New Posts
My 2026 writing course on Lesbos
I’m leading a writing course on the beautiful Greek island of Lesbos from 5-12 September 2026.
Who’s afraid of autocracy?
“Mr Nobody against Putin” and “The Wave” highlight the seductive danger of autocracy, and why we should never assume “it couldn’t happen here”.
Chernobyl and Pripyat: 25 pictures
Chernobyl and Pripyat: 25 pictures showing what the reactor, the canteen, and the nearby town of Pripyat actually look like.
Plums of Wodehouse: 14 gems
“The Plums of Wodehouse” is a great introduction to PG Wodehouse. It is also stuffed with pre-selected quotations, known as “Plums”.
Dealing with rejection: 7 ways to cope
Dealing with rejection may be constant companions when you are writing or selling a book. Here are seven tips on how to handle rejection – and maybe turn challenges into opportunities.
Author readings: why do them? My first reading from “Seven Hotel Stories”
Author readings: what are they about? Presenting your books to a live audience is great to connect with readers and explain your writing.
Editing: 7 ways to improve your manuscript
Editing: whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, editing a manuscript for publication can really help.
Beating writer’s block: 5 ways
Beating writer’s block. Developing a clear strategy and routines may help get you in the habit of writing and beat the block.
Stephen King on writing: plan your book in advance, or not?
“Stephen King: On Writing” explains how he never plans his books, but just gets started. Should you plan a novel in advance, or not?
Edit as you go along, or not?
Edit as you go along, or not? Top tips on how to polish and improve your novel or other work. Don’t over-edit as you go.
Scenes and sequels: how to write a cracking good story
Scenes and sequels are a great way to build tension in your writing. Some practical examples from my Berlin thriller “Blood Summit”
“Leigh Turner Writing News” – how to sign up for updates
“Leigh Turner’s writing news” is a great way to find out about my writing activities, readings, forthcoming stories and tips on writing.
A complete free story – “The Two Rooms”
A complete free story to say thank-you to everyone who reads my robertpimm.com blog: “The Two Rooms”. The first ever “Hotel Story”.
Last great hitchhiking trips: Fast Trip to London
The last great hitchhiking trips are still taking place, somewhere outside Europe and North America. Here is an excerpt from my unpublished book “A voyage around America”.
Studying great writers: Waugh, Wodehouse and Alan Clark
You can improve your writing, and your quality of life, by studying great writers. Read actively and keep a note of what strikes you.
How politics work
How politics work – Anthony Trollope’s books are still the best guide to politics, especially but not only British politics – as we show here.
“Summer Lightning” – an exquisite Blandings comedy.
“Summer Lightning” is the 4th novel set at Blandings Castle, seat of absent-minded Lord Emsworth and his prize pig, the Empress. Love it.
Tough sexy women in fiction? Meet the toughest and sexiest: Ms N
Like reading about tough, sexy women? One of the most brilliant women in fiction is also tough, glamorous and successful. Meet Ms N.
Music and happiness
Music and happiness: how can you make the most of it? Don’t be afraid to dig out those old songs, or to dance to them!
Reading Wodehouse: a plea for help from Wodehouse experts
Reading Wodehouse: what do you do when you have read all the “Jeeves and Wooster” novels and stories? Never fear. Help is at hand.
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