Bella

I can’t remember what inspired my first WIP.

My second was inspired by a trip to Benidorm and I thought it would be fun to make a character suffer it too.

The current WIP was inspired by reading something about the Ten Pound Poms and thinking that would add an interesting aspect to a novel. Another couple of ideas have been sparked by stuff I…[Read more]

I struggle with using this sort of thing as any kind of scaffolding around which to build a story. I can’t even get on with the “Take off your pants” approach, though the book itself contains much of interest and value.

Where I do find it helpful (particularly this one) is when editing, because it can highlight areas that I may have touched on…[Read more]

The first and last feel very children’s story to me.

AngGalina looks as if the capital G is a typo (though oddly, AnGal does not give me that impression).

An Galina doesn’t give me anything really to go on, though it still feels YA for some reason.

Tick Toque

A few initial ideas – not sure if they are anything like suitable:

She once was lost

But now she’s found

(Been playing Amazing Grace…)

Re-filling the nest

Stolen childhood

Truly terrifying conditions. I am sorry it was such a sad end for so many people.

Very well-told tale, Richard. Thank you.

Whisks, I agree. Good on you for getting that training. And for myself I would have a go if I really had to. I am not small and I am strong, plus my boxing training means I can get force into a punch. But the club owns a duty of care to its members and I am putting it on notice that even if the first incident came out of the blue they can’t use t…[Read more]

For anyone who is interested, I spoke to the club about their plans to deal with future incidents. I suggested conflict resolution training, Daeds.

I was then told that their only plan has been to tell staff they can lock themselves into the office if they feel scared. I hope aeroplane cabin crew will not be following that example and locking…[Read more]

Wonderful news. Well done, you.

@andrew – I loved your para about us imagining ourselves in the new job. I must confess that on that basis I have consistently failed to win the lottery. Off to read your blog now.

Thanks all.

I have since discovered that he was on police bail, having already been arrested a couple of days earlier for public order offences and assaulting a police officer. So he may be incarcerated for now. The gym will know, I expect.

Philippa – I entirely agree that he was less likely to assault a female than a male, especially since I…[Read more]

My significant failure this year has been to have written nothing.

I am not sure that there is much I can learn from that failure, but I have discovered that the desire to write is not one of the flash-in-the pan obsessions to which I am prone. The desire is still there, and I have valid reasons for the mojo loss.

I am hitting the half-century…[Read more]

Crikey. I’m quite tempted and I am a solid South-Easterner. But 2 hours on the train is hardly a no-no.