One of the things I love most about reading is the characters that you get to meet. If you are anything like me, there are many that you wish you could meet in real life.

As a writer, one of the most exciting things is creating the character and getting to know them. Eventually, you hear their voice in your head and they become your friends.

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I have loved reading since I was a child. The first book I can remember reading were the Winnie The Pooh stories and the love of books has just continued to grow into adulthood. 

I do go through periods where I don’t read much (but not very often) and would much rather have my head in a book than channel hop on the TV. 

I don’t think I could say which book has been my favourite. There are many that have had an impact on me or remind me of a particular point in my life – The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood reminds me of my last year at school (as that’s when I read it,) and Ralph’s Party by Lisa Jewell will remind me of the time I was in the first few months of the relationship with the man who’s now my husband. 

What’s your favourite book? Is there one that has remained with you and jolts the memory? 

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I have been an avid reader much longer than I have wanted to write. From the time I was little, books were a way to use my imagination and to extend my understanding of the world. Plus they were a good way to escape into another world for a while.

When I was a teenager, I read anything from the Sweet Valley High books, to Anne Fine to Judy Blume. I could be found with my head in a book much more than watching TV (which is strange considering I now watch TV for a living.) 

I couldn’t imagine trying to write without reading as many books as I do. Many writers I have spoken to say that reading is an important pastime for anyone who is looking to write a novel. 

Do you agree? Do you have to be a big reader to be a writer? 

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I’ve been trying to write my first book for a while now. I submitted a few chapters of it to the RNA New Writers scheme last August and the feedback told me that I should know my characters and to go back to the beginning and research them (even if certain details don’t end up in the book.) It also didn’t help that through panic, I rushed the writing process… a lot.  Continue reading →

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Blogging has become very popular over the past few years. I have a blog (although I don’t update it as much as I should do.) I take part in A Round Of Words in 80 days and it’s used primarily to check in with that. Some people find plenty to say whereas I struggle. I’m certainly not a natural when it comes to knowing what to blog about.

Many writers, along with their website, have blogs as well as Twitter and Facebook pages. Blogging is a good way of keeping people informed and for me, as a new writer, I find it’s a good way to continiously practise my writing skills too.

Do you need to have a blog to be a writer? I personally don’t think you do. It’s more of a social tool than a required one where the writing is concerned.

What do you think? Do you need to be into blogging to be a writer?

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