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What to write to bereaved parents – Part Two

February 1, 2019 By Leave a Comment

It’s one thing to write about what to write in general terms. But when it happens to you, and the deceased child is a relative, wow – does that really bring it home.

What to write to bereaved parents

My cousin whom we lost a few days ago aged just 31. What the hell can I say to his parents? What can anyone anyone say to his parents that might help them?

On Tuesday this week I sat in my car after attending an excellent business networking launch of a new group and, feeling in a good mood, I took my phone off “silent” and looked through my messages.

One from one of my favourite cousins, a French-speaking Belgian (my mother was Belgian) began with the words – in French – “I am devasted to tell you that our son was killed in a motorcycle accident in the Philippines on Sunday.”

He was 31 years old. [Read more…]

Filed Under: How to Write, Latest, Social writing, Writing From The Heart Tagged With: , , , ,

What do we want to write better in 2019?

December 31, 2018 By Leave a Comment

I don’t mean this in a commercial way, but rather as in what from your heart do you really want to share with others in this coming year when we’re focused more than ever on deeply personal issues like mental health, mindfulness, happiness, positivity in the light of political, social and ecological darkness?

Do we want to write more about politics?

I don’t, for sure. I don’t dare.

What will we write about in 2019

What can we write about in 2019 that will help address our current issues?

Looking out through my electronic window a.k.a. my desktop screen, all I can see is a childish, petulant bully in the USA … a frightening face-off in our neighbouring France … courteous, amiable and utterly confused political squabling in the UK’s parliament … terrifying geological realities in Indonesia … all symptoms that remind us that we’re simply festering little pimples on the backside of a churning world. [Read more…]

Filed Under: How to Write, Latest, Putting The World To Rights, Writing From The Heart Tagged With: , , ,

Sue Bentley on writing fiction books: a famous author’s views

November 8, 2018 By 3 Comments

Thinking of writing a fiction book? Here are some cold, hard yet still heart-warming facts about a successful writer’s journey, by millions-selling children’s author Sue Bentley whom I met at a recent book fair, and who kindly has shared her experiences and advice in this article.

Writing books isn't easy by a famous author

Sue Bentley: If people like you and find you interesting, they will want to read your books

Here Sue tells it how it is, and was, so helping new authors get a realistic view of book writing – even from the top. Over to Sue…

Writing fiction books: not the fastest way to riches

[Read more…]

Filed Under: How to Write, HTWB Books, Latest, Publishing, Storytelling, Writing books Tagged With: , , ,

A complete novel writing course here on HTWB – for nothing

September 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment

I was scrolling through the series of 30 novel writing tutorials we published here on HTWB a while ago and thought how difficult it was to find them in order, so I have listed them all here for you to use. It will make it a lot easier for you to go through the course in the correct order. As always, there’s no charge.

writing fiction on HTWB
It’s an excellent course written by novelist and publisher Lucy McCarragher, who re-edited and eventually turned it into a book [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fiction Without The Fuss, How to Write, Latest, Publishing, Writing books, Writing fiction Tagged With: , , , ,

What to write when someone’s child has died

September 19, 2018 By Leave a Comment

I will never, never forgive myself for once writing an email to a couple whose premature baby died just a few hours after he was born. In it I wrote, “never mind, you’re young. You can have another one.”  Stupid, ignorant, idiotic cow that I was.

what to write when a child dies

“We need your support, patience, understanding, love and friendship…” Dawn Allen, bereaved parent

At the time, I hadn’t become a parent. And unless you are a parent, it’s hard to understand just what agony the loss of a baby can cause – whether via a miscarriage (even an early one), via an actual birth, and of course later on through childhood and beyond.

It was only once I had a child of my own that it dawned on me what a vile, thoughtless and cruel thing that was to say. Here’s what I have learned that may stop you making similar mistakes… [Read more…]

Filed Under: book reviews, How to Write, Latest, Putting The World To Rights, Social writing, Writing tips Tagged With: , , , , , ,

If you spam in English, FFS learn how to write it first

May 15, 2018 By 2 Comments

Do you spit fur and feathers when you get a spam-mail that insults your website’s performance … in bad, incorrect English? I do. I know I should just hit the delete key but these people’s conceited belligerence brings out the Taurean beast in me, as well as my writer’s indignancy at their often ridiculous use of our crazy language.

If you spam in English, FFS learn how to write it first

Do yourselves a favour: hire a native English language copywriter to rewrite your mailshots so at least some English speakers might take you seriously.

Jenny finds my website “very perspective” and it could soon disappear from search

Our Jenny Jones works for a company called Semalt.com, based in the Ukraine (or maybe Russia.) Here’s how she thought she could bully me into submission, notwithstanding the fact that her English is laughable… [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business English if you're not a native speaker, Business writing, How to Write, Latest, small business, Writing discussion, Writing tips Tagged With: , , , ,
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