Category: on writing

The best reference for authors

Chris Hall2 Comments

Elements of Style by Struck & White lunasonlineReading a blog post from Cristian Mihai in The Art of Blogging, earlier this week reminded how useful I’ve found this little book over the years. Most recently, when I was doing a spot of editing for my good friend, Paul English, whose latest book, “Fire Angel: Turning Point”  from his ‘Fire Angel Universe’ series, is just out now.

Strunk and White’s “The Elements of Style” was first introduced to me by the wonderful Ursula K. Le Guin (sadly no longer with us), in her excellent book on story writing: “Steering the Craft”, which was a huge help to me early on in my writing life.

Read what Cristian Mihai says about it in his post: ‘The (Very Short) Ultimate Guide to Blogging’

 

The writer returns

Chris HallLeave a comment
animals on the road lunasonline
Downtown Maun, Botswana

Only last week I asked the question: “Do writers really go on holiday?”

Well, just one week away ‘in the bush’ (well, not quite), and my head is spinning with ideas. Nothing concrete just yet, although I have a host of notes in my little black notebook.

I’ve been wonderfully distracted on my return today by all the stories which my writer friends have been posting while I’ve been away: you are so prolific! And, of course, I just had to stop to read some of these awesome posts. Oh, and do some paid work for my website and social media clients.

Normal service should be resumed next week…plus I mustn’t neglect the work-in-progress novel.

Time Waster!

Chris Hall7 Comments

Novels_do_not_write_themselves-1

Okay, so I’ve spent too much time NOT writing today. I’ve been prevaricating; engaging in displacement activity.

But, I came across a nice little time waster on this rather wonderful writer’s site: CONSTANT LEARNER and of course I couldn’t resist!

Okay, it’s a marketing ploy, and maybe you’ve seen it before.  If you haven’t, this is what the ‘I Write Like’ site says about itself.

And, well, well, it seems: 

Also like Margaret Atwood and Charles Dickens, depending on the text I entered.
I’m honoured. And obviously inconsistent.

Oh, and if you ‘analyse’ this post it’s: Stephenie Meyer!

Click on the box above if you want to try. But don’t spend the whole day on it!
Or don’t blame me if you do.

I’d love to hear your results…(can I tempt you…?).