If anyone missed it, I recommend catching up on this morning’s Desert island Discs with Simon Woolley. No, I didn’t know who he was either (cross bench peer) but there’s nothing more moving than hearing a grown man cry DesertIslandDiscs

Only a few weeks ago I became a new twitter user - but I think I’m soon to become an ex-X user. The blue bird looked friendly; the X is sinister, masculine, aggressive - symbolic, perhaps, of how the world is turning.

I've queried half a dozen agents and had two requests for a full manuscript. Now the silence. And a question: how do I stop myself checking my inbox every nano second? #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity

Spring Term (January to March 2024) •Nature Writing with Steven Lovatt •Memoir and Life Writing with Rachel Bentham •Detective and Crime Fiction: Criminal Minds •Introduction to Freelance Journalism with Lesley Gillilan •Poetry Now with Carrie Etter

Yes, I’m running another course in journalistic writing early next year….

My novel in print at last - or at least photocopied (all 257 pages). It looks so pristine in its tidy box it seems a shame to scribble all over it, but needs must. #amwriting #amediting #amquerying

At times, I struggled to follow your long and painful journey, but I stayed with you - to the end. I will miss you Demon Copperhead. Thanks to the genius of Barbara Kingsolver. #demoncopperhead

At the sharp end of our NHS: my brother in law is in Intensive Care, - one room, one-to-one nursing (he is never left alone), fantastic staff on 12-hour shifts, state-of-the-art life support, accommodation for visiting family, a chaplain, a chapel - we are so grateful. Amen. @NHS

Just got a second rejection for my novel, though not too downhearted as the agent did say my work is ‘reminiscent of Anne Tyler’. Happy with that. amquerying

Happy 2nd anniversary to the time this happened.

Horrible wet day - or, taking a positive outlook - a perfect writing day. Getting on with it. #writingcommunity #amwriting

My column on Russell Brand, the media, the noughties - and what I got wrong theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Cat calculating physics.. 😂

Suella Braverman. No words - except swear words. Suella Braverman MP #WeAreInternational

To Suella Braverman - the key words are ‘human’ and ‘rights’ - is that so very hard to understand? Your speech was devisive, inhumane and far too reminiscent of Nazi Germany. Terrifying woman. Suella Braverman MP #protecthumanrights

So if Musk brings in charges for Twitter/X will you be happy to pay? Me? You won’t see me for dust.

Question for Suella Braverman MP . Do You actually have a heart?

My column on the return of David Cameron theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

I’ve finally received my copy of my friend and mentor’s Jennie Godfrey’s debut novel #thelistofsuspiciousthings I can’t wait to read it.