Why I’m fundraising for Movember

Back in 2012, I grew a moustache for Movember. At the time, I was working for a big corporate organisation where fundraising was actively encouraged and the spirit of Movember was something that definitely caught on with many of the men working there – if you’ve ever worked with sales and marketing people, you’ll know […]

10 simple ways to improve your business blogging

If you’re running your own business, or looking after the marketing of a small company, then having a blog on your website can add a huge amount of value to your content marketing. Blogs are nothing new, of course, they’ve been around for decades. And most of us know what personal blogs are in their […]

6 ways to stay healthy as a remote worker

Ok, hands up. I’m a remote worker! I’m one of those annoying people who sit in the local coffee shop, hogging the power outlet, using the Wi-Fi and ‘working remotely’ while sticking innumerable americanos and cups of tea down my neck (I can feel your disdain already…). You may *think* we’re all frustrated novelists with […]

Goodbye, Mr Bowie: there’s a starman, waiting in the sky

It’s been a very sad few months for music, with many talented, influential musicians going to the great gig in the sky – and RIP to all these souls. But Bowie is different… so, so different. Losing Bowie eclipses EVERYTHING. Having Ziggy and Major Tom snatched from us in such a heartbreaking and untimely way […]

Politics for pizza lovers

Pizza. We all love pizza, don’t we. (Well, technically that’s not true, but for the purposes of this blog let’s just assume we ALL love a nice slice of hot pizza…) So, let’s imagine the scene… You and your team are working late. It’s been a long day and you’ve all been working hard to […]

A high-flying thriller from Hoddesdon Players

If you’re a fan of classic, nail-biting thrillers, get yourself down to Broxbourne Civic Hall on 30th April or 1st and 2nd May for The Small Hours. Hoddesdon Players are presenting Francis Durbridge’s renowned 1991 play. And it’s edge of the (plane) seat stuff! Sussex hotelier, Carl Houston, is returning from a trip to Australia when […]

Let’s get some perspective: taking a step back from celebrity culture

While idly channel-hopping last night, I ended up watching the Jonathan Ross Show on TV. And one of the guests was Russell Brand, comedian, writer and wearer of unfeasibly skinny jeans. Now, I’m totally aware that Russell Brand isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I like the guy. Yes, he does play up to the […]

Goodbye, Sir Terry; and thanks for the books

There are authors you read. There are authors you like. And there are authors you truly love. Sir Terry Pratchett was one of the latter; an author that millions of people around the world loved. An author who *meant* something to so many people. An author whose fans would pore over every word that dropped […]

Keep it simple, stupid! A guide to effective writing

As a writer and editor, I get to see a lot of content written by other people. And it never ceases to amaze me how complicated and overly fussy some of us make our writing. So I’ve come up with my own little maxim for these situations: and that’s ‘Keep it simple, stupid!’. What’s the […]

Hats off to mum and dad – the emotional journey of becoming a parent

Being a parent is hard, exhausting work, both mentally, physically and emotionally: doubly so when you’re the mother. As a mum, you go through a journey that encompasses huge changes to your body, your emotional state of mind, your career, your relationship with your partner and your entire outlook on the world around you. And […]