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Perilous Path: A Writer's Journey

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How do you find courage and motivation when your novel sinks in the middle?
How do you stay focused as a writer through success and disappointment?
How can great artists, musicians and psychologists give you inspiration?

You'll find the answers to these questions and many others in this book. SC Skillman offers valuable insight into the faith and hope that is vital for one who walks the perilous path into the 'promised land' of the writing profession.

Every chapter is an article previously published on the author's blog Inside the Mind of a Writer, in answer to FAQs aspiring writers type into search engines.

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2017

54 people want to read

About the author

S.C. Skillman

5 books38 followers
Books: two mystery novels: Mystical Circles and A Passionate Spirit. One writers' guide Perilous Path. Three nonfiction books published by Amberley: Paranormal Warwickshire, Illustrated Tales of Warwickshire & A-Z of Warwick.


Lives: Warwick, UK.

Occupation: Writer / mother

Family: Son Jamie, daughter Abigail and husband David

Siblings: Older brother Chris and older sister Julia

Pets: One cat, Molly

Hobbies: reading, visiting historical properties; singing, visiting art galleries and museums, going to musicals, concerts and theatre

Degrees: B. A. (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Lancaster.

Home town: Orpington, Kent, in the London Borough of Bromley.

Three words that describe you best: fluid, persistent, unstoppable

Childhood idol: Paul McCartney

People who inspire you: Susan Howatch for her brilliant Starbridge series and St Benets trilogy, which I love; Neil Gaiman for his quirky, edgy, and penetrating imagination; Phil Rickman for his engrossing Merrily Watkins series: those books are packed full of everything that intrigues and fascinates me

Groups and organisations: I am a member of St Mark’s Church, Leamington Spa; the Society of Authors; and the Association of Christian Writers.

Most beautiful place I have ever been is a mystical mountain in the Himalayas called Neelkanth. I first saw it from Badrinath when it was entirely lit by the full moon.

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for M.M. Graham.
Author 9 books29 followers
November 1, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It is very informative and has great tips and advice.
Profile Image for Catherine Green.
Author 17 books75 followers
September 8, 2017
As an experienced writer, I found this book very enjoyable to read at a time when my writing practice had stalled. It inspired me to get back to work, and it reminded me of why I write, and what a wonderful process we engage in when we explore words and prose. This book is great for people at all levels in the writing world, being both entertaining and informative.
Profile Image for J.A.Birch.
145 reviews27 followers
June 6, 2018
A gift from GamesExpo over the weekend. Dad spoke to the author and bought this lovely little book for me.

S.C.Skillman has three books out, this slim book with hints and help for writers and two novels (I have now bought the first in her duology).

Perilous Path: A Writer's Journey consists of several small chapters, no more than a few pages each, all highlighting certain aspects of writing that authors may come up against (such as writers block, where to get ideas, and creating 3D characters etc.).

The book is a physical manifestation of the author's blog; having taken specific posts and collected them into this handy book; it's easy to read and not cumbersome with too much information or over explaining.

I found the first half of this book of essays relaxed and interesting; the author re-hashed other ideas that I've heard before (of course with her own insight and knowledge), however I found the second half of the book very bitty. S.C.Skillman talks a lot about Carl Jung and applies his theories to writing and character creation; for me, the essays would have gone down easier if they were spaced out more throughout the book than all together at the end, although the application of Jung's psychological theories to character creation is interesting indeed.

Perilous Path: A Writer's Journey is informative to any aspiring writer (and indeed other writers who fancy another person's point of view) giving new thoughts and insight from S.C.Skillman herself. An easy to read book that gives the option to read selected essays or the whole collection.
Profile Image for Sheila.
Author 5 books10 followers
June 18, 2020
This is a great book for any writer to dip into. It is made up of chapters of different thoughts and topics which orginated from the writer's original blog. I found the topics very different from the usual ones read in books about writing, such things as the influence of art and music on the writer or the thoughts and inspiration of Carl Jung and Ernest Hemingway. S.C. Skilman also covers the more usual subjects of beginnings and endings and characterisation. I have read the book through from cover to cover but it is also a book to keep on the writer's shelf to dip into from time to time.
Profile Image for Sarah Tinsley.
Author 5 books8 followers
October 31, 2022
A helpful collection of essays for writers to dip in and out of. From how to use art and music to inspire writing to how to apply Jung's theories to characters, there are lots of topics and ideas. The writer gives her own insight into the writing process, as well as drawing on examples from popular literature. She also suggests lots of helpful books to turn to for other resources, such as plotting or characterisation. I liked how there were ideas about the actual process of drafting and rewriting, as well as more specific ideas. Definitley a handy one to keep on the shelf!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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