Chapter twenty-five: Y-z
You have been with me on this point-to-point exploration for something like 25 steps now. So you know that we’re nearing the end. And you’ve… Read More »Chapter twenty-five: Y-z
A-Z of Writing
Chapter twenty-four: X-y
Xerxes is a favourite name from my childhood reading. My imagination was stirred by tales of the ancient world. Perhaps that’s why I quite like… Read More »Chapter twenty-four: X-y
Chapter twenty-three: W-x
‘What’s in a name?’ goes the familiar quotation from Romeo and Juliet. Obviously quite a lot, as a name is the basis for our identities… Read More »Chapter twenty-three: W-x
Chapter twenty-two: V-w
We demand individuality and memorability from our quotations.” Very few of you will have failed to notice that I like to use quotations. I like… Read More »Chapter twenty-two: V-w
Chapter twenty-one: U – v
The trouble with words is you never know whose mouths they’ve been in“Dennis Potter Usually adverts come one at a time and are soon forgotten.… Read More »Chapter twenty-one: U – v
Chapter twenty: T-u
Talking in someone else’s voice – is it ventriloquism? Impressionism? If so, a kind of impressionism that has nothing to do with Monet. Ironically, since… Read More »Chapter twenty: T-u
Chapter nineteen: S-t
Short words suit swift actions…But it can be a boring, monotonous diet for those having to take these words in.” Short simple words are the… Read More »Chapter nineteen: S-t
Chapter eighteen: R-s
The sound of your words will tell you a lot – a stumble might point out the word you’re not sure about, a pause for… Read More »Chapter eighteen: R-s
Chapter seventeen: Q-r
Questions can be very useful in helping you get started on a piece of writing. Why should this be so? Aren’t questions inevitably a sign… Read More »Chapter seventeen: Q-r
Chapter sixteen: P-q
Punctuation is the cause of many problems. Some people get irritated by it because they see it as pedantry. Do they they do. It’s not… Read More »Chapter sixteen: P-q
Chapter fifteen: O-p
Once I selected poems for all the members of the company where I was working. I invited them to live with the poem, reading it… Read More »Chapter fifteen: O-p
Chapter fourteen: N-o
We do language. That is how civilisations heal.”Toni Morrison Nothing will come of nothing, as we know from King Lear. By this Lear meant that… Read More »Chapter fourteen: N-o