Write. Let's Do This.
It occurs to me that all the football biographies I have so far read have contained a tint of tragedy. Towards the end of Brian Clough’s biography, the great manager made a tragic admission. That is, based on what we now know. Clough confessed he was aware of his problems with alcohol, but wrote he Read more about Man vs Bookshelf: Forever Young[…]
The game is afoot. Well, the blog is afoot. Another few days have slipped by. Six between me finishing The City trilogy and the two Horowitz Sherlock Holmes books. The time breezed by, and I can’t believe I am already back at the keyboard typing another blog. Will there never be any rest for this Read more about Man vs Bookshelf: Horowitz’s Holmes[…]
I feel good again. All year I’ve been feeling sorry for myself. Life shot my motivation. My writing went to pot and my reading followed close at its heels. Before I went on holiday I was at my lowest point. I’d pretty much given up on writing. I was struggling to finish books in seven Read more about Man vs Bookshelf: The City Trilogy[…]
Recently, I have been going back over the early blogs in this series. The ones written back when the challenge was fresh and exciting – before I had gone through 60+ books and 40+ reviews. Before 2018 had hit like a missile through my fragile productivity. Smashing it into so many pieces. Those early blogs Read more about Man vs Bookshelf: Quantum of Solace[…]
Already, during this course, we’ve come so far together. We’ve grown to know each other well. Better than well. Intimately. In fact, I’d go so far as to say I think of you as more of a lover than a mere student. Together we have completed the first three stages of any writing project. 1. Read more about 5 ways to finish that first draft[…]
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I know that sounds like hyperbole. People always say ‘no you haven’t. You used to shit yourself and your mother had to feed you – don’t tell me you wanted to be a writer while that was going on.’ Well, first off, thanks for reminding me there was Read more about Man vs Bookshelf: Creative Writing[…]
For the first eighteen years of my life, I had little interest in football. The interest I did have I forced. I was, to greater or lesser extent, a boy, and boys liked football. I should too. I had a team – Manchester United. Picked for my favourite colour (red) and favourite player (Beckham) who Read more about Man vs Bookshelf: Will You Manage?[…]
I’m not going to open this blog by saying ‘if there’s one thing I like, it’s moaning’, because I hate that saying. Nobody likes only one thing. Not even me, and I hate liars even more than I hate Cheerios so I’m going to open with honesty, and the following line: There are seven Read more about Man vs Bookshelf: The Moaning of Life[…]
Time is a funny thing. If you’re reading this blog on release day (doubt it) it’s been ten days since a Man vs Bookshelf blog was last released. (This one.) As for me, I’m sitting in Costa writing it (yeah, I’m one of those dickheads) on Thursday, two days before it’s due to go out. Read more about Man vs Bookshelf: The Dark Tower[…]
Hey, it’s been a couple of days since my last blog and I thought since you’ve waited so patiently, why don’t I give you a free book? Sounds altruistic, I know, but don’t let that fool you. I’m only doing it so I can harvest first your emails then later your organs. Uh, actually, ignore Read more about Why not get yourself a free book?[…]