Bill Hayes put out an article at LitHub in January: The Rest Principle: On the Necessity of Recovery, in Fitness and Writing. Taking a course for personal trainers while researching a book on exercise, the critical value of rest in making gains really hit him. He talks about a gap in his writing career: In […]
[Continue reading] about Creative Hiatus for RestReal Boys and Xenomorphs
Alien is my favourite film. It’s horror at its finest: based on suspense and dramatic tension and dark mystique (the latter thanks to H. R. Giger‘s infamous design for the sets and the eponymous alien). The jump-scare is barely present. Like Jaws, the fear comes from not seeing the monster, only knowing it’s hiding somewhere […]
[Continue reading] about Real Boys and XenomorphsH is for Hawk: when words fly
I recently finished H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald. It’s a stunner. I’ve read a lot of non-fiction books lately where you initially wonder how a publisher ended up green-lighting the book. Somebody’s dad dies to they buy a hawk and try to train it? I mean, okay, sounds a bit off-the-wall, but I’ll […]
[Continue reading] about H is for Hawk: when words flyAustin Kleon interviews Oliver Burkeman
This Monday, Austin Kleon is releasing an interview with Oliver Burkeman. Two of my favourite creative voices in one conversation. Some of the best books I read last year were Kleon’s trio of books, and Burkeman’s recent book Four Thousand Weeks. One to watch. I also subscribe to Burkeman’s twice-monthly newsletter The Imperfectionist, which I […]
[Continue reading] about Austin Kleon interviews Oliver BurkemanSanderson’s Gone Rogue
A few weeks ago, Brandon Sanderson posted a video that was almost perfect clickbait. If you don’t want anything spoiled, watch the video before reading on. Spoiler alert It turns out it’s not a confessional, but an announcement of a bold plan. For anyone unfamiliar with Sanderson: he’s a prolific high fantasy writer. He writes […]
[Continue reading] about Sanderson’s Gone Rogue