I first had the idea for a writing machine many years ago, while watching an episode of the AvengersThe lighter side
How to win the Booker Prize
Ever wondered how to win the Booker Prize? Well, thanks to the Slow Journalism company’s data-crunching, the secret is revealed. Hint: it helps if you are a 50 year-old man working on his fourth novel, apparently!
Here’s the data.
Christmas Greetings!
Willow and his family would like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Typewriter art
Remember typewriters? One of the things I used to try and do was to make pictures by typing the letter “X” over and over again in all the right places. For example, one of the images it was possible to create in this way was a Christmas tree. OK, so it wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but at least it kept me off the streets.Mind your language! Fork Handles
This is a marvellous observation of what can happen when communication is not as clear as it might be.
Read MoreEveryone wants to be an author
Getting published is just the start of a long, hard process, as this cartoon strip makes clear!
Read MoreA nightmare scenario
Being offered a hefty advance on your book sales is great, except…
Read More21st Century Writing
For anyone who thinks that writing with a computer is not that different from doing so with pen and paper, maybe this short video will change your mind – and put a smile on your face!
8 Rules for writers
Here is a set of rules that I hope you will find useful. The way I see it, readers’ time is far too precious to waste. People are made to feel guilty, or have somehow been conditioned to feel guilty, if they don't read every possibly useful report. Or every relevant newspaper article. But as writers, or content producers, we have a responsibility too. Here are some rules which I am gradually starting to live by myself.
My blackberry isn’t working: technology and language
Here’s a video that is a nice, humorous illustration of how technology has influenced our language.
Read MoreWe don’t need no rules of grammar
Back in April 2010 Steve Wheeler (@timbuckteeth) posted a useful article reminding students that when it comes to succeeding academically, accuracy in using the language still counts.He lists a set of rules which humorously make the point, such as "Avoid clichés like the plague." My question is: do the same rules apply to bloggers?
23 rules for writers
We’ve all heard of “laws” such as Murphy’s Law (If anything can go wrong it will go wrong), but how about laws which are especially pertinent for writers? I’ve been doing a spot of research, and have come up with these timeless gems. I’ve included the references in case you wish to delve further into any of them.
Is randomness useful?
Yesterday I thought I’d explore the web to see if I could find a random blog post generator. Why? Because I was interested to see (a) if such things existed and (b), if so, what they were like. Could you, for example look at a randomly generated post and not know that it was created in that way?
Read MorePaperback Writer
The lyrics of this song by The Beatles will strike a chord with many publishers, I think. Sung in the first person, it’s about someone who fancies himself as a best-selling author – of the worst kind!
Read MoreTech Support
Have writers always needed technical support?
Read MoreClear Communication
This classic sketch illustrates the importance of clear communication. Although it’s spoken, not written, there are interesting lessons to draw from it.
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