1 week ago A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken review – here’s how to really write your novel

The novelist and writing tutor delivers bracing advice that demolishes familiar ‘stick to what you know’ nostrumsTrope, POV, backstory, character arc. In the 30 years since I was a student of that benign, pipe-smoking, elbow-patched man of letters Malcolm Bradbury, the private language of creative writing workshops has taken over the world.What writers used to say to small circles of students in an attempt to help them improve their storytelling technique has become a familiar way, often parodic and self-knowing, of interpreting the grand and not-so‑grand narratives of our time. “Don’t worry about Liz Truss’s YouTube series – she’s just having a main character moment.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Rylan Clark jokes about being 'cancelled' over backlash to his This Morning immigration comments during Cinderella pantomime

Rylan Clark poked fun at the backlash over his controversial comments on illegal immigration while performing in his Christmas pantomime on Sunday night.

Politics

3 w. ago US capitalism casts millions of citizens aside, yet Badenoch and Farage still laud it | Phillip Inman

Rightwing parties want to follow in US’s footsteps of minimal government intervention, but at what cost?Next month, Donald Trump will welcome a poverty-stricken family to peruse his plans for a $300m glitzy state ballroom in the White House. The event will be staged as part of National Poverty in America Awareness Month, the time every year when charities document the number of US residents surviving on low incomes.Of course, the president will do no such thing, preferring to summon the press to watch him rub shoulders with the billionaire class as he did at last month’s black tie dinner for the Saudi ruler and his entourage. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Liz Truss splits opinion with controversial Christmas dinner ruling

Liz Truss has once again come under scrutiny for her policy decisions - but this time it’s her approach to Christmas dinner which has caused consternation.

Politics

3 w. ago BBC viewers furious as David Walliams featured in controversial Christmas show

Fans of the BBC have taken to social media to issue complaints after the channel aired a controversial Boxing Day episode of Would I Lie To You? featuring David Walliams

Politics

3 w. ago BBC bosses refuse to pull controversial Would I Lie To You? Christmas special featuring under

BBC bosses have not pulled tonight's Would I Lie To You Christmas special featuring David Walliams despite recent harassment allegations against the comedian. 

Politics

3 w. ago Liz Truss slammed over 'disgraceful' Christmas Day confession

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss sparked fierce debate after telling LBC's Nick Ferrari that Yorkshire puddings should never be served with turkey in a Christmas dinner

Politics

3 w. ago Daily Star's controversial Christmas film opinions that will make your blood boil

EXCLUSIVE: Christmas is a time of joy, cheer and happiness for all to hear - if you're interested in spoiling all that and ruining your day, then by all means read on...

Events

3 w. ago We went to Gail's for Christmas Day: Customers at controversial bakery defend chain for opening on December 25 (but say they should cut prices!)

Gail's made the decision to keep its doors open on Christmas and surprisingly customers swarmed to the artisanal bakery chain to grab a pre-roast coffee.

Economics

3 w. ago Strict Christmas dinner rule George, Charlotte and Louis have to follow until they get older

Prince William and Princess Kate's three children will head to Sandringham next month for the royal family's Christmas celebrations - but there are some rules they will need to abide by

Politics

3 w. ago NHS reveals how long you can keep Christmas turkey leftovers before risking food poisoning

THERE'S nothing better than tucking into your leftovers in the days after Christmas. However, the NHS has revealed the exact timeframe to consume your turkey to avoid festive food poisoning. The health body, along with the Food Standards Agency, broke down the rules for storing and eating cooked turkey after your Christmas dinner. According to...

Events

3 w. ago New Yorkers enraged over Times Square Christmas billboard that proclaims 'Jesus is Palestinian'

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee launched a controversial billboard campaign in New York City ahead of Christmas in an attempt to raise awareness about Israel's war on Gaza.

Politics

3 w. ago 'Britain's most hated woman' charging guests £250 each for Xmas dinner

Carla Bellucci, 44, has shared her controversial Christmas dinner plans that will see her rake in a whopping £2,500. The UK's 'most hated woman' also had words for the haters

Economics

3 w. ago One easy technique to remove bitter taste from Brussels sprouts and make them tasty

Learn how to cook the controversial Christmas vegetable without the unpleasant smell this year.

Politics

4 w. ago Prince Harry's controversial comment at Christmas that sparked Meghan Markle's bitter family feud

Just a month after Prince Harry had popped the question, the Suits star was invited to join her then fiancé at the annual Christmas Sandringham celebrations in 2017.

Politics

last month ‘It’s rather rude’: Tory club accuses Truss of trying to poach its members

Former prime minister allegedly wandering 5 Hertford Street to find members for her Mayfair club a street awayFor Tory grandees licking their wounds and plotting their return after their disastrous 2024 general election performance, the opulent, fire-lit rooms of the exclusive club 5 Hertford Street are a sanctuary.But in recent weeks, their long lunches have been rudely interrupted by Liz Truss, who has been accused of wandering the premises in search of members to poach for her own rival operation, just one street away, which asks “founding members” for an eye-watering £500,000. Continue reading...

Politics

last month ‘It’s rather rude’: Truss accused of trying to poach members of rival Tory club

Former prime minister allegedly wandering 5 Hertford Street to find members for her Mayfair club a street awayFor Tory grandees licking their wounds and plotting their return after their disastrous 2024 general election performance, the opulent, fire-lit rooms of the exclusive club 5 Hertford Street are a sanctuary.But in recent weeks, their long lunches have been rudely interrupted by Liz Truss, who has been accused of wandering the premises in search of members to poach for her own rival operation, just one street away, which asks “founding members” for an eye-watering £500,000. Continue reading...

Politics

last month Gail's announces which of its bakeries will open on Christmas Day

The upmarket bakery chain, which was founded in 2005, has attracted some criticism online for the controversial decision to keep some stores open on Christmas Day.

Politics