Division and Commonality…

conflict, division, fake news, isms, People, relationships, summer camp, unity

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Many years ago some camp counselors and psychology types conducted an experiment…

The camp residents included a group of “jock” kids, rough and tumble sports types, and a group of “math camp” kids, more brains than brawn and not necessarily as vocal. The researchers put a mixture of both groups into two trucks to go to an activity away from the main camp, and had one of the two trucks “break down” for several hours on the way.

The kids from the first, non-breakdown, truck kept acting the way they always had: the “jocks” picked on the “nerds” and the “nerds” wouldn’t associate with the “jocks”

But, something very interesting happened on the second truck. The kids on the truck that “broke down” spent more time together; they had a shared experience. That experience brought the two separate groups together.

When the second truck, finally, made it back to camp…

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So unsexy

blogging , commitment , creativity , love , motivation , passion , writing

We British love our specialist interest groups

Papermaking, Surrey Industrial History Group

Lightwater

Perhaps I should join the Surrey Industrial History Group, as I seem to be attending all of their 43rd evening lecture series this year. Too lazy to complete the application form, probably.

This week’s lecture was Paper and Making it by Machine by Phil Crockett, Treasurer of the British Association of Paper Historians.

Phil’s lecture examined the progress of mechanisation in papermaking. While the principles of the process of making paper have not changed, Phil’s lecture showed how much mechanisation had changed the way paper is made. Any of the YouTube videos show modern paper making.

While I enjoyed the lecture, what struck me was that there was an organisation purely dedicated to the history of papermaking. Is it something in our British character that prompts people to establish such organisations, and others to join them?

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Help Your Writer’s Block with Free Download – Writing Prompts

Fun, Writing

Fiddleheads & Floss Writing Services

Coffee/tea? CHECK. Motivation? CHECK, well, mostly check.
Blinking cursor? CHECK

Now what. That blinking cursor is doing its thing, so why aren’t my fingers moving? Come on brain! Fingers! Type something…anything?

WHERE ARE MY WORDS???

It has happened to the best of us. We follow our routine, settle in for a good few hours of writing
and…nothing. I won’t say those awful words. The term used to describe this condition, but you know them.

Disgruntled. Dismayed. BAFFLED. This has never happened before. What do I do? Am I a good writer or not? I am a FAKE. Or maybe you are more seasoned in dealing with these episodes and you know that all you need is a little inspiration. You turn to Google. Old friend, old pal. And go right down a wormhole of inspiration until it is 4 hours later, your left butt cheek has developed a cramp, and…

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Writing Critiques: Who Are The Best People to Review Your Writing?

beta readers , editorial freelancers association , editors , literary agents , national association of independent writers and editors , on writing , stephen king , writers market , writing critiques

The Regal Writer

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It’s one thing to show off your latest work to your family and closest friends. After all they are the ones who know you best. They know how ambitious and creative you are and how hard you work at your craft. But can they be truly objective about your work? Can they provide more helpful comments other than “it’s a great story.” If you want more than a pat on the back, then you have to look elsewhere to get your writing critiqued.

There are writing groups, of course. Many new writers swear by them, claiming they have gained valuable feedback from fellow group members. But most members are as new as you are to writing, so they may not have the best perspective of your skill or a solid grasp of your story. Members will likely tell you that the work is good as…

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