When my mojo is fried, I go and play wheelchair rugby league. I train twice a week with matches at weekends. Smashing the heck out of other people really clears the head. I also find that some of my best story ideas come when I’m swimming,

Once I cawed back at a crow in a pattern. The crow repeated the pattern. It was amazing, but I’ve never been able to replicate it. The crow probably spread the word to ignore me.

I also keep a running list of pieces I love that have appeared in various journals so I can re-read them whenever I want to be inspired.

I’ve never liked the prescription to “kill your darlings,” at least the way I think it’s often interpreted—to cut anything not ‘necessary’ out of your story and focus only on driving the plot forward. Many times, I find the oddball detours and vivid, unexpected images more interesting than the plot.

Let yourself be truly weird and weirdly truthful.

I’m much more of an editor than a writer, as anyone who has read my rambling, dreary first drafts will agree. And I find editing is a good use of time when your creative muscles are exhausted.

I’m much more of an editor than a writer, as anyone who has read my rambling, dreary first drafts will agree. And I find editing is a good use of time when your creative muscles are exhausted.

I’m an eclectic reader and I’m always excited by beautiful language. I go through all sorts of reading phases. Anything from Westerns, Classics, Crime and Thrillers, the Booker nominees etc.

…having a little group of fellow writers who meet up a couple of times a week to write together. And if you end up doing like admin while everyone else is writing? Be kind to yourself and write something fabulous next time.