Robert Macfarlane, author of a host of marvellous books that combine a love of nature and travel with exquisite writing says, “Before you become a writer you must first become a reader. Every hour spent reading is an hour spent … Read More
I don’t know about you, but I’m hooked on the BBC series of The Traitors. Taking place in a Scottish castle, it reminds me of the time I stayed in a castle too. Back in 2007 I booked my first … Read More
Hello again everybody. I know I’ve been away for quite some time, but this doesn’t mean I haven’t been writing. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been working on a collection of essays on the subject of home and … Read More
As those of you who followed my #walksleuth posts on Instagram and Facebook over the last three months will know, I have been out more. Currently, we live in a village surrounded by fields and my daily walks have taken … Read More
If you read your writing aloud to others, you’ll become a better writer much quicker. My writing students regularly tell me that reading their writing aloud is the hardest – but most rewarding – aspect of my writing courses. “Their … Read More
I confess I was stuck for an idea for this month’s blog. Usually ideas start to come to me in the days before I need to write it, but this time, I was stumped. Are you ever at a loss … Read More
Julia Cameron, in her book, The Artist’s Way, writes of the value of paying attention. Writers need to notice things. The more they notice the better writers they become. For me, the more I pay attention the more inspiration comes … Read More
This morning, I ran another session for one of my How to Write a How-to Book Writing Circles this morning. As usual, I had read and commented on their latest chapters and our meeting was to discuss my findings and get … Read More
We’d planned it carefully, booked the flights, the airport carpark, the Covid tests and accommodation. Four nights in Portugal, staying with friends, Mariam and Martino and their children, whose names also begin with an M, in Cascais, a stone’s throw … Read More
My friend Kristin just sent me a link to a clip from the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that aired in November on CBS. Andrew Garfield, the American-British actor, had recently lost his mother and was happy to talk … Read More
