Short stories can be an overlooked area when it comes to literature, and opinions as to why can fall on both sides. Too short, and liable to build up to nothing. Less payoff than a full-length novel. A bit pretentious, even! But short stories can be little gems, gateways to writers and genres you normally might not read.  If you are not currently a big reader but would like to read more, you can sample some of the heavyweights of classic literature, like William Faulkner or Leo Tolstoy in a more accessible way. If you’re not sure what you want to read, they have a low level of commitment, enabling you to read around many different authors in a short...

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You don’t have to be a writer to keep a diary, but there is no doubt that most writers kept extensive diaries during their life times. Diary-keeping serves a number of functions, often unique to the individual. It is a way to record down the happenings of daily life, to express private feelings, to make a record of life as it unfolds.  It is clear that writing a diary can has huge benefits - a way to de-stress, to process big emotions, to bring meaning and understanding to the complexity of life. It can also be a great way to store away memories. Opening up and reading an old diary can be transportive - taking you back years or even...

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