The Happy Dog Owner

I've bought 'The Happy Dog Owner' in paperback and as an audiobook. About to start reading/listening.

Happiful magazine and Kaira latest.

 Today, I've been studying the latest edition of 'Happiful' magazine, and trying to learn the 'voice' and 'style' etc of it. I hope that my article 'Does your dog make you happy?' will 'fit in'.

Kaira still has her cough, but it's not as bad, or as frequent, as it was. The people from Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary told me that a few other of the dogs that came over in the same consignment had developed similar coughs saying that it was probably caused by coming from the warm climate of Spain into the cold, damp weather over here. They thought that it would only last a few weeks. She's a very independent dog, mainly keeping herself to herself, but occasionally coming to us for a reassuring fuss. She loves her head and ears being stroked. She refuses to go outside after dark!

New Writing - Profiles

 

I may soon have an opportunity to write profiles for an online dog magazine. Writing profiles is new to me so I'm doing some studying:-

Follow these 8 tips to learn how to write a profile:

1. Read other profiles. To know how to write a profile essay, read how other writers do it. ...
2. Do your prep work. ...
3. Create an outline. ...
4. Interview your subject. ...
5. Observe your subject in their environment. ...
6. Start with a strong lede. ...
7. Incorporate direct quotes. ...
8. Tell a story.

A company profile introduces a business's mission, goals, vision, and history. In most cases, a profile includes an 'About Us' section that narrates how the company was founded and its whys, and a section that introduces leadership team members.

Below is a list of steps you can take to write a company profile:

1. Identify a purpose for the profile. ...
2. Select a style and format for the company profile. ...
3. Incorporate contact information. ...
4. Include the company's mission statement. ...
5. Write about the company's history. ...
6. Describe products and services. ...
7. Include awards and recognition.

What is a company profile?

A company profile is a written introduction to a company that tells the reader about its activities, mission, goals, and strengths. Often, a company profile includes the story of the company's founding and describes its products or services.

So, I've got some studying to  do! 

Bournville 5

 Out soon in Waterways World magazine. Read it here first!

Bontdolgadfan

This is where I grew up. Bontdolgadfan.

"I stand on the simple stone bridge and slide my finger along the edge of carvings of my initials set into the slate slab, the only permanent record of my being here almost sixty years ago. I wonder how much water has flowed under this particular 18th-century bridge since I last played here?"..(Read full piece here)..

 

BRAVEHOUND

I'm working on an article on the charity 'BRAVEHOUND' for 'Dogs Today' magazine.

"BRAVEHOUND’S mission is to help heal the invisible wounds of military veterans with our specially trained assistance dogs.

"BRAVEHOUND provides assistance dogs to veterans who have a clinical diagnosis of a mental health condition such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety.

"BRAVEHOUND is committed to the long term welfare of each BRAVEHOUND dog and the veteran they have been partnered with over the dog’s lifetime."

My preparation for this project will involve interviewing the CEO and a couple of veterans.

(Above: Founder and CEO Fiona MacDonald)

Thursday

Not feeling at all well this morning. My blood glucose levels are very high so I've injected some insulin.

I'm on my own for a while. Simon is out shopping, so I don't want to risk falling over. I'm staying in bed doing some bits and pieces (including this!).

The editor of 'Dogs Today' magazine says she has a sufficient stock of articles from me for the time being. But added: " You could write for the online edition [Dogs Monthly] - but that's more newsled. Will have a word with the team. There are some interesting people who have started dog related businesses that you could interview. Ask them what inpired them etc? Does that sound interesting? Inventors, innovators etc." Yes, I'm interested! It's a new challenge. So she's going to contact their team next week and suggest me doing somework for them.

In the meantime, I've sent her some links to my previously published work to pass on to demonstrate my experience:

• http://richardhill.co.uk/suzie.pdf 'Suzie. The news-maker dog'
• http://richardhill.co.uk/truffle.pdf 'Cherche la Truffe'
• http://richardhill.co.uk/vpractice02.pdf 'Quarantine Reform'
• http://richardhill.co.uk/vetschool.pdf  'Vet School'
• http://richardhill.co.uk/observer10.pdf  'Vets in Practice'

So - watch this space! 

Wednesday

 

I've decorated my website and now my blog!

I went out in the car at around 9pm last night and had to sit in it with the engine running in order to defrost it. I really do dislike this cold weather. I'm still recovering from having the titanium rods and screws inserted in my legs. I can only take short, slow, steady steps and am terrified of slipping.

14:55 I thought I'd lost some documents and I've spent the last hour or so trying to find them. Phew! Panic over! They were lurking in the deepest, darkest corners of my laptop. Saved to two clouds now!

Tuesday

I'm feeling not at all well this morning and am working on my laptop in bed. I've been researching online material for my friend Patrick Manning who is developing his article on writing. He read it out at the writers group last night and it was well received, especially as it was his first attempt at writing.

16:10 - I'm still not feeling very well. I'm in bed, working on my laptop, researching the work of the Scottish charity 'BRAVEHOUND'. It's a fascinating organisation that provides assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD etc.

20:55 'Peace of Mind'- The Cinnamon Trust - In Print http://richardhill.co.uk/cinnamon.pdf

Monday Musings

I've been asked to write a feature on 'BRAVEHOUND,' a charity that provides military veterans with assistance dogs in central Scotland.

Sunday Sounds

I'm listening to a podcast from the National Centre for Writing (part of the University of East Anglia). 

The podcast I'm listening to, 'Structuring non-fiction with Ed Parnell (above)' has links to many more podcasts for writing. Click here.

"Ed Parnell is on the pod to talk about his first non-fiction book, Ghostland. He discusses his obsession with structure, how to pitch a non-fiction book and how he switched from fiction to non-fiction."

Other podcasts on non-fiction:

• Structuring non-fiction with Nick Acheson.In this podcast, NCW Programme Officer Ellie is joined by author and presenter Nick Acheson to discuss structuring non-fiction, and how to create rhythm with your writing.
• Writing narrative non-fiction with Dan Richards & Edward Parnell. In this episode of The Writing Life, we’re joined by writers and NCW Academy tutors Dan Richards and Edward Parnell to discuss the process of researching, writing, and publishing narrative non-fiction books.

The whole list of 'The Writing Life' podcasts from the 'National Centre for Writing' is here.

I've been editing the 'ABOUT' page on my website. (The lack of capitalization is deliberate!).

Saturday Study

 

It's a sleepy Saturday and I'm not doing too much today. The only real 'work' that I'm doing this afternoon is practicing reading out loud my original manuscript of 'The Cinnamon Trust' which I'm reading out to the writers' group on Monday evening. It's difficult to 'vocalise' something that is meant to be read from the printed page! 

I've also uploaded my draft copy of 'Peace of Mind' which is about 'The Cinnamon Trust' and is here.

I'm studying the 'Interviewing skills' section of my course 'Article Writing and Freelance Journalism' (run by 'Writing Magazine'.)

Apart from that - not much to report!

Freaky Friday

 

I've been researching material for my article 'Ghosts on the Waterways' and have been pointed to a couple of books; 'Sleep No More' (above) by L.T.C. Rolt and  'We Are for the Dark' by Robert Aickman.

I've placed a request for them from Langley Library. I've never used their service before,so we'll see what happens.

Also today, I've researched, written, edited and submitted Assignment Four.

Watch this space!

Kaira

Kaira has developed a bad 'hacky' cough. We took her to the vet (Medivet) this morning who gave her a thorough investigation and found nothing really wrong but suggested that it was 'Kennel Cough' but saw no need for any immediate treatment as it would probably only last a week or so. In the meantime, we were advised not to walk her out in public.

Around lunchtime, I edited my article 'An actors life afloat', about the actor Timothy West,who passed away yesterday,and his wife Prunella Scales. I submitted it to 'Waterways World' and 'Canals Online'.

This afternoon/evening, I spent a few hours working on Assignment Four of my course 'Article Writing and Freelance Journalism'. I submitted it around 21:15 and packed in 'working' (apart from this).

 

Talks.

Does anyone know of a club/group/society etc who would like me to give a presentation on 'Writing for Magazines'? More info and booking form at Click here

Wondering Wednesday

 

I'm not feeling very well today, so see below on what I've been playing with instead of actually working. 

I've been experimenting with a piece of 'word cloud' software, but it didn't quite come out as I anticipated. But never mind. I've learned from my lesson.

Does anyone know of software to create a 'word cloud' from a list of words I give it and then save the resulting 'word cloud' as a jpg image?

Tuesday Tiredness.

This is how I'm feeling this morning and was feeling last night. I think I've been studying and writing too much. I'll take it easy today and read, (about Creative Non-fiction) of course!

Here are some tips for contributing creative nonfiction to magazines:

• Read the guidelines: Always follow the magazine's guidelines for length, format, topic, and more. 
   
• Format: Use a standard serif font like Times or Garamond, double space, and use 11 or 12 point type. Include page numbers. 
   
• Proofread: Proofread your work and have someone else proofread it too. 
   
• Cover letter: Include a cover letter with your submission. Keep it short and professional, and focus on the creative work. 
   
• Include extra ideas: Consider including an extra idea or two at the end of your query. 
   
• Research: Research what the publisher wants in advance. 
   
• Be aware of submission restrictions: Some magazines may have restrictions on the number of submissions you can make, or when you can submit. 
   

Rejection

The editor of 'Waterways World' rejected my 'Dogs on Narrowboats' article and wrote: "Hi Richard, I’m afraid we’ve done something similar very recently. I’m not adverse to dog-themed content, as it seems quite popular, but I can’t really think of a new angle on it. Bobby"

It serves me right for not having studying recent back-copies of the magazine!

Ed Parnel, tutor and author of 'Ghostland'.

I'm researching material for my article 'Ghosts of the Waterways' for 'Waterways World' magazine. I've just remembered that my tutor, Ed Parnel, (on my course 'Creative Non-fiction' at the 'National Centre for Writing' - University of East Anglia) had written his non-fiction book 'Ghostland'.

So naturally, I sent Ed an email asking if he'd come across anyone who had personally come across any ghost(s) on/near the waterways. Watch this space!

Not sure that this audio will work, but here goes:

<A HREF="https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-cjkgz-e59861?utm_campaign=embed_player_stop&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=embed_player" TARGET=BLANK > Structuring non-fiction with Ed Parnel </A>

Sunday: 'Peace of Mind'

Written a couple of months ago, my article about 'The Cinnamon Trust' will be published in the next edition of  'Dogs Today' magazine. Entitled 'Peace of Mind' this feature (Page 22 Issue 364) covers the extraordinary work of the charity. Be amongst the first to read this article when it goes on my website soon.

I'd like to acknowledge the assistance of Rob Kibble of the Sloughwriters, who stripped out a photograph from the pdf copy of my article 'Ghosts of the Waterways', Check out his websited at The Philosophical Leopard Thanks Rob.

I'd also like to thank Carol Bridge for her kind offer to retype some of my previously published work. Her work is always flawless. Thanks Carol.

Ghosts of the Waterways

It's been a busy day, but rather my own fault. I laid in bed watching the Lord Mayors procession this morning. This afternoon, I did a few hours studying. This evening, I wrote and designed a mini website appealing for information. This is what I wrote:-

THE BOAT gently rocks, water lapping on the hull. It's late and dark. Somewhere nearby an owl gently hoots. Then, in the blackened stillness, the boat starts to rock. A passing boat? An uninvited boarder? Or perhaps one of the hundreds of ghosts, visions or experiences on our waterways?

Maybe you recognise this spectre?. Maybe you know the 'being' you're 'seeing'? A long lost friend or acquaintance perhaps?

I'm looking for stories. Your stories. Real stories. Take me with you. Take me there.

If you have experienced, or know someone who has experienced, a ghost on an inland waterway, I would like to hear from you. Please send me an email at sloughwriter@gmail.com or call/text 0777 466 0557.

A Ghost Story For Christmas http://richardhill.co.uk/ghosts.pdf  Canal and Riverboat Magazine, December 1998.

Notes on the above illustration The main photograph was taken under the bridge at Norbury Junction over ten years ago. The figure in the shadows is Simon Hawthorn with his little American Cocker Spaniel Annie. The 'spectre' was compiled of images found on the internet.

Friday

I'm feeling under the weather again, especially my legs. They hurt quite badly. The pain seems to be in the area where they implanted the titanium rods and screws. Recently, my walking has got worse, although, until recently, it was getting better. I've had to revert to using a walking stick.

Meanwhile, I'm doing a lot of studying with my new online course 'Article Writing and Freelance Journalism'. I'm now working on Unit Three 'Writing Style'. I've just completed my third assignment which mainly covered planning an article - something I've never done before.

I've just uploaded the 'LATEST WORK' to my website. It's at http://richardhill.co.uk/latest.html In particular, check out: http://richardhill.co.uk/bournville5.pdf

Thursday Thinking.

 I've been studying today - 'Article Writing and Freelance Journalism', I'm on Assignment Three - 'Planning your article'.

"Good construction happens best because of good planning. A planning technique used by many article writers is:

1.     To draft an outline of the article, simply indicating the order in which thoughts, ideas and information will be presented. Each of these, at this stage, is placed under a subheading. The subheadings may or may not appear in the final manuscript; at this stage they are simply there to help construct the article.

2.     To have a separate sheet of paper, or a separate file card, for each of these subheadings. We will call these the subject files. On each subject file, set out the information in greater detail and indicate where you need to find further information.

3.     When all the information you need is assembled and recorded on the subject files, it should then be set out in the form of topics to give yourself a topic list. At this stage you can rearrange the order of your subject files to make the finished article as coherent and logical as possible.

4.     At the end of this exercise, you will have a series of topic lists. You can now write each topic as a topic sentence and develop the paragraph that follows from the topic sentence.

In this way, you have a clear set of objectives as you write. Your writing will be more disciplined, and you will avoid rambling or straying from the subject."

Wednesday Writings

 

 

Some studying (a lot) and writing (a little) today. Also sorting out all my documents, images and files. If I don't do it on a regular basis I get in a terrible muddle. For the rest of the afternoon, into the early evening, I'm going to do some more studying.

Chillin' - almost!

I took a day off from researching/writing any of my current projects today. I did, however, do some studying of Unit 4 (Finding and developing the angle.) of my 'Article Writing and Freelance Journalism' course.

69 Today!

I'm 69 today and Simon's just served up a brilliant lunch of steak, chips, mushrooms, tomatoes, and gravy. I couldn't eat another thing until I'm 70!

I've just started an 8-week online course in 'Article Writing and Freelance Journalism' with 'Writing Magazine'. I'm doing it as I want to be a better writer for a wider range of magazines and in more depth.