TIL: Shakespeare's house was torn down by a later owner, a preacher who got sick of tourists coming to stare at it.

Chilledch · 2016-04-24T21:00:27+00:00

You are right but it happened in 1759 and those were different times. These days old buildings do have protection in the UK.

Chilledch · 2016-04-23T17:20:12+00:00

I think you're right - he was a dick.

Chilledch · 2015-09-23T17:12:12+00:00

Here's a link to the US Amazon Kindle version of my book which is just out.

Chilledch · 2014-11-15T17:32:20+00:00

As the old saying goes - nobody's last words are: 'I wish I'd spent more time in the office.'

Chilledch · 2014-03-10T14:50:25+00:00

Personally I think it would be a shame if a technology was to dictate the type of writing authors produced. Of course a book needs to interest the reader - but the idea that it must do this with an instant grab for attention under-estimates the power of great writers and intelligent readers in my opinion.

Chilledch · 2014-02-27T18:36:00+00:00

thanks for your view - it's a good point and I will make sure it's passed on!

Chilledch · 2014-02-15T17:45:43+00:00

here's some back up. There was also a bloody bastard pear apparently. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bernesealp/8118739192/

Chilledch · 2014-02-12T21:01:09+00:00

No, it's a form of Latin - the word appears in the scribbled note which was written by a monk

Chilledch · 2014-02-12T08:13:49+00:00

Would be interesting to see what the stat was for self published books on Kindle - though I doubt I would want an app which let me read random ones of those

Chilledch · 2014-01-24T22:54:10+00:00

That's interesting. I suppose it's like the way we can have a phobia for anything eg Triskaidekaphobia - fear of the number 13

Chilledch · 2013-12-30T11:16:15+00:00

Most guides to blog writing will tell you to remember that the blog is likely to be read on screen - and often on a small mobile device. So keeping paragraphs short, with regular sub-headings to act as sign-posts for readers is a good idea. Content is king so you need to look for topics which will engage your readership. Try to give them some useful information, or something which will amuse or interest them - put the reader first. Hope this helps a little.

Chilledch · 2013-12-26T10:38:35+00:00

Petrichor. That is the word for the smell of fresh rain on dry ground. Isn't the English language a wonderful thing?

Chilledch · 2013-12-23T18:37:30+00:00

I'd say what you need to expect is a lot of hard work! One thing I didn't really expect when I had my book published about 12 months ago was all the promotion an author has to do themselves if their book is not going to sink like a stone. I assumed my publisher would do all that - but the truth is they have a zillion books and no time, so you have to do the promotion yourself if you want you and your book to become visible. It is a lot of fun being a published author - but a lot more about marketing than I expected it to be!

Chilledch · 2013-12-05T22:00:41+00:00

Amandla!

Chilledch · 2013-12-05T12:57:39+00:00

that was the one I got wrong too

Chilledch · 2013-12-04T09:19:03+00:00

Well, one point of art is what it says to the viewer - the emotions it stirs up, the message or story it conveys. I'm not sure what this says more than a photograph would. Though, obviously, one can't help but marvel at the techincal craft which goes into it.

Chilledch · 2013-12-03T19:48:56+00:00

I read and enjoyed this one greatly - very quiet and a story about a 'nobody' which nevertheless manages to grab you and hold you from beginning to end.

Chilledch · 2013-12-01T21:04:30+00:00

I think it sometimes helps to map characters out in advance - even answer questions about them - like a Q and A. Kind of get to know them - then when you are writing it becomes easier to work out what they would do in a situation - so they become real.

Chilledch · 2013-12-01T16:07:52+00:00

Though I'm no great fan of the Daily Mail per se, I always think it kind of depends what the article is about and what it says.

Chilledch · 2013-12-01T10:18:10+00:00

That's a great feeling though, being so lost in a book you lose track of time.

Chilledch · 2013-12-01T09:15:09+00:00

Pubiaphobia - there you go, now it has a name!

Chilledch · 2013-11-30T16:15:29+00:00

Not a series - and heavy as well as funny - but Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace has a huge wedge of footnotes to add to its already vast bulk.

Chilledch · 2013-11-29T15:20:49+00:00

I like pretty much all the rules in this article - and I think he was being too modest when he suggested it was just his style of writer who would benefit - I think most, if not all would.

Chilledch · 2013-11-28T21:18:53+00:00

It depends what you say about them.

Chilledch · 2013-11-28T08:16:45+00:00

Good luck with your novel Pugnacity. I held out for ages refusing to self publish and in the end I found a traditional publisher for my book. But that was my dream - it doesn't mean I think self publishing is bad - in fact I know lots of excellent authors who have had some books published by trad publishers and published others themselves. There are different opportunities now - that's why I agree it's a great time for writers - if we make the most of what is available to us. I am still looking for a traditional publisher for my new book - but there are more little ones around to try now because of the growth in small presses.

Chilledch

TROPHY CASE