Category Archives: Author questions

Miranda Writes 23 – Inspiration, fab fonts and beating doubts

Posted on May 5, 2014 | Leave a comment

All year I’m making vlogs to chart the life of my sixth novel, I’ll Take New York. This week I’m answering your questions about writing including where I get my inspiration from for characters and stories, how to turn an initial idea into a full-blown novel and overcoming writer doubts!

Thanks for all your fabulous questions! Don’t worry if I don’t answer your question this week – I had so many fab questions on Twitter and Facebook that I’ll be answering them all over the next few vlogs.

This week I’ll tell you where I’m at with my writing, hint at something very exciting that’s coming up and talk about where to start with a novel, where my inspiration for characters and stories comes from and what my favourite fonts are for writing. I’ll  also talk about beating writer doubts (a constant battle for every writer) and how my WriteFoxy! philosophy is helping me overcome mine.

I’m running two more WriteFoxy! Writers’ Inspiration Days and would love you to come! Part writers’ conference, part writing retreat, these days will reconnect you to your love of writing and encourage you to write better, braver books:

Here’s the vlog – enjoy!

M xx

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Miranda Writes 22 – plotting, writing advice and Flo!

Posted on April 27, 2014 | Leave a comment

It’s here, finally! The vlog is back after a brief sabbatical during which I had my lovely baby girl Florence Wren and had to replace my poor old video camera after it finally bit the dust…

So, what’s it like being a full-time writer and full-time mum? Where am I at with work on my sixth novel, I’ll Take New York? I answer these questions in the vlog, together with cracking questions from you on everything from the dialogue and description balance in short stories, how to tighten up a flagging scene (ooh, can be nasty, that…), how I plot my novels, finding a cracking opening scene to what essentials I can’t write without. Oh, and watch out for Flo’s very first vlog cameo!

Let me know what you think! And what would you like me to talk about next week? Leave a comment below or email me at mirandawurdy@gmail.com.

Enjoy!

M xx

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, ‘What’s that coming over the hill…?’

p.s. As this is a new video camera the picture isn’t quite as good as I wanted it to be, but bear with me and I’ll have it fixed for next week.

 

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Miranda Writes 20 – Plotting Book 6

Posted on November 14, 2013 | Leave a comment

All this year, I am keeping a video diary about writing and publishing my sixth novel and following the success of my fifth book, Take A Look At Me Now. This week, I reveal the latest #getinvolved winner and talk about plotting Book 6…

Writing Pic

I was asked this week about how I plot my books by Catriona Merryweather from Fabulous Book Fiend. It’s a very interesting question, not least because for book six I’m trying something new. I’ll reveal all in the vlog…

Also, did your suggestion for the name of a kooky Brooklyn craft store make it into Book 6? Keep watching to find out!

Remember that I love answering your questions, so what would you like me to answer for next week’s vlog? Post a comment below or email me at mirandawurdy@gmail.com

Enjoy!

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, ‘Spider Hand!’

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Miranda Writes 17 – Characters, books and BUMP!

Posted on September 29, 2013 | Leave a comment

All this year, I am keeping a video diary about writing and publishing my fifth novel, Take A Look At Me Now. This week, as P-Day creeps nearer, I share some exciting news about book launches and YOUR chance to star in a promotional video, plus answer your lovely questions…

Most of you will know by now that Bob and I are over the moon to be expecting our first child in March next year. Consequently, this is Bump’s official vlog debut!

I also answer your questions on how to build a picture of your characters, my favourite characters and what I loved most about writing Take A Look At Me Now.

So, without further ado, here’s the vlog! If you have a question for next week’s vlog, leave a comment below or email me: mirandawurdy@gmail.com. Enjoy! xx

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, ‘Ta-daaaah!’

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Miranda Writes 15 – Meet the stars of the RNA Conference!

Posted on July 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

This week I bring you a very special, two-part vlog from this year’s RNA Conference in Sheffield…

I had a fantastic time at conference, especially meeting so many brilliant authors. And, never one to shy away from a vlogging opportunity, I was very cheeky and grabbed some exclusive interviews with amazing authors…

In Part One, I talk to Laura E. James, Kate Lace, Brigid Coady, Rowan Coleman and the very mysterious Electra Shepherd!

In Part Two, I meet Tamsyn Murray, Stephanie Cage, Julie Cohen, Kate Harrison and Cally Taylor… So many wonderful writers!

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Miranda Writes 14 – Reviews, Copyright and Dream Destinations…

Posted on July 12, 2013 | Leave a comment

All this year I’m documenting the writing, editing and publishing of Take A Look At Me Now – my fifth novel – giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I answer your questions on authors and reviews, copyright, dream destinations for books and which of my characters I’d like to hang out with – including Nell from Take A Look At Me Now…

I have four fab questions this week, including one from the lovely Heidi at Cosmochicklitan book blog and two very special questions from the very gorgeous Kirsty at I Heart Books book blog, to celebrate the one-year blogaversary of her blog. Congratulations, lovely lady!

What do authors really think about reviews? Are they a help or a hindrance? And how can reviewers write reviews to bring about better books? I answer these thorny questions and more this week! To ask me a question, simply leave a comment on this post or email me: mirandawurdy@gmail.com

Enjoy!

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled: ‘Things that make you go HMMMMM…’

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Miranda Writes 13 – Agents, books and sneaky scenes

Posted on July 6, 2013 | Leave a comment

All this year I’m documenting the writing, editing and publishing of Take A Look At Me Now – my fifth novel – giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I answer your questions and reveal how you can read exclusive scenes from Take A Look At Me Now months before it is published…

As Take A Look At Me Now is winging its way to the printers, this week I asked for your questions – and you responded with some real crackers! So this week, I’ll tell you about product placement and name-dropping in novels, discuss whether writers ever really turn off their critical skills to read a book for fun and let you know my views on whether you should approach an agent with a full manuscript or not.

Do you have a burning question about writing, publishing, my books or anything else? Pop a comment in the box below, or email me: mirandawurdy@gmail.com and I’ll answer them for you next time.

Enjoy! xx

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, ‘What’s that coming over the hill…?’

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And the title for my new book is…

Posted on June 8, 2013 | 1 comment


Finally I can reveal the title for my fifth novel…

Here it is…

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Miranda Writes 8 – Edits, inspiration and winners

Posted on April 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I announce the final two winners of my #getinvolved challenge, talk about edits and answer your questions!

After a completely crazy couple of weeks, the first edit on Book 5 (still awaiting a title) is done and I’ve recovered enough to be almost coherent!

So, without further ado, here is this week’s vlog – hope you like it!

Enjoy! xx

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, ‘Oy! Oo nicked me teef?’)

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Miranda Writes 6: A big trip and writer’s block tips!

Posted on March 13, 2013 | 1 comment

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I announce the third of your suggestions for Book 5! Which CUPCAKE FLAVOUR will Nell be making in the book and who will be get a thank you in my acknowledgements? I’m getting ready for San Francisco and also give my top tips for beating the dreaded writer’s block…

Your suggestions for a CUPCAKE FLAVOUR for Nell to bake have flooded in this week and I’ve been like a kid in a cake shop choosing the winner – thanks! Find out in the vlog who will see their suggestion written into the story and their name in the thank-yous!

I’m getting ready for my exciting research trip to San Francisco – and I’m so excited! In my vlog I’ll tell you the innovative way I’ll be using the trip to create Nell’s discovery of the City of Lights. I also give my tips for overcoming writer’s block, including a visit to the pub…

So here’s the vlog – hope you enjoy it!

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, ‘Ooh for the wiiiiings…’!

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