The Dotshop - A Small Business Incubator

I’m in love with the power of words. As a child I’d take my magical sword to the enemy, my heart to the maiden and my hungry mind to a thousand worlds on offer. Words taught and entertained. Matric found me winning the English prize but despite having thought I’d be the adventuring journalist uncovering insidious plots by evil politicians, my journey of discovery was only beginning.

Where I’m now finds me as a freelance, music agent whose words often market bands and events, writing biographies, press releases and web content. I own several websites and it’s there where i write creatively for myself (blog, poetry) and the music industry (CD reviews, band interviews etc.).

mike@thedotshop.net

Supposedly written by John le Carre, Single & Single was a nasty shock.

It irritated me from the first couple of lines. Hollow and unconvincing, the book didn’t improve and I abandoned it very quickly.

Previously I have read and thoroughly enjoyed reading, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Little Drummer Girl as well as his Spy Who Came In From The Cold. But this book was disappointing and badly written, raising the question of whether John le Carre is not overrated as a writer and capitalising on the success of his earlier books.

Written by Tash Aw, We The Survivors is as good a read as any I have found.

He has a comfortable, easy style and his narrative about nothing much, held my attention, despite everything it was not. If there was a theme it was grinding poverty and the futility of trying to change things that remain the same. Life inevitably returning to where it begins.

Another dud. Didnt get past the first few pages

Reasonably well written but a weak story line

It is a multi-generational tale of a family haunted by the death of a young concubine in 1930s. Essentially a critique of a custom that is still commonly practised widely throughout Asia. It is naive, lacking substance and authenticity.

Just another story which doesn’t really get anywhere.

I could use people who can write. But it seems you either end up with people who cant or writers you cant afford. Is there no middle road? This is what I am looking for.

Watercycler is my alter ego I suppose.

He is an adventurous bike riding river swimming rock climbing (but only under protest when trying to keep up with even more adventurous friends) guy who had the misfortune to have been raised by book burrowing English teachers. So he’s not really an alter ego at all, he’s me. Nice name, I like it, think I’ll keep it.

Watercycler will write copy of any description. From hyperbole filled flare to critical pieces and more explanatory brochures.

Need a few thousand words on topics as diverse as agriculture, conservation, fine dining, art, philosophy, physiology, or how tea tastes and why you should put thyme on your eggs?

Watercycler can help you.
support@watercycler.com

One in a series. Factual fiction set in third century Rome.

Interesting and an enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this book by Rachel Kushner. She has a contemporary style of writing that is both honest as well as engaging.

The Mars Room is a strip Club and the story is an account of what it is like to be poor and a female and to be serving two life sentences in a correctional facility in America. Raw earthy and at times brutal. Worth reading, albeit in small chunks.

It is not one of those books you can’t put down.