Nobody ever thinks that because they can read music it should be a piece of cake to compose a symphony. Why then do so many people leap into fiction writing without mastering the basic tools that turn black-and-white prose into glorious Technicolor? This book is not just for beginners, it’s for those who know that writers go on learning throughout their careers. Inside, you’ll find a wealth of tricks you can use to inject some va-va-voom into lacklustre prose: how to build a storehouse of clever ideas, how to create charismatic characters, how to use words for subliminal effect, how to get the most out of self-publicity, plus some of the dirty tricks that help lousy writers get published and lots lots more. Learn not just what to do but how to do it. Learn how to win writing competitions and why you should enter them. Learn what commissioning editors are looking for and how to supply it.
About the author: Joyce Holms (joyceholms.com) has been writing, teaching and judging fiction for over thirty years. She has published historical novels, short stories, and non-fiction plus a (currently) nine-part crime series.
Some press reviews of Joyce Holms books.
VAL McDERMID: Engaging and entertaining, it builds to a spectacular climax. Deft, daft and definitely delicious. Holms is a magician. - the reader is so busy laughing, the clues slip by unnoticed. (Manchester Evening News)
IAN RANKIN. : Delightfully quirky. For Joyce’s stories you don’t need a strong stomach, though you may find your sides aching with laughter. Her humour is sharp without being nasty, her characters well-drawn and her Edinburgh a place you’ll want to spend time in.
SUNDAY TIMES: The writing is deft and smooth, the characters well-drawn and Fizz and Tam are a couple worth keeping an eye on.
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A cleverly plotted story. The characters are well-drawn and the story moves along at an enjoyably brisk pace.
SHERLOCK HOLMES MAGAZINE: Diverting humour and nifty characterization. Go on – go out, get it, gasp and giggle.
BIRMINGHAM POST: A good story, light-hearted, full of fascinating characters .
SHOTS MAGAZINE: Holms has a gift for writing pacy mysteries with a central pair of very engaging characters,
SCENES OF CRIME REVIEWS: Holms has a gift for writing light, pacey mysteries with an engaging pair of central characters in Fizz and Tam.
THE SCOTSMAN: delightfully quirky.
About the author: Joyce Holms (joyceholms.com) has been writing, teaching and judging fiction for over thirty years. She has published historical novels, short stories, and non-fiction plus a (currently) nine-part crime series.
Some press reviews of Joyce Holms books.
VAL McDERMID: Engaging and entertaining, it builds to a spectacular climax. Deft, daft and definitely delicious. Holms is a magician. - the reader is so busy laughing, the clues slip by unnoticed. (Manchester Evening News)
IAN RANKIN. : Delightfully quirky. For Joyce’s stories you don’t need a strong stomach, though you may find your sides aching with laughter. Her humour is sharp without being nasty, her characters well-drawn and her Edinburgh a place you’ll want to spend time in.
SUNDAY TIMES: The writing is deft and smooth, the characters well-drawn and Fizz and Tam are a couple worth keeping an eye on.
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: A cleverly plotted story. The characters are well-drawn and the story moves along at an enjoyably brisk pace.
SHERLOCK HOLMES MAGAZINE: Diverting humour and nifty characterization. Go on – go out, get it, gasp and giggle.
BIRMINGHAM POST: A good story, light-hearted, full of fascinating characters .
SHOTS MAGAZINE: Holms has a gift for writing pacy mysteries with a central pair of very engaging characters,
SCENES OF CRIME REVIEWS: Holms has a gift for writing light, pacey mysteries with an engaging pair of central characters in Fizz and Tam.
THE SCOTSMAN: delightfully quirky.
