Category Archives: Amazing Women

Giraffes, or Mansplaining


When a bloke tries too hard…

No room for heroes.


Flash fiction time. Devinia, would describe herself as a country girl – horses, dogs, hunting, polo and cold showers in summer. That was her sort of thing. She was larger than life in other ways, too. No male could claim not to notice her hour-glass shape when pressured by jodhpurs and riding britches. I madeContinue reading “No room for heroes.”

Berlin in Haikus


An author likes to have a project on the go, which isn’t always easy due to the vagaries of inspiration. In such circumstances I look back through some photos and choose one to write about. After all, the act of making a photograph is, in itself a mindful act. I spotted this amazing woman, inContinue reading “Berlin in Haikus”

Being mindful without mysticism


The Microsoft Bing definition or Mindfulness. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something: “their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition” a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. How I applyContinue reading “Being mindful without mysticism”

Writing to cleanse your subconscious.


A revered childhood mentor, Mr Eveleigh, with the football team – a man who tried to get us to a guilt-free adolescence. In my last blog I asked why authors continue to write, despite gaining so few readers. Am I sure that we have few readers? An internet search reveals that average US sales forContinue reading “Writing to cleanse your subconscious.”

Jane Austen knew – fallible heroines create nervous male moments


Three polit novels. Money back if you don’t laugh or cry. See the series of power women heroes.

International Women’s Day – two women’s firsts


I first heard the term ‘Women’s lib,’ sometime in the late 60s or early 70s. At the time we dreamt of men becoming more like women and to a certain extent, some men have softened their approach. It was never going to be enough to make a difference and so the outcome is understandable, but I don’t think anyone expected women to become more like men. E.g. Play rugby, football or cricket, box or wrestle.

How to write your novel – Ask a brewer!


Ask ten brewers how to brew beer and get eleven opinions.  Ask ten brewers – get eleven opinions. As a brewer and a writer and a one-time writer on brewing, I have always been fascinated by the truth of this brewers’ paradigm. More interesting is applying the idea to other creative areas, such as writingContinue reading “How to write your novel – Ask a brewer!”