Pages from my Notebook Photo by Jan Kahánek They say you should face your fears. One of my biggest fears is that … More
Author: James Garside
Chapter 23: January 2023 — Burn Your Boats!
What are you willing to give up, or let go of, to achieve your dreams? Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. … More
Chapter 23 – Review: Twitter for Writers — Rayne Hall
I’m @jamesgarside_ on Twitter if you want to say hi I’ve had this review to write for about a year. … More
Chapter 23 – Why don’t we just talk about loneliness? [Big Issue North]
Loneliness and social isolation are silent killers, according to the statistics. Why don’t we just talk about loneliness? [Big Issue North] … More
Chapter 23 – 6,000 reasons to burn my laptop. Apparently.
Customs: Do you have anything to declare? Writer: I’ve the internet browser history of a fiction writer. *gets wrestled to … More
Chapter 23 – A brief introduction to the Beat Generation
Get taught how to write by William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg! “First Thought, Best Thought.” — Allen Ginsberg “You are a genius all … More
Chapter 23 – Murder on the trans-siberian express
“That which doesn’t kill you makes you a funny motherfucker, most of the time.” “That which doesn’t kill you makes … More
Chapter 23 — December 2022
Sick of tea? That’s like being sick of breathing! Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Copywork and Story Models
You write a good novel by writing a good novel Photo by Jan Kahánek Writers are great lovers. They fall in … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Destroy the Heart
Notes from the archives of my notebooks Photo by Eric Ward I’m still so exhausted that it staggers me, and all … More
Chapter 23 – I am Not a Wolf by Dan Sheehan
I am Not a Wolf by Dan Sheehan I Am Not A Wolf – Image courtesy of Sick Of Wolves I … More
Chapter 23 – DMX will be Remembered
From the Archives: originally published in 2021 DMX will be Remembered DMX, Mika-photography / Wikimedia Commons A memorial for the … More
Chapter 23 — November 2022
Azarath… Metrion… ZINTHOS! Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down … More
Chapter 23 – Review: Old School — Tobias Wolff
On the typewriter, you tell the truth On the typewriter, you tell the truth. Read Tobias Wolff’s Old School, finally, after … More
Chapter 23 – What to do when someone is wrong on the internet
You’re right, right? [This is a personal diary extract written when #RIPRichardDawkins started trending on Twitter. THAT’S ALL. If you’ve … More
Chapter 23 – Shut up, James
Well, I thought it was funny Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash Yes, the emperor is naked. No, he doesn’t want … More
Ask Me Anything! Join my new subscriber chat.
A private space for us to converse and connect Today I’m announcing a brand new addition to my Substack publication: … More
Chapter 23 – Sorry, wrong meeting
Have you ever noticed how the ‘moral majority’ isn’t moral and there’s more of us than them? Photo ‘Right to … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Once upon a time in Brighton
Imposter syndrome used to be a friend of mine Photo by Jan Kahánek I worry that I might be schizophrenic. I … More
Chapter 23 — October 2022
Outlaw Country! Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Dawn Chorus
Endless sleep and still no rest Photo by Jan Kahánek Since from the point of death you are no longer away … More
Chapter 23 – Noam Chomsky on Writing
“Come at me, bro!” ― Noam Chomsky “Come at me, bro!” ― Noam Chomsky Someone left this falsely attributed quote on … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: The only relationship you need to cultivate is between you and the page
Fuck everything else Photo by Jan Kahánek “Though death is howling at our backs and life is roaring at our faces, … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: A Writer’s View
A sensible and efficient way to approach writing and editing Photo by Jan Kahánek I stumbled across a brilliant section in … More
Chapter 23 — September 2022
I feel like my life is just a series of unrelated wacky adventures. Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. … More
Chapter 23 – Death and Taxes
Words make me happy. Numbers make me sad. Photo by Aidan Bartos Take care of your own room; change your own … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Scratched Vinyl
Music is life Photo by Jan Kahánek Broken moments, another evening close to the end. Close the sleep and bored but … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: What’s Your Origins Story?
I just took anti-anxiety meds. Photo by Jan Kahánek So, fuck it. I just took anti-anxiety meds. I know I just … More
Chapter 23 – I Love Music More Than I Love You
A love letter to music from a misanthrope Photo by Seth Doyle on Unsplash Where is this relationship going? Every love … More
Chapter 23 – Review: Consider the Lobster — David Foster Wallace
The man loved his footnotes. Consider the Lobster and Other Essays by David Foster Wallace The man loved his footnotes. … More
What do you want from me on Substack as a paid subscriber?
Inquiring minds wanna know Photo by Amee Fairbank-Brown on Unsplash Digital Postcards from the Edge “I’ve got material planned, I … More
Chapter 23 — August 2022
Adventure Time, c’mon grab your friends. Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Environment / Setting
All the world’s a stage. Photo by Jan Kahánek “All the world’s a stage” — William Shakespeare All the world’s a stage. All … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: I’ve no idea what I was blathering on about
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Photo by Jan Kahánek “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited whereas … More
Chapter 23 – Hating Harry Potter
I hate Harry Potter but love JK Rowling — this is why When I taught Creative Writing to young people on the gifted … More
Chapter 23 – My Twitter Rules (in the order that I just made them up)
1. Don’t be a dick Don’t be a dick (Try to play nice with the other children) Be yourself (I’m … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: cul-de-sac
If you’re not intrinsically motivated, in your writing, then you have to stop and ask yourself why. Photo by Jan Kahánek … More
Chapter 23 — July 2022
Humans are so… interesting. Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Advice from a Drunk Writer
A drunk writer gave me some writing advice after breaking into his own car and talking about John Fante. Photo … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: In the beginning was the Word
According to Quantum Mechanics writing is a re-enactment, on a linguistic level, of the energy that makes up the world. … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Words of Encouragement
What’s the message of encouragement you most wish to hear? Photo by Jan Kahánek What’s the message of encouragement you most … More
Chapter 23 – Review: The Magic of Israel Regardie
The Magic of Israel Regardie by Christopher S. Hyatt The Magic of Israel Regardie by Christopher S. Hyatt This isn’t … More
Chapter 23 — June 2022
Let’s go. In and out. 20 minutes adventure. Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink … More
Chapter 23 – Review: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers … More
Chapter 23 – Dave McKean on his creative process
The legendary Dave McKean in interview on his creative process. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia The legendary Dave McKean in interview … More
Chapter 23 – My Corona
Never gonna stop? Give it up. Photo by Jake Bradley on Unsplash American friends asked me to write a few words … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Five Pages Per Day
The daily output of a non-writing writer Photo by Jan Kahánek Do the math. My alphasmart backups for one year came … More
Chapter 23 — May 2022
Disappointment’s a form of caring. Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and … More
Chapter 23 – R.I.P Graffiti Living
I think I look for meaning in the wrong places sometimes If there’s one thing I hate about blogging then … More
Chapter 23 – Writer’s Notebook: Read Once and Destroy!
Typing up old notebooks is a bit like injecting heroin into your eyeball — addictive, painful, and not very good for your … More
Chapter 23 – The post-it notes of a non-writing writer
“Writing sustains me. But wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that it sustains this kind of life? Which does … More
Chapter 23 — April 2022
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – Why do you write? To show the world its own dreams.
When asked what I write, I usually grunt and say, “words”, before making a hasty retreat. When asked why I … More
Chapter 23 – Some notes on presentation skills
A long time ago I had the opportunity to attend Presentation Skills training with the wonderful Jane Oakshott. This was … More
Chapter 23 – Notes from the Trenches — Don’t Break the Chain
I’m attempting to complete both nanoblopomo (blog every day for a month) and nanowrimo (write a 50,000 word novel in … More
Chapter 23 – Notes from the Trenches — Unfriendified Flying Pig Poo
A successful published writer, whose work I adore, made an off-handed remark about nanowrimo on a social media site. Out … More
Chapter 23 — March 2022
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – Notes from the Trenches — Nano Why Mo?!
Last time, I joked that if I wrote what was on my mind I’d probably get sectioned. Today, I’m going … More
Chapter 23 – Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a typewriting monkey
If I wrote about what’s on my mind today, I’d probably get sectioned. So instead, here’s something fun that I … More
Early Access: You can video chat with me on Volley
Hi Have you ever noticed how social media isn’t very sociable? Let’s do something about that. Here’s your invite to … More
Chapter 23 – Evil Pixies and How to Beat Them
Imagine that your head is a room filled with ornate treasure chests, and inside of these chests are all the … More
Chapter 23 – Pictures of scratched vinyl
Sleep deprivation is a wonderful thing. As is listening to music, especially messed up old vinyl. Put the two together … More
Chapter 23 — February 2022
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – graffiti living
I get a lot of people visiting my blog in search of graffiti, but it’s really about writing. Serves me … More
Chapter 23 – Sparky: writers, shamans, creativity and magick
You are in a dark room. So dark that at first you can’t see anything. Pitch black. Then slowly, as … More
Chapter 23 – What do your reading habits say about what you should be writing?
What do your reading habits say about what you should be writing? Just for fun, I decided to use the … More
Chapter 23 – Don’t just do something; sit there!
Time passes. It is going to pass no matter what you do. So, you may as well spend it in … More
Chapter 23 – Save the Hedgehog of Democracy!
On Sunday night the fascist British National Party (BNP) got in — the next morning I rescued a hedgehog as it cowered … More
Chapter 23 — January 2022
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – Lovecraftian Observational Humour
Sometimes I ask questions online, that I already know the answer to, just to glimpse the howling pit of insanity … More
My first attempt at podcasting went horribly wrong
This unedited first take is my first attempt at podcasting. I’m trying to decide between me reading stuff or letting … More
Chapter 23 – We’re partners in crime
You have a voice in my work. You can name characters, choose article topics, or opt to be thanked in … More
Chapter 23 – I’m pleased to tweet you
I will follow you back on any social media platform that we’re both on. For me the main ones are Twitter, Twitter, … More
Chapter 23 – Write Or Die
I play a writer’s version of Russian roulette where every month I have to write things and send them off … More
Chapter 23 – December 2021
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – Word-slinger for Hire
I don’t like being told what to do — but I’m not above taking requests for the new year. Do … More
I used AI to clone my voice
I’m considering recording audio versions of my articles. What would you prefer? A synthetic voice using text to speech. An … More
Summit 21
I’ve just finished a three week stint on Summit 21 — a cohort-based writing course. I’m telling you this because … More
Chapter 23 – November 2021
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Medium Post Notifications
Hi, Here’s a quick update so you know what to expect from me going forward. As you know I write … More
Chapter 23 – Monkey Business
If I wrote about what’s on my mind today, I’d probably get sectioned. So instead, here’s something fun that I … More
Happy Halloween!
Hell by Squirrel Nut Zippers
Music: Hell – Squirrel Nut Zippers Video: Silly Symphony – Hell's Bells 1929
Chapter 23 – October 2021
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – Do you like music?
Do you like music? I like music. I love to share mixes of my favourite music with you. I’d literally … More
Healthy, wealthy, and wise
Whenever I read about how to reduce stress in your life — yet another list post with a picture of pebbles — I get … More
Chapter 23 – We need to talk about your reading habits
What do your reading habits say about what you should be writing? Just for fun, I decided to use the … More
Chapter 23 – What do you need?
I will grant each of you three wishes. You can legit ask me for any three things and I’ll do … More
Chapter 23 – Sometimes I paint
This is a rare sighting of one of my paintings. Tell no-one or I will kick your arse. Unless they … More
Chapter 23 – August 2021
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – You get a book!
You get a book! You get a book! You get a book! Everybody gets a book! Here is your PDF copy … More
Keep calm and say hi on Twitter
Twitter is a trash fire at the moment. I’m done with it except as a place to promote my writing. … More
Chapter 23 – July 2021
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – If I wasn’t a fraud or afraid
I’d write well every day. I’d finish that bloody novel. I’d finish any writing at all. I’d have the courage … More
Chapter 23 – Personal Book Review
Do you have a book that you want me to review? Be that yours or someone else’s. I’ll review your … More
Chapter 23 – June 2021
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Slideshare – Twitter Basics
I made a slide deck of my Twitter training talk based on the handout and article I published previously. I’ve … More
Chapter 23 – Anthology: A Circa Works collection
This isn’t a book about a werewolf, in love with a sexy vampire, who rides to wizard school on a … More
Chapter 23 – May 2021
Hi! Welcome to Chapter 23. Become evil. Rule the world. Maybe drink tea first and sit down for a bit. … More
Chapter 23 – Everything you need to know about Twitter
I can teach you everything you need to know about Twitter with a story about three witches. It gives you … More
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