Browsing category blogging

quirks and things. a tag.


I’ve just been tagged by DevilWoman. I don’t usually play, but DW is hilarious and I’m a huge list maker. Also, I’m feeling rather aggressive today; and I’ve found it’s best not to write memoir type entries when in the throws of anger. Or restless irritation. So here we are. Quirks and things. A tag.

op ed


“Everywhere I go, I’m asked if the universities stifle writers. My opinion is that they don’t stifle enough of them….” –Flannery O’Connor

the holiday


I’ve just finished watching The Holiday. Kate Winslet is lovely. But I can’t bring myself to care for Cameron Diaz and I find Jude Law incredibly pompous and irritating – in spite of that rather touching display of affection in his penultimate scene. I would have turned it off, Winslet notwithstanding, were it not for

american idol for the writer


Yesterday I checked that email address I never check – and I’m glad of it. Amidst all the annoying chain letters, the phentermine and porn spam, I had a note from the lovely Dina. The food blogess and publishing girl sent me an email re: Gather.com’s First Chapters Writing Competition. It’s being promoted as something

if you really knew me …


My turn. Because Oprah said to… If you really knew me, you would know I think I’m fat. Not just fat. Obese. Morbidly so. I have since I was nine. I sometimes see photos of myself and think “No way that’s me. That person looks normal. Not like Jabba the Hut. Not like me.” I’ve

mallorie and me


It’s funny how you meet your other. I don’t mean the one you have babies with. The one you vow to love and adore and never leave. I mean your other other. The person that’s so much like you they could be you if you weren’t around to do it yourself. I met Mallorie when

twain on jane


“I could read his prose on salary, but not Jane’s. Jane is entirely impossible. It seems a great pity that they allowed her to die a natural death. Everytime I read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.” –Mark Twain

the most wonderful time


Christmas trees and lights, his mother’s ornaments – long, fat and Victorian – wreaths of garland and holly berry winding around door frames and banisters. Wrapping paper and bells jingle belling. Nat King Cole. Warmed mince pies covered in brandy butter – the kind that clears your head. Sparkling wine and sherry in thick little