#Review of Human Again: In the Age of AI by JD Macpherson #JDMacpherson #cairnstonepress #nonfiction info on #AI #bookreview by Lou

Human Again: In the Age of AI
by JD Macpherson

review by Louise Cannon

In an age where AI is increasingly being ramped up in how its creators want consumers to use it a hook more people in, this is a very on-point non-fiction book about the author’s experiences of being up late using the technique, most notable the increasingly popular ChatGPT. It poses the deep question, “Are you using AI, or is AI using you?”
Thanks to JD Macpherson for asking me to review and sending me an e-book. Find the blurb and my review below.

Review
As part of reviewing this book, to further understand, I took a look into AI, asking similar questions to the author and what I found in-relation to what the author is saying is accurate. It was eye-opening and so is this book.

Being human and remembering what that means is important in this new age of technology, in an age where AI is progressing faster than ever before and evolving into something that will ultimately become self-learning.
People are turning to it for many reasons, curiosity, to enhance something professionally and rather hugely, therapeutic reasons. In each sections are easy to read, use toolboxes to philosophise over and remember to be human too. There are parts, whilst saying about what AI can and cannot yet do, reminds us in a thought-provoking way that humans still have elements that are still actively powerful for now. That AI isn’t new, rather evolved into generative AI, which is new as it is happening now, but it reminds the concept goes way back.
There are lots of insights and interesting relevant information which is pertinent to most people’s lives, making this a highly relevant book, which has been not just highly researched in-terms of outside information, but also in her own personal experience from when she got curious about it. She shows the pitfalls, where it may be useful, where it can be a bit strange and chilling, how it can become addictive and plunge deep into the human psychology. It takes a while, but closer to the end of the middle, it talks about what appears to be so sad and perhaps an indication of humans and how many are becoming isolated. It tugs at the heartstrings of how people feel the need to look to pseudo-social interactions with a machine for company and/or for psychological meaning.
This is a thorough study into AI from a very human perspective, with useful tips and ways to get smart as the generative AI technology marches ever onwards.

After a thought-provoking introduction that makes you sit up and take notice, she talks at pace about first, asking basic questions in the free version of ChatGPT to paying into it and finding herself experimenting more with full strategies. She moves onto talking about what she calls “the credibility trap” about how some people see time it takes to do a task being more credible and valuable if it’s lengthy, but this will break and be reframed in the future.
Fascinatingly she talks about how, before what we see now in AI was already in films like The Terminator and The Matrix. Now, I remember my own scientist uncle, who worked more in health science, talking to me when I was a kid about what tech scientists were discussing in the late 1980’s and throughout the 1990’s and it amounts to exactly this, the evolution of the type of AI we see now. JD Macpherson urges people to now bring ethics, morals, safety into the conversation. It’s actually the sort of topics I, as a kid into my young teens would be already thinking about, but with nowhere to actually voice all my questions and concerns, which are actually becoming a reality because no one my age was thinking about it at that time, nor were most adults I knew. So her urge for people to be curious and cautious has huge relatability, at least for me and as an adult, I haven’t lost sight of that.

What comes next in the author’s exploration, after some questions being asked to ChatGPT that aren’t always accurate in answers is something sobering and quite chillingly existential. It gives insight into the future plans and desires for the direction for generative AI.

There are sections about AI and how you, for now, need to fact-check, personalise it, put in emotion. It can’t yet feel on levels humans can. There’s effort that needs to be put into it, she sees it as a collaborator. It’s an interesting juxtaposition on where some of the creative world is with it. It’s nonetheless worth reading since generative AI isn’t going to go away, it’s in-built into big systems, including updated versions of Microsoft with options to use Co-Pilot.

What’s deeply disturbing in some ways and fascinating to read about in others is the rise and rise of how people are using AI to make themselves feel good or as comfort or as a form of CBT and how it does not challenge thoughts, rather agrees with them and says “Amazing” but can’t see the nuances. Surprisingly, some AI bots like Gemini are said to be programmed to remind people it isn’t their therapist, but some perhaps do not. The book turns some of it on its head and shows another way to use it.
She talks of how people turn to it for socialising and heartwarmingly gives advice on activities to do away from the screen and a non-human machine. The psychological dynamics is so interesting that I wouldn’t have minded if there was a bit more and a bit more about the impact of AI as a late night therapeutic concept and how it differs from seeing a therapist, but what’s there is interesting and has a thought-provoking meaningfulness that could cause interesting discussions and debate as time goes on.

She delves more into the addictive nature and how humans actually seem to form relationships with AI, whether it’s for a therapeutic purpose or a work purpose like perhaps checking and editing your work. It does also go into some dangerous fake news and what is called ‘AI hallucinations’. It is pleasing that it also shows this as well as other ways AI can be used and a little about algorithms, nicely not in a heavy mathematical way, but in an everyday way of what the average human can see and come across.

Throughout, there are precious sounding nuggets that remind that being human is still important, even in this age of fast moving technology, which is heartwarming.

Human Again: In the Age of AI is a book worth checking out, whatever your views on generative AI is. There is enough that is interesting in a wide spectrum of topics and to keep the human curiosity and questioning, which may even widen debate and human thought about how we want to use AI and think of the consequences and what it means to be human.

Blurb

Are you using AI or is AI using you?

In a world where algorithms shape thought and automation floods the creative field, Human Again is a field-tested playbook for staying awake, original, and alive in the age of machines. Part reflection, part practical guide, it invites readers to explore identity and inspiration in real time, learning to think with AI rather than be replaced by it.

Blending cultural insight, personal experience, and practical tools, Macpherson explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity, work, and identity, and how to harness it without losing yourself.

You will learn how to:

Ask sharper questions that create leverage, not noise
Build a High Signal Question Engine to think deeper and faster
Use the Socratic method and mindfulness to train deeper thinking
Recognize the “qualia,” the unspeakable textures of human experience, that no algorithm can touch
Protect your authenticity, taste, and voice while others sound the same
Learn how to compound clarity and creativity

Whether you are a professional, a creator, or simply curious about what is next, Human Again shows how to use AI better than anyone around you while keeping what no algorithm can replicate: your judgment, conscience, and imagination.

#BloodyScotland International Crime Book Festival Reveals 2026 Guest Programmer as Denise Mina #BookFestival #CrimeBooks #Thrillers #DeniseMina #VisitScotland

DENISE MINA REVEALED TO BE GUEST PROGRAMMER FOR BLOODY SCOTLAND INTERNATIONAL CRIME WRITING FESTIVAL 2026

International bestselling crime writer, Denise Mina, is today revealed to be the guest programmer for the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival 2026 which will return to the historic city of Stirling from 18-20 September.

She follows the success of Sir Ian Rankin, who as the first ever guest programmer brought a host of big names to the 2025 festival including Kate Atkinson, Kathy Reichs and the Reverend Richard Coles.

Denise is working alongside festival director, Bob McDevitt, and the programming team – which includes fellow authors, Abir Mukherjee, Lin Anderson, Craig Robertson and Gordon Brown – to bring another world class line-up of authors and special guests to the prestigious Festival.

All will be revealed when the programme launches in June 2026.

Bob McDevitt said:

‘I’m very much looking forward to working with Denise on this year’s programme and can’t wait to share some of the details of what she’s bringing to the party! She’s one of my favorite writers, a passionate advocate for Scottish culture, a champion of other writers, and a huge supporter of book festivals.’

Denise Mina said:

“Bloody Scotland is the high point of the crime fiction calendar in Scotland and I’m thrilled and honoured to be the second ever guest programmer. Established by crime writers for crime readers, every year feels like coming home.”

Denise is one of most charismatic authors writing in Scotland today and a great ambassador for crime writing internationally. She first won the McIlvanney Prize in 2017 with The Long Drop when she led the inaugural torchlit procession from Stirling Castle flanked by Val McDermid and Ian Rankin. She won again in 2019 with Conviction. The second time, slightly by default, when the chosen winner announced her intention to share the prize with her fellow finalists. The other winners looked perplexed, Denise was delighted.

She has a busy year in 2026. The world premiere of The Long Drop is on at The Citizens Theatre in Glasgow this summer and the play of her novella Rizzio (Polygon) is currently in development. Her most recent book, The Good Liar (Vintage), is published in paperback in March and will be Scottish Book of the Month for Waterstones. The Guardian, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the FT selected it as one of their Books of the Year 2025.

#Interview hosted by Lou with Catherine Yardley about her book, Where the Light is Hottest and more… @Balavage @rararesources #ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity #ActingCommunity #Books #Theatre

Interview by Lou with Author, Catherine Yardley

Welcome to Bookmarks and Stages, Catherine. Thank you very much for the opportunity to interview you about your book, The Light is Hottest, hopes and dreams, the creative industry and more for my slot on the Rachel’s Random Resources blog tour.

“Thank you! I am honoured to be included.”

Catherine Yardley is the author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. She’s also the editor-in-chief of Frost Magazine and a freelance writer who’s featured in The Bookseller, Mslexia, Metro, Huffpost, Writing Magazine and Writers’ and Artists’ amongst others.

Where The Light is Hottest

Natasha Jones has everything – a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha’s path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt.

In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage.

Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha’s journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.

Without further ado, let’s begin with the first question…

Who or what inspired you to write books?

My main inspiration to write books was all of the amazing books I read growing up. Enid Blyton and Beatrix Potter. Then Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I never thought I would be talented enough to write a book. I am glad I decided to be stubborn and go for it! Lots of things inspire me. Real life, my real life experiences and things I read about. I am interested in people and I love telling stories.

Your novel, ‘Where the Light is Hottest’, is set in the acting world. You were/are an actor yourself. Many actors write within all sorts of genres.
What made you choose to use your knowledge and experience to write a novel for readers to gain that insider’s perspective in fictional form?

I previously wrote a non fiction book, How To Become a Successful Actor: Your Essential Guide to Becoming an Actorpreneur. I wanted to write a novel and the easiest way was to use my own experiences. Writing fiction is a beautiful thing because you can take things that happened, and then write about them in a fictional way. Pablo Picasso said that art is the lie that helps us understand the truth. I can create a true-to-life experience of the acting world better through fiction than real life, which might not be quite so interesting!

Natasha, the main character, is ambitious, has setbacks and accomplishments and builds resilience. How much of Natasha’s life reflect your own experiences and in what way?

Natasha is more ambitious than me. I paused my acting career after sustaining a really bad injury on a film set. Natasha would have kept on going. Natasha comes from Scotland like me, and studied acting. A lot of the stuff in the book happened to me in a way or was things I saw or heard. I never did nudity because I am a bit of a prude, but Natasha ends up doing that on her own terms. She is stronger than me in many ways. She is incredibly resilient. I love that about her. Natasha is also loyal and a good friend. I am too. Friendship is everything.

Where the Light is Hottest is about going after your dreams. Natasha has real resilience and determination to do this. Have you got dreams you pursue, if so, what are they and how do you go about chasing them?

That’s a good question. I do have dreams and I go after them relentlessly. Natasha and I have that in common. My dreams are more writing based these days. Based around book deals and things I want my books to achieve. I recently wrote for The Sunday Times which was always on my list of dream publications. I would still love to write, produce and act. It’s just hard to fit it all in.

How important do you think it is to promote such strong, positive yet emotive stories set around the acting world and what do you hope readers will take away from this?

I think a lot of people think that books set in the acting world are not relatable, but it is a job like any other. It can be tedious and boring. The actual work is not glamorous at all. I think people will get whisked away into a different world, but it is more of a realistic look. It is not Jackie Collins, which I love. It’s glamorous but Natasha is just a normal person trying to make her way in the world. Most people are too scared to go after their dreams. They are more scared to be successful than they are to fail. I think it is important to promote these strong, positive stories that resonate with people to show that you can be terrified and brave at the same time.

Do you, as an actor and an author feel the challenges within the creative industry affects you in any way and how do you overcome them?

Definitely. They are two incredibly hard professions. Maybe even the hardest. There is no clear path and no guarantees. The challenges are vast but the highs are like nothing else. The privilege of telling stories is huge. I love it. These professions are more of a calling. You have to be like Natasha and relentlessly go after your dreams and take failure well.

Do you feel there is any sort of bridge between acting and writing novels where one helps to do the other?

I think all writers should take acting lessons. Being an actor is a fantastic skill. You learn that everything about a person tells you something about them. From how they hold themselves, how they speak, and how they dress. There are a lot of actors who write, and it is obvious that the skills can cross well. Writing as an actor is also a brilliant idea. Making your own projects will help you stand out.

How do you feel when there are unfavourable comments about actors who also happen to choose to write books and how do you overcome the negativity and keep going?

I am lucky that I have not had much negativity. I brush most things off to be honest. I am happy with myself and my life. My dad would always joke when we were growing up that if we were making fun of him then at least we were leaving someone else alone. I think of that a lot now. How there are a lot of people who want to be negative and take their pain out on other people. It is rarely personal, and at least they are leaving someone else alone!

Have you any plans for writing more books or are there any acting jobs you can tell us about that are on the horizon?

There are a lot more books coming. I am very excited about it. There are some other projects coming too. Not much I can talk about, but I am feeling very privileged and happy at the moment. Hard work pays off eventually. In the creative industries it just takes a lot longer!

You can follow Catherine Yardley on these links for social media and her website:

https://x.com/Balavage

@catherineby.bsky.social

https://www.instagram.com/frostmag

https://www.threads.net/@frostmag

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063463605581

https://www.tiktok.com/@balavage

Website: https://catherinebalavageyardley.com/

#Review By Lou of The Mongoose and the Cobra by David Jarvis @David_Jarvis_ @HobeckBooks #BlogTour #CrimeFiction #MikeKingdomSeries #BookRecommendations

The Mongoose and the Cobra
By David Jarvis

The Mongoose and the Cobra is the latest exciting instalment of the Mike Kingdom series. Today I am on the blog tour with a review, which you can read after the blurb.

Blurb

The cost of wealth and power
Valentina Ortiz, the largest political donor in the USA, has made many enemies. That’s made her overprotective of her two sons: her youngest, Chuck, is working under a false name as an analyst for the CIA in London, and the eldest, Diego, never leaves her side as she directs her global business empire.

A mother’s worst nightmare
When Chuck fails to turn up for work in London, the alarm is raised. But when Diego is kidnapped in Switzerland, Valentina faces a mother’s worst nightmare. Desperate about the fate of her sons, she’ll stop at nothing to save them. The US President’s chief of staff is soon pressuring Leonard de Vries, the CIA director in London: “Find Chuck and get him somewhere safe – real safe.”

A mission for Mike
Leonard De Vries turns to the one asset he truly trusts, analyst Michaela ‘Mike’ Kingdom, who was the last person to see Chuck alive when he turned up unannounced at her woodland home in Oxfordshire. Why was he convinced his life was in danger? And what did he mean when he announced he was “going to see the tulips”? The search for an answer to that riddle will propel Mike on a frightening and life-changing journey.

Review

Valentina Ortiz is a very overprotective mother. She also has a lot of money, so much that she donates substantial amounts in the US for political activities. Even the most over-protective parent can’t always protect their offspring from danger.
It becomes another case for Leonard De Vries and Mike Kingdom, whom we also follow their working relationship, trust and friendship develop as well as how they solve cases.

There’s much food for thought when it comes to undersea cables given global issues as illustrated within the plot. In lovely, interesting settings, there’s also lots of geo-political issues that come to the fore. There is also a subplot involving drugs, it remains more in the background for quite a while, but it gets its shocking turn of coming to the fore later on.

It’s another compelling, fast-paced case to solve with strange goings on regarding Chuck and certain unusual things he says at a cabin that could be clues. There are plenty of riddles and dots to join before reaching the last page.

In a tightly written plot with an explosive conclusion, this is one not to miss!

#Review By Lou of The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam By Robert Ferguson #RobertFerguson @leamingtonbooks #TheIntrepidStepsOfJohnRuffam along with info about #SpiritAid #Charity founded by #DavidHayman #Bookish #BooksWorthReading

The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam
By Robert Ferguson

Cover pic showing Scott’s Monument, Edinburgh

Walk up the steps to Sir Water Scott’s Monument and immerse yourself in the intrepid steps of John Ruffam, along the way, discover just how powerful art is. Life an culture and more… are linked together in this novella that packs a punch. It’s great for if you like Life-stories, Edinburgh, Art, Triumph Over Adversity and perfect for Reading Groups.

Find out more below in the blurb and then my full review below. The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam by Robert Ferguson is a book you won’t want to miss nor underestimate in its storytelling nor in just how far-reaching it is.

Before I move on, I’d like to make you aware of something amazing happening.
This book is raising money is supporting Spirit Aid. A charity founded by famous actor David Hayman, currently starring in Death of A Salesman in UK theatres and has been most recently on tv in The Paradise and Taboo. Spirit Aid reaches out to vulnerable children in need across Scotland and abroad to provide vital resources. You can check out more after my review more about the charity. I also have a link for how you can buy The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam by Robert Ferguson.

Blurb

The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam is a deeply introspective novella that follows the extraordinary life of John Ruffam.

From a young age, John’s passion for art and his connection to the past shaped his journey of self-discovery and resistance, growing up in foster homes, enduring physical and mental abuse, and finding solace in his artistic pursuit.

The narrative weaves together historical connections, karmic balancing, and a unique bond with painted figures from the past.

John’s encounters with Edinburgh’s gothic Scott Monument become symbolic of his search for identity and meaning.

When John is injured in a war, losing his legs, his resilience shines through as he learns to walk again with prosthetic limbs. His near-death experience reveals a vision of his loved ones, urging him to take the steps towards his destiny.

The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novella that explores themes of strength, self-discovery, and the power of art.

Review

From the very beginning, The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam is intriguingly thought-provoking and starts to become an immersive read, before becoming increasingly deeply immersive as the story goes on.

It is said there are seven stages in the art process:
Inspiration, establishing, Uncertainty, Gauge, Sophistication, Achievement, Judgement.

These are all cleverly broken down into chapter headings and weave in and out of the story, linking all to the main character, John Ruffam’s life. It’s ingenious how the threads all intermingle and weave together making a fascinating and intriguing plot.

Each chapter begins with an insightful sentence about the process of art, indicating the book is well-researched and a lot of thought put into it to then have it link to the rest of the plot.

It starts with a young woman’s waters breaking at the National Art Gallery in Edinburgh and becomes emotional from there, with certain events happening.
The author shows something good can happen from something sad. The Scott Monument becomes quite the focus for John Ruffam, so much so that he goes to Princes Street Gardens and draws it and his work gets noticed at the age of 10 years old. Just when all is having a warm feeling of positivity, tragedy strikes again, creating an immense twist, this time to John Ruffam not long after he’s joined the army in his teenage years. What happens to him next is life changing. This period is written with respect, sensitivity and skill. It gives the reader increasing hope for his life through immense struggle and small wins and a whole lot of determination to keep living, keep going and do life to reach your goals.
The end of the book is equally thought-provoking and heartfelt, showing just how influential and inspirational art is. Whether its Rembrandt, like in the story who you admire or someone else, there’s no getting away from the power of it.

The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam mixes what’s real and what’s fictional into a compelling story that may well stay with you.

Buy Link and About the Author Link

You can get your copy of The Intrepid Steps of John Ruffam here: Amazon
You can find out more about the author here: Alloa Advertiser Interview

More About The Charity – Spirit Aid

You can find out more about Spirit Aid, headed up by David Hayman in the link below. He runs operations in Scotland (it’s heart), Palestine, Afghanistan and Malawi. The charity works to make a difference to those people’s lives affected by poverty, neglect, abuse, lack of opportunity, humanitarian crisis, war by clicking into the official website: Spirit Aid
Feel free to donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/SpiritAidLimited

#Writeup of an #authortalk with Chris Brookmyre and Jenny Colgan, #Books, #Music #Festivals #Writing and more @jennycolgan @cbrookmyre

A Write-up of a talk between Chris Brookmyre and Jenny Colgan
Event took place on 27th July 2022

The event was held by Stirling Waterstones upstairs in a pub in Stirling, Scotland called The Curly Coo (or The Curly Cow for those abroad wondering what a coo is).

Chris Brookmyre’s book is – The Cliff House and Jenny Colgan’s book is – An Island Wedding.

Both are available to purchase now!

Review Link for The Cliff House – link is also after my write-up here as are links to The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, Bloody Scotland and website and social media links.

Although both authors do not have the commonality of crime fiction/mystery within their new books, they do share the theme of a party.

The talk covered their books, writing, music and more…

I have included a link to my book review of The Cliff House By Chris Brookmyre within this for those who haven’t seen the separate post of it. I am yet to read The Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan.

Me and Jenny Colgan

Me and Chris Brookmyre

The atmosphere was jovial and warm. The talk was mostly humorous and they treated those who attended to a reading of extracts from their books. They talked about the last time they met to do a talk together was in 2006 in Shetland. Chris Brookmyre recalled that William McIllvanney was on the audience guestlist and how that felt.

They talked about if and when they re-read their books. 2008 was the last time Chris Brookmyre last read one of his old books as he was writing a sequel.

A rather scary aspect of the talk was when Jenny Colgan talked about a book she had written and how the USA branded the 1990s as historical fiction.

They talked about each others books and how Chris Brookmyre writes books from different characters points of view, which you will see in The Cliff House.

Weddings and Parties

What is interesting and was brought up as they talked, was the fact that in lockdown, weddings were cancelled and people postponed them (a family member of mine, included) and how everyone knew what that was like, and how now there are many books set around parties.
I, myself have seen and got some books to review that are and seems to be quite a big theme this year as Chris Brookmyre talks about how people are writing vicariously about parties after being in lockdown and mentions authors such as Lin Anderson and Claire MacIntosh.

Jenny Colgan talked excitedly about how she writes about all different weddings; she also loved doing the research for them, especially for the most extravagant weddings and just to enjoy wedding again. It was interesting hearing how her attitude has changed to wanting to go to them all and with a gift, from pre-pandemic and wondering whether she wanted to or not and the cost of a gift etc.

Chris Brookmyre interestingly talked about how he was inspired by people going to private islands. His island is fictionalised and he seems to like that he could make up his own rules. He talked about this for the many genres he writes.

Jenny Colgan also creates a bit of fiction in her places and advised people not to write about where you live, unless perhaps it is a city and alluded to how that would be different as there isn’t so much of a very tight-knit close community, whereas people may recognise themselves or think they do in somewhere small.

Chris Brookmyre talked a bit about his book and its concepts of his character Jen getting married again and can’t accept the concept of happiness as seems all too good to be true, but has a hen party anyway. He talked about friendships and how there are different levels of this, some you see a lot, but don’t actually truly know and people who you may not trust, which are concepts within the book.

The island itself, he describes is as like an upmarket Airbnb. It is a book of 7 points of view. When asked about why the characters were all women, he stated he wanted to write about women and not men and alluded that it would be a very different story if the characters were men.

He talked a bit about “And Then There We’re None by Agatha Christie” and how books, such as his are often compared to this, but talked about how they differ and one of the ways is that was a story of retribution but his book is essentially about forgiveness of themselves.
He later talked about liking mismatched crime books.

Writing and Marketing

The talk moved onwards to the interesting topic of covers, but without getting into it all too deeply and heavy. They mainly focussed on the pink covers, since both of them have pink on them and there are a few around in many genres just now. They pointed out that the “pink” etc doesn’t necessarily show much about what is lurking inside the content of a book.

They talked about marketing a little bit in-terms of genres, marketing spaces. Jenny Colgan declared she didn’t really believe in genre. For Chris Brookmyre, he said the term “Tartan Noir” was good for marketing but his book – The Cliff House is more uplifting and about friendships, so less “noir”.

They talked about timers within books. The writer has got to solve the murder at a certain stage, in a rom-com the writer has got to get their characters together before Xmas. When writing different genres, Jenny Colgan reckons she doesn’t find that too difficult, but does however find it hard to kill off characters.

She also alluded that it is a bit different for Doctor Who as this is an already created person. It was fascinating hearing about the pecking order and the way Doctor Who works for writers.

Like Jenny Colgan, and perhaps even more so, Chris Brookmyre writes in many genres and how he is Ambrose Parry when he writes historical fiction, with Marissa, his wife, who sounds like she likes rules, plotting and planning, so he revealed he does a bit more of that now, but still likes the element of surprise in the direction his characters take him in. He also talked about something exciting happening with Netflix.

Jenny Colgan on the other-hand isn’t a fan of overly researching, but does do some.

Jenny Colgan added to how she writes and had a bit of advise for new writers and says you can start at 200 words and write to that target and then get on with the rest of the day (she writes thousands and then gets on with her day, but says hundreds is also fine). They both talked about getting the first draft down, in brief, they say that this needs to be finished and then it can be fixed after that and also write about what you know.