BACK STORY Writing Article Number 1 from the Archive
Different writing disciplines aren’t locked into tight compartments. If you’re writing a novel I think it helps to read poetry for the richness of the language and the way it … Continue reading
ART FOR WRITERS Without doubt, my favourite all-time painting Number 7 from the archive
I didn’t have to think about which painting I would choose today. It had to be Rembrandt’s The Jewish Bride This is only oil and pigment and egg (or whatever … Continue reading
ART FOR WRITERS Description doesn’t have to be realistic to be real…Picture number 6 from the archive
Looking at this wonderful seascape, I am reminded of the words of American novelist E.L. Doctorow: “Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader—not the fact that it … Continue reading
Creative Writing Courses and Books with Bridget Whelan
I’m over on novelist Ruth Hunt’s blog today being interviewed. Good questions about writing and writing courses and writing guides….
ART FOR WRITERS a picture (and artist) I fell in love with…number 5 from the archives
I want this picture on my wall (the orginal if I’m longlisted for the Booker for the novel I haven’t written yet, or a print if I manage to save … Continue reading
ART FOR WRITERS Ice hot white… painting Number 4 from the archive
Two for the price of one today because when I was looking through the picures in this series of blog posts I was struck how essentially the same colour range … Continue reading
ART FOR WRITERS picture number 3 from the archives – a working class hero
I don’t know where I found this painting – on some pleasant thrawl through the internet I imagine. And there she was: a real woman with a big-bellied, lived-in body … Continue reading
ART FOR WRITERS picture number 2 from the archives
I was blown away by this very different way of seeing the female body and I hope you are too. I love the structure of the painting. We are close … Continue reading
ART FOR WRITERS picture number 1 from the archives
This was one of the first pictures I published in the weekly Art for Writers series and I still love it. I discovered it on Pixababy, a wonderful website that … Continue reading
WRITING QUOTE number 7 from the archive
Most stories we tell in real life are under 500 words. You’re at a party, everyone has a glass of wine, and suddenly you have the floor. You throw out … Continue reading
Writing Quote Number 6 from the Archive
A story is not like a road to follow … it’s more like a house. You go inside and stay there for a while, wandering back and forth and settling … Continue reading
Writing Quote Number 5 from the Archive
I step away from the computer and swim. I really wish someone had told me earlier that there’s a relationship between writing and exercise. Writing involves you being completely, revoltingly … Continue reading
Writing Quote Number 4 from the Archive
I’ve always loved books. I’m passionate about them. I think books are sexy. They are smooth and solid and contain delightful surprises. They smell good. They fit into a handbag … Continue reading
Writing Quotes Number 3 from the Archives
Aside from heavy drinking, the creation of lists is the most effective temporary form of anxiety relief that I know of, and, as a bonus, it’s substantially cheaper and results … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 