In another act of chasing the twitter numbers and boosting the Google Analytics chart of this website, I wrote another article for ‘The Creative Penn‘. It was published a few days ago but I’ve been so busy lazy that I’ve just got around to sticking up here – ‘10 Productivity Tips for Writers‘. If you’ve
AuthorBen
Should ‘The Competition’ Influence your Title?
Previously I’ve chosen a title pretty quick. I think ‘Railroaded‘ was thought of before I even started and ‘Broken Branches‘ was pretty soon after. So this is one itch I want to scratch soon, give this thing a name and get on with the rest of it. A couple of posts ago, I mentioned I
Problogger: 8 Non-writing Apps for Writers
Another shameless act of link-baiting to increase site traffic and Twitter followers to tempt any potential agents or publishers into thinking that not only can I write but I can do promotional stuff too. I can dance like a little chained monkey with cymbals on his knees to the hand-clapping beat of my master, the
Novel 3 is Go, Go Go!
The time has come. No amount of procrastinating or ‘research’ will better prepare me to start. It’s time to dive in. It’s interesting to read this equivalent post from the beginning of my second novel – Second Novel Finally Started! – it’s funny to see I’m in exactly the same position again, especially after reading this post from 3
Networking. Do I have to?!
Featured in a recent tweet from @kerrynlaws was a link to this article ‘“A Right Fit”: Navigating the World of Literary Agents‘ which highlighted the need to visit conferences and actually get networking. Coincidently, only a day later, I listened to this podcast by Joanna Penn interviewing CJ Lyons who essentially said the same thing. Both
Writing Style: A Tribute to Christina Patterson
I buy the i newspaper most days. Along with it’s modern web influenced layout, fully clothed Page 3 figure, condensed news reports, a strict one page only of celebrity coverage, keen price and effortlessly Zeitgeisty name, lies a treat. Her name is Christina Patterson. About once a week, more if the wind’s right, Christina writes
Branch Out and become a ‘Donorsexual’
You’ve probably heard of Trent Arsenault by now. The sperm donor who’s fathered 16 children but still remains a virgin. You can read more at The Sun and The Daily Mail websites. Now, your first question might be, ‘Why the hell are you reading The Sun and The Daily Mail?‘. Fair question. Visit Trent directly
Short Story: From The Sea, Plenty
I only went and bloody won something! ‘Transition Town Worthing‘ held a competition to imagine Worthing in 2030 and how energy would affect life in the town. A near future story based in Worthing? That’s my niche! It would be rude if I didn’t enter. Click here to read my entry – ‘From The Sea, Plenty‘
Short Story: Terror Forming
Here’s another short story I wrote a couple of years ago that’s picked up a few rejections along the way. It’s an actual, full-monty, sci-fi story in space. I like the anthropomorphising of planets in it. The idea of life coming from distant planets and not evolving by itself here is something I’ve never forgotten from a Star Trek
Short Story: The Only Banker Who Repaid His Debts
This is another short story I wrote which gained a few rejections. I initially wrote it for an alternative fairy tale competition. I still quite like it but realise it’s more of a vent against bankers than a ‘pure story’ and now it’s probably a bit dated for anyone to publish it. So here it