Will Self

On Monday I listened to a very interesting interview with Will Self on Open Book on BBC Radio 4. He has gone back to doing his writing on a typewriter. Why has he ditched his computer? He says that a writer who uses a computer does his thinking on the screen; whereas a writer who uses a typewriter does his thinking on the page which involves a lot of rewrites therefore a computer is no advantage. I would have to disagree because a computer is indispensable when it comes to editing your writing. He also revealed that his spelling had deteriorated due to using a computer – did he never hear of ‘spell check’? Self’s new novel is called Butt which is set on a bleak island which is reminiscent of the movie ‘Mad Max’. The story is influenced by Conrad’s ‘Heart of Darkness’. His novel, Butt is being published on the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War. He wants people to think more about the moral status of our actions - eg. the consequences of flipping a cigarette butt! He maintains that the war in Iraq did not impact too severely on people’s lives in Britain - people still went

on about their daily lives. Ofcourse people went on as best they could.

What did Will Self expect people to do? Really I find his angle insipid to say the least.

Anyway he the writer is entitled to his opinions. Aren’t we all – writers or not?

Virtual desktops; Sticker Lite; 7-Zip; FileZilla; BitTorrent

This evening I downloaded 2 free programs for Windows XP: VirtuaWin Virtual Desktop Manager for Windows & Sticker Lite (Desktop Notes equivalent to yellow paper sticky notes).

VirtuaWin is a virtual desktop manager for the Windows operating system (Win9x/ME/NT/Win2K/XP/Win2003/Vista). A virtual desktop manager lets you organize applications over several virtual desktops (also called ‘workspaces’). Virtual desktops are very common in Unix/Linux, and once you get accustomed to using them, they become an essential part of a productive workflow. VirtuaWin is designed to be simple to use and be highly configurable.

Click on the following links to download these fantastic free programs:

VirtuaWin The Virtual Desktop Manager = http://virtuawin.sourceforge.net/

Sticker Lite = http://www.morun.net/www/products/sticker/lite/sticky-notes-freeware.html

And now to some free programs I promised a friend. He was particularly interested in software which would unzip files (compressed files). 7-Zip comes highly recommended.

7-Zip is a file archiver with a high compression ratio.  http://www.7-zip.org/

7-Zip is an free open source file archiver designed originally for Microsoft Windows, and later made available to other computer operating systems. In the form of p7zip, the command-line version of 7-Zip has been ported for use on Unix-like systems such as GNU/Linux, BSD, and Mac OS X as well as AmigaOS. It is also compatible with DOS via either a DOS port, or by using the HX-DOS extender to run the Windows command-line version.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-Zip

FileZilla Client is a fast and reliable cross-platform FTP, FTPS and SFTP client with lots of useful features and an intuitive interface. FileZilla, the free FTP solution. Both a client and a server are available. FileZilla is open source software distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License. http://filezilla-project.org/

The FileZilla Wiki is a documentation base aimed at helping those that want to download, install, compile and use the FileZilla Client and FileZilla Server software to transfer files across the Internet.

FileZilla Client is a free, open source FTP client for Windows. It supports FTP, SFTP, and FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS). The client is available under many platforms, binaries for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X are provided.FileZilla Server is an FTP server supported by the same project. It supports FTP and FTP over SSL/TLS.  http://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Main_Page

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P) communications protocol. BitTorrent is a method of distributing large amounts of data widely without the original distributor incurring the entire costs of hardware, hosting, and bandwidth resources. Instead, when data is distributed using the BitTorrent protocol, each recipient supplies pieces of the data to newer recipients, reducing the cost and burden on any given individual source, providing redundancy against system problems, and reducing dependence on the original distributor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_%28protocol%29

http://www.bittorrent.com/

Learn what a Wiki is: A wiki is software that allows registered users or anyone to collaboratively create, edit, link, and organize the content of a website, usually for reference material. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites. These wiki websites are often also referred to as wikis; for example, Wikipedia is one of the best known wikis.^[1] Wikis are used in businesses to provide affordable and effective intranets and for Knowledge Management. Ward Cunningham, developer of the first wiki, WikiWikiWeb, originally described it as “the simplest online database that could possibly work”.^[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

I sincerely hope that this information is of use to people out there in the online world. Good night!

MacBook Air

Recently at Macworld 2008 Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the new MacBook Air – the new ultra thin notebook which is currently taking the web and the world by storm. Just try YouTube and you’ll find a plethora of video footage exploring every aspect of the new MacBook Air.

Apple.ie in Ireland are selling the new MacBook Air from a base price of Eur1,699 – great value because this new piece of kit from Apple is perhaps only the beginning of more fantastic hardware and software that has yet to appear. I would urge anyone interested in Apple software to go along and see a demonstration of this magnificent piece of technology. Who knows you might even buy it there and then.

Check out the new MacBook Air on Mac Life (Create, Share, Enjoy) the online version of the magazine of the same name.  And for your daily dose of all things Mac click on MacSlash

On the form side of things you have the incredibly useful Mac-Forums (The ultimate Source for Your Mac).

Am I converted I hear you ask. Absolutely! Should have bought a Mac computer years ago.

Making A Writer Out of You

Making A Writer Out of You
To become both a published and hence ‘successful writer’ you need to develop organisational and personal qualities such as self-discipline and perseverance. This advice applies just as much to the part-time writer as it does to the full-time professional.

In a nutshell: Successful writers do not lounge around waiting for inspiration. They sit with pen, pc or laptop and they start writing. They write regularly because they have disciplined themselves to do so, and because they want to. Try to write everyday, even if only for a few minutes. This can be notes for future reference, a synopsis for an article, the plot of a story or simply letters to friends or relatives. This regular writing helps to keep the mind fresh, active and creative. Many writers find keeping a diary very helpful for this and it can have the added advantage of being a rich source of writing ideas when you look back through it.

The following key writing points are taken from The Writers Bureau Creative Writing Course, Manchester, England, 2000, Book 1 (p28-29). I began this writing course that same year (2000) and have been drifting in and out of it ever since. I feel I have to say that the advice given by the Writers Bureau is perfectly rational and sound writerly advice. It does require discipline and commitment to put their advice into practice and for most people this can be the sticking point. However, all aspiring writers have to grit their teeth and get on with the job of writing; the reward is enjoyment (hopefully) and the immense satisfaction of seeing your words in print and obviously a good financial return for your efforts.

Key Points to Remember

• It does not matter when you write but try to work when you are most mentally alert.

• Find a place to write where you are comfortable and you are not likely to be distracted.

• The best way to start writing is to sit down and get on with it. You can always discard your ‘warm-up piece’ afterwards.

• You can become mentally tired and stale if you overdo your writing. This can lead to writer’s block. Always take regular breaks – anything that will give you a mental rest and help you to relax.

• Make sure you have all the necessary basis equipment.

• Editors only accept typed work; so it is better if you can organise access to a pc or laptop computer right from the start.

• Always have a notebook or electronic recording device such as an iPod handy and make notes when you see or hear anything that you could use.

• Keep a cuttings file. Look through newspapers and magazines for items that tie-up with subjects which interest you.

• Be organised – keep accurate business records for both your own information an for tax purposes.

• Read widely – you can never really Know enough. Analyse the work of others and study their style.

• Try to enlarge your vocabulary as much as possible.

• In addition to perseverance, determination and personal commitment you also need to organise your life properly. Patience, resilience and confidence are also valuable personal qualities for any writer.

• Don’t let a rejection depress or anger you. Try to spot the flaws which made your work fail and learn from this. If work is rejected try it with another market but ensure you have altered it, if necessary, to make it suitable. Once you have had a success, follow it up as soon as possible.

• The quickest way to recover from a rejection is to start on another piece of work.

• Make sure you have a steady output, but set yourself realistic targets which you know you can reach comfortably.

• Write about what men and women are discussing in their daily lives – what we call general interest topics. Don’t set you sights to high as a beginner.

• When you are more experienced, specialising in a particular area may prove lucrative.

• Short articles, fillers and readers’ letters can be a good way of breaking into print relatively early in your writing career.

• Keep your eyes open, talk to people and listen if you want to find more ideas for your writing. Always look for an original angle that will help to sell your work.

Endnote: check out the links on The Writers Bureau homepage Resources for writers. E-zee Writer and Freelance Market News are particularly informative and useful for developing your writing craft.

Per Petterson

Per Petterson is a Norwegian author who has recently won the prestigious IMPAC Dublin award for literature. At 100,000 Euro this is the largest prize in the world for a single work of literature. Petterson’s novel Out Stealing Horses (2003) is the work he is best known for.

“This melancholy tale follows a 67-year-old man who is forced to remember the traumatic events of his childhood. His life was changed forever in the summer of 1948, when he was only 15. Through his memories the novel brings that distant summer to life and explores how the recovered past disturbs the present.” – Guardian Unlimited (www.guardian.co.uk)

For a thorough and professional review of Petterson’s novel Out Stealing Horses log onto Reading Matters.

Truman Capote (1924 – 1984)

A very good friend enlightened me about the brilliant novel In Cold Blood by the American writer Truman Capote. This novel is well worth reading because it will transport you the reader to the beautiful prairie landscape of Kansas in the American mid-west. I wont spoil the book for you suffice to say that it ranks with classics such as Moby Dick by Herman Melville and Dubliners by James Joyce. Read it as soon as possible! And if you have read it in the past, re-read the book and enjoy the experience again!

You have to read Beyond Belief by Emlyn Williams. This book is his account of the Moor’s Murderers, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

Another exceptional novel is 10 Rillington Place which is based on the true crimes of one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers, John Reginald Christie.

It’s useful to know that all of these books and authors can be sourced via Penguin Classics. Any good library worth it’s salt should stock the Penguin Classic series of books. I hope that you my faithful readers enjoy reading the many fine classical works of literature that are so easily available in today’s modern world. Enjoy the summer and expand your imagination!

YouTube

About two nights ago I signed up for YouTube. I’m delighted with this video programme; excellent for gardening and learning about any hobby you care to mention. A great YouTube broadcaster is Silly Old Twit – he has interesting video footage. If you fancy some intelligent points of view then head along to Silly Old Twit where you will be assured of a great deal of thought provoking discourse.

Kurt Vonnegut

The American author Kurt Vonnegut passed away last Wednesday at his home in Manhatten in New York City. He wrote nineteen books in his lifetime. Various writers are now praising Vonnegut. One web article even goes so far as to say that Stephen King now wears the title of America’s greatest living writer – that is until he too goes to that great hall of writing in the sky.

Project for now: Read the best of Kurt Vonnegut’s titles.

My Favourite Writers and more …

Thursday 29th March 2007

Today like so many other days I ventured into Chapters Bookstore in Parnell Street, Dublin. This new bookstore which opened early in January 2007 is excellent as it’s not as crowded as Easons and it has as many book titles if not more.

The following authors interest me. First off is the contemporary German writer Gunter Grass. He is highly rated both in Germany and throughout the world. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1999. More details about Gunter Grass can be found on the web site Books and Writers.

Ernest Hemingway is also one of my favourite must-read authors. As a child I remember being fascinated by the film version of his book The Old Man and the Sea. I noticed it’s a very slim volume but what a story. Read it and be enthralled!

E.M. Forster and the book which made him famous A Passage to India is also on my reading list. It’s a fairly large tome but judging by the reviews on the dust jacket and references to it by other famous writers it is definitely a book worth reading.

Back in the year 2000 I went to see the film Finding Forrester about the Pulitzer Prize winning author William Forrester. He wrote only one book Avalon Landing but it earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. I will definitely read the work of William Forrester. And you dear reader should do likewise.

Perhaps the one of the most interviewed of authors is the English writer Philip Pullman. This morning he was on the Radio 4 programme In Conversation presented by Terry Jones. Pullman became famous for his Dark Materials Trilogy, the first book is entitled Northern Lights. He said he was very much influenced by John Bunyan’s The Pilgrims Progress and he also stated that mediaeval and classical literature are the original and the best stories to read and learn from. I intend to read his work in the near future. “Writing is a journey of discovery,” Pullman says of writing. And how right he is! More on Philip Pullman in the next post.

ALEXANDER SOLZHENITSYN

Alexander Solzhenitsyn is the famous Russian author. I first discovered his work in his great novel THE FULL CIRCLE, which I picked up at the Library in Dublin Bus, Donnybrook Bus Garage. More on this Russian writer later….