The Myth of the Writer’s Life
The problem with looking for artistic validation in unhappiness, though, is that only the unhappiness is guaranteed; the art is still up to you.
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'Freedom is a challenge. You decide who you are by what you do.'
Browsing All posts tagged under »books«
Henry Miller – How To Be A Writer
January 31, 2012
I’m a little bit hooked on Flavorwire – they turn up some amazing, inspiring creative content. Like this list of Henry Miller’s tips on how to be a writer. COMMANDMENTS 1. Work on one thing at a time until finished. 2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to “Black Spring.” 3.… [Read more…]
Patti Smith – Woolgathering
January 29, 2012
She is the… greatest. The inimitable Patti Smith has been busy of late and has new books out: Woolgathering and The Coral Sea. This fantastic quote introduces an earlier poetry collection, Witt: These ravings, observations, etc come from one who, beyond vows, is without mother, gender, or country who attempts to bleed from the word… [Read more…]
Recommended Reading – Essays
January 27, 2012
Best examples of the art of the essay: Orwell, Didion, Forster, Greer, Woolf, Montaigne, Capote and more. Many of the writers on this list would rather have been known as great novelists the mixture of unfiltered insight and immaculate prose found in these essays sings higher.
Recommended Reading – Novels
January 19, 2012
Needing a Business Case for Reading Novels is an alien – and slightly depressing – concept. Nevertheless, any case for reading is a good one and Anne Kreamer’s argument that novel-reading can boost workplace fortunes by improving people’s ability to relate to others is admirably lucid. Her list of suggested reading is unfamiliar, apart from… [Read more…]
Kurt Vonnegut on Creativity
January 10, 2012
The quote below is an excerpt from A Man Without A Country — a diamond of a book by the inimitable Kurt Vonnegut. To be as wise, incensed and articulate as Vonnegut is here (age 83) is surely one definition of success. If you want to really hurt your parents, and you don’t have the… [Read more…]
Christmas Recipe – Roast Red Pepper Hummus
December 20, 2011
I’m delighted to have a guest post from award-winning vegan chef Mark Reinfeld, of Vegan Fusion. A culinary wizard, Mark picked up a love of food from his grandfather who was a chef and ice carver. He has co-authored more books than you can shake a carrot at, including the lauded, best-seller Vegan Fusion World… [Read more…]
Higher Education Academy Winning Essay
December 13, 2011
In the spring I won the Higher Education Academy Student Essay Competition, which paid for my Kindle. Hurrah! Anyway, below, my winning essay on “What do English or Creative Writing have to say to an age of austerity?” When the recession first bared its teeth a literary friend of mine was blasé. Writers are used… [Read more…]
Lady Gaga and Tattoos That Say Something
December 1, 2011
Not only is Lady Gaga the best pop songsmith on the planet, she has some of the best tattoos. The Rilke quote on her upper arm reads, in part: “In the deepest hour of the night, confess to yourself that you would die if you were forbidden to write.” C’est magnifique.
A Very Happy Thanksgiving
November 24, 2011
Across the pond its Thanksgiving and various friends and family are getting set to tuck into some serious eating. Luckily, I get to skip the dead poultry element of the day and focus on the best part – things for which I’m thankful. This year has been such an adventure and it’s not over yet.… [Read more…]
Support Amnesty International
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February 19, 2012
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