Writing Blog
Novels over authors
“I am more interested in works than authors.” -E.M. Forster “What is important is ‘Hamlet’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ not who wrote them.” -William Faulkner An interesting observation from the great novelist, E.M. Forster (1879-1970), who has a soft spot in my heart for all the novels he set in Italy. And something very…
Read MoreBook Blogger Hop: Who am I reading for?
Over at the excellent blog for readers, Once Upon a Littlefield, blogger Emma joins the Book Blogger Hop answering the question: Who am I reading for? The question – which is ideally answered by many bloggers blogging about or reviewing books: Do you read and review books mainly for publishers or authors? Like Emma, I…
Read MoreWriting inspiration from Lord Byron
If I don’t write to empty my mind, I go mad. Lord Byron These words from the great Romantic poet, George Gordon Noel Byron (1788-1824), more commonly known as simply Lord Byron, may feel quite familiar to writers. Well, hopefully not hauled-off-in-a-straight-jacket mad, but I’ve been known to have stories jingling around in my head,…
Read MoreWriting inspiration from Neil Gaiman
Where do I get my ideas from? I make them up. Out of my head. -Neil Gaiman Words of wisdom from the multi-talented author, Neil Gaiman. Although, for those who read Gaiman, I think any reader would be hard-pressed to believe Gaiman’s novels are simply rehashing his own stories and experiences. And that they most certainly originate…
Read MoreBook review: How to be Single
I was looking for a fun, light read, and this book started out quite promising. The author had a great voice in the first pages, introducing a series of women and explaining how these bright, intelligent women living in New York had arrived to their mid and late-thirties without ever having married. The stories explaining…
Read MoreLet beach reading season 2016 officially begin…
Over the Easter weekend, I spent a great day in the Italian beach town of Sperlonga. The March day was spectacular, and my children and I had a fabulous time wandering the beach town we’ve visited many times before. We also had fun walking along the wide beach – always beautiful, but even better without the…
Read MoreWriting advice from Jane Smiley
“Writing is only one word at a time.” -Jane Smiley Is there any better advice for a writer? And even better coming from the talented novelist Jane Smiley. As writers know all too well, there are no shortcuts. It’s all about sitting yourself down in a chair and pounding out the words. Some days they’ll…
Read MoreLosing the childhood writer in us
“All children ‘write.’ I suppose the real question is why do so many people give it up.” Margaret Atwood How true is this observation? And even better coming from the multi-talented author Margaret Atwood. For what child doesn’t enjoy writing and storytelling? Yet how many give up that passion as they grow older and develop…
Read MoreWhat’s your writing inspiration?
I love reading author interviews and speaking to other writers about what inspires them. I think there are as many different thoughts on writing inspiration as there are writing styles. For me, I find my writing inspiration tends to cluster around a few areas: Travel – always. I’m an unrecovered traveloholic, and will remain…
Read MoreMourning the loss of your characters?
“After I write a novel or a story, I miss the characters—I feel sort of bereaved.” Marilynne Robinson I love this quote from the author Marilynne Robinson, perhaps best known for her novel Gilead. And for those of us who love writing – or reading – isn’t it too true? Think about reading a book…
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