The Blogger's Guide to the Galaxy

A simple glossary of terms for bloggers to do with the web and AI and stuff, beamed straight to your planet.

The play development process in the UK

Exploring how scripts are developed for UK theatre, the role of the dramaturg, and how they support writers in shaping new plays.

Figuring out Writing Productivity

I was lucky enough to work with crime writer Peter May on a soap opera many years ago. He had, for some reason, a baseball bat in his office. I never saw him play baseball.

How I card a story.

Carding is a great technique to work out your story in miniature before writing scenes. As Hitchcock said 'First we write the screenplay, then we add the dialogue'.

Our touch on this world is light.

The scientist Richard Feynman said "The prize is the pleasure of finding the thing out, the kick in the discovery...". There are constant exhortations to do more, show more. But doing the work just for yourself is equally as valid.

The Third Wave - Radio 4 Short Story

A short story commissioned by BBC Radio 4 to mark the Anniversary of the Iolaire Disaster.

Writing about the Iolaire

I look at some of the poetry about the Iolaire Disaster and the difficult for a writer in dealing with such a tragic story.

On mentors you never meet

The famous investor, the late Charlie Munger, wrote in depth about developing his 'latticework of mental models'. Finding mentors was part of this, and he made the point that you don't have to meet a mentor for them to have a profound impact on your life.

Developing a Writing Practice

On why developing a writing practice is highly beneficial, and how to go about it.

Mentors

There’s a compulsion. Maybe it's writing. Taking photos. Making music. Whatever your compulsion is. How do you take it and turn it into a life doing it.