Writing advice and inspiring places
I have a bit of a thing for interior decorating. I'm not that good at it, but I'll happily spend hours reading magazines and scanning Pinterest, wishing I had the skill (and money) to create something impressive in my own house. And being an avid reader, my interest in decor dovetails neatly into the storage and... Continue Reading →
For the past couple of months, I've been "off" social media. It started as a give-something-up-for-Lent thing and thus far, it's continuing. I've been trying this for a few reasons, but primarily to curb my procrastinating and reduce my anxiety. The results have been interesting - and not what you might expect. When I say off I... Continue Reading →
There was a moment as we walked through the magical gardens of this park that my other half said he was sure he'd been here before, not in person, but in a dream. I knew exactly what he meant. The Quinta da Regaleria is one of a number of outlandish buildings and parks located near... Continue Reading →
You may not expect the oldest bookstore in the world to be found in Portugal. But in the Chiado Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon has a Guinness World Records certificate to prove it. The original shop opened in 1732 and has stayed open ever since, albeit moving around the city. The current shop opened in 1773,... Continue Reading →
Collaboration is a buzzword of the modern era. These days you don't have to be in the same room or even the same time zone to do it. Internet-based tools mean people can collaborate no matter where they are. But could it be the next big thing for the usually solitary pursuit of writing? Writing a... Continue Reading →
Whether you believe writers are born or made (and I think it's a little bit of both), there are certain traits I think all writers should cultivate. Some may come naturally, others may need a bit of work. But they'll help you be the best writer you can be. 1) Happy in your own company... Continue Reading →
Oxford University is made up of thirty-eight colleges, some of which were built when the University was first established. This includes Merton College, whose alumni include TS Eliot and Thomas Bodley (who founded the Bodleian Library). It's also where J.R.R. Tolkien taught as a professor of English Language and Literature. Many of the buildings that... Continue Reading →
It would be nice if the muse appeared just when we needed her - but the muse 'ain't that nice. Inspiration rarely drops in uninvited. Even that initial spark of an idea you had didn't actually come from no-where. It could have been trolling around your subconscious for a while. But your brain can only... Continue Reading →
I am framed through the hagioscope, but this is not your prison. They walled you in with freedom, and you sang your own death, and spread pity on all the words that followed. They all want saving but they’re not yours to save. One foot embedded in ancient stone, the other pointed as you rise.... Continue Reading →
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