I’m also going to be keeping this site up to date a bit more, with at least weekly posts about all things writery and, indeed, readery. I have been buying many books and got several for Christmas too, so look out for a few reviews and recommendations over the coming months.

And finally, to usher in the new year and all that gubbins, I will soon be re-designing this site to make it look a bit nicer and more professional. 2009 is the year for Will Word For Food to really take off: I’ll be advertising more (and better), blogging more, and writing more. So watch this space…

There’s also an interesting post on the Guardian’s Comment is Free all about punctuation and emoticons. Trying to claim the exclaimation mark back. Personally, I’m all for banning it – just so people think twice about using it, but not actually enforcing the ban. You know – that whole “knowing the rules so you know how to break them” thing.

That was an ironic smiley, by the way.

First things first – the reason it’s been so long. I have a job now. A real job – in an office. Not that freelancing isn’t a real job, of course, but this is proper hours, for a boss, and everything. It’s not the end of my freelancing – it’s just a bit of a reaction to the current state of the economy. I felt that, with things the way they are, a little security would be a good thing for a while. My new employers are happy for me to carry on doing some freelance work and – while I’m not sure I want to work every hour of the day, every day of the week – I’m going to be doing that.

I will, however, be focussing more on writing than on web project management and the things I promote on maltpress.co.uk. Writing is what I really love, and what I really want to do. The aim is to get myself into a position where the writing is the main, if not only, thing I do, so watch this space for new developments. Having a job hopefully means – when I’ve fulfilled all my existing commitments -Â I can concentrate a bit more on being a better writer, and selling my writing a little more.

So now on to writer fuel… you all know I love a nice bit of cake. Well, I also enjoy a good cup of tea to go with it. There’s nothing better, in my opinion (although a good bottle of wine can get pretty close). And there’s no better cup of tea than one made in the proper way – in a pot, using loose-leaf tea. God, I really want one now.

So that’s why, when my very good friend Michelle told me her sister was setting up an online tea shop I got quite excited. Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking – I’m just promoting my friend’s sister’s site because I want a discount or something. Well, no. I’m doing it because their Irish Breakfast tea has to be the best cuppa I’ve ever had. I’m not as big a fan of the hippy-tea they do, though; I know a lot of people like it, but it’s not for me. But the black teas they do are just like the tea I used to have at my Grandma’s house when I was growing up, and that’s possibly the highest praise I can give tea.

If you’re a writer you probably like tea too, so get yourself along to www.teafortealovers.co.uk and get an order in. It’s really reasonably priced and you can get little bags to try out before you buy a tin… I’d recommend not only the Irish Breakfast, but also the wonderfully earthy Keemun Panda #1. I think I might make some now, actually.

And no – I have no shame about all this commercial plugging. I only do it for stuff I really like.