Open in app
Sign inGet started
Master and author: out of 2021, into 2022

Master and author: out of 2021, into 2022

Everyone I know has three jabs in their arms, but in 2021 I got those plus three complete novels and an MA. What’s next?
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
How can I describe my character’s skin?

How can I describe my character’s skin?

Five questions that will let your character talk about the subjects you’re scared of.
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Draft, revise and draft again: five lessons on the way to a final edit of my first novel

Draft, revise and draft again: five lessons on the way to a final edit of my first novel

Preparation, feedback and focus are three of the lessons I’ve taken from producing my first novel, which is now at the mercy of agents
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Layers of story: how to build up your first draft

Layers of story: how to build up your first draft

Your first draft isn’t really a first draft: it’s a first pass that you can build in layers of dialogue, scene, action and interiority.
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Trending

“Stop being a dick” and other things Donald Trump needs to learn

5x5 It’s November 3rd, which means that in a week’s time, Americans will have to choose a new president to take care of their country until…
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Five of my bucket list destinations

Five of my bucket list destinations

5x5 I’ve been lucky enough to see some unusual places, from the most northerly point of mainland Europe to Skeleton Coast of Mauritania…
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Steven Pinker says the world is getting better: why it’s a call to arms for progressives

Steven Pinker says the world is getting better: why it’s a call to arms for progressives

Steven Pinker has updated his optimistic book Better Angels Of Our Nature as Enlightenment Now, a manifesto for reigniting social change.
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Travel
2019 in five: Colombia, Blood River, Doctor Dave, Valley of the Monkeys and an MA

2019 in five: Colombia, Blood River, Doctor Dave, Valley of the Monkeys and an MA

2019 took me from a beach in Colombia to an MA in Creative Writing
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Rivers, deeps, mountains, highs: first steps on our Colombian Christmas itinerary

Rivers, deeps, mountains, highs: first steps on our Colombian Chris...

Four and a bit weeks in Colombia sounds like a lot of time, until you discover how much this incredible country has to offer.
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Fresh Gravitational Dried White Peach and other odd snacks I ate on a Chinese train

Fresh Gravitational Dried White Peach and other odd snacks I ate on...

5x5 “What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten?” It turns out that the bizarre tastes and textures of the Chinese palate aren’t restricted to…
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Universal adaptors, local SIMs and VPNs: my favourite travel technology

Universal adaptors, local SIMs and VPNs: my favourite travel techno...

5x5 Once a tech journalist…I had the chance to really work out some travel technology as I pottered across four continents this Spring, as…
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
Magnetic Island, Yunnan, Shanghai, Lake Baikal, Moscow: places I’d go back to

Magnetic Island, Yunnan, Shanghai, Lake Baikal, Moscow: places I’d ...

5x5 I’ve just visited seven countries in three months, so here are five incredible destinations I’d like to give a second look or some…
Go to the profile of Alex Lane
Alex Lane
About Five by fiveLatest StoriesArchiveAbout MediumTermsPrivacyTeams