I wrote an SOS poem to Malorie Blackman (and all writers who could give me some advice on writing when life gets in the way!)

New video: Banter Ranter (Unexpected Summer #2)

New video - Unexpected Summer

I want to give a really bad party. I mean it. I want to give a party where there's a brawl and seductions and people going home with their feelings hurt and women passed out in the cabinet de toilette. You wait and see.

from 'Tender Is The Night' by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Philomena [to Sister]: I want you to know that I forgive you. Martin: Just like that? P: No, it's not 'just like that'. That's hard. That's hard for me. But I don't want to hate people. I don't want to be like you. M: I'm angry. P: How exhausting that must be.

The first thing that comes to mind maybe is an unfortunate picture of Keats looking a wistful wimp or Wordsworth maundering on about daffodils; Shelley flits past with too much hair but not much practical skill when it comes to paying the bills; over there lies Coleridge, stoned out of his mind, while in the corner Blake is talking to the fairies.

Paul O'Flinn, How To Study Romantic Poetry

All I want from you is to see you tomorrow (And every tomorrow Maybe you'll let me borrow your heart) Is it too much to ask for every Sunday? (And while we're at it, throw in every other day to start?)

- Not A Bad Thing, Justin Timberlake

New video - P.L.E.A.S.E (6 prayer pointers)

A little summary of my 6 points about prayer which I find useful!

New video: Awkward Bus & Book Blather

New video - My Beth Friend

Catching up with my lovely friend Beth. Tea, questions, confessions, the Macarena, all the usual really!

New Video - Dating Profile Questions!

I don't have an online dating profile, but here I answer some of the questions that might appear on one...

Questions are from Emma Blackery's video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARtk3N-JdeA

New Video - Public Speaking (#40acts)

A few thoughts on talking to strangers, appreciating people, introverts/extroverts, and 'Quiet' by Susan Cain.

I made a video yesterday about the #40acts Lent challenge, and other things I'm doing/not doing till Easter! For more info and to get involved with blessing the people around you, check out http://www.40acts.org.uk  

Huge love to everyone already taking part! <3

New Video - Crash Bang Poetry | Edible Literature #4

The best ways of creating sounds in poetry. Also literary china, Jabberwocky, cacophony, and bloopers.

New video - The Nonsense of a Non-Ending

In which I consider Julian Barnes, manipulative narrators, and the fact that Tony Webster is a git.

On It Like Sonnets

New video - the basics of the sonnet form in poetry, with groovy pictures.