I blogged previously about the need to unwind after work, ready to enjoy family and writing time. I realise trouble switching off is rivalled by cooking and cleaning when it comes to keeping one from what’s most important. (Anyone who knows me will be reading this post through narrowed eyes now, knowing that I’ve already … Continue reading The need for speed – Salmon Reykjavik
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New Year, New Writing Manual
I had a lovely time with a selection of mysteries over the Christmas break, from the classic (Sherlock Holmes and Maigret), to the modern, in the form of Evonne Wareham’s gripping romantic suspense novel, Never Coming Home. Then, to top the whole thing off, I immersed myself in The Arvon Book of Crime and Thriller … Continue reading New Year, New Writing Manual
Top Trumps for Character Development
Since it’s nearly Christmas, and I don’t fancy putting any psychopath-related pictures on my blog, here’s a Cambridgey one instead: Ridley Hall, Cambridge, December 2013 A week ago, links to a psychopath test were circulating on Twitter; it had been put on-line by Channel Four, in the run up a related programme. I had a … Continue reading Top Trumps for Character Development
Fiction Competitions – a great alternative to Scrabble
Once all the present wrapping and turkey cooking are over, someone may just possibly suggest a game of Scrabble. But if you want to think up more than one word at a time, and use any letters of the alphabet you like, you could, instead, dive off into a corner and get writing.Lucy Cavendish Fiction … Continue reading Fiction Competitions – a great alternative to Scrabble
Waxing Lyrical – Poetic Pop
Got into a mad YouTube spiral last night. I’m not sure if it was the fact that it was Friday, the quantity of red wine that was flowing or what, but before I knew it, I was chain-watching the music videos of my youth and beyond. It made me realise how effectively some of my … Continue reading Waxing Lyrical – Poetic Pop
The Joys of Comfort Reading
Recently I’ve been indulging in some extensive comfort reading; returning to authors from whom I know exactly what to expect, and re-reading old favourites. One novelist that fits right into this category is Donna Leon. I find it faintly worrying that a murder mystery series seems comforting; particularly since some of her books have pretty bleak … Continue reading The Joys of Comfort Reading
Writing Exercises – Five of the Best
In Cambridge, the weather has been like this: Everything is dripping… Nice weather for ducks, snails and slugs, and also for staying indoors, reading and writing. I’ve been battening down the hatches and eating blackberry and apple crumble. Then, feeling shifty and unproductive, I decided to get focussed and revisit some writing prompts, ready … Continue reading Writing Exercises – Five of the Best
Making the Switch – from Work to Writing
I’ve been a bit slack about blogging just recently, since I’ve just started a new job, and been temporarily overtaken by that new girl feeling of controlled panic. At least, I hope it’s temporary. So work is looming especially large at the moment, and this led to the last post on how to tackle other … Continue reading Making the Switch – from Work to Writing
Autumn: Season of Spiders and Sudden Darkness…
I find it hard to let go of summer. Suddenly, Cambridge is like this: At eight o’clock in the evening… How did that happen? However, this post, at Catherine, Caffeinated, struck just the right note to make the onset of autumn seem inspiring (rather than simply a descent into dark nights where I have to … Continue reading Autumn: Season of Spiders and Sudden Darkness…
Light Stuff – Acting the Goat…
It’s that time of the year again*. The sun is beating down, the afternoons are long and lazy, bees dip in and out of the honeysuckle flowers and, in the Wartnaby household, thoughts turn to... Climbing up mountains.No, I don’t know why either. For myself, I suspect some other member of the family has been … Continue reading Light Stuff – Acting the Goat…
Clare Chase 