Find out more about me

Check out what you can expect to read on my website and view my first post here.

Follow me @AlisonJanetBro1 to see what I’m up to.
Read my latest posts
Rainbringer: passive heroine, active heroine
This week, Rainbringer:
• Has two strong heroines
• Subverted my expectations
• Totally blew me away
Writing female secondary characters: why it’s important and how to do it
This week, secondary characters:
• Are most likely to default to male
• Are important representation
• Demonstrate the values of your society (and your writing)
Robert Muchamore nails writing female secondary characters, woop!
This week:
• Robin Hood is a 12-year-old boy who must survive alone in Sherwood Forest when his father is falsely accused of theft
• Women going about their business and doing their jobs in books is unusual
• Robert Muchamore writes great secondary characters who reflect reality
Discover more about writing
Learn how to start writing your first chapter if you are overwhelmed by the enormity of the task ahead.
We’ve all been there.
You can write.
Let me help you get started.
Check out my blog post How to Write Your First Chapter if you are Overwhelmed.
Join me as I probe into the nitty gritty of the craft of writing.
In my blog post Writing ‘he felt like he was meant to be there’, I’ll explain how this simple sentence suggests a whole host of worldbuilding.
Find out how to follow through on that promise or avoid making the promise to begin with.
What I think of female characters

Discover the pros and cons of narratives about women empowering themselves.
Pros: women of all ages absorb the idea that they can become empowered and fulfil their ambitions.
Cons: it suggests that women have always had the ability to empower themselves and just haven’t used it. Silly billies.
Read the full blog post about women’s self-belief and beauty films here.

What is the difference between a woman warrior and a strong female character?
I love reading about a range of characters who identify as female.
The trouble is, some authors confuse physical strength with being a well-written and well-rounded female character.
Find out who I think does it right (Sarah J. Maas) and how to write a range of ‘strong’ females.
Read the full blog post here.
Read my reviews

The incredible Kings of the Wyld
I saw a one-star review of this book and instantly knew it was for me.
It’s got great worldbuilding, well-rounded characters, comedy and a Moog.
Read my blog post about it here.

Three reasons you should read Heartstopper
Let me shriek joyously about how amazing this is!
If you love beautiful drawings, adorable characters, romance, comedy and positive LGBTQ+ representation, then I can only assume you already have this book.
If not, go get it now. If you need more convincing, read my full review here.
Join Alison’s newsletter now
Be the first to receive news, updates and new blog posts!