Welcome to Novel Thoughts and Wild Ideas! If you're new, please start here!
Here's a look at everything I've written so far.
Hello there, and welcome to Novel Thoughts & Wild Ideas! I began writing on Substack because I’m passionate about supporting creative thinkers and having interesting conversations around ideas, books, writing and publishing. I love exploring the way that aspects of culture, language and creativity are constantly dancing with the zeitgeist moment, and I sometimes push into challenging, silent spaces, but always with nuance and compassion, in ways that I hope make us all feel less alone. I also champion books I love, provide insights to those navigating the difficult publishing industry, and write about my own experiences as an author. I created this space to connect with and celebrate all the brave, progressive thinkers working hard for a more connected, compassionate, joyful world. I hope you enjoy being here as much as I do - and I love chatting to readers, so please say hello here or send me a message!
Here’s a list of everything I’ve written so far:
Wild Ideas: zeitgeist culture
To kiss or not to kiss? The evolution of the female action heroine
How fresh choices can revitalise our creative decision-making
Should we hold an Olympics for the Arts? [paid post]
For a few decades the modern Olympics included medals for the Arts. What if this had never stopped?
We are all storykeepers
What if we could conceptualise ourselves differently?
How soon before we can deepfake the novel? [paid post]
How a deepfake story of the moon landings got me thinking…
If AI is coming for our creative livelihoods, how do we respond?
We all need a strategy when the stakes are this high
My Kongenheimer Week
How do you judge a story?
The minke whale that changed me [paid post]
Overcoming fears and finding new perspectives
Can storytellers learn anything from the Princess of Wales’s Mother’s Day photo debacle?
A picture scandal is worth a thousand words
Should we give up on older men?
I’ve heard this question a lot lately, but I think it's the wrong one
Why I haven’t said anything online about the crisis in the Middle East
Questions and stories around silence, complicity, toxicity, apathy and activism
I’ve been a homeschool mum for nine years – but here are some things my kids have taught me
Half the time I’m not sure who’s really teaching who!
Anyone else feeling a little overwhelmed right now?
*Raising hand over here* Let's discuss!
The joy and power of a good mantra
Celebrating the simple statements that cut through overwhelm and ease the stress of everyday living
A few notes from my Twitter (X) breakup
And some broader social media takeaways
Turtle tracking and breakthrough moments
The three factors that make or break successful communication in everything from arguments to novels
Creative Women
Ignored, erased, silenced: the cost of speaking up about abuse
The many losses surrounding Alice Munro, and her daughter's ongoing fight to be heard
The tragic story behind Anne Bronte’s final resting place [paid post]
Why the youngest Brontë sister ended up buried miles apart from the rest of her family
From my notebook: Hilary Mantel and Elizabeth Gilbert [paid post]
Soundbite treats from the time I listened to two of the greats
What does it mean today to be a strong woman? [paid post]
A post to celebrate International Women's Day 2024
Anyone else feeling a little overwhelmed right now?
*Raising hand over here* Let's discuss!
Happy New Year! Now let's buckle in for the ride
My hopes for 2024, reading Atwood and Alderman, and trying to live a good life in uncertain times
Precious writing time, and the guy in the coffee shop
Some thoughts on politeness, boundaries and expectation
My writing journal
Notes from the editing trenches
Digging deep to help our books soar
The best part of book publishing is self-promotion (said no author, ever!)
Ten ways to turn a daunting prospect into an easier, enjoyable experience
Setting a scene versus building a world
Some thoughts for writers, and for those who love learning about the writing process
How would you define a *successful* writer?
A few thoughts about the different definitions of success
A peek inside my writing process
I don't always have a clear writing system, but I often go back to tried and tested methods
How soon before we can deepfake the novel? [paid post]
How a deepfake story of the moon landings got me thinking…
Avoiding overwhelm during the research process
Some strategies for writers
How to stay creative when there are SO many books!
Valuing our words in an oversaturated world
Why timing is everything in traditional publishing...
And the blurb reveal for my new book When She Was Gone (Writing Journal #5)
Trusting the flow of creativity
You don’t always have to know the end at the beginning
Valuing our words and creativity
A look back at six months on Substack, and my first paid subscription offer
How I chase the first seed of a story
And why I begin new books by writing as little as possible
The art of seeking and receiving critique
Mantra reminder: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable! (Writing Journal #4: When She Was Gone)
Understanding and overcoming writer’s block
Some insights and strategies for the affliction every writer dreads
The most successful book I never published
The book in my bottom drawer is a reminder to rethink the idea of failure
Write with a question in mind, not an answer
Because it's the questions that offer endless possibilities
The grand finale of a structural edit: weeding out words and edging closer to the finish line
Writing Journal: When She Was Gone #3
A (hotel) room of one's own. Validating and celebrating creative practice.
Writing Journal: When She Was Gone #2
Writing Journal: When She Was Gone #1
Digging in
Author Notes
Author Notes #12 (August 2024)
Best book lists, authors doing bold things, authors doing horrible things, a publisher tribute, and legislation that doesn't really help creatives (so we'll just have to help ourselves!)
Author Notes #11 (July 2024)
Writing advice; concerning stats about reading; romantasy booms while the RWA crashes; authors' political views are being discussed; and Spotify expands its premium book offerings
Book banning: where do you stand?
What's been happening this year, and where to from here (Author Notes May/Jun 2024: Part Two)
Author Notes (May/June 2024: Part One)
Debuts failing to launch; authors funding their own publicity; diversity backlash; big book or slow burn success; and a plea to publishers to invest in their authors
Author Notes #8 (April 2024)
Publishing insights, the latest on AI, new research on crime writing, a way of supporting local bookstores, and some great author interviews
Author Notes #7 (March 2024)
Spotify are streaming audiobooks, TikTok is in trouble, entertainment is dead, hybrid publishing is growing, and social media is as confusing as ever
Author Notes #6 (February 2024)
Authors feeling the squeeze; being careful with contracts; librarians are now freedom-of-speech fighters in the US; and some different ways we can connect with readers
Author Notes #5 (January 2024)
Booksellers wanting less diversity (?!); a long look at the publishing industry; #Booktok; the Colleen Hoover backlash; and why authors need to check their contracts
10 Ways to Thrive as an Author/Creative in 2024
Let's make this a fantastic year!
Author Notes #4 (December 2024)
Tackling review bombing, AI reading audiobooks, respecting women's fiction, prioritising writing, and trying to burn The Handmaid's Tale
Author Notes #3 (November 2024)
Meeting my deadlines, self-publishing authors earning more than traditional, writing routines, author talks, and investigating language
Author Notes #2 (October 2024)
PhD celebrations, championing The Voice, AI lawsuits and debates around book blurbs
Author Notes #1 (September 2024)
AI, Writers for the Voice, inattentive television viewers, Barbie and a river of books
Language Matters
Have you heard of Mehrabian's 7-38-55 communication model? [paid post]
Why this concept matters for writers and creatives
The problem with being 'nice' [paid post]
And why the word itself is a fraud!
Books I Love
Finding ourselves in the ocean: reading Deep Water by James Bradley
Immerse yourself, because this book will change you
My Top Ten favourite fiction reads by women in 2023
Plus some other books I enjoyed this year, and the 2024 books I'm already excited about
Why the Hunger Games series deserves its place as a cultural phenomenon
Revisiting the stories on the cinematic release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life by Anna Funder
On losing George Orwell, finding Eileen O’Shaughnessy, and making powerful narrative choices
You made it to the bottom of the scroll! There’s much more still to come, so to receive posts like these direct to your inbox, please subscribe using the box below. I write new articles every week, alternating between free and paid subscribers, and I’m always looking to provide you with value, insight and encouragement, wherever you are on your creative journey. I’d love for you to join me.