love #horses #adventure #WW2 My books #Flight and #Safe published by @fireflypress.bsky.social #kidslit #readingforpleasure

A week full of meetings and an Open Day so I treated myself to something I shouldn’t eat on the way home!

'Let your children read what they want – within reason, without pressure. Please don’t tell them you were reading weighty tomes at their age, it’s not helping. Resist that urge, relax your rules, let them read.' #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #amreading #childrensbooks #BookSky

Over 60? Writer? This is for you

Every single school should have a library & a librarian, to help every single child find the books that will make them readers, and give them all the lifelong benefits of literacy. Libraries & librarians change children's lives FOREVER! #literacy #libraries #librarians

Today’s Christmas film…#muppetschristmascarol obviously

Christmas 🎄 has landed. It makes me smile and have a busy few weeks coming up

This is both sad and infuriating. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Had a scheduled zoom with @annalieseavery.bsky.social to talk about the session we are doing together with my students on Monday. A joyous chat but also a great reminder how important your tribe are. Just what I needed 🥰 a chance to recalibrate & silence the demons #writingcommunity #writers