Feels like I'm just posting to the void since I'm just getting started here, but why not. I write a weekly newsletter, and this week I write about how far away from reading and critical thinking we’ve come. It's lacking in our education, COVID learning loss, social media attention spans, all of it.

The reason I'm so positive about aspiring writers is that I believe that:

* Anyone who can string a sentence together can write a story, script or book.

* Anyone who puts enough time, effort, and workshopping into it can write a GOOD story, script, or book.

* Anything finished can be fixed.

mental health break? you bet it did

Bluesky has officially hit #1 on the App Store charts for Free Apps in both the UK and US.

I regret to inform you that I do sometimes judge a book by its cover.

There's a long history of Hamlet being played by middle-aged men when he's so clearly written as a sulky teen bursting with rage but with zero power at the court; understand that and the academics' debated question of "Why does Hamlet delay?" goes away

Writer friends! If you're having a tough time focusing on your novel right now, try doing some writing off-draft, in a separate document. Here are three Small Assignments you can try to keep working, even when it's hard to focus: 1/4

Stained glass extravaganza Cathedral Our Lady Antwerp

There are 31 working days left in 2024 and some of you have sworn to finish your project by then. With just 3 pages a day - that’s ~750-900 wds - you can write one first draft of a script or half a novel.

Your goal is not unreachable.

Of all the excellent Joshua Reynolds vibes, I think 'posh 1770s ladies running amok' is my favourite

Modelled here beautifully by Diana, Viscountess Crosbie & Lady Jane Halliday #18c

"We live for books."
Umberto Eco.

🎨Friedrich Frotzel, The old book case, 1929.

You might not know this but your local library probably has an app where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks, for free! Some have apps that let you borrow digital comics too.

My library subscribes to Borrowbox and it's great, I constantly have 2-3 audiobooks on loan.

Support your local library!

A little needle felting a little stumpwork embroidery and you get a mushroom. This piece came out so well.

I wasn't a band or theater kid, but I was a book kid and I think that still counts for something here.

Everyone on this site has a library card