Monthly Archives: May 2012

6 KEYS TO BECOMING A GREAT WRITER

Posted on May 30, 2012 by [email protected]

This is a tough business. Agreed. Even great writers have struggled at various stages of their careers. So I went looking for what some of the really big names have had to say about what it takes to succeed. ‘You … Continue reading →

Posted in WRITING | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

THE STIGMATA THROUGH HISTORY - REAL OR FAKE?

Posted on May 28, 2012 by [email protected]

He had open wounds on his hands and feet for fifty years. They sometimes bled, but they never became infected. He also had a wound in his side, that few people saw, which also bled. His religious services would often … Continue reading →

Posted in HISTORY | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

shunday mash - how not to enter a talent contest

Posted on May 27, 2012 by [email protected]

Last week it was how not to throw a hand grenade. This week it’s how not enter a talent contest. Especially if you like to do party tricks with a bow and arrow. The key thing is to PRACTICE first. … Continue reading →

Posted in MASH | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

FATAL DISTRACTION

Posted on May 25, 2012 by [email protected]

Have you read The Tell-Tale Heart? Edgar Allen Poe, the father of the modern thriller, published this short story in 1843. My daughter is studying it right now as part of her lit degree. It has stood the test of time because of … Continue reading →

Posted in THRILLERS | Tagged , | 12 Comments

THE OCTOPUS AND STRING BAG GUIDE TO PARENTING

Posted on May 23, 2012 by [email protected]

Today I’m offering this excerpt from THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FATHERHOOD for your amusement. If you’re a guy contemplating being a father, you should definitely read this; if you’ve already had kids, then this might give you a wry smile. … Continue reading →

Posted in HUMOR | Tagged , | 5 Comments

GENGHIS KHAN - BUT YOU CAN’T

Posted on May 21, 2012 by [email protected]

As every historical fiction author will tell you, you only get to use about 10% of your research and another fifty per cent of that disappears in the second draft. You just hate to see some of it go, but … Continue reading →

Posted in HISTORY | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Shunday mash: how NOT to throw a hand grenade

Posted on May 19, 2012 by [email protected]

There are many ways not to throw a hand grenade. Underarm for instance. Or while teaching your dog to play fetch. But in a minute, I’ll show you the very worst way. But before we get to that, in this … Continue reading →

Posted in MASH | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

MIA: THE AUTHOR WHO NEVER CAME BACK FROM THE PUBLISHING WAR

Posted on May 18, 2012 by [email protected]

Today I’m offering a guest post from author Glenn Starkey. Glenn is one of the nicest guys online; he’s always bigging up other writers but rarely floats his own boat. I found this post on his blog the other day … Continue reading →

Posted in WRITING | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

WHY FICTION IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART

Posted on May 16, 2012 by [email protected]

Is fiction good for us? Does it build our moral character - or erode it? At school I was told that only certain literature was good for me; it had to be literary, something approved by the district Education Board, … Continue reading →

Posted in WRITING | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

CLEOPATRA, QUEEN OF SPIN

Posted on May 14, 2012 by [email protected]

Spin doctor: (informal) a person who provides a favourable slant to an item of news, potentially unpopular policy, etc, esp on behalf of a political personality or party (Collins English dictionary) The phrase ‘spin doctor’ came into common usage during … Continue reading →

Posted in HISTORY | Tagged , , | 6 Comments