Writing advice and inspiring places
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 →
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 →
If you're a regular reader you'll know I've visited a lot of places in the UK, and occasionally abroad, with links to famous writers. But I've also got some literary connections much closer to home that I thought I'd share with you. Reading is a local town for me, and although it might not be... 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 →
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 →
Everyone has good days and bad days. Some people's bad days are worse than others. And sometimes those bad "days" last weeks, months or even years. If you're feeling low, it can be a struggle to do anything, least of all something creative. But sometimes writing can help make the dark a bit more bearable.... Continue Reading →
These days most of us write using a digital device, be it a PC, laptop, or even phone. Before that, we had word processors, typewriters, and the printing press. Each of these inventions has given us the ability to get more words, to more people, in the quickest possible way. But some argue that writing... Continue Reading →
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