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I recently read East West Street by British law professor and international human rights expert Philippe Sands. If you have any interest in the cataclysm which…
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So you want to write a brilliant blog or newspaper article? Help is at hand, in three easy stages. First: decide your message, and make…
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For all you ardent Wodehouse fans, I have fine news. Much Obliged, Jeeves is one of the funniest Wodehouse books I have read. The cover of…
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At the roof bar of the top hotel in Istanbul, I don’t notice a thing. Below us, the Bosphorus sparkles in the setting sun. I…
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I crave good thrillers. But they are vanishingly rare. So when I find a book with a compelling plot, rich characters, horrifying jeopardy and seat-edge…
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One key to writing better is to read critically. I attempt to do so, often noting down excerpts from books as I read. Here are…
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Originally posted on Paul Hodson: With Travelling Companion and Daughter I spent some end-of-holiday days in west London. We stayed in a flat in Barnes…
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Stop press: I will be doing a reading from my Berlin thriller BLOOD SUMMIT at 1800 on 20 February 2019 at The English Centre in Salzburg.…
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What better book to read at Christmas than Right Ho, Jeeves – a festive winter wonderland of Wodehouse, a rich Christmas pudding of Plum? Right Ho, Jeeves opens…
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‘I only finished the first volume,’ my friend says. ‘It was so badly written. And boring.’ ‘I disagree,’ I say. ‘I think the writing is…
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A writer compares turnips and sex. Is he wise, or daft? Can we use his wisdom – if any – to make ourselves happier? I…
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Ahead, in the kitchen, everyone seems to be laughing. As I approach, the noise swells. I push the door open to find ten people sitting…
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I recently attended an outstanding Arvon Foundation writing course in Shropshire. I will write a blog about that shortly. In researching, I found this piece,…
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I sit down at my desk in Vienna to continue writing my current novel, code-named The Boyfriend. Outside, birds sing in the trees; all is well…
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You are an author. You are about to sit down and begin to write a story. How do you get started? What will it be…
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Every writer wants to write better. Some of my most popular blogs set out tips on how to do this. That is why I have…
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Attentive readers – if any are reading this* – will be aware of my slow-burn devotion to the works of P G Wodehouse, including How to…
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“As night falls on All Hallows, the Zentralfriedhof is transformed into an ethereal wonderland. It seems every visitor throughout the day has lit a candle…
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What is the perfect martini? A couple of years ago in Istanbul I was taken out for dinner by two top cardiac specialists. In between…
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At my reading this week from my Berlin thriller Blood Summit, someone asked when I found time to write. I wrote a blog on “Where I write”…
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Originally posted on Inconsistent Pacing: With the new film just released, Fifty Shades of Grey is being savaged everywhere again – everyone seems to have an…
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Josef had long dark curly hair and a roguish smile. He stood aside from the tiller. ‘Fancy a go?’ he said. We were speaking Russian.…
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What does reclusive author Robert Pimm look like in the flesh? Great news. You can find out when I read from my Berlin thriller Blood Summit on…
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Back in the 1970s I used to ride on the top deck of a double-decker red Routemaster bus to school in Manchester, an hour each…
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‘Hey,’ your friend says in Vienna. ‘Let’s meet up for a coffee’. ‘How about a cup of tea? Or a beer? Or a glass of…
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So. The rather awesome J K Rowling wrote swathes of the “Harry Potter” series in cafes in Edinburgh. Can other writers do this? With iPad…
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In 1979 I hitch-hiked for seven weeks around the United States. What did I learn about the US of 1979, and what does that tell…
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In 1979 I hitch-hiked for seven weeks around the United States. What became of the carefree, relaxed young 21 year-old of these pages? Can I…
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Is my Berlin Thriller Blood Summit is suitable for reading groups or book clubs? Yes. Blood Summit is ideal for reading groups and book clubs. This…
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People often ask me: ‘What is the best city you have lived in, apart obviously from Manchester? Is it London? Berlin? Moscow? Istanbul? Kyiv? Or…
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Many years ago I worked alongside a young woman who, long before in another city, had had a relationship with a man who now worked…
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The influential gallery director sits down with the visiting guest in a museum cafe. Both are speaking English but only the guest is a native…
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The woman at the entrance seems delighted to see me. Having sold me a ticket, she rises from her seat and accompanies me to the…
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All I saw was the dame standing there in the glare of the headlights waving her arms like a huge puppet and the curse I…
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Those who know the code of the Pimms will know that the blogs on this site are consistently honest. No fake news here, or indeed…
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It has been a good run. Since 12 August 2017 I have written a blog every week, usually published on a Saturday afternoon, in addition…
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If you have not read How to be an Alien by George Mikes, please go and buy a copy instantly. You will not regret it. George…
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How much cruelty can you squeeze into a 150,000 word novel? A huge amount, if that book is Lady Anna, written by Anthony Trollope at the…
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‘How many people are you expecting at your reading?’ ‘Well, it’s impossible to know. Maybe five, maybe 20.’ ‘But how many people will you will…
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What does reclusive author Robert Pimm look like in the flesh? You can find out on Friday 15 June at the wonderful Shakespeare & Co bookshop…
Good questions all Leigh – and ones that I have also been asking myself. I’m in favour of regularity myself; every Saturday, or every other Saturday, suits my way of reading. I love the diversity of your blogs so have no preference whether it’s football, film, books, travel or anything else – it’s your ‘take’ on the subject that makes it interesting. I understand that you want to mention your other writing but, to be honest, most of your regular readers are more than aware of your literary output and, like me, are waiting for the Amazon version of Biotime. Links to other blogs are, I suspect, problematic because most people prefer to remain in their comfort zone. It’s hard enough to get readers to leave Facebook and cope with the new layout/navigation of your own blog; asking them to do so again by going to a stranger’s page is, in my limited experience, not simple. JR
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Thanks Jony good points all. A tricky balance between publicising your “main” fiction writing – if such it is – and advertising your ability to write something interesting through the blogs. Once I have a first draft of the present novel (code name: The Boy Friend) finished, I shall consider whether next to revise and publish “Biotime” or do something with “Istanbul Rising”, my Istanbul novel. More tough decisions ahead.
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OK I’m going to disagree – I think random blog posts would be even better, to keep us on our toes, and you could use the extra time for more novels (we’re waiting!)
And I read and enjoyed the post about George Mikes 🙂
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Thank you for this. Random or regular, that is the question. I am inclined to stick to every Saturday for now, which means – it’s time to get cracking! Watch this space…
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I love your book reviews especially when they are related to feminism ! Your journalism pieces and everyday stuff like “how to be happy” are also a delight !
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Will maintain the feminism theme for sure, if only because Ms N and Tatiana from the “Hotel Stories” will not allow me to do otherwise! Who knows – perhaps an 8th Hotel Story may appear soon…?
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No preferences for timing or subjects, Leigh, though it might be interesting (and provoke replies) to have three or four in a row on one subject. The George Mikes was very good.
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Thanks Paul. Thoughts always welcome. I am moving a little towards book reviews, perhaps as a result of enjoying a few recently. Next up: Raymond Chandler.
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