Here’s a great post from Leo Babauta of the excellent Zen Habits blog about the benefits of getting up early. I started writing in the mornings because I realized that the only way I could guarantee myself time to write every day was if I started early, before the rest of the world was up. Evenings were often busy (less so …
Distractions and Prevarications, Part 4
One of my greatest regrets is that I cannot write while I listen to music. I need my quiet. There is no such thing as background noise for me. The music rushes to the forefront of my consciousness, demanding attention, and I can no longer hear the words I’m forever trying to grasp. Sentences swim in front of me but …
Where do Good Ideas for Books Come From?
The short answer to this question is: buggered if I know, but I’d like to suggest a few things that might help unearth a nugget or two. Open your eyes and your ears. Expose yourself to as much stuff as possible. Whether it’s reading magazines, or novels, or listening to podcasts, or eavesdropping other people’s conversations on the way to …
Last minute tweaks
Final, tiny polish before submission tomorrow: exorcising last remaining anglicisms. I found one “pavement” and seven “autumns”. Damn. Thank God for search and replace. Scratching my head trying to think of other tell-tale signs…
A Writer's most Precious Resource – Readers
I am a lucky man. I have a quartet of angels around me without whom this book would never have been finished. I am speaking of four true, trusted friends – all women, although that is coincidence, I think – who have read bits and pieces of the novel as it has progressed. They have offered advice and support and criticism …
Literary cartoon of the day
From the New Yorker:
The Creative Process (First of an occasional series)
One of the things I’ve been wanting to write more about is the process by which my books emerge. Now seems like the time to do it, since I am not writing at the moment. I have various ideas in my head about the next book but they need to percolate a little more before I begin again. Anyway, I’m …
If it's not one thing…
… Having resolved the knotty issue of what to call myself, we move seamlessly on to the question of the novel’s title… BtA likes “Paradise”, as do I, but we know there’s something better out there. Just gotta work out what it is. I have volunteered to trawl through barbershop lyrics in search of the perfect title. If you’ve ever …
A New Man?
I feel like a new man. Not sure if anyone remembers this post, but after much thought and deliberation, it has been decided by the powers-that-be that henceforth I shall be A.H. George. Not exactly an earth-shattering difference. Still, I like the initials. And it is still me. (Although I did like someone’s idea of using the very rock n’ …
Blast from the Past
I received this in my inbox this morning. Hard to believe that the offending book was published ten years ago now. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I think maybe she had a point. Hi Alex This is the first time I have ever been inspired to seek out an authors email address to comment on their work but here goes. …