As a bit of a change for my blog, I’m going to post a couple of photos. Living in Sunderland, I am lucky enough to live next to a fantasic coastline and a lovely, post industrial riverside. Despite me being a terrible photographer, the low sun over the last couple of days has allowed me … More Bright light, bit chilly.
I’ve tried my best to guide through the year; taught you how to behave on public transport, let you know what not to do in the pub and even given you a bit of advice on how to pedal. But now we’re coming to that time of year when madness sets in, where everybody thinks … More Mistletoe and whine (How to organise a Xmas Party)
I’ve not been blogging as much as I’d like due to commitments elsewhere but I’ve freed up a little time and thought I would let you know what is in the pipeline. Christmas A series of blogs around the festive season and how you should behave in the same manner as my pub etiquette guides, … More Coming soon …
In July I visited my first ever Literature Festival in Ampthill. I had a great time but all the way through I was thinking ahead to October where my home city, Sunderland was holding its first combined Literature and Creative Writing Festival. Not only were there going to be some great acts, I was also … More Enthused, amused and educated. (My review of the Sunderland Literature & Creative Writing Festival)
In the final instalment of my ‘what does writer do all day’ blog I’m going to finish off describing my busiest month of the year so far. I started week three with another appearance in the Literature Festival, this time in Shiney Row library. The crowd was a little bit smaller than the one at … More Festival fever (What does a writer do all day? Part three)
My review of Newcastle Oktoberfest 2016 … More Newcastle Oktoberfest. Oompah, oompah, stick it up your jumper.
In my last blog I tried to explain a little bit about what I get up to when I am being a writer. I only got as far as Wednesday in the first week so I’m going to carry on from where I left off and see where I end up. Working alone has its … More Bingo, Jazz Bands and pigeons. (What does a writer do all day? Part 2)
You may have noticed that my blog has been quiet for a couple of weeks. You may not have noticed, you may not care but as you are reading this blog I’m going to tell you what I have been up to because, for the past month or so, I’ve been really busy. At this … More It’s all gone quiet. (What does a writer do all day?)
‘Punctured bicycle on a hillside desolate’ sang Morrissey in 1983. Little did he know that little over thirty years later abandoned bicycles would be the identifier of one of the biggest trends in cycling. The cyclist who thinks ‘Sod this, I’m getting a taxi.’ The Reluctant Cyclist. The Reluctant Cyclist takes many forms. The friend … More The Smiths, profanity and The Reluctant Cyclist
Some years ago I wrote about the editing process for Leg It and how I expected to edit Idle Threats. Now that I have finished my third novel, Counterbalance, it is probably time to revisit the process and see if anything has changed. As always, this is how I chose to do it. It isn’t … More Did I make the cut? My guide to editing.
Alan Parkinson 