Aspiring novelists are often advised to write about ‘what they know’ or ‘what they want to read’. I write mainly to explore things which I feel strongly about or am ...
Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Echoes of the Fall trilogy from Tor UK. The caveat is that these are my tips; any other writer may endorse none of them. Five ...
In a book market busy with so many psychological thrillers I've questioned and wondered to their success. Why do so many of us readers love a good hook and the shock of when the ...
Hot, hectic and heaving with people – what is it about Marrakech that makes it so bewitching? For decades, writers, artists and musicians – along with tourists in their millions ...
To celebrate the launch of their new book Naturally Delicious Snacks and Treats, the Squirrel Sisters Gracie and Sophie Tyrrell share their top tips for working with your sibling. Skills- ...
I’m one of those authors who don’t need complete silence when they write. In fact if there’s no background noise I struggle to concentrate. It’s one of the reasons I ...
Author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter One of the inspirations for The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter was the way just a couple of Tweets led to my unlikely but enduring friendship ...
Suffering is a collection of experiences that you feel has negatively impacted you. Any experience you consider negative or positive is an experience that you continue to be attached to. ...
My favourite place for writing inspiration is Formentera in the Balearic Isles: I first went there about twenty years ago and fell in love with the simple beauty. Although it’s ...
I’m a military spouse. Being a part of the RAF family is a hugely important part of my life. Moving around a lot has given me the confidence to put ...
There are few things more challenging to one’s self esteem than internet dating…unless it’s writing a novel and trying to get it published. I met my partner online and I ...
By Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris, authors of My Lady’s Choosing, Quirk Books. Romance revels in the thrill we get when we click with someone new who could be The ...
My name is Lily. I’ve had OCD ever since I can remember. Think OCD is an adjective for ‘perfectionist’, and involves ‘liking things just so’? Think again. OCD is a ...
Thank you Female First for inviting me to reveal a little about myself. I'm so used to making up stories, being this transparent feels slightly odd. My mother was Romanian ...
I love the city but I love the countryside. Most people generally prefer one to the other, disliking the bustle of the city or the loneliness of empty spaces. I ...
I currently have two typical days. Half of the week, I work for a charity. My day is spent helping others to resolve their problems, whether it’s getting out of ...
It won’t have escaped your notice that modern life is full-on. Look around and you’ll see hordes of people fuelled up on caffeine and sugar, having what we call a ...
All families have their stories. Some are handed down orally through the generations, others survive on fragments of paper. Letters, diaries, journals perhaps. There are few questions more powerful than ...
By definition, badass means “a tough, uncompromising, or intimidating person.” And in many respects, particularly when speaking about women, this is true. Why? Because seeing a woman standing boldly in ...
Domestic violence is still underreported in England despite a rise in offences recorded by police, according to a recent report by Women’s Aid. Author Christine Clayfield has documented the abuse ...
Life as an expat in Indonesia can be many things. It can be a fantastically wonderfully, enlightening and entertaining experience; it can be, at times, frustrating, nerve-wracking and downright exasperating; ...
When women rule the world, everything will be better. We’ll end wealth inequality, the rubbish care system, the billions spent on weapons used to obliterate one another, and girls being ...
