Write down the rabbit hole…
It's always nice to find an unexpected treat. At 'Velvet Rose' in Whitchurch, we discovered a whole shop full of them. If you love quirky, vintage jewellery, scarves, skirts, gloves and much more, this is the place for you. And as if it was meant to be, I'm now the proud owner of this gorgeous… Continue reading Jewellery for Bookworms
Are you a planner or a 'pantser'? As I've previously said there's no right or wrong way to write a book, but it's probably more usual to plan your book rather than just start writing. However, there are writers who simply sit and go. Douglas Adams was a famous 'pantser'. Personally, I'm a big planner… Continue reading Writing a Book part 3 – Plotting
I wanted to share a few photos of this exhibition, currently on in the Weston Library, but photography isn't allowed. That's understandable so instead please enjoy these photos of the notebook and badges I bought at the library shop. The exhibition itself isn't big but it's free and packed with artifacts from Tolkiens life and… Continue reading Notebook collection #9: Tolkien – Maker of Middle Earth
This is the next step I take writing a book, following on from 'Research'. After a sufficient amount of research under my belt, I move onto my characters. Research and character development will overlap. You might not have a clear idea of all the research you'll need to do for your characters until you start… Continue reading Writing a Book part 2 – Characters
There are some places you never think you'll see the inside of and a modern-day prison is certainly one of them. Dana Prison in Shrewsbury, which closed in 2013, offers visitors a rare glimpse behind bars. Originally opened in 1793, the current main building dates from 1877. It was stripped of most of its fixtures… Continue reading Unlocking the Secrets of Dana Prison, Shrewsbury
Want to write a book? Don't know where to start? Well, you're in the wrong place! But seriously, I'm no writing expert, I'm just going to throw out some writing advice based on my own experience. This is NOT a definitive 'How to write' guide because those don't exist. What works for one writer, may… Continue reading Writing a Book part 1 – Research
Underneath Barcelona lies an ancient Roman world. After you enter the Museu d'Historia de Barcelona, you're at first confronted with standard exhibits. But then you enter a lift and go down, down, down back in time to when Romans walked the streets. Over 4000 m2 of beautifully preserved streets, factories and shops lie under metal… Continue reading Roman riches – Placa del Rei, Museu d’Historia de Barcelona
Websites and apps can be more of a hindrance than a help when it comes to writing. But just as Pinterest can help writers, so can Instagram. Plenty of people shy away from it, pointing out that the unrealistic view of reality it promotes isn't exactly healthy. But the same can be said of everything… Continue reading 3 Ways Writers can use Instagram
Our house move means I can have a desk again. Our previous pad didn't have space for it so writing time was spent tucked wherever I could on my Chromebook. I still like to do that, moving around to be creative. But it's nice to have my own spot, especially for writing and this reclaimed… Continue reading Share your Writing Space
Following in the footsteps of Harry Potter, a visit to the ancient Bodleian Library in Oxford is a treat for fans of the HP movies and of course, books. The Bodleian Library is one of a group of libraries across Oxford collectively known as the Bodleian Libraries. The library tours take place in and around… Continue reading The Bodleian Library Tour
