annabritton

June Reads

I might not have read many books in June, but I may have read my favourite book of the year… The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley is a flipping masterpiece. Her novels always a dive into gentle, surreal worlds populated with deeply flawed but undeniably loveable characters on wild adventures, and The Kingdoms didn’t disappoint. PulleyContinue reading “June Reads”

Meandering Dialogue

How to make sure conversations in your stories flow I’ve started sharing some of the feedback I find myself giving to lots of my editing clients. This time it’s all about MEANDERING DIALOGUE. A disclaimer for my editing clients – I will NEVER use specific examples or talk about your stories! These threads are basedContinue reading “Meandering Dialogue”

Agency

How can you spot good character agency? I’m going to start sharing some of the feedback I regularly give to clients, along with tips to help you find and change/strengthen these things in your own stories. Let’s start by chatting about AGENCY. (To find more of these on Twitter, search #EditingTipsFromAnna) Teeny disclaimer for myContinue reading “Agency”

May Reads

I had another great reading month in May. Here are my faves… Goldilocks by Laura Lam BLEW MY MIND. Set largely in a space ship headed for a new planet that could be a place for humans to live after they’ve messed up earth, this story has both global and personal reach. Told from oneContinue reading “May Reads”

Receiving Feedback

Receiving feedback on beloved stories can be one of the most wonderful things in the world. It can also be incredibly tough, since that fresh pair of eyes will spot things we didn’t in the ONE MILLION times we scoured our words. Below are some of my tips for taking the sting out of evenContinue reading “Receiving Feedback”

April Reads

April was a great reading month – one of those where I’d recommend all of these! It was hard to pick my favourites – but these three were LUSH… Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam is one of the most beautiful things I’ve read in a long time. At one point there is aContinue reading “April Reads”

Low

We all have those times when writing is an absolute dream. The ideas flow, the words actually make sense, we smash targets and get great feedback. These moments are lovely. But they can also be fleeting. These inspired periods cannot be depended on if we want to write regularly. I don’t know about you, butContinue reading “Low”

March reads

I didn’t clock it at the time, but apparently I went on some kind of reading spree in March! These were my faves… Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro was beautiful. So well written and a little bit heart-breaking, it’s great for fans of Never Let Me Go or anything by Elizabeth Strout. ItContinue reading “March reads”

February Reads

I may not have read many books in February, but they were all grand! A quick shout out to The Vanishing Act, even though I’ve not claimed it as a favourite. It’s so beautifully whimsical and well-told. If you want to develop a constant craving for pretzels and orange cake, give it a read. TheContinue reading “February Reads”

Love

‘Never trust people who don’t have something in their lives that they love beyond reason.’ – Fredrik Backman Write for the love of it. Write because you have a story to tell. Because you have stories to tell. Write because you need to figure out the stories inside of you. Write to be known, toContinue reading “Love”