Whether you're a new writer or a more-seasoned scribbler, you've probably read a boatload of writing advice. You've also tried some of it and...found it doesn't work. No snippet of writing advice is guaranteed to work for you. You need to learn habits that allow you to write your best. It will involve some trial... Continue Reading →
Dante Alighieri, widely known simply as Dante, is one of the most famous writers in the world. His Divine Comedy, is considered one of the most important poems ever written and certainly one of the greatest works of Italian literature. Watch our Italian adventures on our YouTube channel! Although mostly associated with Florence where he... Continue Reading →
Most visitors to Verona searching for ties to Shakespeare's play, probably only stop by Juliet's Balcony. But there's a far darker place connected to the story of Romeo and Juliet, one less visited; Juliet's Tomb. Watch our video on YouTube to see Juliet's Tomb Romeo and Juliet may be William Shakespeare's most famous play. It's... Continue Reading →
Let's start with the obvious. There are older libraries in the world. However, the Chapter Library of Verona is apparently the oldest continuously operating library in the world, dating from before the 5th century It's no surprise, given where it's located that this library has seen some turbulent times - earthquakes, plague, war and ransacking... Continue Reading →
It's been 13 days since we left the UK to start the first part of our world tour/mid-life crisis as detailed on my last post - and I still can't quite believe we did it. First stop, Munich We flew from Heathrow looking every bit like tourists, our belongings stuffed into two large suitcases and... Continue Reading →
With everything going on, I've not been on the ball with my shameless self-promotion. Well that stops now. During my recent writing competition blitz (or maybe spritz is more appropriate), I was fortunate to be shortlisted for the Hammond House 2024 International Literary Competition which also means I've been published in their latest short story... Continue Reading →
I'm writing this post in a rental somewhere in deepest, darkest Wiltshire. I've sold my house and crammed most of my stuff into a storage container - including my books. My most precious ones aka all my Discworld and related works, are stashed in my parents loft in case of disaster. All of which leaves... Continue Reading →
Walking around certain parts of Wiltshire you're very likely to stumble across some ancient monuments without really trying. But if you do try, you'll definitely find some. Like this one, West Kennet Long Barrow. Neolithic Britain West Kennet Long Barrow was built in around 3650 BC so it's older than the much more well-known Stonehenge.... Continue Reading →
Cheddar, UK, is famous for its cheese, its gorge and its caves. In the gorge, you'll find the cheese and in the caves...you'll also find the cheese. Basically, the cheese is everywhere. This is not a bad thing. Cheddar Gorge was formed 225 million years ago, during the Triassic Period and slices through the Somerset... Continue Reading →
This summer we took a trip to London, making a not-so-quick detour to Kensal Green Cemetery to find Wilkie Collins' grave. The Victorian author is most well-known for his mystery novels "The Woman in White" and "The Moonstone", and was friends with Charles Dickens. Wilkie Collins was born in London in 1824. His father, William... Continue Reading →
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