My Year in Books
This week it’s all about books. It’s not a record of what I’ve read in 2023 or even of the ones I’ve liked. No, it’s more about the ones I … Continue reading
Reading, writing and the Absurdity of Life – Anne Lamott QUOTES FOR WRITERS
When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We … Continue reading
Mrs Finnegan’s Almanac: Never Take a Knife to a Muffin
Mrs Finnegan is demonstrating all the social graces and INVITES all readers to The Regency Town House
Why Fiction is More Interesting…Eleanor Roosevelt QUOTES FOR WRITERS
The reason that fiction is more interesting than any other form of literature, to those who really like to study people, is that in fiction the author can really tell … Continue reading
What We Hope For…Anton Chekhov QUOTES FOR WRITERS
Anton Chekhov in a pessimistic mood reflecting on the things we hope for…
Mrs Finnegan’s Almanac: Avoiding Flaming Tar Barrels
Discover what Bonfire night was like in 1836 Brighton and the 13th century saint who wrote about everything from alchemy to zoology (and a lot of other ologies)
Seeing the Familiar in a New Way – Donald Maass, New York Literary Agent QUOTES FOR WRITERS
…making me see the familiar in a wholly new way and making the unfamiliar a foundational part of me…
How to Become a Famous Writer – Samuel Johnson
It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it be struck at one end of the room, … Continue reading
Think of it from the Blank Canvas’ Point of View – Philip Pullman QUOTES FOR WRITERS
The mind has plenty of ways of preventing you from writing, and paralysing self-consciousness is a good one. The only thing to do is ignore it, and remember what Vincent … Continue reading
Mrs Finnegan’s Almanac: Special Halloween Issue
If Halloween doesn’t make you as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs you must have nerves of iron…
Readers Take What They Want…John Steinbeck QUOTES FOR WRITERS
A man who tells secrets or stories must think of who is hearing or reading, for a story has as many versions as it has readers. Everyone takes what he … Continue reading
Words are Dangerous…in this Comedy Sketch
This is one of my favourite YouTube videos. I gather it’s become a regular feature in many High School classrooms. If you know of any others that have made you … Continue reading
Mrs Finnegan’s Almanac: You’ll be Surprised What a Few Cloves Can Do
Onion skins, very thin. Mild winter coming in; Onion skin is thick and tough. Coming winter, cold and rough. An Old English rhyme. Winning the Battle Against Bedbugs A housekeeper … Continue reading
People Watching for Writers – Nora Zelevansky QUOTES FOR WRITERS
I study the people around me and think, “Someone, somewhere, was once in love with you.” Then, based on anything I can assess about their appearance, what they’re carrying, the … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 