We're a step or two into January now and to help keep track of time as the days continue to merge into one, I've got a new calendar. This literary design is by illustrator Laura Crow (here's her shop on Not on the High Street) and features awesome drawings inspired by classic books. The black... Continue Reading →
New Year Writing Thoughts – it’s Never Just About Time
I like to do end of year/new year posts. A lot of people do them. But this year - this year I'm sure everyone will want to do one, focusing on the once(maybe) in a lifetime events the world has experienced. Even this post is going to be influence by them.From a writing perspective, there... Continue Reading →
5 Ways To Find Writing Inspiration – Without Leaving Home
Writers need inspiration. Sometimes we get flashes from no-where. But often it's the places we go, the people we meet and the things we experience that provide the exciting idea. Unfortunately short days, longs nights and cold, wet weather don't lend themselves to getting out and about. Add in the current health situation and we've... Continue Reading →
How to “Hack” Your Brain into Writing Mode
Sometimes it seems impossible to start writing. Your brain is too stuffed with thoughts about work, family, money, health - it feels like there's no way to get into writing gear. If you're struggling with this, why not try "hacking" your brain? It might take a bit of time, but by following the same routine... Continue Reading →
5 Christmas Gift Ideas for Writers and Booklovers
It's that time of year again, but it's safe to say it's not been a year like any other. Still some traditions persist. Like my yearly gift post. Okay so I've only actually done one for 2018 and one for 2019 but as far as I'm concerned, that's a tradition. So once again I have... Continue Reading →
6 Things Writers Should Not Do
There's plenty of writing advice out there. But getting tips about the kind of things writers should do to be well, good writers is only one side of the coin. Understanding what to avoid is also important. Mistakes are part of how we learn of course, so you couldn't (and shouldn't) try to stop making... Continue Reading →
Do Writers Need to Write Every Day?
It sounds simple. Writers write. It kind of goes with the territory. And if we didn't like, nay love, nay were obsessed with writing we wouldn't do it. But we can also, at times, dislike, nay hate, nay want to hurl out of the window our writing as well. But there's a train of thought... Continue Reading →
4 Ways To Be a “Good” Writing Critic
Every form of artwork comes with it's own set of critics. It's an odd sort of thing we humans have created - a group of people to decide what art is "good" or "bad", what's its "meaning" and where it should stand in comparison to other artwork and artists. There's nothing wrong with this, but... Continue Reading →
4 Tips To Get From First Draft to First Edit
I've just finished the first draft of The Cauldron Trilogy (part one) - and it sucks. But that's okay because ALL first drafts suck. Every single one. And that's absolutely fine. Writing is re-writing. Take a look at the first/annotated drafts of some famous writers and you'll see first hand how much they changed and,... Continue Reading →
Literary Paris – Oscar Wilde’s Grave, Alexander Dumas and Victor Hugo’s Tombs, and more
(I originally visited Paris in 2013 and put up a post about Oscar Wilde's tomb. Recently I found some more literary-related photos from my trip and thought I'd add them in with a bit more content - enjoy!) Oscar Wilde's Tomb, Pere Lachaise Cemetery Pere Lachaise Cemetery was built in 1804 and is the largest... Continue Reading →
