Wandering about the chocolate website today I found this little poem.
http://www.virtualchocolate.com/chocolatemuse/foodforgoddesses.cfm
Friday, 6 March 2009
Thursday, 5 March 2009
How to be a writer
Another blog from my colleague Babu Basu
Writer in thought, writer indeed.
What do you think you need to become a writer?
a) A love of words
b) An ability to express your self
c) A life devoted to nothing but writing
It might surprise you to learn that option c) is not necessary, and, for many of us, it’s just not possible. Like other people, writers need money to survive. If you’re having to supplement your income by doing none writing jobs, fear not.
How you think of yourself is key. You can be a writer who is currently temping, or you can be an office temp who occasionally writes.
You decide.
Even if you are only able devote 15 minutes a day to writing, then for those 15 minutes, YOU ARE A WRITER.
Working another job does not make you any less of a writer, just a more determined one. Not convinced? Here’s a few examples for you to consider:
Stephen King, the legendary writer of horror was a high-school history teacher. In order to get himself into a dark frame of mind, he would write in his trailer’s built-in wardrobe.
Michael Burke, author of “Dances with Wolves” was making ends meet working as a dishwasher in a Chinese restaurant. Blake had just been fired when Kevin Costner rang, asking him to write a screen play for the book.
And whilst writing award winning songs, Madonna made money working at Dunkin’ Donuts and as a nude still-life model.
So, if you want to be a writer, be a writer in your head as well as on the page.
Wisdom by Babu Basu-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Babu BasuThe right business writer for youw. http://www.babubasu.co.uk/. writing@babubasu.com / babuhot@aol.com
Writer in thought, writer indeed.
What do you think you need to become a writer?
a) A love of words
b) An ability to express your self
c) A life devoted to nothing but writing
It might surprise you to learn that option c) is not necessary, and, for many of us, it’s just not possible. Like other people, writers need money to survive. If you’re having to supplement your income by doing none writing jobs, fear not.
How you think of yourself is key. You can be a writer who is currently temping, or you can be an office temp who occasionally writes.
You decide.
Even if you are only able devote 15 minutes a day to writing, then for those 15 minutes, YOU ARE A WRITER.
Working another job does not make you any less of a writer, just a more determined one. Not convinced? Here’s a few examples for you to consider:
Stephen King, the legendary writer of horror was a high-school history teacher. In order to get himself into a dark frame of mind, he would write in his trailer’s built-in wardrobe.
Michael Burke, author of “Dances with Wolves” was making ends meet working as a dishwasher in a Chinese restaurant. Blake had just been fired when Kevin Costner rang, asking him to write a screen play for the book.
And whilst writing award winning songs, Madonna made money working at Dunkin’ Donuts and as a nude still-life model.
So, if you want to be a writer, be a writer in your head as well as on the page.
Wisdom by Babu Basu-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Babu BasuThe right business writer for youw. http://www.babubasu.co.uk/. writing@babubasu.com / babuhot@aol.com
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Recommended reads
Today's choice is The God of Small Things - Arundhati Roy
"Gripping, chilling and awarded the Booker Prize. Roy's debut novel revolves around young twins who, through family misfortunes, lose their innocence.
At times you fear so much for a character, that you dare not read on.
Roy is both a master wordsmith and a consummate story teller.
A must read.
Babu Basu
http://www.babubasu.com/
"Gripping, chilling and awarded the Booker Prize. Roy's debut novel revolves around young twins who, through family misfortunes, lose their innocence.
At times you fear so much for a character, that you dare not read on.
Roy is both a master wordsmith and a consummate story teller.
A must read.
Babu Basu
http://www.babubasu.com/
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Wacky Words
This word comes from the Uxbridge English Dictionary courtesy of I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
Marinade
A soft drink for weddings.
I'm not sure if it will ever return after the loss of Humphrey Lyttleton but I'm Sorry was a joy to anyone who loves playing around with words.
Marinade
A soft drink for weddings.
I'm not sure if it will ever return after the loss of Humphrey Lyttleton but I'm Sorry was a joy to anyone who loves playing around with words.
Books into films
Read an article in Saturday's Guardian by Salman Rushdie about adaptations. By and large he's not in favour! I loved the film Adaptation and Being John Malkovich both of which he critiques. Never tried to turn a book into a script so have not comments. But read the Sucker's Kiss by Alan Parker recently which was full of visual. As a film director maybe he might have it sussed.
Monday, 2 March 2009
How to become a writer
A longer blog
Normally I try to keep these blogs short and snappy to make a point, bring a smile to your face or inspire you in some other way. I know that you're probably as busy as me and people writing at length may not be what you want.
But I've been inspired to write in more depth following some conversations I've had recently with would be writers.
The first was with a coach I've know for several years. She's always seemed to me confident, up-beat and very focused on achieving what she wants. I was surprised when she confided in me that she'd read a book by someone known to her and found herself wishing that she'd had the guts to write on the same topic.
The second conversation was with someone who runs a business caring for horses. She loves what she does and is very good at it and she wants to write a book about how she came into her business and what it's meant to her. Her lack of confidence is about her poor English.
To put it into context with my own writing business, for many years I would have laughed if you'd suggested I'd be a successful writer for businesses and now an author. I'd have said, "That would be other people you mean."
But here I am six years later and acknowledged as both.
What made the difference for me? How did I persuade myself into being a writer?
I'm convinced that what worked for me is having something I want to say.
I know that's what's happened to me before with other things I've achieved. For example:
It always made me laugh that whenever anyone guessed what I did, for years they guessed I was a teacher. At the time that was the furthest away from a job I wanted. The thought of standing up in front of a group of people turned my stomach to a quivering mass of jelly.
Until... I became an aromatherapist in 1996 and suddenly I had something I wanted to share with people. Something so important to me that I found a way to overcome my shyness and insecurity and started speaking to groups. Any groups that would have me. I talked to women's groups, church groups, WI groups until I'd forgotten completely that I didn't like speaking in public.
And the same happened with my writing. From being unsure about being any good, I suddenly wanted people to know how passionate I am about making sure what they can offer is put across clearly to readers.
So to cut to the chase:
If you want to be a writer then dig into what drives you, what injustice you want to right, what passions you have to change the world, your country, your neighbourhood.
Fire yourself up then write about it. Forget about not having the grammar or the words. All that can be put right if needs be.
Dale Carnegie who was one of the most influential teachers of public speaking always stressed that people will forgive you almost anything about poor speaking or grammar. If you connect with them.
And you can only do that by being honest and yes sometimes making yourself vulnerable by letting your emotions show. Facts and figures are important yes. But most important of all is emotion.
So if you're still hesitating, I beg you begin. And if you've begun and got stuck, then have another go.
Maybe we'll meet somewhere on the writing road. But even if we don't, I'll be rooting for you.
Normally I try to keep these blogs short and snappy to make a point, bring a smile to your face or inspire you in some other way. I know that you're probably as busy as me and people writing at length may not be what you want.
But I've been inspired to write in more depth following some conversations I've had recently with would be writers.
The first was with a coach I've know for several years. She's always seemed to me confident, up-beat and very focused on achieving what she wants. I was surprised when she confided in me that she'd read a book by someone known to her and found herself wishing that she'd had the guts to write on the same topic.
The second conversation was with someone who runs a business caring for horses. She loves what she does and is very good at it and she wants to write a book about how she came into her business and what it's meant to her. Her lack of confidence is about her poor English.
To put it into context with my own writing business, for many years I would have laughed if you'd suggested I'd be a successful writer for businesses and now an author. I'd have said, "That would be other people you mean."
But here I am six years later and acknowledged as both.
What made the difference for me? How did I persuade myself into being a writer?
I'm convinced that what worked for me is having something I want to say.
I know that's what's happened to me before with other things I've achieved. For example:
It always made me laugh that whenever anyone guessed what I did, for years they guessed I was a teacher. At the time that was the furthest away from a job I wanted. The thought of standing up in front of a group of people turned my stomach to a quivering mass of jelly.
Until... I became an aromatherapist in 1996 and suddenly I had something I wanted to share with people. Something so important to me that I found a way to overcome my shyness and insecurity and started speaking to groups. Any groups that would have me. I talked to women's groups, church groups, WI groups until I'd forgotten completely that I didn't like speaking in public.
And the same happened with my writing. From being unsure about being any good, I suddenly wanted people to know how passionate I am about making sure what they can offer is put across clearly to readers.
So to cut to the chase:
If you want to be a writer then dig into what drives you, what injustice you want to right, what passions you have to change the world, your country, your neighbourhood.
Fire yourself up then write about it. Forget about not having the grammar or the words. All that can be put right if needs be.
Dale Carnegie who was one of the most influential teachers of public speaking always stressed that people will forgive you almost anything about poor speaking or grammar. If you connect with them.
And you can only do that by being honest and yes sometimes making yourself vulnerable by letting your emotions show. Facts and figures are important yes. But most important of all is emotion.
So if you're still hesitating, I beg you begin. And if you've begun and got stuck, then have another go.
Maybe we'll meet somewhere on the writing road. But even if we don't, I'll be rooting for you.
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Inspirational quotes for writers
"As to the adjective, when in doubt, strike it out." ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894
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