My partner, Kirsty, is kind enough to read my books aloud to me. That might sound like a terrific indulgence but, in fact, it’s a great writing tool. Hearing what I’ve written read aloud by someone else, with the inflections and tones they put into the text, can really help to show me what works and what doesn’t.

For example, I’m currently working on the third draft of SS3 and, tonight, Kirsty read it for me. There were sections I found I could improve (I make notes as she reads) and others I could pump up to make more exciting. More importantly, it made me realise how much a certain topic crops up in this book; a topic that is used a lot in the next title in the series.

So, my job tomorrow, is to change references to that topic. I have a few ideas of how to do it – and the plot already feels stronger as a result.

Oh, and there’s one really mushy scene that’s GOT to go!

Read your work out loud or, even better, have someone else do it for you. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll hear.

Tommy

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