Published inThe Writing Cooperative·PinnedMember-onlyEvery Writer Needs Life ExperienceLooking back at the words of wisdom four famous UK writers gave this budding 14-year-old writer. — In 1985, aged 14, I decided I wanted to be a writer. So I sat down at my bedroom desk and wrote to five famous UK writers asking what advice they would give a budding 14-year-old writer. If I’m honest, I never really expected a reply. Amazingly, they ALL wrote…Authors7 min readAuthors7 min read
Published inThe Writing Cooperative·PinnedMember-onlyRetreating to WriteWhat I’ve learned from twenty years of Do-It-Yourself writers’ retreats — Earlier this month, I went away with seventeen friends from my writers group on our annual writers’ retreat. Our group held our first retreat over twenty years ago, and since then, they’ve become an annual event. Typically, we hire a larger house in the countryside, for a long weekend. …Retreats9 min readRetreats9 min read
Published inThe Writing Cooperative·PinnedMember-onlyWhat Is A Writing Competition?It’s a heat, not a minimum standard threshold — “You should enter that to a short story competition,” I advised. Her eyes widened with horror as she leaned back in the chair opposite me. “But I can’t… I’m not… good enough.” I shook my head. “Stop it. It’s the judge’s job to judge your entry, not yours. You’re the…Writing6 min readWriting6 min read
Published inGlobetrotters·PinnedMember-onlySustainable Snowdonia — The Centre for Alternative TechnologyThe Welsh tourist attraction that has been ‘going green’ for fifty years — “Some 80 million homes could be built from the straw that is wasted every year all around the world,” says Peter, our guide. Immediately, I think of the three little pigs’ nursery story and the big, bad wolf huffing and puffing to blow them all down. But straw houses are…UK9 min readUK9 min read
Published inGlobetrotters·Nov 25Member-onlyPortmeirion — The Colourful Italianate Village in North WalesHow an architect created a visual masterpiece and taught the world the beauty of recycling — Nestling on the side of an estuary in North Wales is the most amazing architectural masterpiece to be found anywhere in the UK. …Portmeirion9 min readPortmeirion9 min read
Published inThe Slow Journeyman·Nov 23Member-onlyGlorious GloucesterThe perfect place for that special Christmas present — “I can’t stop!” screams a girl behind me. I twist round in time to see a teenager crash into the side of the ice rink. Thankfully, she’s not hurt, and bursts into giggles as her friend glides effortlessly across the ice to join her. The temporary ice rink at Gloucester…Gloucester8 min readGloucester8 min read
Published inWriters’ Blokke·Nov 12Member-onlyDon’t Be Perfect. Be Published.Why every writer needs to accept imperfection. — “You’re having a wobble.” Natalie frowned. “A what?” I couldn’t help but smile. “It’s a technical British publishing term.” I grinned. Natalie’s face relaxed a little. “Well, I sure haven’t heard it here in Texas.” She leaned back in her chair. “Go on. Explain.” I held up a two-inch-thick pile…Perfection5 min readPerfection5 min read
Published inGlobetrotters·Nov 10Member-onlyFriends With Travel BenefitsHow to make the most of traveling with a large group of friends — “Oh my gosh! It has a gong! I’ve always wanted to stay somewhere with a gong.” “There’s a hot tub! I didn’t know about the hot tub!” “How long is that table?” As I write this, I’m just preparing to go away for a weekend with friends. Eighteen of them…Large Group7 min readLarge Group7 min read
Published inBusiness of Writing·Nov 2Member-onlyAsk The Agent — Stephanie GlencrossWhat does a crime-and-thriller-loving literary agent look for in her submissions? — Stephanie Glencross joined David Higham Associates in 2018. Previously, she was an editor at Gregory & Company and edited award-winning novelists like Val McDermid, Minette Walters, and Tan Twan Eng. Her list includes crime and thriller genres, like police procedurals, psychological thrillers, and courtroom dramas. …Literary Agents4 min readLiterary Agents4 min read
Published inBusiness of Writing·Nov 2Member-onlyRetreating to WriteWhy every writer needs to run away to boost their creativity! — I try to run away at least once a year. If I’m lucky, I manage it twice. Running away can be one of the best things we can do for our writing business. We often dream of being holed up in a garret, hidden from the world, as we work…Retreats7 min readRetreats7 min read
