Tom – Page 123

A couple of days ago, I constructed a new section in my website, titled: Tea, Breaks, and Inspiration, which at first glance might cause the casual observer to question the relevance to writing or art.

Gaining inspiration in a castle, high above the Mosel River - Cochem, Germany — Gaining inspiration in Reichsburg Castle, high above the Mosel River – Cochem, Germany

Whilst out and about, whether on a shopping trip, a day away, or on holiday; I always carry a notebook and pen. Yes, always. Some passages in my novels and short stories were born during a tea or coffee break, either when out for the day, or on holiday.

A camera is useful, especially if on your phone, as I’ve discovered since buying my first Smartphone a few weeks ago. I have also been known to use a digital voice recorder. Having said that; I’m still convinced that nothing works quite as well as a few well-chosen words in a notebook.

You can be imaginative, or you can use Google and Wikipedia, but nothing captures the atmosphere, architecture, and general feel of a museum or other location, quite like the written word, dealt with, right there on the scene. On the odd occasion, I’ve been visiting a city and stopped for a few minutes, to write down what I see. People, vehicles, buildings, and the occasional snippet of conversation can be noted.

When I’m sitting with my tea or coffee in front of me … and piece of cake of course, I look at my brief notes, and top them up with a little information. I believe ‘real’ research gives creative writing an authority, and that can only come from the confidence of the writer.

http://www.tom-benson.co.uk/tea-breaks-and-inspiration/

What are you waiting for? Get your notebook, and go out for a while.

The promise I made to several people has now been fulfilled, and a simple handwriting tutorial is now established on my website: http://tom-benson.co.uk/

I’ve dealt in an easy-to-follow format with topics including; holding the pen, tips to improve handwriting, formation of lower case letters, and capital letters.

I’ve kept to my own variant of the Copperplate style which most people should be able to develop into a personalised ‘hand’. If you have any doubts about the standard of your handwriting, why not click along and give it the once-over.

Still on the subject of tutorials, but in art rather than handwriting; I’ve started a list of useful links. On the site menu, it is listed as Art Tutorials – External Links, and I will add to it until I feel there is sufficient choice for anyone who visits my site.

I am not sufficiently talented to set up individual tutorials on the wide variety of disciplines associated with art, so instead, I am listing good, ‘How-to …’ sites on an ongoing basis. There is more information on my site.

Creative Writing, is of course the basis of this blog, so here is an update:

January and February have seen an upsurge in sales of ’10 Days in Panama’, and ‘Beyond The Law’, so I’m wondering if I am lucky enough to see one feeding from the other. I know if I like a book, I will automatically search out the author’s other work. Today, I saw my latest and best review on Beyond The Law. Both of the aforementioned titles are available on my Author’s Page on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

My intention was to choose a title to try in paperback. I’ve made my choice and I will now be looking to achieve the task in the early summer. I will of course be broadcasting the news here, on Twitter, and Facebook when the event takes place. If the paperback idea looks promising enough, I will publish my new novel, ‘Amsterdam Calling’ as an eBook and paperback simultaneously.

For now; happy reading, and writing.