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Expert Advice from Writers Bureau tutor Heather Cooke on how and when to use first person perspective, Ten Top Tips covers creating the perfect writing environment and Useful Websites and Inspiration, hopefully, do what they say.
May is National Smile Month in the UK, although I think this should be implemented all over the world – we could do with a few more smiles! It’s also Mental Health Awareness Month and Skin Cancer Awareness Month – two worthy causes. Perhaps you could do something to raise awareness about these issues. The second week in May is Bike Week – an international event focussing on the importance of cycling as a means of transportation.
1st May |
Feast of St. Joseph the worker in the Roman Catholic Church. |
2nd May 1885 |
The first edition of Good Housekeeping magazine goes on sale. |
3rd May |
World Press Freedom Day. |
4th May |
Remembrance of The Dead – Netherlands. |
5th May 1925 |
South Africa establishes Afrikaans as an official language. |
6th May 1856 |
Sigmund Freud, best known for his theories of the unconcious mind, is born in Pribor, Moravia – now the Czech Republic. |
7th May 1952 |
Geoffrey W A Dummer publishes the concept for integrated circuit boards – the basis for all modern computers. |
8th May |
VE Day, Western Europe. |
9th May 1901 |
The first parliament of Australia opens. |
10th May 1999 |
Shel Silverstein, American poet, author, song writer, composer, cartoonist and musician, dies aged 66 in Key West Florida (See below for a great poem). |
11th May 1867 |
The Second Treaty of London reaffirms Luxembourg’s independence. |
12th May |
International Nurses Day. |
13th May 1912 |
The Royal Flying Corps, now known as the Royal Air Force, is established. |
14th May 1925 |
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Wolfe is published. |
15th May |
International Conscientious Objectors Day. |
16th May 1843 |
One thousand pioneers from Elm Grove, Missouri set out in the largest wagon train to date to travel the Oregon Trail into the Northwest of the USA. |
17th May 2004 |
Same sex marriage is legalized for the first time in Massachusetts. |
18th May |
International Museum Day. |
19th May 1897 |
Oscar Wilde is released from reading jail. |
20th May 1896 |
One person dies and many are injured by a six ton chandelier falling from the roof of Palais Garnier in Paris. |
21st May |
Battle of Iquique – Chile. |
22nd May |
World Biodiversity Day. |
23rd May 1929 |
The Karnival Kid – the first cartoon in which Mickey Mouse talks is released. |
24th May 2001 |
Sherpa Temba Tsheri becomes the first person to climb to the top of Mount Everest at the age of 15. |
25th May |
Revolución de Mayo – Argentina. |
26th May 1913 |
The first woman magistrate in Britain, Emily Duncan, is appointed. |
27th May 1703 |
The city of St Petersburg is founded by Tsar Peter the Great. |
28th May 1975 |
The Economic Community of West African States is formed when 15 countries sign the Treaty of Lagos. |
29th May |
Oak Apple Day – United Kingdom. |
30th May 2006 |
Shoei Imamura, the first Japanese Film director to win two Palm d’Or awards, dies aged 79 in Tokyo, Japan. |
31st May 1669 |
As his eyesight fails, Samuel Pepys records the last entry in his diary. |
This is a Shel Silverstein poem that, I’m sure, embodies the thought processes of many people – the dreaded ‘What if’s’.
Here’s a fast and furious little space invader game called Intergalactic Rumble to distract your mind for five minutes.
And finally, if you found something of use to you in this issue please pass the word on to all your writer friends – and even those who don’t! You never know, you might inspire them to take it up. They can sign up here.
Until next month farewell and do lots of writing!
Shelley x
P.S. Don’t forget the 21st Birthday Competition to win a copy of our Writing for Children course.
As usual, if you've any suggestions or would like to comment on anything you have read then please contact me at: ezeewriter@writersbureau.com