New Posts
A writing course on Lesbos
I’m leading a writing course on the beautiful Greek island of Lesbos from 5-12 September 2026. A few places still available!
Russian threats to the UK – and Andrei Klepach
My latest post on Russia-Ukraine concludes that Russian protests about UK arms supplies coincide with President Putin looking weaker than at any time since 2014. The case of Andrei Klepach is fascinating.
Paul McVeigh The Word Factory
Paul McVeigh and The Word Factory are both great sources of inspiration. They highlight that to be a good writer you should study others. You
Reasons to read “Seven Hotel Stories”
Seven reasons to read “Seven Hotel Stories” – one for every tale in the book. Get ready to meet Ms N and Tatiana – two hot, powerful women.
How to write masterclass: Novel laureate Orhan Pamuk
How to write Masterclass: Turkish author Orhan Pamuk is a worthy Nobel Prize winner. When I met him, he blew me off my feet. I had
Tackling smartphone addiction
Tackling smartphone addiction. Step 1 is to recognise it’s a problem. Step 2 is to see it’s hard. Final step: follow these four steps! I
Casino Royale the book
The book Casino Royale contains the best Martini recipe of all time. It also contains a key truth about caviar I am enjoying Ian Fleming’s
How to work better: 10 rules? Or not? A mysterious text, or an artwork?
How to work better: 10 rules. My father left behind a mystery. What is “How to work better” – and does it matter where it
17 rules on “how to write”
17 brilliant rules on how to write from George Orwell and Henry Miller. Both repay some study: Orwell on style, Miller on getting books finished.
The Force Awakens
The Force Awakens review: contrary to my expectations, this turned out to one of the best “Star Wars” movies. Worth a watch. The Force Awakens
FIFA corruption
FIFA corruption: world football is plagued by poor administration. You could fix it overnight if you had the political will.
The Mystery Shopper: a Hotel Story
“The Mystery Shopper” is the first “Hotel Story” set in the Caravanserai Ultra-Platinum, the coolest, most ecological and most luxurious hotel on earth.
The Force Awakens trailer. Five bits of bad news, five bits of good news
The Force Awakens trailer. Before I saw the movie, I reviewed the trailer. Unusually, the movie itself is miles better – in fact, it’s great.
How to be happy: 11 simple tools, scientifically proven
How to be happy: a couple of simple tricks can make a big difference. And it’s scientifically proven by the National Academy of Sciences. Zero
The internet polarises opinion: Paris, the Internet, and the Financial Times
The internet polarises opinion. Simplifying messages does not always help understanding, but may simply amount to shouting loudest. My post “The Internet. 7 reasons
James Bond and women: the movies are an epic sexist fail
James Bond and women: the movies have made token efforts to improve the treatment of women in recent years, but it remains dismal. One of
5 reasons James Bond movies suck. 5 reasons you watch them anyhow
Why most James Bond movies suck – but still watch them. 5 reasons the next movie will suck and 5 reasons we’ll watch it anyhow.
Datli Maya – the late, great Istanbul restaurant was my favourite
Datli Maya – before its closure, this tiny, strange cult restaurant in Istanbul was my favourite. This post explores why I used to love it. Great
Hans Rosling: Don’t panic
Hans Rosling’s video “Don’t Panic” is a lesson in why we all should examine the facts about population – and why the world is better than we think.
The Walk movie review – high wire action at the Twin Towers is awesome
The Walk movie review: this will irritate some, but the scenes imagining a man on a tightrope between the twin towers are magnificent. I often
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