The Consequences of Money and Wealth
There’s a widely held view that acquiring wealth is a good thing with no downside. And indeed, there is much to be said for the acquisition of wealth. However, there are consequences that flow from having wealth.
last updated: 11 May 2020; tags: money wealth
The concept of usury is one that has been around for nearly as long as civilization. But why do we still care about it, and why is a fiction writer interested in the notion?
last updated: 8 March 2020; tags: money value
UK authors with US earnings will find that these overseas earnings are taxed at source, meaning the author receives less. By filling in a few forms, the author can arrange for payment to be made without the deduction of US tax.
last updated: 3 November 2019; tags: tax ITIN W-8BEN self publishing
Thinking about the choices available and the decisions photographers make when taking a photo can help an author focus more tightly on the aspect of the story they want the reader to see. And by equal measure, by highlighting one aspect to the reader, then another …
last updated: 11 May 2019; tags: point of view
Crime Fiction as Social Commentary
Crime fiction is wide-ranging genre with many subgenres. The genre can encompass “cops and robbers”, cozies, whodunnits, and beyond to serial killers and psychological thrillers. But the genre can also be a lens through which to view society and to consider …
last updated: 28 March 2019; tags: genre
Many authors approach working with editors from the wrong direction looking to the downsides and not to the benefits that a healthy partnership can bring. Perhaps I can suggest a different way to approach working with an editor.
last updated: 31 January 2019; tags: editor
Categories and Tags: an Explanation
Categories and tags are applied to Write Once, Then Link posts to classify the content. Here’s an explanation of how categories and tags have been implemented on this site and how they can help you find what you’re looking for.
last updated: 20 November 2018; tags: tagging housekeeping
Written Work: Improving the Quantity and the Quality
Many authors use word count as a measure of how much work they have completed. While there are benefits to this approach, focusing at the word count loses sight of the work that is necessary to get the words down. A better approach may be to use the Pomodoro technique …
last updated: 17 November 2018; tags: time management Pomodoro technique timer
Never Do Today What You Can Put Off Until Tomorrow
The maxim never do today what you can put off until tomorrow probably sounds like the ultimate justification for laziness. In truth, it’s one of the best ways to focus and improve productivity.
last updated: 7 November 2018; tags: time management priorities
There’s a notion about multitasking—it’s touted as a route to efficiency and greater productivity. In reality, it’s one of the most counter-productive approaches to working.
last updated: 19 October 2018; tags: time management multitasking
For every book I have written there’s always something special for me as the author. Sometimes I’ve just tried something different and it worked and at other times it can be a character that I feel was realized especially well. Whatever the book, if …
last updated: 12 June 2018; people: Clementina tags: High Five Bag Man Paris
I am a British subject and my language is English, but let me suggest a heresy: American English spellings (and grammatical practices) should be preferred over British spellings.
last updated: 8 May 2018; tags: British English American English
No One Cares If You Can’t Spell
I’m going to take a controversial line for someone who makes his living by scribbling down words: Spelling doesn’t matter. At least, it doesn’t matter as much as people make out and it doesn’t matter for the reasons they think it does. What …
last updated: 10 April 2018; tags: spelling British English American English
What Survives to Become Literature?
We are all aware of work that is called literature today, but I wonder what will stand the test of time. What will be regarded as having literary merit by generations in 50 years, 100 years, or 400 years? I’m going to make one guess as to a work that will survive: …
last updated: 10 April 2018; tags: The Wire
Authors (and other creative people) are not uniquely gifted—we get as many ideas, and in particular as many bad ideas, as the next person. However, what authors do with ideas is different. Let me tell you a bit about what I do with ideas and the tool I use to help …
last updated: 13 March 2018; tags: OneNote ideas Microsoft
From time to time I get questions about bad language in my books. There are variants on this question, but it mostly boils down to: will I be offended by something in one of your books, Simon? In short, maybe, but I hope not. Or at least, I hope you will agree that any …
last updated: 9 January 2018; tags: bad language offense Ofcom
Historical Accuracy and My Approach to History
I recently posted a first chapter from a possible future book. Having posted this chapter, I had some questions from, and conversations with readers about historical accuracy and my approach to the concept.
last updated: 10 October 2017; tags: historical series
Getting the First Chapter Right
This post looks at some of my considerations and the decisions I made when writing the first chapter of an (as yet unpublished) novel which will be set in the mid 18th century.
last updated: 12 September 2017; tags: historical series first scene
Reader Comments on My Historical Novel
I recently posted a first chapter from a possible future book. Having posted this chapter, many people were kind enough to give me their comments. I had some very interesting conversations with readers and want to share a flavor of those exchanges.
last updated: 12 September 2017; tags: historical series
Introducing My New Historical Series
I’m working on a new (as yet untitled) series of books that will see me return to London as a setting. I thought it might be interesting for readers to see a work-in-progress while it’s actually in progress.
last updated: 8 August 2017; tags: historical series
New Historical Series: Chapter One
This is a very early draft of the first chapter from a novel which will be set in the mid 18th century.
last updated: 8 August 2017; tags: chapter one historical series
I was asked the question: Do you wear anything when you’re writing? The question was less about whether I wear clothes, or otherwise, and more about whether I wear anything in particular.
last updated: 13 June 2017; tags: clothes cat
Many people think jealousy and envy are the same thing? However, the two concepts—the two underlying emotions—are very different notions.