Latest Articles from The Vandal AKA Derek Haines

10 Tips & Tricks To Improve Your Writing

Can you improve your writing by avoiding silly grammar mistakes? As social networking is predominately text driven, it really is a good idea to make sure your writing is up to an acceptable and readable standard. There’s nothing worse than reading a tweet, Google+ or Facebook entry or blog post that is full of errors. It really gives an impression to the reader that you are either careless, r worse, a bit of a dope. So to help you make a better impression on the few million people that may be reading you, (yes, daunting isn’t it?) here are a few tips you might want to consider. 1. Always check that your verb agree with

Do You Write For The Money?

Do you only write for the money? If you’ve joined the self-publishing Kindle, Amazon, Smashwords author frenzy and you think the road ahead is paved with gold, money and unending wealth, do not pass go and head directly back to your day job. There are just so many writers, almost writers and There are just so many writers, almost writers and hardly writers at all now all clamouring for every reader’s $0.99. Unless you have written something exceptionally brilliant or tapped into a very hot niche, you’re just one in a million trying to be noticed. So time to get real. Writing a book is about passion and wanting desperately

Shadows

Shadows Shadows meander through the sunshine of my mind – all the time. Casting doubt, despair and grief on daily wonders – how unkind. Twisting, turning, bending, pasting darkness on my light – they are mine. Shifting ever deeply on the thoughts that I would wish – sorrow time. Go away and darken somewhere else I beg. And not be seen – crying time. Stay on then and darken every thought I have that’s gay – please go away. Oh still you cast your darkness even though I’ve begged your grace – it’s another day. Who gave you such permission? Who gave you such a right? – T’is who I

Freedom

Freedom Come to me sweetly and share my world, Rest in my arms and escape the cold. Stay with me warmly and feel my heart. And I will think of you when we are apart. I’ll come to you freely and stay of my will, In search of the magic and waiting until, Our hearts know the truth, and feel just like one, And hope for a life as one yet to come. I will be your dog’s shadow to be closer to you, If I know in my heart that our love is so true. But don’t chain me up to a pillar or gate, ‘Cause just like a