I’m continuing my Halloween season with a focus on zombie films. Zombies have become something of a cultural icon in a way that few movie monsters have, but a lot of the contemporary depictions of the zombie are rooted in George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968), which conveniently ignores the folklore roots of the zombie, and […]
#mondayblogs
What 5 Items might help you survive a Zombie Apocalypse?
It’s Halloween, so it’s time to talk horror movies! If you and your friends are anything like the people I know, then you’ll have had the zombie apocalypse conversation. You’ll know what you’ll do, where you’ll go, and how long it’ll be before you ultimately panic. I’ll be honest, I’m a big fan of Shaun’s plan […]
How do you cope with rejection as a writer?
There are few things guaranteed in life, but if you’re a writer, then at some point or other, you’re sure to encounter rejection. No matter what you’re submitting, sooner or later, you’ll get some form of reply saying “Thanks, but no thanks.” It’s hard, I know, but it’s something every writer goes through. Picture the scene. You’ve […]
Ghost Signs: Social history on a wall near you!
While walking around your nearest urban centre, try looking up. Can you see the remains of any old advertisements, painted right there on the brick? If so, you’re looking at ghost signs. I love ghost signs! We used to have a brilliant one for Jack Daniel’s in Newcastle until someone installed a brand new billboard over […]
How to fake motivation until you feel it
Motivation is a slippery thing. You have it…or you don’t. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find you have the motivation to do non-essential, but enjoyable, things, and no motivation to do things that are fundamentally necessary, but probably not particularly fun. If you find yourself in this boat, what can you do about it? […]
How Do You Restart Your Stuck Novel?
The ‘stuck novel’ comes to all of us at various times. You know what it’s like – you get an idea for a story and, full of the excitement of new plots, you feverishly start writing. For a few days, even weeks, it all seems great. You’re enjoying the story, it’s fun, and everything’s going […]
