Something odd stands on a hill, high over the rolling hills of Berkshire. A tall wooden pole topped with a length of wood to form a T shape. The fact that the hill is called "Gallows Down" gives you a good idea of what this unusual object was for. The original Coombe Gibbet was erected... Continue Reading →
A lot of writing advice focuses on how the story begins. The first line, the first paragraph, the first chapter - these are all important to grab your reader and get them to keep reading. And whilst this is vital part of your story, you shouldn't overlook the ending. This after all, is the last... Continue Reading →
As a writer, there's nothing better than getting a great idea for a new story. Something exciting, something unique, something...in need of some work. Before you can start writing, you need more than just an idea - a lot more. But where do you start when all you've got is an initial "What if..?" Read... Continue Reading →
Straighten up your ruff and fix your doublet, we're delving back into the archives for this week's "3 Things..." with historical fiction. 1) How fiction can educate We're taught history as a series of highlights, large events like wars or big social changes. Or we learn about a series of prominent figures such as Kings,... Continue Reading →
2021 was as unpredictable and uneven as the year-that-must-not-be-named that came before. Whilst some things have changed, others have stayed the same. Personally, I'm grateful for my health and the health of my friends and family, and that I've been able to get out a bit more than I did last year. Book-wise I finished... Continue Reading →
If you're new to writing you might be thinking "hm, how do I know when I'm actually a writer?" I mean yes there's the whole writing stuff malarky but there are also some other tell-tale signs you're a writer that you should be on the lookout for. 1) Your search history is... interesting Also potentially... Continue Reading →
It's my annual Christmas gift post (you can check out the lists for 2018 here, 2019 here and 2020 here). Whether you're buying for a writer, a reader, or both, here are some great ideas for Yuletide presents. 1) Writers Keyring charm A small but perfectly formed gift for any writer, these keyring includes charms... Continue Reading →
St Enodoc Church can be found hunkered down in the sand dunes at Trebetherwick, surrounded by a golf course. It's not the usual spot for a place of worship, and the building itself is also a curiousity. This unusual spot might be reason enough to visit, but it also happens to be where you'll find... Continue Reading →
The headline refers of course, to the crime genre, not what writers can learn from committing crimes themselves. Don't do that. Anyway, here we go with the next in my "3 Things.." series (previous posts linked at the bottom of this one), and this time we're getting all suspicious with crime and mystery. 1) How... Continue Reading →
The myths and legends surrounding Arthur, Excalibar, Merlin and the other assorted hangers-on have been told, re-told, and re-imagined many times throughout history. It's a tale of chivalry, forbidden love, magic, tragedy, pretty much everything you need for a timeless story - no wonder it's still so popular. Cornwall, an area of the UK steeped... Continue Reading →
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