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My Writing Process Alex Hart

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Alex Hart, my writing routine, my writing process, author, writer, Take Me Home, My Writing Routine:

I’ve written since an early age, whether it was short stories, poems (dreadful ones!), or novels. I read voraciously and love many genres. I have worked in the film and television industry for over twenty five years and have always felt passionate about story telling whether on screen or in books. To be able to disappear into someone else’s world, even temporarily and experience a different life is something that will never lose its thrill.

What you have written, past and present.

I’m currently working on a couple of novels, one which is the next in the series of Take Me Home, and another which is a standalone thriller. 

What you are promoting now.

Take Me Home is a mystery thriller. The main character Harper finds a young girl left alone in a New York store and sets out to find out where she has come from. No one has reported her missing yet the little girl May says she misses her mom. Harper is someone who is strong and feisty. She paints outside of the lines, yet relentlessly strives for the truth. Despite her outwardly spiky edges, she is sensitive and warm-hearted. I hope she is someone the reader enjoys spending time with, along with her friends TJ and Reggie (the yin to her yang, the cheese to her macaroni) as they try to unravel the mystery along with her. It raises the questions, ‘What would we do in that situation?’ ‘How far would we go for strangers and those we love?’ and ‘What constitutes family?’ 

A bit about your process of writing.

I’m pretty disciplined when I have a project I’m working on. My day usually starts at the gym (before Covid!) where I am waking up my brain and beginning to think about the task ahead. Once I am at my desk, I often turn off my phone so there are less distractions and set to on that day’s goal. If I have the book planned out, I’ll always aim to write a chapter a day; even if I know what I’m writing is trash. If I started to edit as I went along, I think I would come to a grinding halt. If there is something on the page, I at least have words to play with. 

Do you plan or just write?

I always plan. I don’t know any other way. For me, a plan is a safe way of being able to go off piste sometimes, as I know I can always refer back to it. Things often change when you’re writing; either something you are sure was going to work, suddenly falls apart in your hands, or you get further inspiration meaning the story changes direction. I think, so long as you have a plan you can explore these options without going off on a tangent too much. 

What about word count?

I really don’t think about it in the first draft. I just want to get the bones of the story down and I’ll worry about word count later. Often or not, it just works out at the right length. 

How do you do your structure?

I always work with paper and pen at the beginning, just writing down notes, random thoughts, character traits etc and once I am able to formulate a basic beginning, middle and end, I begin to scratch out a structure. If I get stuck, I always refer back to the usual; Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler, Robert McKee, Syd Field, Dan Harman. I’ll re-read what they’re saying and think how my story and characters fit and start penning out a potential paradigm. 

What do you find hard about writing?

When I lose confidence! There’s nothing worse than facing the day thinking ‘something isn’t working’, ‘I’m the worst writer known to man’, ‘what was I thinking even attempting this?!’ I think this happens to all writers at some point of their journey. You’re all alone in this room, with your imaginary characters (who you have become close to and feel you are letting down) and you only have yourself to argue with. When those days come, (and they do!) rather than give up and beat myself up further, I make myself write 100 words. Often or not, I’ll end up writing more and suddenly you’re up and running again. 

What do you love about writing?

Everything except for the above days! 

Advice for other writers.

The same any writer gives, read, read, read, write, write, write. For me, there is no other way. My motto has always been, ‘Get it down, then get it done. Get it written, then get it right.’

 

TAKE ME HOME by Alex Hart is published by Orion (Paperback, £7.99) on 1st October.

 

My Writing Process Diane Allen, author of The Girl in the Tanners Yard

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I was born into a farming family that had a sheep farm which was very remote within the Yorkshire Dales. My early years were spent roaming the fells and dales, often by myself as I was the youngest of four and my older siblings had already spread their wings leaving me as an only child. I made my own entertainment and had a good imagination but also had a great love of losing myself in a good book which I still do to this day. The love of reading continued into my teenage years and could often be found reading to the early hours of the morning. When I left school I found a job in the local glass engraving firm, which I did enjoy but left to marry my husband, Ronnie who after forty-eight years I am still married to. After raising a family of two and nursing an ill father, I finally found my true niche in life at a local large print book firm. I soon rose through the firm and eventually became manager, negotiating rights with authors and agent and loving every minute especially when the books I had chosen came into the warehouse to be distributed to the libraries we supplied. It was that which started me thinking that I could perhaps be lucky enough to be able to write myself and the rest is history. 

I have written nine books now for Pan Macmillan. All are based in the Yorkshire Dales and I hope to portray the Dales and the people within them. I have family connections with the Settle to Carlisle Railway so that features quite a bit in my books. For A Mother’s Sin’s was a fictional account of the building of the line, featuring the building of the Ribble Head viaduct, while the Windfell trilogy is set around Settle and the Cotton Mills. 

My latest title is THE GIRL FROM THE TANNER’S YARD, this is set in West Yorkshire, around Haworth and Keighley. It tells the tale of lowly born Lucy Bancroft and ex-military man Adam Brooksbank and the unlikely love affair that springs up between them. Adam lives on the wild moors above Keighley and employs Lucy as his maid and finds just how strong and caring she is when he befalls an accident. Lucy thinks her love can never be returned by Adam, she comes from the Tanner’s Yard, a filthy dirty place and thinks that he will never treat her as an equal. However, with a little help from Adam’s old friend Ivy loves blooms, and Lucy’s dreams will be fulfilled despite what life puts between them. 

In the morning after breakfast, I usually disappear into my office, answering e-mails and promotional things and then go on to edit the previous day’s writing. After lunch I write for a solid four hours, trying to write at least 2,000 words. Sometimes it does not always go to plan, I feel I can’t write or I get stuck in a plot. Walking around my garden usually helps out along with plenty of cups of coffee supplied by my husband. 

Usually, when I’m nearly finishing my latest title I start thinking about the next. I visit where the book is to be set, research the area, picking up any history so that I can include it in my writing. I have notebooks that include loads of my scribbles within them just noting anything that I think would be interesting to be included. I then plot a rough start, middle, and end, this may alter as I once get writing. I let the characters take me where I should go as they develop in the book. 

My officially set word count is 100, 000 words, however, I usually find this hard to reach, so most of my books are around the 95,000 mark. I can’t see the point of padding a book out with things that have not relevance to the story.

When structuring my book, I give most though to the two main characters within the story, their occupations, and the setting of the book. I then make a note of their age, their looks, their hair and eye colour and any unusual features. Their surrounding is also noted along with any place names and local names to the area.

Some days you just can’t write and those days you are better walking away from your keyboard. Your characters will draw you back to them when the time is right. My biggest failing is following timelines, no matter how I try, I always seem to be out with age or length of a pregnancy. I get too carried away in the plot. 

I love writing, I can’t live without it now. If I give myself a fortnight break between books by the end of it I am the most frustrated person on the planet. I’m always hatching a plan in my head and looking for new ideas. It is a break from the real world, I can be where I want and who I want. Through these hard months of COVID, it’s been a welcome escape, I can go back to more simpler Victorian times and forget the heartache outside in the real world.   

The Girl From Tanners Yard is available here.

 

Niall Edworthy: My Writing Process

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Niall Edworthy

I have been writing in one capacity or another since I finished studying thirty years ago. I worked as a reporter for broadsheet newspapers and international news agencies Reuters and AFP in the 1990s. In 1996 I was commissioned to write the Official History of the England football team. The following year I was invited to ghostwrite a travelogue for actor David Jason. Soon after I gave up journalism and focussed on books. I live in the Downs above Chichester, commuting down 14 steps to my, ahem, fancy office (converted shed, no sun after 11). When I’m not writing, I tend to be reading although I’m suffering a little reader’s block right now, unable to settle on a title and bouncing back and forth between half a dozen on my Kindle. I pursue all the boring middle-aged activities, sometimes with passion, more often with relief after a day at the computer. I cycle a lot up in the hills, and I have grown to love gardening and cooking – semi-mindless activities that allow my brain to drain after writing. If the Test cricket’s on, I have to chain myself to the desk and resist the temptation.

What you have written, past and present.

I have written over 40 books, roughly half of them ghosted for well-known public figures or ‘ordinary’ people who have had extraordinary experiences. I have written memoirs, military history, sport, humour and natural history.

What you are promoting now. 

My first novel, Otto Eckhart’s Ordeal. It is hard to slot into a genre but if you were in a bookshop (remember them?), you’d probably find it in Historical Fiction. Set in 1937 and based on a true premise, it tells the story of an aimless, young historian dispatched by the Nazis to go fetch the Holy Grail for the glory of Germany. It is a coming-of-age, adventure story with a dash of romance and, dealing with some grim characters at a grim period of history, I have tried to write it with dark humour.

A bit about your process of writing. 

I’m reasonably methodical. Once all the research is done and the story laid out loosely but with direction, I go at it every day if I can. I need momentum and I need to be deeply immersed in the world I am describing or creating. It’s no good grabbing an hour here or there. I need a good long stretch for each session. I start early, between 7 and 8, and tend to work through to a late lunch. If I have written a good amount I often feel drained and don’t go back to my computer. If it’s been a frustrating effort and I haven’t got much down, panic propels me back to my keyboard.

Do you plan or just write?

I am a planner, but the plan changes a little every day. I think it’s important not to plot too hard, and to keep all options open. I read a good description recently that sums up my approach: Starting a book, you are at John O’Groats heading for Land’s End but not entirely sure of the route you are going to take.

What about word count?

Big difference between fiction and non-fiction. If all the research is at my fingertips, I average about 1,500 words a day for non-fiction, but can push to 2,500. With fiction, I’m delighted if I have 1,000 words in the bank at the end of a session.

How do you do your structure?

As clearly as possible. Structure is everything in building a story. You are reminded of the challenges facing the architects and engineers of skyscrapers – if they are an inch out at the bottom, it won’t be long before the building starts to lean and they have to demolish it and start again. In fiction, structure is more flexible because the characters will soon start to take you to places and scenarios you hadn’t foreseen.

What do you find hard about writing?

Where to start? Lack of company – not being able to wander over to the water-cooler for a good moan from time to time. Anxiety about money – it’s not the path to fabulous wealth. Fretting about the next project while I’m deep in the current one. The time it takes to set up new projects, writing proposals, pushing them on publishers, knowing all the effort may come to nothing. (The writing itself is the easiest and most enjoyable part of the process.) The occasional jerk on Amazon, who writes an ignorant, cowardly and malicious review. Why bother torpedoing someone’s huge effort to produce a book? It’s not personal.

What do you love about writing? 

Again, where to start? I like the independence. I like not having to commute, to set my own agenda. I’m writing this in my shorts and slippers with very un-combed hair wondering where I might cycle this afternoon in the glorious autumn sunshine. On the actual writing, it’s a great feeling when you know in your bones you have written a passage that will stand the reader’s scrutiny. A cricketer who has played the perfect cover drive will recognise the feeling.

 

Advice for other writers. 

Know what you want to say before you write. Short sentences. Be bold. Find your voice. Get up early. Trial & error is the only way to learn – most writing is more effort than inspiration. If you have a setback, dust yourself down and keep going. Have a second source of income. Read as much as you can to immerse yourself in words and expand your range of reference.

 

My Writing Process Angie Lake

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author Angie LakeHow I Write 

  1. A bit about you.

After moving around chasing the rock n’ roll lifestyle, my partner and I decided to settle with our toddler on the Spanish Costa Blanca, which is where I grew up. He’s a musician and I’m a writer, so we knew that life was going to be challenging. We decided that we might as well live somewhere pretty as, chances are we’ll never be able to afford a holiday.

  1. What you have written, past and present.

I started out with a short stint doing reviews and interviews for a Heavy Metal magazine. Over the years I’ve written articles and worked on translations and subtitles for the music industry.

My Dad and I collaborated on two series of children’s books The Diaries of Robin’s Toys and The Diaries of Robin’s Travels, published by Sweet Cherry Publishing.

I then went on to write the middle-grade book series Danny Dingle’s Fantastic Finds, and its spin-off series Mina Mistry Investigates, also published by Sweet Cherry.

I’m currently working on the plot for another children’s series.

Aside from that I have some unpublished work including a trilogy of novels and a series of children’s books for adults (also comedy).

  1. What you are promoting now.

Sweet Cherry Publishing are launching Mina Mistry Investigates this September. It’s a series about a witty schoolgirl detective and her half-hearted attempt to fit in with the kids around her as she puts her energy into solving mysteries while maintaining her secret identity.

  1. A bit about your process of writing.

I went through a very draining phase of writing for up to 22 hours a day for two months on the trot, but once my hair grew back I decided to keep to a less lethal schedule.

I write 5 or 6 days a week, always in the mornings unless I’m up against a deadline.

I have notebooks where I jot down random ideas, then when I “go into production” with a pitch or a series I write everything on a project board to help me visualise the emerging universe.

I take time out to clear my head and come up with ideas: I run or hike most mornings before work.

  1. Do you plan or just write?

I think that if I didn’t plan everything with painful intricacy, my brain would disintegrate. I find that I’m more creative when I’m breaking rules; I impose my own strict rules on myself, then break them and feel awful about it. A typical work day should include an hour and a half of coming up with ideas, about an hour of planning and adapting plots and storylines and three to four hours of writing. There are also meetings, editing and other tasks. Usually my day will get hijacked by just one task though, and then I’ll panic.

  1. What about word count?

My current projects have a set word count, so I divide that into the time allowance I have for each project and then struggle to meet my own deadline.

  1. How do you do your structure?

Very rigidly. I’ll come up with characters and a concept for a series and I write as if I were working on episodes for a cartoon. I come up with a plot and a subplot for each episode, and then I divide that into eight scenes. I write a draft for each scene and then work towards the ending. I never drift; I always know how a story is going to end before I start writing it.

  1. What do you find hard about writing?

The financial uncertainty and having no one but myself to blame for it; that’s the problem with being your own employee and manager – what are the chances that you’re going to be good at both of those things?

  1. What do you love about writing?

That it comes more naturally to me than resurfacing roads or working in a call centre. Also that all the worlds and characters you create give you somewhere to escape to when you’re stuck resurfacing a road or working in a call centre.

  1. Advice for other writers.

In order to get anywhere you’ll have to take it seriously, but while you’re doing this you shouldn’t forget how ridiculous writers who take themselves seriously seem to the rest of the world. Embrace this and start collecting hats.

 

Mina Mistry Investigates: the Case of the Missing School Dinners will be published by Sweet Cherry Publishing on 10 September.

My Writing Process Taryn Leigh

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writerMy Writing Routine

I try to write whenever I can have moments alone, which are long enough for me to take my mind into the world of my characters.

Because writing currently isn’t my full time profession, this means that I cannot have a formal writing routine, but instead have to write when I get the chance.

My name is Taryn Leigh, and I’m a South African based Author, whose first book was published in the UK.

Although I write books that are considered to be romance or contemporary fiction novels, I try to ensure the reader can walk away with something of value after reading the book. Because of that, my books deal with real life struggles that women endure.

My first book was called Perfect Imperfections, and is available in Paperback, Audiobook and on Kindle.

My current book is called The Secret Letters and launched on 09 August in Paperback and Kindle.

What you are promoting now. 

My latest novel, The Secret Letters, which deal’s with real topics of gender based violence, and the mental battle that comes with that.

It’s also a story of love and hope, and how to overcome your worst nightmares, especially in the arms of someone who loves you.

A bit about your process of writing. 

I look out for stories that peak my interest, and then I let them mull over in my mind for a while, as I start to imagine the lives of the characters, as if they are real people. Only once I feel that they feel real to me do I start to put pen to paper and plan things more formally.

Do you plan or just write?

I have a very broad plan. Mostly the main characters and main events. I normally know how it should start, when the big reveal should be, and how it should end.

The rest, I just write and see how the characters develop over time, who they meet, and what additional relationships are formed.

What about word count?

I am conscious of it, but more towards the end of the book, because if I worry about it the whole time, I won’t get the story out.

I aim for 80,000 words or more, that can then be edited down during the editing process.

What do you find hard about writing?

Finding time to be alone, the rest, I absolutely look forward to.

The other part is editing and writing a blurb. It seems so hard to condense over 400 pages into a few lines.

What do you love about writing? 

Meeting my characters. Might sound strange, but they feel like real people to me. They make me laugh and cry as I write their stories. They take me on adventures, I just love it.

Advice for other writers

Find your own voice and be authentic. Don’t try to write for the mainstream. You need to believe in what you are writing and the story will just flow.

Also dont give up, even when you feel stuck in the book, just keep going, it will all come together eventually.

 

Joe Wicks’ Guide to Staying Healthy, this Summer

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Wondering how to keep up your healthy new habits as lockdown rules begin to ease, Joe Wicks aka The Body Coach has shared his top tips on keeping a healthy mind and body – plus 4 tasty recipes! 

Joe Wicks, tips, advice, healthy eating, recipes,

The tips accompany a new study by food box company Gousto which reveals that 58% of Brits have made a more conscious effort to get active during lockdown. 

“The nation’s PE teacher”, Joe Wicks has put together 8 of his top tips to make it easier to stay healthy and motivated at home, plus four new healthy eating recipes!

Gousto’s recent study on lockdown habits in Britain reveals: 

  • A quarter of Brits have formed new positive habits
  • 95% of those are aiming to sustain their new habits after lockdown 
  • Cooking fresh food at home tops the list of new habits that are here to stay
  • Research by Gousto discovered over 25% of Brits will continue working out at home, rather than pay for a gym membership 

 

8 Tips For Staying Healthy This Summer From Joe Wicks

 

It’s an uncertain time for everyone at the moment, so it can be really difficult to put your mental and physical well being first. My top tips for you this summer are all about making long-term lifestyle changes.

 

There are loads of amazing activities people have been getting involved in during the lockdown with more people cooking and walking than ever before… and there’s no reason why this should change. If you’re someone who’s struggled to find a healthy balance during this time, I hope these tips will get you going!

 

Give them a go and they’ll transform how healthy you are and how you feel physically and mentally.

 

Make the most of your home

You don’t need a gym or lots of equipment to get fit and healthy. Lots of people have been getting creative and finding space at home for exercise. I’ve always believed in the power of home workouts because it’s so much easier to maintain a daily routine when you’re exercising on your own terms. I’m a big fan of HIIT training and you can do it anywhere; at home, in the garden or even in the park. 

 

Rise and shine

I love to exercise first thing in the morning, it wakes me up, boosts my energy and sets me up to win the day. It’s also a perfect way to make the most of the longer days. Plan your workouts in advance and try and stick to them like appointments you can’t miss.  If you can’t train in the morning, that’s fine, it’s all about finding what works for you. Remember, whatever time of day you exercise, it’s going to make you feel awesome physically and mentally.

 

Keep cooking

Cooking at home with fresh ingredients means you know what’s going into your food. You can have loads of fun experimenting with different recipes and that’s one of the things I love about Gousto. You have 50 recipes at your fingertips every week, including four from my new Lean in 15 range. The new recipes combine high carb, post workout recipes with low carb recipes for less active days, so there’s always a banging, balanced recipe to try. 

 

Make exercise fun

Exercise should be fun, not something you dread. We’ve all found new ways to workout during lockdown and most don’t need equipment, or even much time. Put some fun into your routine: do a HIIT workout in the front room, walk a new route, offer to walk a neighbour’s dog or go for a run with someone from your household. It doesn’t matter what exercise you do, find something you enjoy and you’ll find it much easier to stick to.  

 

Get some fresh air

I love getting outside and going for a long walk in the summer. We’re all finding a new appreciation for getting outside, so try to keep that going as we get back to normal. Get out into the garden or find a local, quiet space to do your workout. If you’re not feeling a heavy workout every day, a light walk and some fresh air will still make you feel great.

 

Don’t fear the carbs

Carbs give you energy, help your brain function and give your muscles fuel to recover after a workout. Carbs are not the enemy, so don’t be afraid of them, I like to refuel with a high carb meal after a workout. Try my Creamy Chickpea Curry Loaded Sweet Potato recipe after you exercise. On days that you’re not as active,  give my lower carb recipes a go, like my Cheesy Pizza Topped Chicken With Mixed Salad. Both recipes are part of my new Lean in 15 range with Gousto.

 

Find a balance

Cutting any food group or depriving yourself of the foods that you love is not sustainable. If you make balanced food choices most of the time and stay active, you absolutely shouldn’t feel guilty about treating yourself to an indulgent meal or a delicious dessert.

 

Make the time

So many people are super busy at the moment, juggling home working, childcare, home schooling and other responsibilities. Other people are finding they have more time on their hands than ever before. As our routines change all over again, it’s important to make time to look after yourself. Quick daily workouts and easy home cooking are a great place to start. 

 

No matter what pressures you’re feeling during this time, be healthy on your terms. Find exercises that get you up in the morning, food that you’re excited to eat and make goals that work around your lifestyle. 

 

4 Healthy Eating Recipes, From Joe Wicks & Gousto’s Lean in 15 range

Cheesy Pizza-Topped Chicken with Mixed Salad (Low Carb)

“You’ll get that cheesy tomato pizza goodness by topping British chicken breast with rich tomato sauce and melty mozzarella. Serve it with a creamy dressed side salad!” – Joe Wicks.

pizza recipe

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 shallot

1/2 cucumber

1 mozzarella ball (125g)

125g cherry tomatoes

50g baby leaf salad

1 tsp dried oregano

5g basil

15ml white wine vinegar 

32g tomato paste

30ml mayonnaise

2 British chicken breast fillets

 

Method 

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C (fan)/ 425°F/ Gas 7. Add the chicken breasts to a baking tray (use tin foil to avoid mess!)

Step 2: Peel and finely chop (or grate) the garlic. Combine the tomato paste, chopped garlic and a pinch of the dried oregano with 1 tbsp [2 tbsp] water and a pinch of salt – this is your pizza sauce.

Step 3: Drain and pat the mozzarella dry with kitchen paper. Tear the drained mozzarella into rough, bite-sized pieces Tear the basil leaves roughly.

Step 4: Spread the pizza sauce over the chicken breasts. Top with the torn mozzarella. Sprinkle over the torn basil leaves

Step 5: Put the tray in the oven for 15-20 min or until the chicken is cooked through (no pink meat!) and the mozzarella is melted and golden.

Step 6: Whilst the chicken is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes in half. Slice the cucumber finely, and peel and slice the shallot[s] as finely as you can. Then add the chopped cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber and sliced shallot to a large bowl with the baby leaf salad and give it a gentle mix up – this is your mixed salad.

Step 7: Combine the mayonnaise, white wine vinegar and remaining dried oregano with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper – this is your creamy dressing.

Step 8: Serve the cheesy pizza-topped chicken with the mixed salad to the side. Drizzle the creamy dressing all over the salad. Winner!

 

Creamy Chickpea Curry Loaded Sweet Potato (Carb Refuel)

“Creamy, coconutty chickpea curry tastes so good piled into a baked sweet potato. Top it off with cashews, red chillies and a sprinkle of coriander for plant-based, Indian fusion at it’s best!” – Joe Wicks.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 brown onion

1 red chilli

1 lime

1 garlic clove

15g fresh root ginger

25g cashew nuts

5g coriander

120g baby leaf spinach

1 tbsp korma curry powder

1/2 Knorr vegetable stock cube 

2 medium sweet potatoes

16g tomato paste

25g solid coconut cream

1 can of chickpeas (400g)

 

Method

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C (fan)/ 425°F/ Gas 7. Pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork, then cook in the microwave for 5-7 min or until slightly softened. Transfer the sweet potatoes to a baking tray with a drizzle of vegetable oil and a generous pinch of salt then put the tray in the oven and cook for 12-15 min or until the skin is crispy.

Step 2: Meanwhile, boil half a kettle. Peel and finely chop the brown onion, ginger and garlic.

Step 3: Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with 1 tbsp [2 tbsp] vegetable oil over a medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 4-6 min or until softened. Then add the chopped ginger, chopped garlic and korma curry powder, and cook for 1-2 more minutes.

Step 4: Whilst the onion is softening, dissolve 1/2 Knorr vegetable stock cube and the coconut cream in 200ml boiled water. Add the tomato paste and stir it all together – this is your coconut stock.

Step 5: Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then add the coconut stock and drained chickpeas to your pan and cook for 4-5 min or until the sauce has thickened.

Step 6: Meanwhile, wash the spinach, then add it to a colander and pour boiled water all over it so that it starts to wilt. Rinse the wilted spinach under the cold tap until it’s cool, then squeeze as much water out of it as you can.

Step 7: Once the curry has thickened, add the wilted spinach and the juice of 1/2 lime – this is your chickpea curry.

Step 8: Once the potatoes are cooked, add the cashew nuts to the tray and return it to the oven for a further 2-3 min or until the cashews are golden and toasted.

Top tip! Watch them like a hawk so they don’t burn.

Step 9: Slice the red chilli[es] into rounds. Chop the coriander roughly, including the stalks and cut the remaining lime into wedges.

Step 10: Cut the sweet potatoes in half, lengthways, and fill with the chickpea curry. Garnish with the chilli rounds, chopped coriander, toasted cashew nuts and a lime wedge – bosh!

 

Spicy Chicken Chilli with Feta & Avocado (Carb Refuel)

“This fiery chilli is absolutely banging! You’ll shred spiced chicken and stir it into a smoky chipotle chilli sauce with creamy black beans. Serve it with a feta and avo salsa and brown rice. Hot stuff!” – Joe Wicks.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 lime

1 garlic clove

1 spring onion

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes

100g brown rice

20g chipotle paste

1 avocado

30g Greek feta cheese

32g tomato paste 

1 can of black beans

2 British chicken breast fillets

 

Method 

Step 1: Boil half a kettle. Meanwhile, rinse the brown rice, add it to a pot with plenty of cold water and bring to the boil over a high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 15-20 min or until it’s tender with a slight bite. Once the rice is cooked, drain, return it to the pot and keep covered until serving

Step 2: Add the smoked paprika and ground cumin to a plate with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix it all up, then add the chicken breasts and turn until well coated.

Step 3: Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick, with a matching lid) over a high heat with 1/2 tbsp [1 tbsp] vegetable oil. Once hot, add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 3 min on each side or until browned

Step 4: Whilst the chicken is browning, peel and finely chop (or grate) the garlic. Dissolve the tomato paste in 200ml boiled water and add the chipotle paste (can’t handle the heat? Use half!) – this is your chipotle stock.

Step 5: Drain and rinse the black beans. Once the chicken has browned, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chipotle stock, drained black beans and chilli flakes and bring to the boil. Then cook, covered, for a further 12-15 min or until the chicken is cooked through (no pink meat!) and the sauce has thickened.

Step 6: Cut the avocado in half lengthways, around the stone, remove the flesh and dice roughly. Trim, then slice the spring onion and crumble the feta into large pieces. Cut the lime in half.

Step 7: Combine the chopped avocado, crumbled feta and sliced spring onion in a small bowl with the juice of 1/2 lime and stir it all together – this is your feta & avocado salsa. Cut the remaining lime into wedges

Step 8: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a clean board and pull and shred apart using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce and give everything a good mix up – this is your chicken chilli.

Step 9: Serve the chicken chilli with the brown rice and feta & avocado salsa to the side. Bangin’!

 

Miso Tofu with Stir-Fried Ginger Greens (Low Carb)

“I’ve packed heaps of flavour into protein-packed tofu with this super easy miso mirin glaze that’s full of umami. For lean, low-carb satisfaction, serve it with ginger and garlic stir-fried greens.” – Joe Wicks.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1 garlic clove

15g fresh root ginger

8g soy sauce

2 tbsp white miso paste

200g pak choi

150g spring greens

280g plain tofu

15ml mirin 

5g black sesame seed

80g blanched edamame beans

 

Method

Step 1: Boil half a kettle. Drain the tofu and pat it dry with kitchen paper, then cut the tofu into cubes.

Step 2: Rip the leaves off the spring greens, discard the tough stalks, then layer the leaves over each other, roll them up and slice into thin strips.

Step 3: Cut the pak choi in half, separating the white bases and green tops. Then cut the white bases into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Put the edamame beans in a bowl and cover with boiled water.

Step 5: Add the miso paste and mirin to a small bowl with 1 tbsp vegetable oil and mix until smooth – this is your miso glaze.

Step 6: Peel and finely slice (don’t chop!) the garlic and peel and finely chop the ginger into batons.

Step 7: Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with 1 tbsp vegetable oil over a high heat. Once hot, add the tofu cubes and cook for 5-6 min or until browned all over and starting to crisp

Step 8: Meanwhile, heat a separate wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with 1 tbsp vegetable oil over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shredded spring greens and pak choi bases and cook for 2-3 min or until starting to wilt.

Step 9: Drain, then add the edamame beans, pak choi tops and chopped ginger and garlic to the greens and cook for a further 2-3 min or until fragrant and everything is tender with a bite.

Step 10: Add the soy sauce and give everything a good mix up – these are your stir-fried ginger greens.

Step 11: Once the tofu is golden, add the miso glaze and cook for 2-3 min or until the sauce has coated the tofu and starting to caramelise.

Step 12: Sprinkle over the black sesame seeds and serve the miso tofu with the stir-fried ginger greens to the side. Get in!

 

My Writing Process Rachel Billington

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A bit about you. 

Place matters to me. In books and in life. I’m a hybrid: city and country, I need both. London, always London, apart from two years when I worked in New York and met my husband, Kevin, there.  In 1968 we bought a fourteenth century house in Dorset. We still have it. I’ve always written. I edited a magazine when I was eleven. I published my first novel in my twenties. I have to write every day. When I had four children in day school, I still wrote. I can’t imagine how people manage without writing. Now I have five grandchildren and my youngest wrote a book so I illustrated it. That was a surprise. From 1998-2001 I was President of PEN. I am Associate Editor of Inside Time, the National Newspaper for Prisoners. I write for every issue. I have always reviewed and written comment pieces for various newspapers.

What you have written, past and present.

I’ve published over thirty books. 23 novels, last 3 historical, Glory – The Story of Gallipoli and Maria and the Admiral. My favourites before that are A Woman’s Age, Bodily Harm and Lies and Loyalties. All very different subjects which publishers complain about. I have also written six novels for children, including Poppy’s Hero and Poppy’s Angel, about a girl whose Dad is in prison. Plus four religious books for children and a sequel to Jane Austen’s Emma.

What you are promoting now. 

Clouds of Love and War is about a Spitfire pilot in WW2 and a young isolated woman. It tells the story if their love affair against a background of war. Eddie wants to escape the world and reach the clouds. But he hadn’t counted on killing. Eva wants to paint and she wants Eddie. The war makes their coming together rare and remarkable. 

A bit about your process of writing.

Until my last book, I wrote longhand with a pen (black ink) and then paid a friend to put it on the computer. Once it was there I went through many drafts, editing down, particularly the opening chapters because I like to write forward without doing more than minor corrections until I’ve finished the whole book. This means I am over-writing early on and self-editing as I progress. 

Do you plan or just write?

It depends on the book. Longer books need more planning, chapter by chapter, bit shorter books can be freer. Often I know everything except how the story will end. But sometimes the ending is what inspires me to write the book. Characters come first of all and continue their wayward path through the book. When their personalities change, I change their names. Sometimes I’ll run through three or four. I write to surprise myself.

What about word count?

Again it depends on the book – or rather on the subject, although my books were much shorter when I started writing, one was only about 60,000 words while Glory was well over the 200 hundred mark. Circular books tend to be shorter, books with a strong narrative flow longer. The book I’m working on at the moment, They Were Sisters, is about 120,000 words.

 

What do you find hard about writing?

I find it all difficult but absolutely enthralling.  I do find it really hard when my characters are suffering. I wrote a novel called ‘The Missing Boy and found the thirteen year old’s unhappiness horribly upsetting. I long to write books with happy endings but seldom achieve it. 

 

What do you love about writing? 

I love being totally in charge of interesting people and events, but totally on my own. I love the look of a blank page – or blank screen. I love the way I challenge myself to make my brain imagine and invent.  I love the excitement when an idea comes into my head; my heart beats as fast as if I was running. I love using words like an artist uses paint. I love the balance of certain sentences, like a musical phrase.  

 

Advice for other writers.

Write! If you’re not sure what to write, write a diary. Write every single day. When you do set off on a bit of work, finish it. This very important. Anyone can begin a piece of writing but not many can get to the end. Keep at least something about it secret. Great ideas can dissipate if shown too much light of day. Only show it for criticism when you have gone as far as you can. Never despair. Often the best writing comes out of the worst. Good luck!

 

My Writing Process Sheila O’Flanagan

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The Women Who Ran Away by Sheila O’Flanagan is published 16th July 2020 (Headline Review, £18.99). 

Sheila O'Flanagan author imageI’ve always loved reading and used to write sequels to Enid Blyton stories when I was young because I always wanted to know what happened next. Everyone thought I’d end up, if not a novelist, at least working in a library or a bookshop. However I was offered job in a bank and got side-tracked into the world of finance. I occasionally wrote short stories in the evenings as a way of unwinding but I didn’t think I had the time to write a novel, even though I had lots of different ideas and would think about my various characters whenever I wasn’t working. Eventually I realised that if I wanted to fulfil my dream of being a published author I’d have to make the time to write – unfortunately the ideas don’t magically appear on the page. So I bought myself a laptop, opened a Word document, typed Chapter 1 and wrote every evening until it was finished. I’ve kept going ever since.

2. What you have written, past and present.

My first novel, Dreaming of a Stranger, was published in 1997. I’ve written 25 novels for adults, 3 collections of short stories, 2 children’s books and contributed to both the Quick Reads and Open Door series of short novellas.

3. What you are promoting now.
My latest book is The Women Who Ran Away and is about two women, Grace and Deira, who meet on a car ferry from Ireland to France. Both have reasons for travelling alone but a sudden change of circumstance mean that they end up driving together. As a friendship forms between them, Deira helps Grace try to solve a complicated mystery that her late husband has left her. This takes them on a spectacular journey along the French Atlantic coast and through the heart of Spain to Cartagena on the Mediterranean sea. By the end of the novel they’ve completed both a physical and an emotional journey as they discover that sharing their secrets turns out to be a strength and not a weakness, and that there’s always more than one solution to a problem.

4. A bit about your process of writing.

I try to write every day but that’s not always possible. I generally work for a couple of hours in the morning, then take a break and return for some more writing in the afternoon. I move backwards and forwards through the novel, writing a few chapters and then editing them before moving on.

5. Do you plan or just write?

I wish I was an author who planned! But I can’t. I start at the beginning with a vague idea and just hope for the best.

6. What about word count?

I don’t get hung up on a daily word count, especially at the start of the novel, but I try to write in scenes. If I finish a scene I’ll take a break before moving to the next one. That means sometimes writing a few hundred words, sometimes significantly more.

7. How do you do your structure?

Badly, to be honest. But the process of writing, then editing, writing, then editing helps. I usually come up with a slightly more formal plan about a third of the way through the novel when I have a better idea of the characters and how to move them through the story.

8. What do you find hard about writing?

Sitting at the laptop. It’s physically demanding even though you don’t realise it. Most of my author friends have bad backs and I’m no exception. I try to take more mini-breaks now. Distractions are more of a problem these days than they used to be with social media getting in the way. I’m more easily distracted now than before.

9. What do you love about writing?

Creating characters, seeing them grow and evolve and take control of their own stories. Sometimes the research is good too!

10. Advice for other writers?

Don’t get hung up on trying to write for a genre, or following weird rules about how your book should be structured. Write the story that’s inside you in the way that suits you best. Do remember, though, that while joining various groups about writing and following them on social media can make you feel less alone, the only thing that will get your book written is sitting down and writing it. Talking about writing isn’t actually writing. Reading about writing isn’t writing. The only person who can write your book is you.

Sheila is @sheilaoflanagan on Twitter and follow Headline too @headlinepg