I have various items, devices, software and services in my creative toolbox.

The first draft of ‘The Blackwater Prince’ was written entirely in long-hand using Typo A4 Buffalo Journals, a hardback notebook, and Sharpie fine felt-tip pens.

I find that writing by hand works well for the pace at which the ideas flow out of my brain.

I then transcribed it into Microsoft Word and used the Review/Track Changes feature for editing of subsequent drafts.

However, I have recently begun using several new gadgets and services to make my writing life easier…

- Trello . . . with multiple main characters and intertwining plots, I use Trello for storyboarding the journey of each character and then ensuring the scenes for each are in the correct order when brought together. I also use it to manage and prepare my social media posts.

- MyHeritage . . . an online genealogy platform which I actually use to keep track of all my characters mentioned in the novels.

- Grammarly . . . the most recent addition to my writer's toolkit, this is great for general correction of bad grammar and assisting with rewriting phrases that just don’t seem right. I don’t always agree with its suggestions, but it keeps me honest with what I’m trying to say and educates me at the same time.

- reMarkable2 . . . an electronic paper tablet. I first used it to edit/mark up the most recent draft of The Blackwater Prince. It is now proving invaluable for outlining and writing the first draft of my new book, still all written by hand, without having to cut down a single tree! This is hands-down my favourite piece of technology at the moment.