2015 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about … Continue reading
The story so far…you work out where it goes from here
This chain story was started before Christmas, but I want to find out what happens in the end so let’s carry on. Join Glen, Vanessa, Loretta, Gail and me and … Continue reading
Beginning with a sense of dread and trepidation: Susan Sontag Quotes for Writers (and people who like quotes)
I always begin with a great sense of dread and trepidation. Nietzsche says that the decision to start writing is like leaping into a cold lake. Only when I’m about … Continue reading
You have to follow what the book needs says E.A.Bucchianeri Quotes for Writers (and people who like quotes)
…The Book is more important than your plans for it. You have to go with what works for The Book – if your ideas appear hollow or forced when they … Continue reading
The Accidental Bestseller
Two years ago Alison Waines’ psychological thriller set in contemporary London was published. Suddenly in 2015 sales figures took off. According to The Wall Street Journal, the former psychotherapist found … Continue reading
New Chain Story – join in and take it to new and interesting places
Everyone can have a go and you can have as many turns as you like, but they can’t be consecutive – in other words you have to wait for someone … Continue reading
One very surprising thing about a list of the 10 best British novels…
BBC Culture recently conducted a poll of 82 book critics to discover their favourite British novels. None of the critics live in the UK; they come from USA, Europe, Asia, … Continue reading
The novel combines freedom with intimacy says JANE SMILEY Quotes for Writers (and people who like quotes)
To me as a reader, this greatest thing about the novel…is that it gives access to the mind of the writer. Our Mutual Friend is a perfect example of this: … Continue reading
Our Weird and Wonderful Chain Story – Number Two
This is the story that finished last Sunday. Thanks to Danny, Sue, Laurie, Gail, Veronica, Justine and Loretta for contributing. Here’s our story in full – I topped and tailed … Continue reading
Bestselling book for writers – now less than half price
WANT TO WRITE? Not sure where to start? Try one of the 30 imaginative exercises in BACK TO CREATIVE WRITING SCHOOL gifgifs Until next midnight Sunday December 6th you can … Continue reading
What a good short story should do — Alice Munro Quotes for Writers (and people who like quotes)
I want my stories to be something about life that causes people to say, not, oh, isn’t that the truth, but to feel some kind of reward from the writing, … Continue reading
Is this the worst sentence of the year?
It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets … Continue reading
A CHAIN STORY for you to write….your go next
Same rules as last time…write up to two sentences at a time (and remember that Go! is a perfectly good sentence). You can have as many turns as you like … Continue reading
Five minutes is better than no minutes — Quotes for Writes (and people who like quotes)
Five minutes of writing a day is better than no minutes. Too many new writers think that unless they have plenty of time, it’s not worth booting up the computer … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 