Thursday 3 November 2011

Nice review for The Whole Rotten Edifice

The Harper Collins Authonomy blog has just posted this very positive review for The Whole Rotten Edifice, my historical novel about the Russian Front during WWII.

Here is the link: http://blog.authonomy.com/2011/11/one-to-watch-wednesday.html?spref=tw

And a quote from the review below:

"

One to Watch Wednesday

After discussing dystopian futures last week, I thought it would be fitting to look in the other direction and have a peek at some of the best stories on authonomy set in the past. 

Historical fiction is a particularly difficult genre to get right. It requires impeccable research, strong characterisation, and that certain je ne sais quoi that hooks the reader into this era, over all others. This week's one to watch, I think, looks to have the makings of that special something:                             

The Whole Rotten Edifice opens in 1941. We're on the cusp of the Nazi German invasion of Soviet Russia. The opening chapter sets up a quick-paced narrative, but, just as the rest of the novel appears to be, the action is driven by the characters. At the novel's heart is the strong bond between a father and his daughter. The dialogue is brilliant, and very convincing. The content is heavy going - but what novel of the Second World War isn't? It's an era that never gets tired, and the particular focus of this novel, the defense of Moscow, is an especially fresh angle. 

The first 10 chapters are available to read on authonomy. 

Friday 7 October 2011

Advice for writers from writers
Check out this link to a Guardian article where famous writers give advice on writing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/ten-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-one
Two of my favourites:
Roddy Doyle: Do not place a photograph of your ­favourite author on your desk, especially if the author is one of the famous ones who committed suicide.
PD James: Write what you need to write, not what is currently popular or what you think will sell.