Writing advice and inspiring places
Victorian society was carefully divided by class. In large country homes, those in the lower orders were literally beneath their "betters", situated at the bottom of the house. At Uppark House this separation provided inspiration to one of the world's most famous authors, HG Wells. Wells' connection to Uppark comes via his parents. His mother... Continue Reading →
Here we are nudging into Autumn and I've had a great blogging year - how about you? I thought I'd re-share some of my most popular blog posts thus far in case you missed them the first time round! 1) 8 Self-care Tips for Writers 2) The Oldest Bookshop in the World - Chiado Bertrand,... Continue Reading →
The beautiful village of Great Missenden was once the home of author Roald Dahl and is now his final resting place. His wickedly funny and inventive children's books are still as popular today as they were when I read them many years ago. Dahl is buried in the churchyard of St Peter and St Pauls.... Continue Reading →
Who doesn't like a crypt? Oh, all right so they're not for everyone. But I find them fascinating. The one in Winchester Cathedral isn't usually open to the public. It has a habit of flooding, so there are no tombs, no alters and certainly no coffee shop. Although there is "Sound II", a solitary sculpture... Continue Reading →
Let me start by saying, I'm not suggesting you have to read these books to be a writer This is just a group of books that had an impact on my development as a writer, so I want to share them in case they help anyone else out too. And I'm keen to know what... Continue Reading →
In a quiet corner of a typical English churchyard, lies a man who was definitely not typical. In fact, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, would probably have a few things to say about being buried here at all. All Saints Church in Minstead is a quirky building, added to over the years... Continue Reading →
Some people love to listen to music when they write, others prefer silence. But whichever camp you fall in, a book playlist or soundtrack could really help you get into your writing zone. Here are four ways you can use music for inspiration: 1 - Set the mood This is the simplest way to get... Continue Reading →
I write a lot of blog posts about places I've visited in Oxford but there are two good reasons for this - 1, it's not too far from where I live, and 2, it's overflowing with literary history so there's always something to write about! This time we're at Christ Church College, home of many... Continue Reading →
The internet has shaken up our world in many ways. Not least in how it's given everyone who can get online the opportunity to put themselves out there. One of the earliest ways to do this was by via a blog. Before the high-speed internet the web ran on words and you, me and Uncle... Continue Reading →
