Poetry writing is not my thing. At least, I don't think it is. The reason for my uncertainty is that although I attended a one-day poetry class some years ago, the feedback provided by the tutor was not very detailed, to say the least.
Read MoreFish (flash fiction)
This is a piece I wrote during a flash fiction course several years ago. It’s exactly 90 words long.
Read MoreThe 60 Minute Writer
My creative writing course
Read More7 ways to get ideas for blog posts Updated
Fortunately, I don’t often suffer from writer’s block — my problem is more often a lack of time in which to write what I’d like to. But if you are stumped for what to write or, like me, you sometimes wish to publish something without having to spend hours on it, here are some ideas you might wish to consider. They have all worked very well for me.
Read MoreHow long should a blog post be? Updated
One of the questions that is bound to come up in the blogging taster course I’m teaching later this week is: how long should a blog post be? (I know it’s bound to come up, because I’m going to ask it!)
Read MoreA literature course I'd like to take if it were available: an Oulipian puzzle
Blogging is not dead!
There is still a great interest in writing blogs. One of the reasons I know this is that my course on blogging currently has twelve sign-ups. That may not sound a lot, but many courses at the City Lit have far fewer.
Read MoreForget perfection...
Another quick tip for writers who want to get stuff done.
Read MoreLists: Bullets or numbers or checkboxes?
When should you use bullet points, and when numbers? And when checkboxes? Read on to find out.
Read MoreBlogging: a course
Every so often I read some pundit, or usually a journalist pretending to be a pundit, suggesting that blogs are dead. What can I say? They’re not.
Read MoreThe spy who went down with a cold
“Good afternoon”, said the doctor. “What seems to be the trouble?”
Read MoreCompare and contrast: Picture Perfect
As indicated by the title, the first thing to know about this anthology is that it comprises both poetry and prose, rather than one or the other. Many of the pieces are quite unusual...
Read MoreCompare and contrast: Nuts and bolts
It's rather disconcerting when one considers that buildings like The Shard are essentially held together by nuts, bolts and washers.
Read MoreCompare and contrast: Love Triangle
Like, I suspect, many people, I have never knowingly come across an isosceles triangle in my life, and wouldn’t know what to do with it if I did. However...
Read More20 autobiographies: excessive? On the contrary
So are elevator speeches completely useless? On the contrary, I think you need to develop several of them.
Read MoreMy life in cafés: extra
In 2023 I wrote an article about my enjoyment of cafés over the years — three in particular. I’ve used Google’s Notebook LM AI program to provide a summary — and an automated discussion. The latter is quite gob-smacking.
Read MoreThe train now standing on platform 10
Transport in London these days is, for the most part, sleek, efficient. The epitome of this newish Utopia is the Elizabeth Line, with its silent, gliding carriages, air-conditioning and wi-fi. The announcements are soothing...
Read MoreReview: Waterhouse on newspaper style
This book may be thirty years old, but its advice is still pertinent. If you want to have a blitz or crackdown against, or shake-up of, bad writing (all examples of 'tabloidese'), then this is the book for you.
Read MoreCan writers learn from computer programmers?
Introducing and applying Conway's Law, Gresham's Law and the sunken cost fallacy to the practice of writing.
Read MoreThe Notebooks of Sonny Rollins
A fascinating glimpse into the mind and development of a true virtuoso.
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