Cocksure If you have social media or any connection to the writing world, you would have read about #cockygate. I have little interest in romance writing, and no skin in the game of American trademark laws (although I have stories published in the US). But I do have some thoughts. Cock of the talk? The … Continue reading A cockatrice of language
writing
A matter of time
I don't think I believe in linear time. Lines are just points joined together; they don't have heft or taste. They exist to measure who's winning, but have no extent. They're abstract. You can't sense linear time internally the same way other time is detected. I have moments when I am chock full of vital … Continue reading A matter of time
Review: Eyewitness Mythology
First published in 1999 and updated last year, DK's Eyewitness Mythology is but one of a number of Eyewitness books for children/youth about literature, animals, weather and other natural phenomena, historical events and aspects of science. I am not in their target audience but I am interested in how myths and the people they belong … Continue reading Review: Eyewitness Mythology
Writers: born this way?
A FB writing group I'm in posed a question about whether writers are born or made. It garnered many, many enthusiastic responses. Most members asserted writers are born, or are somehow a combination of both born and made. You may not be surprised to find I have a problem with this. Otherwise I wouldn't be … Continue reading Writers: born this way?
Not imagining war
I am a new student of German Longsword. It's been mentioned before in dispatches, but it's a bit like boxing, or dancing. Cuts and parries (movements) are in response to those of your sparring partner and vice versa. Thus, sometimes sword fighting is a waltz, other times it is jazz ballet. But since English is … Continue reading Not imagining war
Enheduanna Bot?
Welcome to my periodical rant about the world's first name author. Turn away now if you want to continue thinking it's a bloke... Part of my interest in archaeology stems from reading history and literary history. Time and again an individual 'unearths' or 'discovers' a rich literary, creative legacy related to our female cultural predecessors … Continue reading Enheduanna Bot?
A course in uncommonplaces
I signed up for Catherine Ann Jones' Way of Story online course. Partly as a pick-me-up because the writing for the last few months has been absent except for posts here, and seemingly endless job applications. If you haven't heard of Catherine Ann Jones', don't worry, I hadn't either. Turns out she is an actor/playwright/writing … Continue reading A course in uncommonplaces
Over the edge of the world
Farewell and vale Ursula Le Guin. Thank you for going down a left-handed path, and showing the likes of me a way. Even if I am late, and lost, and have not yet tapped all the stories stored in the container of my imagination. Thus, I am reading, again, your essay "The Carrier Bag Theory … Continue reading Over the edge of the world
Writing the dark side
In a writing group a member explained she had been criticised by a teacher for creative writing which featured a bleak theme. She was told no one reads dark stories. This is clearly wrong. I think her teacher meant "I don't read bleak stories." Of course our group came up with examples that contradicted her … Continue reading Writing the dark side
Mystery is the reason for the season
I'm a big admirer of scientific discoveries. I collect data and evidence because they are reassuring and often useful in life and stories. Right now, the Geminid shower is taking place, but I can't see anything. It doesn't matter. Anyway, my stance on science doesn't mean I discard experiences and phenomena that can't be dissected, … Continue reading Mystery is the reason for the season
Writing Bec 