Articles written by Gurmeet Mattu

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About me - Gurmeet Mattu

I'm of that strange species, a Scottish Indian, my Sikh parents having come over to the UK in the 50s.
I've been writing for over 25 years for print, radio, theatre and TV. I'm a trained journalist and am best known as a dramatist and comedy writer, plus which

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Arts & Humanities > Thoughts on Writing How joining a writing group will improve your motivation to write: 1 of 15
Writing groups, whether online or local, are strange beasts and should be approached with caution by the novice writer.The danger lies in the reaction your work gets from your fellow members. Often a critique or review from a fellow member is full of praise because that member is afraid that if they do not laud you, you are l... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Fantasy: 13 of 79
The great hall rang with a thousand voices. Burning torches around the walls cast dancing shadows as the great throng moved around. The air was rich with the smell of spilled beer and roasted ox meat. Tables were thumped and voices raised and occasionally a female voice shrieked in indignity. But suddenly there was silence as... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Uncertainty: 1 of 6
It would be wrong to claim that I am the world's leading authority on caution and I believe this misconception arises from my name, Arthur Cautious. I have dined out many times on the small joke that I am Cautious by name and cautious by nature, but this betrays a basic misunderstanding of the cautious lifestyle among the gen... More..
Sciences > Psychology Strategies and benefits of self-hypnosis: 3 of 15
Self hypnosis is merely the western term for the eastern practice of transcendental meditation. This is a method of reaching and influencing the unconscious mind, which can affect and manage deep seated behaviour patterns such as smoking and over-eating. Practising self hypnosis is not difficult, but it does require repeated ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Thoughts on Writing Giving birth to fictional characters: 7 of 18
Epic characters remain in the mind long after the novel is put down. They must have qualities which raise them above the mundane, skills and abilities which ensure that their actions are not only heroic but memorably so. Characters such as these are surely easy to write but, in fact, are incredibly hard.The truth is that our ... More..
Business > Entrepreneurial Spirit An introduction to franchise opportunities: 4 of 10
Franchise opportunities arise when a potential entrepreneur buys into an established businesss by purchasing a franchise to operate the said business according to the seller's business model.What he is in essence buying will be the right to sell a product or service, together with its associated branding and advertising. By t... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Psychology Benefits of dating younger men: 24 of 47
You know how it is. If it's not your best friend's mom it's your mom's best fried. Older women, they're only after one thing. And it's your duty, as a nice young man, to make sure that they don't get it. It is their husband's duty to perform the function that they require of you and you should feel under no obligation to sati... More..
Creative Writing > Satire Satire: Writing: 12 of 23
All writers of fiction are nothing but liars, and that is an unimpeachable truth. As proof let us examine some of the characters and situations they have told us of and establish whether they are, in fact, truth or lies.Beginning with the classics and an analysis of that charlatan William Shakespeare. There is not one word of... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips Fiction writing: How to create believable characters: 27 of 48
Listen then, my brothers and sisters, and I will tell thee of magic, of wondrous things and of ancient arts. I have much to tell, and all of interest to the seeker after wisdom, but mark this and mark it well, these skills are not for shallow men, but to make great those who would lead our humble race to greater things.This t... More..
Education > College Courses & Majors The benefits of creative writing courses and workshops: 10 of 17
This may seem a strange subject to be covered by someone in training creative creative writing, but I think it's important that novice writers get a plain, unvarnished, view of what they can possibly get from professional training.First of all, let's analyse writing. We all learnt to write at school and some of us continue to... More..