Monday
Nov042013
how to be a polymath
Monday, November 4, 2013 at 5:43AM My article aboiut polymathics and monopaths is out in aeon today
http://www.aeonmagazine.com/world-views/anyone-can-learn-to-be-a-polymath/
"Fabulous Storytelling" Mick Herron
I have been writing and publishing books on a variety of topics since my bestselling Angry White Pyjamas came out in 1997. Other bestsellers include Red Nile, a biography of the River Nile. In total I have written 15 mainstream books translated into 16 languages. The include creative non-fiction, novels, memoir, travel and self-help. My publishers include Harper Collins, Picador, Penguin and Hachette. I have won several awards including two top national prizes- the Somerset Maugham literary award and the William Hill sportsbook of the Year Award. I have also won the Newdigate Prize for poetry- one of the oldest poetry prizes in the world; past winners include Oscar Wilde, James Fenton and Fiona Sampson.
A more recent success was Micromastery, published by Penguin in the US and the UK as well as selling in eight other countries.
Micromastery is a way of learning new skills more efficiently. I include these methods when I coach people who want to improve as writers. If that's you, go to the section of this site titled I CAN HELP YOU WRITE. I have taught creative writing in schools and universities but I now find coaching and editing is where I can deliver the most value. In the past I have taught courses in both fiction and memoir at Moniack Mhor, the former Arvon teaching centre in Scotland.
"Micromastery is a triumph. A brilliant idea, utterly convincing, and superbly carried through" - Philip Pullman
Subscribe FOR FREE to the Micromastery Newsletter HERE
My instagram account is roberttwiggerinstantart HERE
Monday, November 4, 2013 at 5:43AM Sunday
Nov032013
Ironing shirts
Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 5:09PM If you don't take your jacket off why not iron only the front, the collar and the cuffs?
Saturday
Nov022013
How to be charismatic
Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 7:16AM Who doesn't want to be charismatic? Well not everyone. I recall a student of Carlos Castenada's saying that if there were 30 people in the room the 30th one you'd pick as Carlos Castenada would be Carlos Castenada. Which is sort of related to an assumption about charisma in its true meaning- a religiously inspired energy- which you can still observe in very convinced believers...but this is not where I wanted to go here. What I am interested in is what my good friend Frank observed- 'if you like to be liked then you'll be a nice guy but if you make it your job to do the things you like then you'll be charismatic'. Who isn't inspired by a true enthusiast, even a little? Different from a bore, who has replaced enthusiasm with obsession- kind of like exchanging gold for lead.
Maybe one can use the pleasant prospect of being thought charismatic as a carrot for pursuing more of the things that really interest.
Wednesday
Oct302013
Zenslacker- 101 things to bear in mind when you're doing nothing
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 5:33PM 
On Amazon on Kindle and rather interesting. CLICK HERE.
Wednesday
Oct302013
clean energy/dirty energy
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 6:37AM
Think about the difference between clean energy and dirty energy- in human terms. When someone has a lot of emotion tied up with their energy it has a heavy feel. Think about those top athletes who just seem to be playing when they are at the top of their game, even in conversation they have a real lightness. Clean energy is like a thinner higher octane version of joy I think, I suspect it becomes awareness if there is a spectrum of such things. Or wonder.
Thursday
Oct242013
drama v. learning
Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 5:57AM
Neurons need stimulation otherwise they die. If we are not learning they seek stimulation in drama, domestic excitement or even just watching movies. So drama addiction takes the place of learning- but that kind of stimulation does not GROW new connections, it simply pleasurably blasts a few old ones. And doesn't time whizz by watching movies every night?
If you want to slow time down start learning a foreign language or something else useful you find difficult.
Thursday
Oct242013