Sentiments of the Day

In April I was invited by early-modern expert (and my former lecturer) Michael Cordner to join his passion-project, Shakespeare's Rivals....

I was bored, so I did some free-writing - something that I definitely recommend if you are in a creative block. Anyway, the difference...

Many writers look to history for inspiration. They tell the tales of forgotten worlds, well-established figures, and paint the past in...

Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese term that translates to "forest bathing". It refers to the practice of immersing oneself in nature,...

The best five novels that I have read so far and why. This is entirely subjective. You'll (hopefully) see that I have an eclectic taste....

Writing a manuscript can be an exciting yet daunting task, especially for beginners. The thrill of crafting a story, developing...

If, like me, you are a workaholic, you will struggle with burnout. Writer's burnout is a common challenge, especially for those who write...

I have never been a fan of short stories. There, I said it. I'm someone who likes to get lost in the complexities of a vast world and...

As writers, we are always on the lookout for valuable resources to improve our craft, navigate the publishing world, and stay inspired....

Rejection is an inevitable part of every writer's journey. It can feel like a personal blow, a sign that your work isn't good enough....

Purple Prose is writing so elaborate that it draws attention to itself, alienating the reader from the story, and slowing the pace of the...

Unless you are going to self-publish, as a writer you will need a literary agent. To approach an agent you will need to have completed...

When you go to submit a book, you'll be faced with a list of the agent's preferred "genres". These will often be commercial fiction,...

Mr. Friston is the proprietor of Friston Farm in The Falling Sun. He is characterised by a large, bristly moustache. Meet him in the...

The short essay on the San Francisco Preparedness Day Bombing (1916) can be read at the ESSAYS section of the website, entitled: Worst...

Four years. Eight drafts. Forgotten characters. Shrinking word counts. The Falling Sun has always been a large novel. My aim is to...

I just discovered Matt Damon in 1933. Conducting research for a potential blog about the Preparedness Day Bombing in San Francisco, July...

I've spent four years writing and honing The Falling Sun. Last night I had a random panic that one of my characters was not sufficiently...

Watched Karate Kid 2 last night. Mr. Miyage returns to Okinawa to see his dying father. I really miss Japan.