I can remember many times in my life in which I was incredibly frustrated or achingly sad or wretchedly waiting for something to finish or to start. I don't remember many times of quiet satisfaction or contentedness, although I know I have had these moments, but they are often unremembered because they lack, well, drama … Continue reading How I’m feeling right now
reading
Where I write
I am writing, believe me, but I'm not ready to tell you about that yet. Instead, I finally got my new writing area together so I thought I'd show that off. I LOVE it. I love it any time of the day but it is especially lovely during a spring afternoon (like today) when I'm … Continue reading Where I write
DOUBLE REVIEW: 1984 & Atonement
It might seem that putting these two novels together is kinda random but I was assigned both to read in preparation for the masterclass I'm about to do at Varuna so I read them one after the other. I have read 1984 before but a long, long time ago - perhaps even at high school. … Continue reading DOUBLE REVIEW: 1984 & Atonement
Calming my distracted mind
I have been struggling to read. There, I said it. Admitted the thing that, for me, is pretty embarrassing. I don't just mean I don't have time, I mean can't focus on words long enough, can't concentrate, can't enjoy... For a few years now, I blamed tiredness. I'm an English and literature teacher so I … Continue reading Calming my distracted mind
Reading for writing: new blog post series
In my post about how to join a writing group I said I was passionate about the advice to writers to read. And I am. Reading is essential to writing (and to life, I'd argue) because it tells us both what to do and what not to do as writers (and as humans). Reading for … Continue reading Reading for writing: new blog post series
Sentence Joy #1
While I do love words, I think I actually love sentences more. Sentences take you somewhere, transport you and drill into your heart. Beautiful sentences are hard won but worth it. In this series of blog posts I want spread some sentence joy. No reason. Just for the joy of it (that's why there is … Continue reading Sentence Joy #1
On not having a mind’s eye
If I ask you to picture a strawberry, or a chair, or a saucepan can you see those things in your mind's eye? About 15 years ago I realised I didn't see things in my head the way other people seem to. If I try to picture a strawberry I see nothing. A chair only … Continue reading On not having a mind’s eye
