Create simple text notes using Keyboard Maestro and TextEdit

Sometimes you just want to make a note on your Mac. Nothing fancy – just a text file that's searchable, giving you quick and easy access. There are several ways to do this, but most are more complex then necessary. If you have Keyboard Maestro, however, you can easily create a simple macro that provides … Continue reading Create simple text notes using Keyboard Maestro and TextEdit →

GF Newman’s The Corrupted, series 4

Series 4 of GF Newman's The Corrupted is being broadcast on Radio 4 this week. Check out my previous post on this 5-star drama, listen and enjoy. Click here for my other radio posts. I'm a writer, editor, and Royal Literary Fund Fellow. Find out more, tweet me, or email.

Scrivener Tip – progress at a glance

Scrivener's Project Targets tool is great for keeping an eye on word count, especially if you're writing something to a prescribed length. On a Mac, to set your targets and check progress call up the Project Targets window using SHFT+CMD+T. However, you can also get an idea of your progress as you write with a … Continue reading Scrivener Tip – progress at a glance →

Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week – Graeae’s Midwich Cuckoos

Graeae's Midwich Cuckoos is a fresh take on a science fiction classic: the English village of the title has a "day out", following which all the women of child-bearing age mysteriously become pregnant, with the resulting infants developing at an unnatural rate and demonstrating mysterious powers. She makes me do things. Do things? With her eyes. … Continue reading Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week – Graeae’s Midwich Cuckoos →

Mart’s Movie of the Month – Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool

When I first heard about this film on The Jonathan Ross Show I was a bit meh. I mean, it's a romance innit. But Mrs S was keen, so off we went. Now, having seen it this afternoon, I can safely say Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool is everything a movie should be: great … Continue reading Mart’s Movie of the Month – Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool →

Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week – A Badge, by Tony Pitts

When I learned another play by Tony Pitts was due for broadcast I knew it would be a belter. His previous plays Pact and Monster were incredible: the former, the darkest radio play I've ever heard; the latter, a skilful examination of the secrets lurking behind so many ordinary front doors. Written in Pitts’ unique, … Continue reading Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week – A Badge, by Tony Pitts →

Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week (x2) – Tommies, and Home Front

BBC Radio 4's World War One drama series are back on air this week, with 45-minute episodes of Tommies on both Friday and Saturday, and Home Front returning to the lads and lasses in Tynemouth. The characters in both series continue to develop as a result of the ongoing conflict. In Tommies, Captain Mickey Bliss is … Continue reading Mart’s Radio Highlight of the Week (x2) – Tommies, and Home Front →