BRIDGET WHELAN writer

for writers and readers….

Coping with a Tedious Tea Party and “Praise” for Old Maids – Good Advice from Mrs Finnegan, the Brighton 1830s housekeeper

Mrs Finnegan is the Celebrated Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT as well as housekeeper at The Regency Town House. Mrs Finnegan asks readers to note that a … Continue reading

September 29, 2020 · 7 Comments

The attraction of the edge – E.L.Doctorow QUOTES FOR WRITERS

We’re always attracted to the edges of what we are, out by the edges where it’s a little raw and nervy.E.L.Doctorow Photo by Trent Yarnell on Unsplash

September 27, 2020 · Leave a comment

Last Chance for a Spinster? Mrs Finnegan has strong views on the subject – ADVICE from the 1830s Brighton housekeeper

Mrs Finnegan is the Celebrated Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT. Although she is busy maintaining the highest standards at The Regency Town House , she always has … Continue reading

September 21, 2020 · 1 Comment

…The world is a million possible things…Terry Gilliam QUOTES FOR WRITERS

Well, I really want to encourage a kind of fantasy, a kind of magic. I love the term magic realism, whoever invented it — I do actually like it because it says certain … Continue reading

September 20, 2020 · 2 Comments

Women – If you have started writing a novel enter this competition…

Discoveries invites all unpublished women writers over 18 and living in the UK or Ireland and writing in English to submit to the Discoveries Prize. The prize doesn’t require writers … Continue reading

September 19, 2020 · 4 Comments

Mrs Finnegan gives everyone the Napoleon Hello! and suggests you do the same. Advice from the Brighton housekeeper from the 1830s

Mrs Finnegan dispenses advice and uses her YEARS of experience to answer queries whilst also engaged in ONEROUS housekeeping duties at THE REGENCY TOWN HOUSE… Wretched at remembering names, I often … Continue reading

September 15, 2020 · Leave a comment

How to wash a Handkerchief and other important questions – ANSWERS from MRS FINNEGAN the celebrated Brighton housekeeper from the 1830s

An email flooded in this week from a London “milkman” and Mrs Finnegan, the Celebrated Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT, isn’t entirely sure what to make … Continue reading

September 8, 2020 · Leave a comment

Shirley Jackson on the best thing about being a writer QUOTES FOR WRITERS

The very nicest thing about being a writer is that you can afford to indulge yourself endlessly with oddness, and nobody can really do anything about it, as long as … Continue reading

September 6, 2020 · Leave a comment

Be Paid to Write about Your Own Experiences of Food Poverty in Britain

Jack Monroe, the award winning food writer and anti-poverty campaigner is  putting together a book on austerity and hunger in Britain, focusing on the last ten years. She and the … Continue reading

September 4, 2020 · 3 Comments

How to Ease a Broken Heart and Other Important ADVICE from MRS FINNEGAN the celebrated Brighton housekeeper from the 1830s

While Mrs Finnegan treats all advice seekers with the utmost sensitivity, she CANNOT guarantee that offence will not be taken by persons who really ought to know better. As usual, … Continue reading

September 1, 2020 · 3 Comments

Don’t waste time trying to perfect your beginning – says novelist Elizabeth Enfield QUOTES FOR WRITERS

The beginning has to anticipate and reflect what happens in the rest of the book and often you don’t know this until you have reached the end of the first … Continue reading

August 30, 2020 · Leave a comment

How Do I find a Husband? and other important questions answered by MRS FINNEGAN the celebrated Brighton housekeeper from the 1830s

Mrs Finnegan, an Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT is pleased to dispense advice to the lovelorn, heart-heavy and world weary. She also answers queries on fashion, … Continue reading

August 25, 2020 · 4 Comments

Getting back to basics with your story – Joanne Harris QUOTES FOR WRITERS

Keep thinking about what’s most important in your story. Is it a character, an incident, a relationship? Whatever it is, it should feature in your story’s opening. You’re taking the … Continue reading

August 23, 2020 · 3 Comments

What to do with a maid who can’t work – ADVICE from the 1830s BRIGHTON HOUSEKEEPER AND AGONY AUNT

Mrs Finnegan, the Celebrated Authority in affairs of the HEART and HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT, only has time to answer one question this week because some people will not listen to good … Continue reading

August 18, 2020 · 1 Comment

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