Archive for the ‘On writing’ Category

Webinar (Web + seminar) seems like a fine neologism for a seminar offered online. A blend of two commons terms, it’s immediately understood by most people. I’ve taking Webinars lately; I like them and appreciate having a handy word for them – even though it mostly keeps me up to 4am because of time zone differences.

Lewis Carroll famously called blends like Webinar “portmanteau”words because they’re two words packet into one. (A portmanteau was essentially a suitcase with to compartments folded together.) Carroll made up several such words for his poem “Jabberwocky”(1871), including chortle (chukle + snort) and galumph (gallop + triumph). Chortle has stayed in the English language, while galumph appears to have gone the way of appears to have gone the way of gyre and gimble. Why? Because chortle is so handy and it sounds like what it describes. Read the rest of this entry »

Being a writer can be an enlightening, wonderful experience when you’re creating work that you love, but it can also be incredibly frustrating when you get writer’s block or are struggling to find inspiration. There are plenty of places on the web, however, where you can find inspiration and instruction to help you overcome your biggest obstacles or help you to see writing in a new light.

Here are my favourite 100 videos just for writers, many from well-known authors offering their help and guidance. Read the rest of this entry »

Want to find out how luxury hotels are going to look five years from now? I suggest you should go to Bali. The paradise Indonesian island is a virtual trend-lab for luxury hotels, and the place to experience the most stylish hotels with the most lavish levels of service. And for once it is less expensive to try the original than the copy: these heavenly properties are often surprisingly affordable. Read the rest of this entry »

The latest edition of Arts & Auto (Dutch for Doctors & Car, a monthly magazine for professionals in our national health care) is out.

This month the magazine features my travel story (page 78 and on) about my trip to Greenland in March this year.

Have a look at my slideshow with my photographic work made in Greenland.

This evening I was working writing behind my computer again when suddenly the door bell rang. It was for me. Who could that be after 11 in the evening?

It was my neighbour from the apartment below me. He asked me very kindly if I could put something under my keyboard, because he has been able to hear me type away through the night for the last few weeks.