A Few Timely Links
1. The first line of my novel is on Twitterlit today! It's strangely thrilling to see it. It's almost as big as the thrill as seeing it in print for the very first time... Thanks to Debra Hamel for picking it today.
As you can see from the site Twitterlit feeds in the first lines of books twice a day, then by clicking through you can find the book. Some of these first lines are funny, and some mysterious - and all of them make you want to read more. It's also a great stimulation for writing and imagination.
2. The first line of Simon Singh's book TRICK OR TREATMENT is 'This book is about establishing truth in relation to alternative medicine.' which led to the subject of a column in the Guardian which in turn led to the court case I wrote about here.
If you are in the UK you can (indirectly) show your support for Simon Singh by signing this petition to change the libel laws in the UK. Only about 90 people had signed it last time I looked so there is room for plenty more. (A reminder - You can also show your support directly by signing this facebook page).
3. There is much in this country that seems to me should be changed, but there are also some things that seem to keep working just because they are slightly weird and archaic. An example is the post of Poet Laureate. Last night I watched Ian Hislop present a programme on the 350 year history of the Poet Laureate. Part of the reward of the post was a life-time supply of sherry (well, 650 bottles which would last most people a year or two). It was an affectionate and amusing account and you can see it for the next six days here.
This programme was to celebrate the appointment of Carol Ann Duffy to Poet Laureate...And Carol Ann Duffy was one of the judges of the Arts Council award I won which enabled me to write the book that is presently being Twitterlitted. Which takes me neatly back to point 1.
As you can see from the site Twitterlit feeds in the first lines of books twice a day, then by clicking through you can find the book. Some of these first lines are funny, and some mysterious - and all of them make you want to read more. It's also a great stimulation for writing and imagination.
2. The first line of Simon Singh's book TRICK OR TREATMENT is 'This book is about establishing truth in relation to alternative medicine.' which led to the subject of a column in the Guardian which in turn led to the court case I wrote about here.
If you are in the UK you can (indirectly) show your support for Simon Singh by signing this petition to change the libel laws in the UK. Only about 90 people had signed it last time I looked so there is room for plenty more. (A reminder - You can also show your support directly by signing this facebook page).
3. There is much in this country that seems to me should be changed, but there are also some things that seem to keep working just because they are slightly weird and archaic. An example is the post of Poet Laureate. Last night I watched Ian Hislop present a programme on the 350 year history of the Poet Laureate. Part of the reward of the post was a life-time supply of sherry (well, 650 bottles which would last most people a year or two). It was an affectionate and amusing account and you can see it for the next six days here.
This programme was to celebrate the appointment of Carol Ann Duffy to Poet Laureate...And Carol Ann Duffy was one of the judges of the Arts Council award I won which enabled me to write the book that is presently being Twitterlitted. Which takes me neatly back to point 1.
posted by Clare Dudman at 2:18 pm
4 Comments:
There's a problem here: Who's going to change the libel laws when the people who benefit most from stringent libel laws are the people capable of changing the libel laws?
Good point, Gordon. Who guards the gatekeepers? We're just going to have to have a revolution.
I'm enjoying Twitterlit; congrats on being featured!
Thank you, Marie!
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