How to write a novel | creating a mood
If you’re following my blogs about writing a novel, you’ll know my story is about Nick. His parents were killed in a car crash in America and he went on a road trip in a camper can. He met Lily on his travels and they have formed a love-hate relationship.
How to write a novel and make it plausible
If you’re following these blogs about writing a novel, then you will know the story is about Nick and Lily. Nick is typically English and a little reserved and Lily is American and extrovert. So far they have travelled in Nick’s camper van to Shropshire in England, after being thrown together by circumstances. That sounds plausible, doesn’t it?
How to write a novel | Character development
Last week in my how to write a novel series, I looked at the emotions of my characters. This week I want to develop a new character. You might remember that Nick and Lily have formed a love-hate relationship and are on the road in a camper van; having stopped off at Nick’s house where they spent the night together. I shall be going back to that and developing that part of the story. Now they are on their way to meet Victoria, Lily’s friend from university.
How to write a novel | Colloquialisms
For weeks now I’ve been developing my story about Nick, who has lost his parents in a car accident in California. He decided to sell up and go on a road trip around the English Countryside. I’m getting a little inspiration from the photographs that I took on Sunday. This is as close to the English Countryside that I get!
How to write a novel | Comedy
If you’re following my story of Nick and Lily, you’ll know Nick is on a road trip in a camper van and meets Lily in a quaint English village. Nick has no choice, but to help Lily when she becomes stranded after her hire car breaks down. So for much of my story, Nick and Lily share a relatively cramped camper van. They are two very different personalities. Nick is quiet and unassuming; Lily is loud and assertive. The love-hate relationship between them provides some opportunities for humour, particularly in the dialogue. This is how a story develops and it’s a good idea to make notes, especially of any funny lines you can think of. (more…)
Summer Sunday ramble
The sun’s shining! It cheers you up a bit when the sun shines; depressing thoughts melt away. I am writing this on Sunday morning before I start cooking lunch. It’s strange the thoughts that run through your mind on a sunny day. I just remembered that guy who kept drinking brake fluid. He wasn’t addicted; he said he could stop at any time… (more…)
The Propaganda Society
In the olden days, the Lord of the Manor lived in his Manor House and protected it with walls and a moat. These days the rich and powerful have more sophisticated tools to control the peasants. They have spin and propaganda. They can influence beliefs on a grand scale, using many psychological tools. It is done through many channels, that we call the media. This isn’t new, it’s been done for many years and can have disastrous results. Hitler demonized the Jews with propaganda, here in the UK it can be anyone who claims welfare benefits. Now though, it seems almost no one is safe; even bankers are demonized for giving themselves bonuses! Where will it all end? (more…)
How to write a novel | The story so far
If you have read the previous blogs in this series on how to write a novel you will know that I have some ideas for a novella. The story so far is about Nick, who is an only child and has lost his parents in a terrible accident while they were on holiday in America. He now hates all things American and has decided to get away from it all and travel around England in his camper van. Is he looking for something or running away from something? Maybe both? He does odd jobs on his travels using his skills as a gardener and handyman. He then meets a girl and forms a love-hate relationship with her. She is American! What is her name? I have one suggestion so far; Mauve. Well, I suppose it colourful… (more…)
How to write a novel | Character profile
In previous blogs about how to write a novel, I have introduced you to Nick, my protagonist for a novel or novella. We really need a profile of Nick and all the other characters. I have decided Nick will be an only child and that his parents were killed and so he runs away from life. He has a wandering spirit and so he buys a camper van and sets off to explore the English Countryside. I had a few comments last week and one suggested he lose his most treasured possession, but also find love. It would be heart warming for him to find his soul mate; but it’s never that easy is it? (more…)
Thrifty Thursday | surviving the recession
I went to Aldi yesterday in search of a few bargains. I particularly wanted fruit and veg, I had run out after the long Bank Holiday. Recent research has implicated infections as the cause of even more serious diseases and so it’s important to get vitamins and minerals. I think antioxidants like vitamin C are important. I managed to get broccoli, for 49p; that’s usually on offer. I also have the grapes, 1.29 for 500 grams. I find that there isn’t a great choice of meat and often the shelves need restocking. I do pass Asda on the way back though and so could pop in there too. I have a few things from Asda (more…)
Print your own money?
Italy
(Reuters) – A small town in central Italy is trying to go independent and mint its own money in protest at government austerity cuts.
Filettino, set in rugged hill country around 100 km (65 miles) east of Rome, is printing it’s own money to get around the austerity cuts. I like this idea! Localised quantitative easing and why not? If central bankers can do it, why not local people. Money is just paper, you can print anything to represent money, notes, vouchers, stamps; you don’t even have to print it with computers and smart phones, it can be just numbers on a computer screen; bits transferring from computer to computer. It just has to be credible. It has to mean something. The town council could issue notes or whatever with the town hall as security; that would be more solid and have more backing than the bank notes we use every day! (more…)
How to make your first million 2
On paper
In my first ‘How to make your first Million’ blog, I said you need to understand the nature of money and that the paper stuff goes down in value. This is because they keep printing the stuff! That gold sovereign in the picture however, goes up in value. I know, I know, gold is going to drop in price any minute and I should sell and invest in shares! It dropped a little last week and then went up yet again, people said sell at $1,000 a ounce, $1,500 an ounce and we are on our way to $2,000 an ounce! When interest rates rise and they are higher than inflation, then I would think; maybe, that selling is a good idea. (more…)
I agree with Warren Buffett…
Stop coddling the super-rich: Buffett
I agree with Warren Buffett and I agree with David Cameron; but that’s another story! Warren Buffet actually wants to see tax increases for the super-rich in the United States; he is rich and a patriot, putting his country first. I think the UK can learn something from this. How about tax increases for everyone earning over £100,000 a year; at least temporarily until the deficit is paid off. (more…)
Oiks and Toffs
The Black Country Forest by the railway...
Oiks and Toffs
If you don’t know what Oiks and Toffs are; I will explain. The Toffs are people like Cameron who went to Eton and of course Oxford and his mate Cleggy went to Cambridge. I probably qualify as an oik! I was one of those nasty rough lads from town, who spoke with a working class accent. I got my hands dirty at times too and actually did some work; I must be an oik. We oiks had our day though and we went a message to Cleggy in the elections. (more…)
