Yesterday finally saw the release of Apple’s much-hyped and eagerly awaited software update for Macs. Catalina has sailed into the sunset; Big Sur has breezed through customs to replace it. Let’s get some perspective here—most
Continue ReadingMind Your Language
Language is a weird and wonderful invention. And a rich language such as English has a staggering number of words available to you. Sadly, in everyday life we only use a few thousand on a
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Review: Katie Melua – Album No. 8
I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really know where to begin with this. I’m supposed to be a writer but Katie has left me lost for words with her new album (though only temporarily,
Continue ReadingReview of The Planet Baggers
The Planet Baggers is one of the most amusing and entertaining books I have ever read. There’s nothing quite like getting a good review from another writer, and that is exactly what author Johan Bakker
Continue ReadingSiren
I feel myself sinking out of my depth into the deep to dream, to sleep to gently weep and never reap all the seeds I’ve sown The siren is calling I cannot resist her freezing
Continue ReadingThe Tale of Bob the Dog, the Grand Prix and the Steak.
When I was a lad we had a Bedlington Terrier called Bob. He was a bit of a chancer was Bob. Although he was pedigree—his official name being Robert Charlton of Chatsworth—he was more Del
Continue ReadingThe Wonders of Walking
Much has been said about the benefits of walking. There can be no doubt it is good for both physical and mental health but for a writer those are additional benefits. For walking does so
Continue ReadingThe Silence Of Solitude
Softly glow the garden lightsas night begins to fallblackbirds rush to hunker downwith one last cheerful calla bat dances through the airblind yet full of gracethe moon casts an eerie glowon its lonely trip through
Continue ReadingFinding Character Names
It seems a lot of writers have trouble coming up with names for their characters. Thankfully, I’ve never had any trouble doing that—it’s the story itself that gives me sleepless nights. Telling you that names
Continue ReadingUsing Synonyms And Rhymes In Lyrics and Poems
Many people find writing poems and lyrics difficult. So here’s my tip—keyword brainstorming.Say you wanted to write a song about being dumped via a text message. Identify the keywords—in this case “text” and “dumped”. Then
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