Posted inPensives
Journeys and writing
I’ve drafted and scheduled this post early as by the time it reaches you, I’ll be on my way home from a two-week holiday in Cambodia, flying from Siem Reap.…
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
How important is self-belief to a writer?
This was a question I posed on Twitter recently and the answer came back: crucial. If self-belief is crucial for a writer, how do I get some?
Posted inPensives
Using psychic distance
Psychic distance is a term coined by John Gardner in his book The Art of Fiction. It relates to the distance the reader feels between themselves and events in the story. He…
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
Walking and Writing
I have often extolled the value of running and writing yet of late, I’m more inclined to think that walking and writing are better partners. When I completed two half…
Posted inPensives
Random words and pasta
How do you fancy using random words as a writing prompt? The aim is to use each of the five words presented in a piece of short fiction up to…
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
Writing Residencies
I am currently spending time on a writing residency at the wonderful Brisons Veor, close to St Just in Cornwall. This is made possible by the trust which accepts applications from anyone…
Posted inPensives
A Pensive on Writing Place
Use the opening passages from these novels to inspire a piece of your own writing. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez starts in a village: Macondo was…
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
When is a piece of writing finished?
Paul Valéry is often cited for suggesting ‘a poem is never completed, only abandoned’ – I understand W H Auden also used this adage (and credited Valéry). Since its first…
Posted inPensives
Take a bridge
Bridges are endlessly fascinating. They link banks of a river, countries, offer the scope for escape or to reach a new destination. Their construction is sometimes improbable, giving the idea…
Posted inBi-weekly Wisdom
The challenges of writing during a pandemic
What is your experience of writing during lockdown? Do fewer distractions make it easier to focus on your writing or does lack of interaction stunt your imagination and ability to…