Howdy Reader,,

I seem to be busier than I ever was when I taught in the classroom: a big difference, it has to be said, is that I'm spending my time doing more of what I enjoy, and less of that nasty other stuff.

I'm thinking of calling this the 'ICYMI' (In Case You Missed It) episode. Let's cut to the chase about what I've been up to (as well as chasing around for new business, which is a big part of working for yourself).

Blog Posts:

1 - how to create an A-Level coursework bibliography: including not just advice but an example, too

2 - an introduction to Marxist Literary Criticism (AO5): because I believe it's far easier than learning quotations by critics, plus it's great preparation for those of you thinking of doing English at degree level. Entirely depending on views and feedback, there might be a series of these to come dealing with other schools of literary theory.

New Resources for A Level

1 - Antony & Cleopatra: forty-two (!) scenes; two lovers; one world-shaking affair. If you're studying the play, it's already in your Independent Resource Library :) If you want one, ask.

New Resources for GCSE

Coming pretty soon: 'mock papers' for you to practise your AQA GCSE English Language skills on Dracula, Frankenstein, World War Z, The War of the Worlds, and a number of other texts.

... and, well, what would you like to see next? If you let me know, I'll create it!

Did you spot the common theme in these three images?

Look again, yes, it's the chilli plants. The season's finally arrived, so from now on you may get chilli updates ...

This year (today, in fact), I've started with eight varieties:

1 - Bird's Eye (the thin green ones you get in lovely hot curries)

2 - Buena Mulata (really interesting metallic-purple hot chillies)

3 - Bhut Jolokia (gnarly-looking orange things)

4 - Cheyenne (probably closest to the red peppers in the pictures)

5 - Habanero (more gnarly heat grenades - used by Encona in their chilli sauce)

6 - Jalapeno (for my pizzas)

7 - Padron (the 'Russian Roulette' pepper. 95% taste like ordinary green peppers. The other 5% have a kick like an angry mule. But which is which?!)

8 - Serrano (first time with these. They're thin - which suggests they're hot - and red)

There might be photos of my chilli children if/when they begin to sprout in 2-3 weeks. And if you know anything about growing them, for God's sake get in touch - I am NOT an expert!

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That's it for now.

Please share - or sign up if this has been shared with you. I'll send you a free resource, and if it isn't useful, a) I will eat my hat, and b) I will send you something else if you tell me which texts you are interested in.

I'm still debating whether to carry on doing this or go back to a slightly less personal blog, like the Shakespeare-based one here. What do you think? And I’m always open to suggestions. What would you like to see me doing more/less of, or just differently?

Abel