Blog: Mel's Muse

So You Want To Be A Writer? Questions & Answers

Posted: Tuesday, 31st August 2010

I was reading a poem titled “So you want to be a writer?” by author Charles Bukowski a while ago. It begins:

“If it doesn't come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don't do it.”

And continues with the urge NOT to “do it” if you’re after fame or fortune, status or any other self-seeking reward.

The whole poem, which I have not reproduced for copyright reasons, may be found on Poets.

Articles on related themes: Poetry; Writing & Publishing A Book

Read full post »

Understanding The Drama Triangle In Personal Relationships & Fictional Characters

Posted: Wednesday, 25th August 2010

The theory of transactional analysis is a subject of never-ending fascination - both to those who find themselves participating in the Drama Triangle, and to aspiring authors involved in writing and publishing a book! Last week I met up with the friend of a friend and, during the course of the afternoon, she began to talk about one of her relations – someone I knew well. “He was so generous,” she said, admiringly, of him, knowing full well that he was also a serial adulterer and had caused his ex-wife and children decades of heartache and pain.

Articles on related themes: Personal Growth; Relationships; Character; Creative Writing

2 comments | Read full post »

One Stop Shop For Aspiring Authors & Published Writers?

Posted: Tuesday, 17th August 2010

Whether you are an aspiring author or an established, published writer, you will need to undertake research, from time to time, in order to provide material for the books or articles you are writing. Sometimes the research material you need may be factual; sometimes you may want to understand the emotional response to a given set of circumstances.

PROVIDING YOU WITH MORE RESOURCES TO INFORM, INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE

My aim is to provide you, not simply with help with your creative writing techniques, and a better understanding of the mechanics of writing and publishing a book, but also with the vital research you may need in respect of your book or article.

Articles on related themes: Writing & Publishing A Book; Creative Writing

Read full post »

The Torn Veil by Gulshan Esther: ONLINE BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION SUMMARY

Posted: Friday, 6th August 2010

QUESTIONS

1. What strikes me, immediately, about the author is the sincerity and commitment she shows to her Islamic faith. Are the rituals she conforms to so very different to our own when seen through the eyes of a non-believer?
2. She makes no complaint about her disability but has complete faith that she will be healed. Can we honestly say that our faith is as strong?
3. Gulshan Esther says that when she thought of God, no picture arose in her mind P28. Do we have a picture of God?
4. Islam began in 622. Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac is recorded in the Koran, and sacrifice and tithing are part of the Islamic faith.

   Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group

   Read full post »

Do Recycled Articles Increase Traffic To Website?

Posted: Friday, 30th July 2010

Is your blog green? In an era when we’re being urged to recycle – well, pretty well anything, really – how do you recycle your blog articles? Do you, in fact, do so? Or are they, once you’ve written them, the equivalent of being un-biodegradable, as far as you’re concerned?

RECYCLED ARTICLES HAMMER HOME YOUR MESSAGE

True, recycling old newspapers saves trees; but recycled articles do more than save you writing time and effort. They also help to hammer home your message to your readers.

Articles on related themes: Blogging; Article Writing & Blogging

Read full post »