7 Tips For Writing Competitions

Writing competitions can be a fun way to hone your writing skills and, if you're lucky, get your work published. Plus they may also come with a financial reward - cha-ching! And whilst there's no magic winning formula I can share, here are a few practical bits of advice about entering. 1) Plan well You... Continue Reading →

Blog Post Checklist – 6 Basics To Get Right

If you're a blogging beginner, creating a well-written post on an interesting topic is just part of the key to success. There are also some basic things you need to get right that are easy to overlook. But get them nailed down and they'll help get more eyes on your posts and give them a... Continue Reading →

Want to Finally Write That Book? Set Yourself a Deadline

Deadline. It's not a nice word, is it? I mean it has the word "dead" in it and if that's not an implication of finality, I don't know what is. So setting one for yourself may seem masochistic to say the least. But done properly it could be just what you need to write, or... Continue Reading →

8 Tips to Help You Write at Work

Writing around a day job can be tricky. Unless you're a real morning person or a true night owl, your potentially productive daylight hours are taken up with working rather than writing. And whilst you of course need to work whilst being at work, you can also use some of the time to get some... Continue Reading →

What Are Your Writing Goals for 2020?

Do you do New Year's resolutions? I suck at keeping to them so more power to you if you do. But whilst they might not be for me, I am a fan of setting goals for the year ahead. Last year I focused on my blog and saw my best year in all my stats.... Continue Reading →

5 Christmas Gifts for Book Lovers

I did a similar post last year - but as some of those suggestions last year are no longer available (sad face), I've rustled up another set of present ideas for you (or to suggest to your loved ones!) 1) Readly subscription Perhaps "Bookworm" should be renamed "Reading worm", because readers, read pretty much anything.... Continue Reading →

3 *More* Tips to Get Visitors to Your Blog And Keep Them There

Last year I posted "3 Simple Tips to Get Visitors to Your Blog" after I'd had my most successful blogging year ever. This year, I stuck to the actions I talked about in that blog - - and I've had an even better year, including my best year for likes and comments! My main aim... Continue Reading →

Magic Around Every Corner – The Russell-Cotes Museum and Art Gallery

Set overlooking Bournemouth's long sandy beach, the Victorian home of Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes feels like the lovechild of Tyntesfield and the Watts Gallery Artists' Village. The combination of stunning ocean views outside and the couples' extraordinary collection inside make it well worth a visit. The original family home was extended to include an art... Continue Reading →

The Good (and the Bad) of Being a Writer With a Day Job

There is only a smallish group of people who can earn their keep doing what they truly love. If what you love is writing or anything else arts-based, this group becomes even smaller. Unless you're independently wealthy or are supported by someone who earns enough for both of you, you have to get what we... Continue Reading →

The Art of the Author – Douglas Coupland’s Visual Art, Vancouver

If you're familiar with my blog you know I like to find literary connections wherever I go (or at least an inspiring place I can share with you guys). My trip to Canada was no exception and came with an additional perk. Douglas Coupland is a famous Canadian author and one of my favourite writers.... Continue Reading →

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