Reader, quite obviously you are reading an electronically published blog post. But how do you feel about reading novel’s via an e-reader or even on computer?

I have kindle for PC on my laptop and find it very difficult to read any of the novels I have purchased. Even the non fiction  how-to books don’t keep me there. This lack of enthusiasm has been the main reason I’ve not bothered buying a kindle of iPad or any of the other e-readers available.

Which brings me to the next question reader, what about e-publishing?

Is there even going to be printed books by the end of the decade?

And then there is the question of learning a whole new language and set of skills, another thing to do, when I battle for writing time, let alone learning all the technical “do-da”  that I imagine it will take to self e-publish.

I know there is a place for both in our literary world. The die hard oldies like me will probably always prefer the paper version of a book, and the next technically literate generation will love the Kindle/iPad/whichever version of an e-reader you like to name.

So reader, which do you prefer, a traditionally published book with paper and ink, an e-reader? Have you even looked at or considered using an e-reader? Do you love both? I’m really interested to know. You may change my mind.

Dear reader, you have been ever so patient with me, I am so grateful.

I have decided to put together a little post on wonderful writerly quotes that give me comfort in those dark depressing moments when I think I am wasting time and should just burn the lot, erase the usb drive and delete all files called “Writing” on both computers.

“You start into it, inflamed by an idea, full of hope, full indeed of confidence. If you are properly modest, you will never write at all, so there has to be one delicious moment when you have thought of something, know just how you are going to write it, rush for a pencil, and start in exercise book buoyed up with exaltation. You then get into difficulties, don’t see your way out, and finally manage to accomplish more or less what you first meant to accomplish, though losing confidence all the time. Having finished it, you know it is absolutely rotten. A couple of months later you wonder if it may not be all right after all.” – Agatha Christie

You can change your story anytime you like. Just start a new chapter and begin again. It’s your story.

~Dorothy Mendoza Row

“Start early and work hard. A writer’s apprenticeship usually involves writing a million words (which are then discarded) before he’s almost ready to begin. That takes a while.”
David Eddings

I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.  ~James Michener

Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.  ~Anton Chekhov

Write your first draft with your heart.  Re-write with your head.  ~From the movie Finding Forrester

I hate writing, I love having written.  ~Dorothy Parker, may not be exact wording

It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous.  ~Robert Benchley

“Writing is a lonely job. Having someone who believes in you makes a lot if difference. They don’t have to makes speeches. Just believing is usually enough.” ~ Stephen King

And finally –

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia  ~E.L. Doctorow

Things around here have been a bit chaotic and so I’ve not had a lot of time for much beyond the essentials.

This means Beavans Haulage has more call on my time than anything else for the next week or two.

So, dear reader, please accept my apology in advance for my being missing for the next little while. I’ll be in touch.