Tag: writing

Bleak House and Fahrenheit 451, beside each other

What the reader discovers upon comparing Charles Dickens with Ray Bradbury

October 18, 2025

Almost by chance, I picked up Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 to read the same day that I finished Bleak House by Charles Dickens. The choice was serendipitous, for reasons only obvious to the restless wanderings of a mind wearied of the hyped-up buzz of today’s post-literate society. (I am being coy, of course; one might … More What the reader discovers upon comparing Charles Dickens with Ray Bradbury

Joseph Conrad exemplifying the rule ‘show don’t tell’

February 16, 2025

Great writers show, don’t tell, and Conrad is one of the great writers. Take just the Author’s Note that prefaces The Rescue, in which he recounts coming back to finish the book after a 20 year pause: ‘The years passed and the pages grew in number, and the long reveries of which they were the … More Joseph Conrad exemplifying the rule ‘show don’t tell’

The Grand Scheme of Things (a poem)

February 3, 2025

The Grand Scheme of Things.The Grand Scheme of Things!Everybody talks aboutThe Grand Scheme of Things.As if they’ve read it through and scannedit page by page to understandthe content and the message ofThe Grand Scheme of Things. ‘Everything is fine,’ they say,Or ‘It’ll turn out right,’ they say,‘It doesn’t matter,’ – so blasé –‘in The Grand … More The Grand Scheme of Things (a poem)

Show, Don’t Tell

January 31, 2025

I’ve been running into a mantra that emerges from the forest leaves of my everyday experience like an exotic bird, a flash of colour that then darts again out of view, only to reappear once more later on in a clearing, and again in the fronds of a bush, then again flashing across the sky … More Show, Don’t Tell

The Curious Considerations of Flavius Finch: 1. The Universe is Spherical

May 23, 2024

I remember the moment I realised that the universe must be spherical. Upon exiting the British Museum, as I did on this bright day in February, amid the crush of disinterested tourists, one is funnelled, bustled, hustled, squeezed down the toothpaste tube of Great Russell Street, bracing yourself for the ram of the London taxi … More The Curious Considerations of Flavius Finch: 1. The Universe is Spherical

Nothing to write

May 31, 2022

I have nothing to write. It’s a bit like being stuck at a railway station when your train is cancelled. You’re used to jumping on an idea and riding the bumpy journey until you get off – or are thrown off – at a random narrative juncture. Instead your muse didn’t show up today, now … More Nothing to write

The Scarecrow (Poem)

August 2, 2019

Darkened sky,Barren hill –Bloody field,Deathly still.Circling cryRings the sky,High aboveThe scarecrow. Hanging head,Flapping wind,Tortured mouth –Weight of sin.All who passLaugh at him,Passing byThe scarecrow. Limp in limb.Heavy eyesDrooping, seeAll that lies.Not a word,Not a sound –MercifulThe scarecrow.

Writing Better Lyrics, by Pat Pattison – book review

January 7, 2017

I’ve just finished Writing Better Lyrics. Let me try that again: I’ve just finished reading the book entitled Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison. This book has already cropped up once or twice on the blog. It was recommended to me (and a room full of other starry-eyed songwriters) by Graham Kendrick – the father of modern worship … More Writing Better Lyrics, by Pat Pattison – book review