Nicky Shearsby
@Nickyshearsby22
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Artist and author of dark psychological horror thrillers with an insatiable curiosity for the human mind and the unapproached.
United Kingdom
Joined December 2021
If you're a writer and see this, please say hi. Whether you're a seasoned pro, a beginner, or are just thinking about writing, we are all in this together, and support is always needed, no matter what stages we are at. Happy writing, everyone.
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Will always follow back anyone kind enough to find my account interesting enough to connect with 👏👏😁.
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I accidentally got into a bizarre debate on Instagram yesterday about Audible books NOT being classed as reading. Who's with me on this? Audible is listening, NOT reading.
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This really made me laugh. Just had to share. Can you imagine the logistics of writing in 5th person 😂
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I've heard that reading your writing aloud helps pick up errors and typos, but I've personally never done it. Do you?.
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Do you think it is important for a writer to read the “classics?.
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It feels like we're all going down with the titanic on here at the moment. I'm staying. It's taken too long to build a decent following to bail out now. Who's staying with me?.
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According to Google, out of 1000 people who write a book, only 30 will actually finish it, and 6 will see it published. For any writer who is working hard, keep going, and I salute you. You're doing great.
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Have you ever started reading a book, but for whatever reason, just couldn't finish it? I have a couple on my shelves that no matter how many times I try, I just can't get past the first few pages.
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Have you ever read a novel where you wish you could dive into and live in that world for a while?.
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If you wrote a book which was unsuccessful, would you write another?.
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Do you prefer ebooks, printed books, or audio books?.
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Good morning everyone. Its my birthday today. I have cake. All is good in the world 🍰🍰😁😁.
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What do you think about public speaking? Have you ever done it? Does it scare you?.
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I make my own sour dough bread every week and I'd never buy shop bought bread. What something do you do that most others wouldn't?
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Do you ever think about what happened to your characters after the book ended? 😂.
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Would you, or do you ever write about mental health in your novels or non fiction writing?. I include mental health issues in my writing because I want to highlight issues that aren't always addressed, leaving the reader understanding a little more than when they began.
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As a writer, what advice would you give any budding writer on here who is just starting out?.
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Do you still use a notebook to jot down ideas for your writing, or do you just email yourself with random thoughts, like me. 😂😂😂😂.
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If you could be mentored by a famous author, who would it be?.
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So, I'm currently 200 pages into a novel that is cited as compelling, intense, and masterful. Yet, as of page 201, nothing whatsoever has happened. Do I continue with morbid curiosity or read something else? 😋😂.
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As a writer, do you ever suffer with imposter syndrome?.
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Do you have any suggestions to help a new writer become a better writer?.
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Do you want to be famous? If yes, then for what?.
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If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you want to live for the rest of your life? Me? By the sea, my desk facing a beautiful view, with coffee and my dog. Happy days.
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Someone once told me that if you can make your readers laugh, they will be a fan for life. Do you include humour in your writing? I'm not talking comedy writing, purely mainstream genres but with humour thrown in.
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Do you ruin movies for others by pointing out plot holes, poor character development or dialogue problems?. I often have to bite my tongue 😂.
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As a writer, if you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?.
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I've heard that occasionally, writers grab a pen and write by hand. Do you do this, and what are the benefits?.
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What would you say to an author who wanted to design their own cover?.
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We've all heard of writers block. Has anyone experienced readers block?. I seem to be in it at the moment. No matter what I read, I'm finding everything boring and uninteresting. It's not like me. Help!!! 😂.
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Do you think someone can be taught to be a writer? . I like to think it's like art. We get better with continuous practice.
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Wow. Patricia Cornwell just followed me on twitter. An actual multi million best selling, award winning author followed me. 😲😲😲 Can't believe that. 😃😃 That made my day.
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Do you feel that writing changed and/or saved your life?.
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How do you feel when you see someone else succeed in their writing, or life? Are you pleased for them or secretly envious?.
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Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers just starting out to avoid burnout?.
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The second installment of THE FLANIGAN FILES. If you love dark thrillers, you won't want to miss this. Available NOW to pre-order. #thelostraven
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I have been so humbled since joining twitter last month, by the lovely people on here and the connections I'm already making. Here's to a hopefully long and rewarding career as a novelist. Can't wait 😅😅😅.
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Ok, so I've just got back into my art after a 25 year break (no rush I guess), and thought I'd share this weekends efforts. Will post more next week.
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Question. What should I do with the hundreds of apples my tree has produced this summer? Made about a million apple pies, apple chutneys, and apple cider vinegar so far and still have tonnes left 😋.
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Do you ever catch yourself using the same phrases in your novels, over and over? . I've just cut 168 instances of the phrase 'of course' from my current WIP. Why do we do this to ourselves? 😜.
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If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?.
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Unsolicited DM: I've seen your profile and noticed you're a writer. What genre do you write?. Me: If you've seen my profile, you'd know 🤭😏. Some people. 🤣🤣.
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Why is everyone so angry and opinionated these days?.
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As a writer, how important is reading to you? Do you read often, and do you read in the same style that you write in?. I write in 1st person, so I prefer reading 1st person too. I also prefer thriller novels. Obviously 😂😉. How about you guys?.
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So, over the last few days, a couple of my writer followers have messaged me to say they are leaving twitter (X) because of the negative people on this platform. The truth is, there are negative people on every social media platform. The trick is to hold onto the good ones.
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Do writers still keep notebooks to hand, or have we all succumbed to randomly emailing ourselves with ideas when they strike?.
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What's the best piece of writing advice you have ever been given?.
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@ANTONIO_UTD10 @ML_Philosophy No one should see others as 'below' them. We are all different, all on our own journeys. We should support and understand each other more.
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What's the most overused word in your writing? Mine used to be 'rather'. I was obsessed. Now I kill it if I see it. 😂😋.
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Do you believe that great writing should be able to be achieved through a single draft?. I don't. Great writing should be crafted, changed and improved with each rewrite. What are your thoughts on this?.
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Does it benefit you to read your writing aloud to yourself? I have heard this is important, yet I see sentence structure better in my head than how it sounds when it comes out of my mouth 😂.
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Does it make you nervous when someone reads your work?.I think I always will be. No matter how many books I write.
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What is your favorite sentence or line from a novel, short story or poem?.
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Do you or would you ever consider allowing potential readers to read the first few pages of your novel as an excerpt so they can see if your writing style is for them? I have my first chapter of each novel on my website for that reason.
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What book have you read that you wish would be made into a movie?.
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Do you ever find yourself with thoughts on a subject that you keep to yourself so as not to invite the backlash?.
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Do you think a romantic interest is important to your story, even if you don't write romance?.
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Would your childhood self believe you if you told them that they become a writer?.
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Would you enjoy a month of solitude, all alone in an isolated, beautiful natural setting with food and shelter provided?. Sounds like the kind of place I want to live 😂😂.
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Do you see a difference between a writer and an author?. I think that a writer can be anything from a blogger to a journalist, whereas an author writes books.
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Do you ever find yourself reading more than one book at the same time? . I'm terrible for it, especially if a book doesn't capture my immediate attention. Sometimes, I can have 3 to 4 books on the go.
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Saw this and it made me laugh out loud because the same thing has crossed my mind more than once
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Do you see your writing as a hobby, a job or something that you would never be able to live without?.
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Omg I just had a realisation that my second novel is coming out next month. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀.
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The older I get, the faster time seems to go by. Does anyone else feel this? Friday again already. Have a great day, everyone.
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Calling all self-published authors. There seems to be a stigma surrounding books coming from self-publishing that somehow denotes they aren't as good as traditionally published books. If there was some kind of governing body to prove an SP book has been verified and quality.
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Hands up if you’ve ever started writing a novel and then realised that either you have no idea what happens in the middle at all or that what you’ve got just isn’t enough to keep the story flowing to the end.
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How do people react when you tell them that you're a writer?.
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Do you or have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym? If so, why?. I thought about it, then realised that I'd honestly like to be known for who I am. 😁😁.
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What are the biggest obstacles you face in your writing?.
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What could you talk about for 30 minutes without any prior preparation? Me? Psychological thrillers, obviously 😋😍.
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As a writer, getting readers can feel like an uphill battle. However, if just one person enjoys your writing, you've been successful. For anyone who needed to hear this today, keep going 😍.
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How much of a headache do you find editing?. I find it quite therapeutic. Because I'm weird 😂.
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In your opinion, does a single book sale equate to success?.
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As a writer, do you believe that originality is important, and how do you stand out in a crowded marketplace?.
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Do you think it's important for authors to have an agent?.
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We should be encouraging our children to read more. What books do you remember from your childhood that still stand the test of time today?.
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How long have you been writing?. I didn't take fiction seriously until 2020, submitting my debut novel to a publisher in 2021. Since then I have written 5 novels, working currently on my 6th. Do I wish I'd done it earlier? No. Because everything happens when it's time.
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Who in literature has been your biggest inspiration? . For me, it has to be Stephen King, purely for his ability to draw in the reader.
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What is the hardest part of writing for you? I find the 1st draft the toughest, having to create something from fresh air.
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What was the most disturbing novel you ever read? I need examples to read so I can check if my writing is as dark as i want it to be. 🤣🤣🤣.
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Why? Just why? 🤨.
If you get offended by punctuation then you really need to reevaluate your life tbh
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I'm on a mission to get to 500 followers before the end of the day? It that a worthy challenge? 😂😂😜😜🔚.
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OK, be honest. How many writers out there believe they should be able to write a masterpiece in a first draft?.
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Do you ever find yourself writing a whole chapter, only to realise it actually belongs elsewhere in the book?.
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As a writer, what is it that makes you who you are?.
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How long have you been writing and when did you start?.
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What are your thoughts on passive vs. active voice?. Example. Passive = My husband’s car was stolen last night. Active = Someone stole my husband’s car last night. I have no problem with either of these. Do you?.
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How often do you doubt your own abilities as a writer?.
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Would you, and have you ever sacrificed sleep for writing?. Me? Never. I'm in bed by 10pm 😋.
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How far away are you from completing your current book?.
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Did you know that 1% of people who say they're writing a book actually finish it. And 1% of those who finish then go on to become published (not including self-publishing). If you're writing, keep up the great work. It's an achievement 👏.
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