Blog
On ghosts, writing and all things spooky!
What Next?
When the initial excitement died down after signing a publishing deal for my debut novel, I searched the internet for advice about what to do next. What should a debut do leading up to publication day?
Haunting the Haunted: Is a Ghost Story All About Relationships?
A ghost story needs a haunting; that goes without saying—something or someone trapped or lingering, failing to move to the next world. But there is usually far more in a story than the main supernatural thread…
My life in books
Ten books that have most influenced my writing? That’s quite a challenge!I write gothic fiction, ghost stories and other dark tales. Here are the ten books I’ve found most influential.
Haverscroft – Writing A Ghost Story
Advice often given to fledgeling writers is to write what you know. That sounds like a good premise, but if I’d followed it, Haverscroft would not have been written. I’ve never seen a ghost. So how do you write a ghost story, assuming most of us will not experience the supernatural, even if we wanted to?
Is there a Ghost in this story?
When Haverscroft was published, I was surprised to be asked if there was a ghost in the novel. My novel was a ghost story, so why was I asked this question so often?
Witch Way
Suffolk is a county famed for its ghostly heritage and folklore. I was born near the coast and still love to spend time there beach combing. The excitement of finding a hag or witches’ stone, a hole cut right through its centre, never fades. It’s no surprise they have found their way into my writing.
Witches, Ghosts & Medieval Persecution
Much of what eventually became Seahurst had been in my mind for decades, and pulling those unconnected events and ideas into a single narrative became the novel. Here are a few of the spooky ones…