Coming home

‘Good Christmas?’ I say. ’Fairytale,’ the book says. ‘Grimm.’ ’Are you here all week?’ ’Unlike some of us.’ ’It was … More

Craving silence

‘So I was thinking,’ the book says. ‘Going anywhere nice for Christmas?’ ’Do you want a lift somewhere?’ I say. … More

After what feels like a very long wait since the publication of Riddance in 2012, I am delighted to be publishing … More

‘Do you mind if I ask you a question?’ the book says. ‘Why are you wearing my slippers?’ I say. … More

‘You don’t sound very ambitious,’ the book says. ‘And good morning to you, too!’ I say. ‘I mean,’ the book … More

‘What do you want?’ says the book. ‘Who’s asking?’ I say. ‘Me,’ says the book. ‘I am asking.’ ‘What do … More

I am lying on the bed staring at the ceiling, detoxing from the day, as I do. ‘You all right?’ … More

The book is looking at me from across the room. It is dressed smartly, but not to impress. It looks … More

My first reader was a man called Fergus. A friend of a flatmate at university, I never got to … More

Here is a story about a recent failure of mine. It all started with an idea, which I knew, just … More

‘What else are you not telling me?’ says the book. ‘Nothing,’ I say. The book rolls its eyes, gives a … More

‘What you reading?’ says the book. ‘Nothing.’ ‘No need to be shy,’ says the book. ‘Go on, what is it?’ … More

‘What’s wrong?’ says the book. ‘Nothing,’ I say. ‘Liar.’ ‘Am not.’ ‘Are.’ ‘Aren’t.’ ‘Pants on fire. You’re hopeless. You should … More

It wasn’t much of a day. I was in noodle-mode, sticking things into my day book, quotes and articles and … More

If you came round for coffee these days you’d be offered decaff. Doctor’s orders, I’d say. And against my better … More

Dean Paul Granny § ‘What students in classrooms say is an exceptionally precious learning resource. Every time a teacher receives … More

A thought occurred to me as I found myself scribbling in a notebook earlier this morning: I have no idea … More

My friend Rupert Loydell has emailed me a list of blog posts curated by Rob Mclennan on writing at the … More