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 →
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 →
However much I may want to write, there are times it just isn't happening and this can make me feel like a failure. People often think writers write no matter what, bashing out their perfectly plotted story, full of well-rounded characters that always behave with no issues whatsoever. Aha aha aha. But really, writing is... Continue Reading →
Finding ideas for blog posts can be tricky. But there's a website I've used in the past that could give you some inspiration. It's called Answer the Public. Very simply you type in a keyword or phrase, and it shows you a bunch of questions asked online by, well, the public. It's a pretty good way... Continue Reading →
If you're not familiar with BBC series "Poldark" let me sum it up - set in Cornwall in the eighteenth century, it focuses on Ross Poldark, played by Aidan Turner, who's trying to make his fortunes by mining copper, and has a penchant for scything things with his top off. Ok, so there's actually far... Continue Reading →
I think it's safe to say most of the reviews this year will be asking 'WTF?' Political and world events seemed to just be one cataclysmic event after the other. And on a personal level, I've had a couple of 'WTF' moments too. I won't miss this year one bit. But for me, there have... Continue Reading →
If you want people to read your e-book, you'll need to do some 'metaphorical' legwork. And if, like me, you're new to all this and aren't sure where to start, here's some basic (and free) ways to promote your e-book. 1. Add yourself as an author on Goodreads Goodreads is like Trip Advisor for books... Continue Reading →
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