Monthly Archives: January 2013

Origins of Words & Phrases

Posted on January 30, 2013 by

This is one I’ve figured out for myself. It actually didn’t take much figuring out, but it was just a connection I’d never made before. Or I did make it ages ago and then forgot about it? Seems to happen … Continue reading →

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Far From the Madding Sentence Chapter 2

Posted on January 25, 2013 by

Gabriel, lately, for the first time since his prostration by misfortune, had been independent in thought and vigorous in action to a marked extent – conditions which, powerless without an opportunity, as an opportunity without them is barren, would have … Continue reading →

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Problematic Words

Posted on January 18, 2013 by

Two pairs of words that cause confusion: If you reproduce someone’s exact words, such as ‘Martyn Beardsley’s new book Murder in Montague Place is the best crime novel in years’… …then it’s a quotation not a quote. The words are … Continue reading →

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Ups and Downs

Posted on January 15, 2013 by

I was dipping into my Bradshaw’s Guide to the Victorian railways, as featured in Michael Portillo’s excellent Great British Railway Journeys on BBC2, when I got to a section on the London, Brighton & South Coast line where it describes … Continue reading →

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Far from the Madding Sentence

Posted on January 12, 2013 by

  I’m currently reading Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. I like his poetry a lot, but I have to say I struggle with his prose. I’m sure it must be me rather than him, him being the … Continue reading →

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It’s Here!

Posted on January 10, 2013 by

  After years of writing children’s and adult non-fiction books, my first fiction novel for adults! It was quite a while in the planning and writing, and I discovered along the way that detective/whodunit stories have an extra layer of … Continue reading →

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Political Correctness in Historical Writing

Posted on January 6, 2013 by

During my researches for historical writings, one thing I’ve become very aware of is the tendency of modern writers towards what I’d call a euphemistic and politically correct view of other cultures. When I was writing Deadly Winter, about the … Continue reading →

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