Writers know there are always two stories, at least -- one on the surface, and a more important one that lies deeper. Novels, short story, flash fiction, and even (especially!) poetry.  A quick reading reveals one thing, whereas a deeper, more careful and thorough review reveals much more. In English lit classes, they actually call that proce...

A lamp in London was calling my name, but I'm smart enough (experienced enough!) to know that doesn't necessarily mean I should call its name back.  Instead I call over the sales gal in John Lewis on Saturday and ask her, "Are those bulbs a pain in the neck to change?"  She looks at me like I'm crazy.

This often happens when I first speak to someone in London.  It's the accent.  It's no...

I asked my brilliant romance writer friend Lauren Christopher whose novel The Red Bikini comes out soon, what can you tell me about the skeletal structure of a good romance? I assumed there was one, even though writers in all genres like to say they write from their guts and even if they outline, there's a certain seat-of-the-pants je ne sais quoi that brings the magic to the story. Well, I h...