One of my big resolutions this year is to make or create more. These days it’s easy for us to spend loads of time doing stuff that doesn’t actually convert into something. I’m talking about social media here, but it’s also all those emails, admin...
The Jaipur Literature Festival is now the biggest free-to-attend lit fest in the world. Held every January in Rajasthan, India, it’s the Woodstock of world literature. But how can you get the best out of this massive, thought-provoking event? As a seasoned lit fest-goer –...
Did you know that scientific research suggests journalling on one issue for 20 minutes a day, for at least three days, is all you need to see transformation in your mood and thinking? Dr. Tristine Rainer, an expert in journal writing and narrative autobiography, says: "Write...
I had so many butterflies launching my crowdfunding campaign to get The Pagoda Tree published in the UK through Unbound. But, guess what? It paid off. The novel is now 104% funded, and will be published this year! Fear can stop us from writing, too. I heard...
Last August, I was fortunate enough to receive a 12-day writing residency at Bundanon, where the artist Arthur Boyd once lived. It’s deep in the Australian bush. The only sounds come from a mob of kangaroos thudding past. I’ve talked about how important immersion time is for...
My first book Last Seen in Lhasa took 9 years to write, involved 7 trips to Tibet and untold hours revising the manuscript. Ten years on, it’s hard to believe my memoir is celebrating its 10th birthday. I still get emails from readers who’ve read...
So, you’re dreaming of getting published. But what on earth do publishers want to know these days? 1. Why are you the best person to write this book? Publishers want ‘alignment’ between the content of the work and the author; they’re looking for authenticity. 2. How does...
There is no right way to write. Some people chip away every night, others get up at 5am (not me!). But as life is short and books take a while, I encourage my writing mentees to find time to immerse themselves in their project. It’s...
This year it's all about trying new ways of getting my words into the world. I've been working on a family memoir with my mum about my parents' adventures through Africa in a Land Rover called Stan, pictured here in Lesotho. We've been going through her...
During my Unbound crowdfunding campaign to get The Pagoda Tree published in the UK, the value of my community has hit home. A book can take a long time to write, so it’s important to have the right people around you. This can be the ...