In England we used to have a weekly soap set in a school called Waterloo Road. This had everything you would hope not to find in a school: inappropriate behaviour, theft, even attempted murder – and that was just the staff.
Read Morehistory lesson
Reflections
books, by Terry Freedman
Mini-essay: Two books reviewed -- Weimar, Hotel Exile
in Bookshelf, Reviews, Reflections
I’m reviewing these together partly because I have a separate review of each one being published in Teach Secondary magazine next month, and partly because they are both concerned with the same subject matter: the Nazi era.
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Saxophonist, by Terry Freedman
When it comes to writing, are you trying too hard?
Sometimes, when it comes to effort, less is more.
Read MoreReflections on World Book Day
in Reflections
With reading among young people declining, does World Book Day make a difference?
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I should be blogging, by Terry Freedman
Short posts take a long time
in Reflections
I’ve experimented with ultra short posts, which in fact this one is going to be. Here’s what I’ve discovered.
Read MoreMADness, or bludgeoning the reader or viewer with a lecture conveying the correct view
in Memoir, Reflections
One of my favourite reads in my teens and 20s was MAD magazine. It was quite humorous, and took the rise out of just about everything, but in a gentle way, in contrast to the vituperative stuff that passes for satire these days.The benefits of a massive clearout #4
in Reflections
Here at Freedman Towers a massive clearout has been underway for some time. I thought I'd share my thoughts on why this has proven to be a very useful exercise.
Read MoreThe benefits of a massive clearout #3
in Reflections
Here at Freedman Towers a massive clearout has been underway for some time. I thought I'd share my thoughts on why this has proven to be a very useful exercise.
Read MoreThe benefits of a massive clearout #2
in Reflections
Here at Freedman Towers a massive clearout has been underway for some time. I thought I'd share my thoughts on why this has proven to be a very useful exercise.
Read MoreThe benefits of a massive clearout #1
in Reflections
Here at Freedman Towers a massive clearout has been underway for some time. I thought I'd share my thoughts on why this has proven to be a very useful exercise.
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How can you write a blog if you don't read any blogs?
Every time I teach my Writing for Blogs course, it transpires that some most of the people on the course do not read any blogs.
Nonfiction notebook: Paragraphs I’ve enjoyed writing
Most of my reviews are very positive, and I frequently conclude by recommending the book in question despite my criticisms. However, I do think it’s important to be honest about a book’s or an exhibition’s downsides. I also like to open a review, where possible, with a personal, perhaps humorous, observation.
Read MoreReflections on language
in Language, Reflections
If it is such an effort to deny that you’ve done anything wrong, then you must be guilty. Otherwise, it would be easy.
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Picture generated in Ideogram.ai
Is it OK to plagiarise yourself?
in Reflections
Yesterday I was going to write an article, using chunks of a couple of articles I’d published before (plus some original material).
Read MoreA note about AI for writers
I am afraid I cannot agree with those who say “No” to any use of AI whatsoever. I think the issue is more nuanced than that.
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Blogger,+by+Terry+Freedman
Blogging: a course
Every so often I read some pundit, or usually a journalist pretending to be a pundit, suggesting that blogs are dead. What can I say? They’re not.
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station platform, by Terry Freedman
The train now standing on platform 10
Transport in London these days is, for the most part, sleek, efficient. The epitome of this newish Utopia is the Elizabeth Line, with its silent, gliding carriages, air-conditioning and wi-fi. The announcements are soothing...
Read MoreCan writers learn from computer programmers?
in Bookshelf, Reflections
Introducing and applying Conway's Law, Gresham's Law and the sunken cost fallacy to the practice of writing.
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Libraries, by Terry Freedman
Library madness: a trabble of trouble
in Reflections
The worst thing about belonging to more than one library is that it's all too easy to take a book back to the wrong one. I did that a few months ago, and the following conversation ensued.
Read MoreNot just a numbers game
in Reflections
I’ve been thinking about definitions of success recently.
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