Thinking

Monday morning inspiration

“We are here to provide for those who are weaker and hungrier, more battered and more crippled than ourselves. That is our only certain good and great purpose on earth, and if you ask me about those insoluble economic problems…
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Monday morning inspiration

“The author of genius does keep til his last breath the spontaneity, the ready sensitiveness, of a child, the “innocence of eye” that means so much to a painter, the ability to respond freshly and quickly to new scenes, and…
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Monday morning inspiration

Remember you love writing. It wouldn’t be worth it if you didn’t. If the love fades, do what you need to and get it back. AL Kennedy The Guardian, Feb 2010
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Public Lending Right

It’s sad to see that the budget for Public Lending Right is being cut by the new Tory/LibDem government. It’s a worthwhile scheme that provides income to writers. OK, at six pence per loan it’s not a huge amount, but…
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Monday morning inspiration

Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong. Neil Gaiman The Guardian,…
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Monday morning inspiration

Writing fiction is not “self-­expression” or “therapy”. Novels are for readers, and writing them means the crafty, patient, selfless construction of effects. I think of my novels as being something like fairground rides: my job is to strap the reader…
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Seeds

I am not much of a gardener. I like the idea of gardening, but the reality of it just doesn’t grab me. Nevertheless, I was quite disturbed to see that, according to United Nations estimates, around 75% of plant biodiversity…
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