The Book that Ate America’s Brain
After Margaret Donsbach's comment the other day, about choosing active over passive verbs, I reached out for a book which wasn't there. I often lend writing manuals to students. Too…
Do you Want to Write a Blockbuster?
I'm still reading Zuckerman's book and have come to an important realisation: I don't want to write a blockbuster. I've always known that, but it's good to have a reason…
An Artist’s Date at the V&A
I met my cousin from Canada and her friend at the Victoria and Albert Museum yesterday. We headed for the new medieval and Renaissance gallery. Last time I went there,…
Al Zuckerman’s Point of View
Chapter Six of 'Writing the Blockbuster Novel' is about Point of View and, unlike most other writing manuals I've read, is short and to the point. Zuckerman, a top editor…
From Midlist to Blockbuster and Beyond
As recommended last week by Ann Reid, I've bought Al Zuckerman's Writing the Blockbuster Novel - not a book I'd be seen dead reading, you understand. That title is on…