Tag Archives: writing

Getting Better All The time

Posted on August 31, 2015 by merlenygate

Why does traditional publishing get so excited about debut novels? I understand that there’s excitement to be had about the next big thing, the new model, latest craze, fresh, original, up to the minute, must have, must read book . … Continue reading →

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Writer’s Block – Myth or Reality?

Posted on May 31, 2015 by merlenygate

I recently script edited a talented writer who wrote a terrific story outline, an excellent scene-by-scene breakdown but, when it came to the first draft, instead of flying through it and delivering on the promise of her preparation, she not … Continue reading →

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Taking Stories Apart

Posted on February 28, 2015 by merlenygate

Recently I gave a writer some screenwriting advice and like most of my suggestions to other people – it’s something I needed to do myself. If you admire the writing of any TV show or film or novel, or you … Continue reading →

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Be My Friend

Posted on October 2, 2014 by merlenygate

Next week, October 10th, my first full novel will be available on Amazon. For a script editor, it’s a little odd to be sitting on the other side of the table, waiting for the feedback, waiting for the tough review, … Continue reading →

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Bitten by Crime – Why it took so long for me to write my psychological crime novel

Posted on April 24, 2014 by merlenygate

This post is not what you think. This isn’t a tale of writer’s block and the desperate struggle to fill empty pages. Through the years, I’ve written fairly steadily; comedy, children’s, fantasy, factual drama, but never stories that involve the … Continue reading →

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Writers are Noble, Writers are Brave…

Posted on September 3, 2012 by merlenygate

…to paraphrase Nigel Molesworth Reading about R J Ellory’s “sock puppeting” in other words, saying great things about himself and rubbishing his writer competitors I was struck not by the perfidy of what he’d been doing nor even wondering why … Continue reading →

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Research – Toss it over your Shoulder?

Posted on March 7, 2012 by merlenygate

In this month’s Writers’ Forum Magazine, author Jenny Colgan is interviewed. She says ‘People get bogged down in research, it’s a total waste of time.’ And she urges writers to focus on the characters. Whilst I am in full agreement … Continue reading →

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