Vanessa Harbour

What a wonderful roundup of children’s and ya books by @imogenrw.bsky.social It is joyous to see such an eclectic range

“I get melancholy if I don't [write]. I need the company of people who don't exist.”

― William Trevor

How to make your writing suspenseful We often associate suspenseful writing with spooky, thrilling and chilling genres, particularly crime fiction, psychological thrillers, horror and supernatural novels. But actually the toolbox of…

We use suspense in fiction to get the reader on the edge of their seat and make it as difficult as possible for them to put the book down 📚

So what are some of the devices and tricks that a writer can deploy?

Here are some tricks for building suspense in your novel:

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 151:
You don't need to describe characters in detail as soon as you introduce them. We don't tend to notice things all at once: we notice one or two main features first, then maybe add details later. Your characters can do the same. Let them learn as they go along.

When you’ve had a bad day at work but your grown up son sends you a photo of a message from one of his school friends where said friend is holding a picture of your novel that he’s got for his school. Good #authormoment #writercommunity #writing #kidslit @fireflypress

this is 💔 I spent yrs educating myself. Wrote many practice novels. Had the support of talented editors

Then a greedy, lazy, cheap social media company & scrapes my work along with countless others for free from a pirate site that illegally provided my work & millions of others. #writers

a little girl is dancing in front of a no smoking sign ALT: a little girl is dancing in front of a no smoking sign

There are small highs as an author like when a fellow author has spotted your books in Waterstones in Piccadilly. Very Happi-Ness!

Late to the party but loving this so much

The garden is telling me spring is coming. There is sunshine. Love it! Makes all the other pressures tolerable. Time to #write

Spent this morning talking to 25+ classes from several schools as part of #worldbookday and #nationalcareersweek. Talking about the things I am passionate about - my portfolio career and the reality of being an author. Feeling grateful today

a dog wearing glasses and a hoodie is sleeping on the floor reading a book ALT: a dog wearing glasses and a hoodie is sleeping on the floor reading a book

If ever there is a time with a need to escape into a good book that time is now. Time also for me to escape into #writing #books #reading

I'm having a chat to someone who wants to get into editorial in children's books, preferably picture books but also early readers/chapter books. Basically younger kids, lots of pictures. I've been out of the biz for 5 years...any tips from anyone with more recent experience? #KidLitUK #PublishingUK

This endless 'fashion is fluffy' narrative is dangerous Please join me in my anger and take action

Please read this by by #joelvin open.substack.com/pub/joelvin/...

Love this. One of my fabulous colleagues talking to a lovely student about our #creativewriting degree youtube.com/watch?v=3pr_...

Sometimes I use method writing. It’s been time to get out the embroidery silks as the main character in my WIP embroiders! I love doing research. #writing #creativewriting #writer #writingcommunity #research

a dog is hiding under a pink curtain next to a shelf with books on it . ALT: a dog is hiding under a pink curtain next to a shelf with books on it .

When you meet with your mentor and they ask if you’ve thought about writing a motivational book 😳 she can’t mean me. I spent all last night panicking after giving a talk at an awards event that I was ‘too much’! Scuttles back under her rock 😂

Trump is unleashing sadism upon the world. But we cannot get overwhelmed | Judith Butler Those who celebrate his defiance and sadism are as claimed by his logic as those who are paralyzed with outrage

Judith Butler saying what we need to hear Trump is unleashing sadism upon the world. But we cannot get overwhelmed | Judith Butler www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Today this happened. The kitten sat on my back purring the whole time I pruned the roses in my garden. It was tiny and lost. It has since been reunited with owner. I am a dog person but I confess it was cute

a woman in a gold dress is dancing on a stage with the words `` let 's go !!! '' ALT: a woman in a gold dress is dancing on a stage with the words `` let 's go !!! ''

Last day of January. Thank goodness! Right now let’s get on with the rest of the year

a cartoon of a girl typing on a laptop with the website debbieohi.com visible ALT: a cartoon of a girl typing on a laptop with the website debbieohi.com visible

Writing, writing, writing tonight which makes for a very happi-Ness!

This 100%

It’s PLR statement day and I am feeling humble and grateful. The thought that so many wonderful people borrowed my books blows my mind. Libraries were my safe place as a teenager. They are still so important. Thank you #libraries and #librarians

It was very cold!

So when you get bitterly cold at the Uni Open Day you come home and rewatch #TheSplitBarcelona for the sunshine and to be inspired by Abi Morgan’s brilliant writing as I am marking! #creativewriting #academiclife

Perfect afternoon escaping to the beach rather than marking. Cold but peaceful

First post on Substack. Could this be something new for 2025?

Wonderful morning sky

a woman wearing white gloves covers her face with her hands ALT: a woman wearing white gloves covers her face with her hands

Busy marking and so often I want to remind them of Mark Twain’s quote ‘Don’t tell me an old woman screamed. Bring her on and let her, SCREAM!’ Got to love a bit of dramatisation. I know telling also has its place but I do love living the story. #writing #editing #writingcommunity

Leaf Journal' is a scholarly journal which publishes practice-based insights into creative writing for young people. They are currently welcoming submissions of articles for Volume 3 leafjournal.org/for-authors

Lovely friends please check out and follow @leafjournal.bsky.social I have the privilege to be on the Editorial Board. It is a brilliant journal and they are just coming over from THAT place #yaf #writers #academic Help them gain new followers