(Slightly risky using the p-word in a blog title, but hey, it might actually snag me some new readers.) I was sent this link to a painfully funny article from The New Yorker, spoofing the whole “authors must be proactive in promoting their books!” thing. At least, I think it's a spoof … Actually, as much …
Free Workshop – Helen Lowe: Writing Fantastic Fiction
News just in of a very interesting sounding workshop for all of us who yearn to write that fantasy or science fiction novel: Award-winning author, Helen Lowe, runs a workshop on “Writing Fantastic Fiction”, focusing on Fantasy and Sci-Fi. The session includes discussions and exercises on the essential elements of 'fantastic world building', structure and …
Continue reading "Free Workshop – Helen Lowe: Writing Fantastic Fiction"
Coming Out (but not with heels and lipstick)
A moderately recent episode of Criminal Intent reminded me of just how far off the radar poetry seems to be for most people. (Not that it was news – hell, I once sparked a poem off someone's attempt to come to grips with being faced with an actual poet, and in a confined space too!) …
Continue reading "Coming Out (but not with heels and lipstick)"
Poems that make your world (part 2)
Hope you all had a good weekend, and took the opportunity to think about favourite poems. When it came to writing them down, I found it quite hard to limit myself to just the five. I haven't tried to give anything terribly intellectual in the way of explanation for my choices either. John Donne, A …
Poems that make your world (part 1)
I've had lots of positive feedback about the “Touchstone Poems” session at the launch. The thing that fascinated me was how many people seemed hungry for that sort of discussion and commentary. I know I am – it's one of the reasons why I love books like 52 Ways of Looking at a Poem and …
A Dark Feathered Art 