When asked if he wrote to a regular schedule, or just when he was struck by inspiration, Somerset Maugham answered, “I write only when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.” Clever man. If you sit around waiting for inspiration to strike before you begin writing, guess what? Inspiration will toddle off and do something else. …
Technology is a Wonderful Thing, Part 2
People occasionally roll their eyes when they learn that I get up every day at five o’clock to write, but it’s really very easy. All you need is a good coffee machine, like this one: I love my coffee machine. It is a truly wonderful thing. It’s made by Nespresso. I am sure that without it (and its predecessors) I …
Where do Good Ideas for Books Come From?
The short answer to this question is: buggered if I know, but I’d like to suggest a few things that might help unearth a nugget or two. Open your eyes and your ears. Expose yourself to as much stuff as possible. Whether it’s reading magazines, or novels, or listening to podcasts, or eavesdropping other people’s conversations on the way to …
The Creative Process (First of an occasional series)
One of the things I’ve been wanting to write more about is the process by which my books emerge. Now seems like the time to do it, since I am not writing at the moment. I have various ideas in my head about the next book but they need to percolate a little more before I begin again. Anyway, I’m …