DURING an informative and inspirational day, contemporary authors Erin Kelly and Fergus McNeill revealed some of the secrets of their success.

Charming and charismatic, Kelly and McNeill addressed the whole theatre and smaller intimate seminars, allowing the audience to ask questions about their popular books and writing techniques.

Scottish, Southampton-based writer Fergus McNeill – author of Eye Contact, Knife Edge, Cut Out, and Broken Fall – revealed his childhood influences to be Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie, while adult favourites include John Le Carre and JRR Tolkien, whose epic Lord Of The Rings Fergus recommended “for its sense of sacrifice and altruism”.

Irish, locally-based author Erin Kelly – creator of The Poison Tree, The Sick Rose, The Burning Air, The Ties That Bind, and Broadchurch, revealed her favourite writers included Daphne du Maurier and Ruth Rendell, and recommended Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita for its nuanced style.

During individual seminars, Fergus McNeill explained that his debut novel Eye Contact was created and developed in an adult education creative writing course at Southampton’s Taunton’s College, thanking his fellow students and tutor for their advice, suggestions and support.

He emphasised the importance of research, spending time at story locations in Bristol, London, and around Hampshire.

For budding writers – and there were many in the audience – both McNeill and Kelly praised the value of storytelling, literary style, and the need to “read, read, read!”

A wonderful insight into the writing process.

Brendan McCusker