I’m sitting on a rough wooden bench looking out at the Worm’s Head, one of the most famous landmarks on the Gower Peninsula. It is looking particularly stunning today, resting underneath a blue sky striped with faint clouds and aircraft trails. It is a distinctive promontory that Queen of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen might have used to demonstrate her power. (I later discovered that the name is … [Read more...] about Dispatches from my ancestral home
Storytelling
How do you take an idea and convert it into a story?
In a recent blog, I shared a range of writing tips and received this comment from Parag Shah, a creative writer: “I observe a lot, I get a lot of ideas, but I struggle with converting them into a story. I hope the challenge I'm facing inspires you to write a blog post on this topic.” So I decided to accept the challenge of addressing Parag’s challenge. As I have said before, anything can be … [Read more...] about How do you take an idea and convert it into a story?
Why is writing a book so hard? Plus other FAQs about being an author
I'm not a seasoned author, but I have written three books. I finished the first one 15 years ago (it remains unpublished); the second was a short e-book about storytelling that I published on Kindle a few years ago; the third is a work in progress (I am working on a second draft). But in my capacity as a developmental editor I am currently working with several authors to help them write business … [Read more...] about Why is writing a book so hard? Plus other FAQs about being an author
Can writing be taught? Plus other FAQs about writing and storytelling
I was recently made aware of a website called AnswerThePublic, which is essentially a database in which you can enter a key word and receive a report based on every phrase or question that the public are currently asking about that word on search engines such as Google. It’s aimed at marketing people but is also a useful resource for anyone wanting ideas for content. You can only search for a … [Read more...] about Can writing be taught? Plus other FAQs about writing and storytelling
Communication vs expression. What’s the difference and why should you care?
I’ve been in the business of communication for 40 years. During that time, I have often been paid to express myself. This may seem like a strange thing for me to write. But there is a difference between communication and expression – and I’ve been reflecting on what it is and why it's important. If you’re a regular reader of my blogs, you’ll know that I often like to start with the … [Read more...] about Communication vs expression. What’s the difference and why should you care?
How to stop worrying and start living: a tribute to my friend Julia
For most of my adult life - and maybe even before that – I thought of myself as a worrier. Even during periods of my life when things were going smoothly, I used to become suspicious and find something – anything – to worry about. But a couple of things eventually shifted that mindset. One was a quote by the spiritual teacher Ram Dass, who said, “Worrying is like praying for what you don’t … [Read more...] about How to stop worrying and start living: a tribute to my friend Julia