Vanessa Harbour
@nessharbour.bsky.social
Author. 📚♿️PhD. Academic. Programme Leader BA Creative Writing. Uni of Winchester. SoA. Always looking for the positive in a complicated life
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Vanessa Harbour
@nessharbour.bsky.social
· Nov 14
I dumped that place…a few months ago and hibernated in Threads. A lot of the cool #books gang are telling me I should be here. Dabbling a tentative toe back in to say hello 👋. See if I can make some new friends. I am a disabled author who’s lost her way slightly & CW lecturer.
What a wonderful roundup of children’s and ya books by @imogenrw.bsky.social It is joyous to see such an eclectic range
Wonderful kids and teens roundup via @imogenrw.bsky.social
#kidlituk
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
#kidlituk
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
A girl with super strength; anarchic doughnuts on a mission to rule the world; boys in the Blitz; an Igbo YA fantasy and more
www.theguardian.com
May 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
What a wonderful roundup of children’s and ya books by @imogenrw.bsky.social It is joyous to see such an eclectic range
Reposted by Vanessa Harbour
“I get melancholy if I don't [write]. I need the company of people who don't exist.”
― William Trevor
― William Trevor
April 7, 2025 at 8:10 PM
“I get melancholy if I don't [write]. I need the company of people who don't exist.”
― William Trevor
― William Trevor
Reposted by Vanessa Harbour
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:
So what are some of the devices and tricks that a writer can deploy?
Here are some tricks for building suspense in your novel:
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…
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk
April 7, 2025 at 3:25 PM
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:
So what are some of the devices and tricks that a writer can deploy?
Here are some tricks for building suspense in your novel:
Reposted by Vanessa Harbour
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.
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.
April 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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.
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
March 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
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
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
March 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
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
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
There are small highs as an author like when a fellow author has spotted your books in Waterstones in Piccadilly. Very Happi-Ness!
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
media.tenor.com
March 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
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
March 10, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Late to the party but loving this so much
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
March 6, 2025 at 10:55 AM
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
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
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
media.tenor.com
March 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Vanessa Harbour
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
March 2, 2025 at 8:13 AM
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
Please read this by by #joelvin open.substack.com/pub/joelvin/...
This endless 'fashion is fluffy' narrative is dangerous
Please join me in my anger and take action
open.substack.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:50 AM
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_...
youtube.com
February 23, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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
February 15, 2025 at 8:25 PM
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
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 😂
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 .
media.tenor.com
February 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
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 😂
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...
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
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2025 at 11:33 AM
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
February 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
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
Last day of January. Thank goodness! Right now let’s get on with the rest of the year
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 !!! ''
media.tenor.com
January 31, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Last day of January. Thank goodness! Right now let’s get on with the rest of the year
Writing, writing, writing tonight which makes for a very happi-Ness!
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
media.tenor.com
January 30, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Writing, writing, writing tonight which makes for a very happi-Ness!
This 100%
"This isn't something that's just nice or lovely. It's something fundamental to becoming a human being."
Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social shares why reading is a right for every child. #ReadingRights
Waterstones #ChildrensLaureate @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social shares why reading is a right for every child. #ReadingRights
January 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
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
January 21, 2025 at 8:03 PM
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
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
January 18, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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
January 11, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Perfect afternoon escaping to the beach rather than marking. Cold but peaceful
First post on Substack. Could this be something new for 2025?
January 10, 2025 at 1:23 PM
First post on Substack. Could this be something new for 2025?