Writer / Woodcarver / Tree-whisperer
Do We Need Escapist Fiction? You don’t have to be a Houdini-type to escape reality. In the 21st century, we are inundated with distractions and entertainment to divert us from and numb us to the harsher realities of global capitalism and its consequences. Most are inconsequential fripperies quickly forgotten once “consumed”. What about Escapist Fiction?
Or "What Have Euphemisms Ever Done For Us?" (Euphemism: “The substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.” Dictionary.com) I love the English language and the multitude of ways it can be used creatively to communicate, entertain and enrich our lives. There’s no denying I can… Continue reading Tell it How it is?
The familiar adage ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ is often quoted to suggest that the written word is more effective than violence in achieving political or social progress. But what of the power of vocabulary? The choice of which individual words to use can change the implied meaning, emotional impact and influence people’s… Continue reading What’s in a Word?
Everybody’s busy. Everyone I meet says they are. With so much to do in our Western, post-industrial lives, it is easy to resent being made to wait. It can seem like a waste of time, during which we are prevented from engaging in the many activities that fill the rest of our existence. Overstimulated, short… Continue reading Waiting is…
In 1830, at the northeastern tip of the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands, on the shore of the picturesque village of Cromarty, Hugh Miller discovered imprints of life sandwiched between layers of rock 400 million years old. Last week, embraced by walls fashioned from the same sandstone, thirteen undergraduates gathered to marinate in time… Continue reading Creative in Crom-Arty
Firstly, I need to request that if you identify as an “aspiring writer”, you drop that term immediately. If you write, you are a writer. If you don’t feel confident with that label, and you must seek an alternative, might I suggest “improving writer”? I recognise that most writers could fit into this category, but… Continue reading Book Recommendations for Improving Writers
“Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity” - Daniel Oppenheimer After my last blog, I thought I should confess that there are some words and phrases that bother me. Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE words and I love playing with them and I believe their creative use can entertain, enrich and educate. I love… Continue reading Mind Your L#ngu@ge – Part 2.
Mind Your L#ngu@ge. I find it interesting that some people consider certain words in the English language to be offensive. If I want to cause offence deliberately (which I generally don’t), I could do so quite easily without using any of these so-called expletives. I say ‘so-called’ because the Oxford English Dictionary defines expletive as:… Continue reading Mind Your L#ngu@ge.
Geoff King 