'The writing life can be a tug-of-war between creation and procrastination; the need to produce, and the hurdles that get in the way.'

In reality the writing life can be a tug-of-war between creation and procrastination; between the need to produce, and the hurdles that forever get in the way.

The post Caroline Brothers appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'The way it has changed me the most is that I have, out of necessity, overcome my natural shyness and learned to face large crowds.'

The way it has changed me the most is that I have, out of necessity, overcome my natural shyness and learned to face large crowds of people, and take control of a room with my voice.

The post Geoff Hattersley appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Apparently it's all because of our evolutionary past. As social animals who wouldn't survive alone.'

Apparently it's all because of our evolutionary past. As social animals who wouldn't survive alone for long, we needed to know if we were at risk of being sent to Coventry by the rest of the tribe.

The post Amanda Dalton appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'I'm always hoping to chance upon the kinds of details novelists — lucky things — use to light up their characters. The protagonists of non-fiction deserve our imaginations too.'

I'm always hoping to chance upon the kinds of details novelists — lucky things — use to light up their characters. The protagonists of non-fiction deserve their places in our imaginations too.

The post Lucy Moore appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'I've written three well-reviewed novels, brought into print by a reputable outfit; like most published authors, I have to earn an income by other means.'

I've written three well-reviewed novels, brought into print by a reputable outfit; like most published authors, I have no choice but to earn an income by other means.

The post Elanor Dymott appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Just like an archaeologist, I observe and read the signs; I consciously, or unconsciously, link things together.'

Just like an archaeologist, I observe and read the signs; I consciously, or unconsciously, link things together until something like a new truth emerges. That's my fiction.

The post Karin Altenberg appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Joel Lane's distinctive voice, his unique view of the world and the recognisable settings of his stories, set me on a new course.'

Joel Lane's distinctive voice, his unique view of the world and the recognisable settings of his stories, set me on a new course. Rather than the science fiction and fantasy I grew up on, this fiction was close to home.

The post Martin Sketchley appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'You need chronic, spontaneous distractions, but only when you want to be distracted. Shopping for clothes works best.'

You need chronic, spontaneous distractions, but only when you want to be distracted. Shopping for clothes works best, because it's a kind of substitute research.

The post Sue Roe appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'Have confidence and believe in yourself as a writer just as much as you believe in your characters and the stories you want to tell.'

Have confidence and believe in yourself as a writer just as much as you believe in your characters and the stories you want to tell. I'm not going to lie to you, it is hard at times to keep going.

The post Rhiannon Tise appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.

'I can no longer write in libraries, being too dependent on my own bookshelves, files and other research materials; a veritable web.'

I can no longer write in libraries, being too dependent on my own bookshelves, files and other research materials; a veritable web in which I am not so much the spider as the trapped fly.

The post Andrew Martin appeared first on The Royal Literary Fund.