Karavansara

East of Constantinople, West of Shanghai


by Leave a comment

Useful lessons, and where to find them

Yesterday I posted an article for my Patrons, in which I tangentially compared this writing business to being an adventurer.
And I know, it’s a romantic notion, it’s me telling stories about myself to paint a veneer of glamour over the tight budget and the overdue bills, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it: writing for a living is like setting off on a long journey to find the ancient ruins of the Lost City, or crossing an ocean on a sailing ship.

Having recently discovered the works of Alastair Humphreys, I’ve been reading Ten Lessons from the Road, a motivational handbook based on Humphreys experiences during his four years travelling around the world on a bicycle.

Continue reading →


by 6 Comments

This time I’m gonna strike rich!

I just received a mail that promises to solve all my economic problems, and set my writing career on the right path.
No really!
Judge for yourself…

Dear Friend,
An oil business man made a fixed deposit of $26M in my bank branch where I am a director and he died with his entire family in Syria war leaving behind no next of kin. I Propose to present you as next of kin to claim the funds,if interested contact me with your full name, and telephone number to reach you and most importantly, a confirmation of acceptance from you.
Please reply with this Email: xxxxx
Your Truly ,
Ling Lung

Now I’m here preparing a letter for mister Ling Lung.
I think I’ll mention to him that I still have here his grandfather Kai Lung’s wallet. Maybe he’d like to have it back.


by Leave a comment

They could have shot you guys!

Yesterday’s microadventure was a great success. True, my legs feel like lead right now, but I’ve heard from a lot of people that would like to try something like that in these hills, I received suggestions and idea, and all in all it was quite beautiful, and fun.
Online.

Hereabouts reactions were a lot more conservative.
“You guys were lucky!” one of our neighbors said. “The hunting season’s open, they could have shot you guys!”
Much hilarity ensued, because I live in the kind of place in which your neighbors think it’d be a hoot should you get shot.
I also learned to some dismay that I evidently look like a boar in an aloha shirt.

And I mean…

Continue reading →


by 4 Comments

The art & craft of writing, a handbook in the form of a dialogue

I have finally finished reading Yours to Tell, Dialogues on the Art & Practice of Writing, by Steven Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem, that I had started back at the end of may, and then had somehow slid down the reading pile, for a number of reasons.
I collect writing handbooks, and this one came back to me at the right time to offer some diversion and a different and fresh outlook on what I do. Because sometimes while we can’t write (for whatever reason), we still can read about writing

As the title says, the book is built in the form of a dialogue between the two authors, and it has a very relaxed, informal tone. It is probably not the best choice as a first handbook for the totally uninitiated, but if you’ve tried your hand at writing, you’ll find a lot of interesting insights in this one.
While all the classic topics one finds in various writing primers are here, the approach is much more personal, and the book feels like you’re sitting somewhere, having a drink with your writer friends, and they start talking shop – as writers will often do.

The wide range of topics is handled with class and the authors manage to have a very sophisticated approach while keeping the text fresh, accessible and fun.

I really feel like recommending this one.