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.

I simply adore flash fiction – to me, it’s the perfect format for the 21st century. Also love genre, especially horror and SFF. 34 Orchard, 100-Foot Crow, Uncanny and Weird Horror are just a few of the cornucopia of amazing spec journals out there right now. 

Write first, worry about wordcount later. Some of my favourite flash began life a few hundred words heavier