Unsolicited writing advice, no. 12403: Restrictions can actually be helpful, especially if you've become comfortable with the way you work. If you're struggling under easy conditions, try putting yourself under a little pressure. Limit your writing time. Change your space. Write longhand. It works.

And this morning the Shed is a vapour trail, scrawled across the clear blue sky…

Isn't THIS interesting! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

imagine what could be

Look at the gorgeous, subtle cover image.

Frances Burney (1752 – 1840) was an English satirical novelist, diarist and playwright. The third of her mother's six children, she was self-educated and began writing what she called her "scribblings" at the age of ten. #CelebratingWomen

EXACTLY.

Unsolicited writing advice: no. 338: The reason a synopsis is so tricky to write is that it has to convey something complex in a laser-focused way. That means any bagginess in the manuscript is probably going to come out. So keep it simple, keep it clear, and keep it to one page only.

And this morning the Shed is a chapel, abandoned in the woods, with buddleia growing in through the roof and wreathed in morning glories…

Just putting the finishing touches to June's newsletter, with work in progress, news, competitions, recipes and lots more. Not signed up yet? You can do it here: www.joanne-harris.co.uk

This is where I was last week...

Juliana Berners (born 1388), English writer on heraldry, hawking and hunting, is said to have been prioress of the Priory of St Mary of Sopwell, near St Albans in Hertfordshire. #CelebratingWomen

The Fatigue Mihail Zablodsky Oil on canvas (2022)

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 71: Just write. Some people spend so long cultivating their author persona, their author gravitas and their circle of author friends that they forget to write any books.

Taxing vulnerable people for the crime of fleeing from war, torture and persecution. A new low from Shabana Mahmood

Offer ends at midnight... www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Light...

And this morning the Shed is a chalk drawing of a shed on the back wall of an alley, where weeds grow through the cobbles and wild bees nest between the stones…

How lovely to see so many friends at the @rsliterature.bsky.social summer party tonight: with a great speech from @elifshafak.bsky.social about the importance of fellowship in all its forms...

Of all the idiotic and irresponsible ideas this government has come up with this must take the cake. A self selecting group of people massively undertrained and under prepared to evaluate what are often nuanced and complex situations for asylum appeals. www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...

#bookchallenge #booksky 30 Day Book Challenge: 1. Best book you read last year. Vianne by Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social . Her writing uses all the senses, taste and smell especially, to create a full and living sensory world. And it was good to meet Vianne again.

Ellen Neel (1916–1966) was a Kwakwaka'wakw artist woodcarver and is the first woman known to have professionally carved totem poles. #CelebratingWomen

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 7410: This is a conclusion drawn from over 30 years’ observation of publishing. Reviews don’t sell books. Advertising doesn’t sell books. What sells books is human-to-human communication, via reps, booksellers, author events, word of mouth from readers.

Discover how you can help to set children up for a lifetime of reading for pleasure, and the benefits it may bring you as an author. buff.ly/XCG9n2Z

Llandaff

And this morning the Shed is festive; adorned with orange blossom and butterflies...

I know Pride Month is almost done, but if you're still looking for some queer books to add to your TBR pile, pop over here for a collection of Trans books on discount, including my own: books.bookfunnel.com/transbooksfo... #queerbooks #transbooks #booksky

Marie Selika Williams (c. 1849 – 1937) was an American coloratura soprano. She was the first Black artist to perform in the White House. From 1882 to 1885 she performed across Europe with her husband, giving a concert in St James's Hall, London, for Queen Victoria in 1883. #CelebratingWomen

And this morning the Shed is a garden swing, entwined with climbing roses…

Sarah Forbes Bonetta (1843 – 1880) was the ward and goddaughter of Queen Victoria. Born Aina or Ina, she was a royal daughter of the Yoruba people in West Africa. As a child, she was orphaned during a war with Dahomey, and was later enslaved by King Ghezo of Dahomey. #CelebratingWomen

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 21091: Leave your ego at the door. Your primary task is to engage; to make the reader feel something. You can be the cleverest person in the world, but if the reader's only takeway from your book is: "gosh, what a clever person," then you have failed.

Liberal minded people, members of a minority or not, urgently need to get our heads round the fact that there is ALWAYS a reaction against gains in equality and not get allowed to ourselves to be seduced by the idea that it wouldn’t have happened if the less privileged group had been more discreet.

When I was a junior barrister I was told 'don't try and persuade the other barrister; they are professionally unpersuadable.' Whether and how fast Burnham can learn that lesson of our media, which exists to advance the interests of billionaires, will determine his success or failure as a Labour PM.

Simon Spanton is a great editor. Good move on @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social 's part.

People in Britain used to agree to disagree. Since Brexit, they no longer dare to talk about difficult things | Elif Shafak

And this morning the Shed is a forest path, lined with hemlock and lavender..,

You’d think a church would be cool, wouldn’t you? You’d be wrong… 😂Thanks to Gillian for inviting us, and to everyone who came! #Storytime

Attention all you Hasting Heads and Sussex Syd fans. I'm doing a turn at the Piper a week tomorrow. This is the gig rearranged from January. Do come along and say hello. I'm bringing some rare goodies. www.tickettailor.com/events/thepi...

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 10: Be aware of the naming traditions of the country (or generation, or culture, or region) you're writing about. Even unusual names have to come from somewhere, and there's no quicker way to lose the reader's trust than choosing a name they don't believe in.

"...and under them the ice darkened and began to glide. A channel opened very slowly in the floor, and all their luggage floated out in the river of moonlight. All the suitcases were open and full of darkness and moss, and none of them ever came back."

Looking forward to the #Storytime gig tonight at St Lucius' Church, Farnley Tyas. It would be very, very nice if temperatures stayed under 25 degrees, though...

And this morning the Shed is a horse-drawn caravan, lazing in the shade of the trees…

This is just to say I have taken Those plums Out of the icebox And climbed in Fuck yes

Cleobulina (6th century BC) was an ancient Greek poet. Plutarch says that she was a companion of the pre-Socratic philosopher Thales of Miletus, though according to Diogenes Laertius she was his mother. She must have been active at the beginning of the 6th century BC. #CelebratingWomen

When you see a tree in the middle of a road, please be patient as it takes time for them to cross

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 160: If you're feeling uninspired, try mixing things up. Move into a different space. Change the position of your desk. Use another medium. Try a different time of day. Changes can help reset your brain and boost your creativity.

At last, here comes the time of year when I finally understand why I bought a house with stone walls that never changes temperature...

And this morning the Shed is a sanctuary between two aisles of cool marble…

Margareta von Ascheberg (1671 – 1753) was a Swedish land owner, noble and acting regiment colonel during the Great Northern War. #CelebratingWomen