News & Reviews

Hey, what’s this?

Rob of Snowbooks   has mentioned Verity’s island. And I know Verity too! I may take this as an omen and send Snowbooks my newly finished novel pdq (who needs an agent?)  Meanwhile, Verity, enjoy your moment of fame! I found out about it all via Twitter. This interweb thingy, ain’t it amazing? Continue reading Hey, what’s this?

Riding through the glen

I didn’t hold much truck with the recent  BBC  Robin Hood, probably because my heart is indelibly wed to the ITV 1950s version. Catching the latest BBC series, however, I think things might be looking up.  The Merry Men still look like overgrown hobbits, but callow youth Robin (Jason Armstrong) has acquired a few extra … Continue reading Riding through the glen

All Cows Eat Grass

When I heard the  news that Bristol City Council is to raise cattle on a tract of land adjacent to the M32 motorway I did check the date, but April 1st it was not, and I think it shows remarkable  initiative for a council not exactly famous for emlightened approaches to anything. There are sure to be … Continue reading All Cows Eat Grass

First impressions

Writers are always being urged to provide dramatic and memorable openings, but a post on Random Distractions sent me on a tour of my own bookshelves to discover that amongst even the worthiest of contemporary novels, great first sentences are hard to find.  Determined to find something better, I resorted to Google which reminded me … Continue reading First impressions

Waiting game

I’m a bit frustrated that the Winchester Writers’ Conference still hasn’t published its programme for July. With Ailsa almost ready to go out to ‘critical friends’ I am determined to take her along this year. Even if I don’t get any interest, I can at least achieve my lifelong ambition of seeing an agent (any agent!) … Continue reading Waiting game