(A reblog from 2018) Remember the old playground chant? Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me. Sadly, it’s only true in the physical sense. Harsh words from those we love or trust often hurt, but unkind criticism from those who don’t know us should be another matter. Us beginners … Continue reading Sticks and Stones
Category: feedback
Goblins and Trolls
Here's (another) one I made earlier. Photo by Burst on Pexels.com ### When goblins denigrate your work, and trolls belittle every line, don’t even try to understand the labyrinth of their twisted minds. Trolls delight in others’ pain – seek to destroy, not to create, and leave behind them worms of doubt that stir your … Continue reading Goblins and Trolls
Seasonal Confusion
It was late 2019 when Phil, from our writing group, had the idea of producing two collections of Christmas stories – one for adults and one for children. It is difficult to summon the Christmas muse once the festive season has passed. By the time we felt Christmassy enough to produce seasonal stories in 2019, … Continue reading Seasonal Confusion
New Fiction from a Whittlesey Wordsmith
Killing Time in Cambridge Just published is a tale of a Cambridge detective with an unusual sidekick , written by an author who knows his territory. Affection for Cambridge and its surroundings shines through the story and its gentle humour ensures these murders won't keep you awake at night. A Good holiday read. Find Phil … Continue reading New Fiction from a Whittlesey Wordsmith
Recapturing the Muse
It's easy to get out of the writing habit. If you've been busy with other things, it can take an effort to get back into writing mode. Last week we were visiting relations in Cornwall, and I let go of my muse. The result was similar to letting go of our puppy on the beach: … Continue reading Recapturing the Muse
Editing The Pond People
It's been a while since I wrote The Pond People. It began as a short story which was edited to death to send out for a competition. After extending the story it was sidelined for something else and hadn't been edited beyond the first draft. Posting it as a blog serial has made me get … Continue reading Editing The Pond People
Another Poetry Challenge
practicing poetry with a regular writing challenge
Goblins and Trolls
When goblins denigrate your work, and trolls belittle every line, Don’t even try to understand the labyrinth of their twisted minds. Trolls delight in others’ pain – seek to destroy, not to create, And leave behind them worms of doubt that stir your fears and feed on hate. Picture Henson’s Labyrinth creatures – stunted, unloved, … Continue reading Goblins and Trolls
Roome Bay
It’s too hot for thinking up blog posts. Summer is for reading… on the beach. Well, maybe not the beach – not this year anyway. This year our motorhome trips have given way to hospital appointments as my husband awaits a major operation. We daren’t stray for too long in case another appointment arrives, requiring … Continue reading Roome Bay
Swimming with Sharks
I spent a lot of time searching blogs and support websites for advice when I began writing my ‘practice novel’. (Of course, I didn’t realise back then it was a practice novel.) It was daunting to discover how much I had to learn, but reassuring to find I wasn’t alone in trying to swim before … Continue reading Swimming with Sharks
Writing Wrinkles, and Random Ramblings 