What do you call songwriters? Poets with music in their pen
“… when you’re talking about the music of a country, you’re talking more or less about the soundtrack of a country, the soundtrack by which people’s lives are lived,” Tyehimba … Continue reading
Writing Quote Number 2 from the Archive
It is well known that a woman can be in two places at once, at her desk and her washing machine… Sylvia Townsend Warner
Writing Quote Number 1 from the Archives
If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an … Continue reading
Creative Writing Exercise Number 7 from the Archive
When I’m teaching I often use this exercise in the first week of term and I thought others might like to try it. Varying the length of a sentence is … Continue reading
Creative Writing Exercise Number 6 from the Archive
We need to make the most of the summer so today’s exercise is very simple: go outside to write whenever you have the chance. But do it in a way … Continue reading
Creative Writing Exercise Number 5 from the Archive
Bestselling crime writer Elmore Leonard, who died last month aged 87, had 10 Rules for Writing. Number three was Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue. The … Continue reading
Creative Writing Exercise Number 4 from the Archive
This is a lucky dip romance…. Pick your numbers and you’ll have your two characters and what brings them together…but no scrolling! It’s much more fun if you do this … Continue reading
Creative Writing Exercise Number 3 from the Archive
A very straightforward creative writing exercise today…all you have to do is write and keep on writing until you’ve managed to incorporate all the words on the scrabble board. (Did … Continue reading
International Nonfiction Essay Competition
As the oldest literary and arts review in the UK, The London Magazine has a long history of publishing great essayists; works by the likes of T.S. Eliot can be found … Continue reading
Creative Writing Exercise Number 2 from the Archives
THE BLUE MAN OPENED HIS EYES AND SAID…. I took the photograph in Mill Cove House in Castletownbere, West Cork in 2010. The art gallery and cafe are surrounded by … Continue reading
Creative Writing Exercise Number 1 from the Archive
Want to write about the seriously wealthy but when you look out the window for inspiration the view is dominated by grey pebbledash and black bin liners spilling a week … Continue reading
International grants for writers and artists with children
The Sustainable Arts Foundation is offering $5000 awards to writers and artists with children. The money can be used for costs such as child care, workspaces, new equipment, research and travel. The Sustainable … Continue reading
I’m having August off…so there will a lot more posts here
No, I’m not taking a holiday to devote myself entirely to this blog. Much as I love it and you, dear reader, that wouldn’t be sensible as I’m sure you’d … Continue reading
Nothing really ends, said Kurt Vonnegut – bad news for short story writers. QUOTES FOR WRITERS (and people who like quotes)
Nothing ever really ends. That’s the horrible part of being in the short-story business—you have to be a real expert on ends. Nothing in real life ends. ‘Millicent at last … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 