What’s more important to a book lover’s legacy… their last words, or the last book they read before they die? What might our last reads tell us about ourselves, life, death and all the rest of it?
The Last Book You’ll Ever Read
Tag: Literature
Why Writers Should Stop Torturing Their Goals… and Fail Better
I spent a lot of 2019 insulting my goals; poking them, calling them names, and generally hating on them. I’ve decided that in 2020 I should be kinder to them, and as well all know, whenever I decide something like that, I’m going to make a blog post out of it and insist that everyone should be doing it. You’re welcome.
What Do Literary Agents Really Want? Try Abnormal People
What are literary agents really looking for? Well, I’ll give you a clue, and it’s not what they say they’re looking for. It’s the character, stupid….
10 Bloody Brilliant Reasons To Marie Kondo Your Bookshelves
I’ve decided to go all minimalist with my books, because many of them are not just sparking joy, they’re sparking misery. Welcome to the Life-Changing Magic Of Cheering Yourself Up.
5 Things A Writer Really Wants For Christmas
What would a writer ask Santa Claus to deliver at Christmas? This is a question I explored in a guest post over on Anne R. Allen’s blog. I’m not sure what Santa himself would make out of it, but let’s just say I don’t think he’ll have this writer on the dinner party guest list in 2019.
Hey, Writers! Be Careful What You Wish For
Is it ever possible for a writer to be happy with what they’ve achieved? Or do the goalposts keep moving? Today we ask a most un-Christmassy question… is it much harder to succeed when you’re a success?
What Would a Writers’ Office Christmas Party Be Like?
This week, I am in two places at once. I’ve finally achieved what I’ve been trying to do for months – do two things at the same time, while only doing one thing. It’s a miracle – unlike my eyebrows. But what has this all got to do with a writers’ office Christmas party?
We Need To Stop Justifying Women’s Fiction Now
If we were really okay with Women’s Fiction, would we ever need to justify it? And why do I change so much on the inside every time I get my hair done? This and other truly shocking revelations in this week’s tardy but multi-tasking blog post extravaganza.
Honest Blurbs For Honest Writers
Famous writers are regularly asked to provide glowing blurbs, or one-line reviews, for other people’s books. While many find it difficult to say no, it’s impossible for an Irish writer to say no. So because I am always generous and charitable, I decided to write a few honest blurbs which might help them through this particular diplomatic minefield.
Why The Death of the Book Can Mean Opportunities for Writers
The way that publishing works today is unrecognisable in comparison to 15 years ago. For many readers and writers, it hasn’t changed for the better, resulting in much weeping, wailing, and a deluge of think pieces pretending to know what they’re talking about (just like this one). But you know what else changed as much in that time? Television. And it’s kicking ass. Why can’t publishing?
Tara Sparling writes 