Blog Archives

Welcome to the age of the digital readeur

TO AN interesting talk at the Oxford Literary Festival this morning. The three speakers were talking about publishing online and I was especially interested to go as I will be talking about my other blog, SHORTCIRCUIT, at the Vale and

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Posted in creativity, feedback, friendship, links, literature, Poetry, reading, Writing, writing novels

What not to do in (online) poetry class; making the link

I can’t decide if online poetry courses are harder than real-life poetry courses. The one I’ve just finished was definitely illuminating and great fun. In real-life poetry courses you have to read in front of your classmates, usually, and that’s

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Posted in literature, Poetry, reading, Writing

Taking chances

I am quite a cautious person. I like rules. I like to research the rules and then implement them. Teachers love me. But recently I’ve got bored with that and I’ve done a couple of things on instinct. I’ve enjoyed

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Posted in characters, creativity, criticism, feedback, film, friendship, Poetry, reading

What not to do in Poetry Class

Bollocks. Why do I take these risks? I forget that the stakes are quite high in these places and that it matters, or at least it does to me, how I feel when I go out the door. I’m talking

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Posted in creativity, criticism, feedback, feminism, life writing, literature, Poetry, reading, women, Writing

BOOK REVIEW: Sworn Secret by Amanda Jennings

I was gripped. For several happy, nostalgic, weepy hours. I almost fell out with my OH when he asked me to BATH OUR CHILDREN while he MADE THEIR BEDS. I really was cross when he said I had to WALK

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Posted in characters, creativity, literature, reading, Writing, writing novels

What I’m reading now

Well, I am taking a few of my ten minutes (almost a month) for a holiday from England. I am going to the back of beyond to play Treasure Island and Swiss Family Robinson on the west coast of Ireland.

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Posted in characters, criticism, James Kelman, literature, narration, reading, Writing, writing novels

Ironic bombs: Jane Austen, Jennifer Egan and twitter

Are you on top of the technology? Jane Austen was. Yes, not only did she write beautiful, compelling prose, she also understood the technology she was using. I did not know that until I took a seminar with Barry Webb,

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Posted in Barry Webb, characters, criticism, irony, literature, narration, reading, Writing, writing novels

Valentine’s Day with truffles, Hugh Grant and lots of bedtime action – my Point-of-View

I can’t like Valentine’s day. If you need to show your love for your lover on a designated day, IT’S ALL OVER. It’s impossible to celebrate your unique bond in any restaurant in which a dozen or more other couples

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Posted in friendship, life writing, literature, narration, reading, Writing, writing novels

GUEST POST: Lies, damned lies and historical fiction – Matthew Greenwood

This week Matthew Greenwood, author of The Treachery at Nether Stowey, blogs about the nature of historical fiction: “I really enjoyed your historical novel,” someone said to me, “there’s just one thing …” Ah. “So what’s that then?” “It’s NOT

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Posted in criticism, ethics, historical fiction, historical fiction, reading, writing novels

Really? Where do you stand on artificial implants? My conventional argument

I shouldn’t be writing this. There are many reasons why I shouldn’t be writing this. But among them are the pressing matter of my assignment (due today) and my shockingly under-read brain. But I can’t bear not to. Because the

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Posted in creativity, criticism, literature, narration, reading, Writing, writing novels

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