Henry Miller's 11 commandments: to carve on every writer's desk

The wonderful blog Lists of Note published these today. Meditate and enjoy. (Or vice versa)

COMMANDMENTS

1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to "Black Spring."
3. Don't be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
5. When you can't create you can work.
6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
7. Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
8. Don't be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
9. Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book youare writing.
11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

Book Trailer - Love That Dog

Loved the book. Love the trailer...

Quiz time!

Yes, it's back, the Children's Books Ireland table quiz will take place on thursday 2 february in the Teachers' Club in Dublin. All you need to know is here. See you there...

Kick off 2012 with a laugh

So that's it, 2011 has packed it in and 2012 has taken over. If you're not a January fan, then check out the Reading Agency's latest (brilliant) idea: a list of mood-busting books that will see you through the winter no bother. The 27 titles belong mainly to 'adult' fiction (although you will find The Secret Garden, some Roger McGough and Tove Janson in there) and span all genres.
Once you've made your way through those, there are more recommendations for you, including the likes of hilarious Jasper Fforde nursury crime stories and Cold Comfort Farm.

"Research shows that reading improves mental wellbeing and reduces stress by 67%. The Reading Agency worked with BBC Headroom and nine UK reading groups in 2011 to create a list of mood enhancing books. These titles were endorsed by Charley Baker, Lecturer in Mental Health at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy at the University of Nottingham. Public libraries throughout the UK promoted this list in 2012."