Those Long Summer Days…
“Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James
Tag: writing
The Fear Factor
Fear. It’s an instinct that appears to have changed little since we first emerged from our caves, or indeed since we first climbed down from the trees. It’s necessary for our survival, of course – it alerts us to danger and prepares us to either fight or run like hell – and yet it also… Continue reading The Fear Factor
Lost for Words
Some years ago, I published a book, Loving Imogen, in which one of the characters, a photographer, says this: “A photographer is by virtue of what he does, and these days I really manage to do very little at all.”
Company in my Solitude
I’ve always been a bit of a recluse in my heart of hearts. I don’t like social occasions much, and only just about find them tolerable with a drink or two inside me. I don’t like big crowds and noise. I prefer to connect with just one or two people at a time and, even… Continue reading Company in my Solitude
Time for a Little Jamboree…
This week I have the great pleasure of welcoming my special guest Paul Sutton Reeves, who’s kindly agreed to have a chat about his new book Jamboree Bag, available here. I’ve read the book in draft version and can recommend it wholeheartedly; Paul is a superb writer, though he in his modesty would probably never… Continue reading Time for a Little Jamboree…
Behind the Scenes…
Behind every book on your bookshelf or e-reader lies another story. A story of imagination, effort, perseverance and doubt. A story that, for its protagonist, was not just a story, but his or her entire life.
When Self-doubt Strikes…
Comedian and actor Mike Myers once said something that I think many creative people could probably relate to: despite his many triumphs, he insisted, he still expected the no-talent police to come and arrest him at any time. Though few of us will ever know the level of accomplishment (and, presumably, pressure) that Myers has… Continue reading When Self-doubt Strikes…
The Ones that Got Away
There’s an old box file in my desk filled entirely with junk. As with so much junk, I’ve a sentimental attachment to it and can’t quite bring myself to throw it away; besides, I can’t help but feel that it might come in handy one day, though it almost certainly won’t. Here I keep all… Continue reading The Ones that Got Away
Alt Lit, the Internet, and the State of Self-publishing: Part 1
Warning: this post contains half-baked speculation, crackpot predictions, and pretentious posturing. Oh, and links. Lots of links. You have been warned! Thanks to the internet, we live in the interesting times of the Chinese curse. The internet is as potent as it is unpredictable. As a quick glance at the comments accompanying the average YouTube video will… Continue reading Alt Lit, the Internet, and the State of Self-publishing: Part 1
Writing Resolutions
Well, here we are again. 2012 is dead, and 2013 is all shiny and new. The much-anticipated End of the World was a bit of a non-event. Christmas passed in a blur of wine and indigestion. And today spent fireworks and party poppers are littering the ground, and revellers everywhere are nursing evil hangovers. It… Continue reading Writing Resolutions
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