My Personal Guide to Keeping Sane

I’ve decided to make this week’s post about links that I use or which keeps me sane. This can be through giving me a good laugh when I need one, helping me to better my writing, getting me in touch with others in my field or simply providing some beautiful art to look at.


When writing…

As an inspiring writing, I’m always looking for hints and tips about writing better. I am a big fan of Brandon Sanderson (Elantris, Mistborn, Way of Kings) and Howard Tayler (Schlock Mercenary) and I also listen to their weekly podcast called Writing Excuses. Not only do they give great advice, but it also focuses on speculative fiction!

When working…

As a full-time Language Practitioner, I love to hear what other people in my field have to say and there are quite a few blogs out there by very talented translators and editors which is delightful to receive in your RSS feed. Rantings of a sub-editor had me and my fellow language-people at work in stitches last week – and just goes to show how a small error can go terribly wrong… Also check out Musings from an overworked translator and Translating is an Art.

My love of language also gets fed by Anatoly Lieberman’s weekly blog over at Oxford University Press. Check out the OUP Dictionary and Lexicography RSS feeds if you love language. The Western religion RSS feed is also fascinating.

A ray of beauty every day…

I stumbled upon Gennine’s Art Blog about two months ago and find her art an inspiration every day.

A good laugh a day keeps the doctor away…

There are two daily web comics which I follow and which makes me have a good laugh. The one is Schlock Mercenary and the other is Surviving the World. Check them out, but beware – they are addictive!

News from the outside:

For those intrigued by language – have a look at the following. The sad thing is that most people will only hear about the language this way – after it’s last speaker passed on.


Vir dié wat deur taal bekoor word – kyk bietjie na hierdie artikel. Ongelukkig sal meeste mense tien teen een net op hierdie manier van die taal hoor – nadat die laaste spreker gesterf het.


“Native Eyak language may have a follower”

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hrqT6WkMHBg8l0PodFFbnDbndOZQD9GKFIC00