Writing, Reviewing, Blogging and Books. Lots of Books.
14.1.11
Book Quote Friday: 'Shanghai Baby'
Asian writers inspire so much - there's something about the simplicity of their prose and the striking, relaxed, coolness (for want of a better word) of their imagery that just blows me away. There's always a facet of loneliness too: the stories are often first person, are usually an individual expression rather than the description of a group experience or dynamic and are often so random or surreal (a la Murakami) that they'd make no sense if explained or reflected back onto a second or third person. It's much more about what that one person experiences in that moment, no matter how personal, funny or outlandish that might be.
10.1.11
My Resolutions for 2011
- To write, write and write.
- To make contacts – I heart Twitter.
- To rebrand and relaunch this blog (this may happen sooner than you think).
6.1.11
Screw January, Stay In and Write
Dear writers, look outside. It's grey, isn't it? Raining and miserable and the last place you'd want to go? I'm also guessing that no-one wants to go out and play because everyone's sick of small talk and spending their money, and that you're secretly feeling like a bit of a chubster? I know, it sucks. It's January, it always does. So, what is one to do with all this extra time on the sofa? Watch new Glee and eat novelty fudge? Sure, but that's only Monday. How about picking up a pen, finding a fresh page in your pad and, as Kingsley Amis put it, 'applying the seat of one's trousers to the seat of one's chair'?
31.12.10
Book Quote Friday: The Hours
A fitting, if sombre, tribute to time passing, the year ending, and hope for 2011. Happy new year everyone.13.12.10
10.12.10
In Defence of Writing Courses
Writing courses get a bad rap. A myriad of critical voices exist online (see links at the bottom of the page*) that suggest, often quite vehemently, that writing courses are cynical, useless money-spinners that attempt to teach that which cannot be taught and churn out egotistical literary autobots without voice or individuality. Is that really the whole story though? I would like to take it upon myself, on this rainy Friday afternoon, to present the case for the defence.
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