It's probably the most common saying about writing there is; "good writing is re-writing". Actually writing the story is a large part of the battle, but it's your editing skills that will make the difference between a decent piece of work and an unreadable hotch-potch of words. As part of my day job, I write... Continue Reading →
Time For A Change In Wordland
Hello, followers (and people just browsing). Since around mid-2019, I've aimed to post a new blog once a week, and for the most part, I've succeeded. Sticking to this posting schedule has borne some fruit. In fact if you're on your own blogging journey, consistency really does help! I've got 741 followers (hello!) and I'm... Continue Reading →
3 Things All Writers Can Learn From…Realism
One more addition to my "3 Things" series (there's a whole bunch, go check them out). Now we're onto realism. 1) How to make things feel authentic Realism needs to feel authentic - but this can apply to other genres too. Unless you want to go out into a surrealistic narrative, having a thread of... Continue Reading →
Robin Hood: Prince of “Trees” – Sycamore Gap, Northumberland, UK
If you're of a certain age (hello) or any kind of film fan, then you'll doubtless recognise the photos in this post. Known as Sycamore Gap - or Robin Hood Gap which probably gives the game away - this part of Hadrians Wall is famous for featuring in the epic 90s classic "Robin Hood: Prince... Continue Reading →
6 Bits Of “Bad” Writing Advice
There's no fool-proof formula to being a successful writer (no matter what anyone says) - and of course, "success" differs for everyone anyway. I often post advice and tips about writing on this blog, but these are never must-dos - they're suggestions to try out. That's what advice is meant to be. That being said,... Continue Reading →
This Writing Life – Expectation Vs Reality
Writing spot ExpectationReality"I'll have a room just for me, full of books, with a desk and a view, maybe an armchair...""I have a laptop, a smidge of clear space on the sofa, and ten minutes - let's do this." Research ExpectationReality"I'll put together a comprehensive list of things to research and wiz through it, no... Continue Reading →
A Place Of Inspiration – Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House, UK
Beatrix Potter is one of the most successful children's writers of all time. She was also into conservation, science, and illustration. There's plenty already written about Potter's life, so I won't try and shove it all in this blog post. Instead, I'll concentrate on Hill Top, the house where Potter lived and worked from 1905... Continue Reading →
A Hideout For A Murderer – Burn O’Vat, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Hidden away in the Cairngorms, lies the Burn O'Vat, an ancient place once used by the notorious outlaw known as "Gilderoy". Found in the Muir of Dinnet National Natural Reserve, this wonder of geology is only a short walk from the closest car park but does require a bit of a scramble to actually get... Continue Reading →
A Formidable Presence – The Grave Of Rebecca West, Brookwood Cemetery
Born Cicily Isabel Fairfax in 1892, Rebecca West was a writer, literary critic, and journalist, named "indisputably the world's number one woman writer" by Time magazine in 1947. Both a CBE and DBE, West died in 1983 and is buried in Brookwood Cemetery. Cicily took the pseudonym "Rebecca West" from the rebellious young heroine in "Rosmersholm" by Henrik Ibsen... Continue Reading →
A Writer’s Guide To Spring Cleaning
Spring has sprung and traditionally this is the time of year when we get ourselves sorted - or at least try to. Yes, we get busy putting our houses, flats, vans etc, in order. A spring clean is about getting rid of old stuff, uncovering things we usually ignore, and starting afresh after hunkering down... Continue Reading →
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