You'll never guess JK Rowling's cure for writer's block

Harry Potter’s maw has explained what to do when you reach a tricky bit in a book you’re writing.

She reveals on social media that she was struggling with a chapter, realising it didn’t work, but having no idea how to fix it.

There was only one thing she could possibly do: remain at her desk, scratching her head, rubbing her temples and focusing very, very hard.

Actually, that’s not what she did at all.

Instead, she sneaked off and watched seven episodes of Seinfeld, back to back, then went to bed.

In the morning she sat down at her laptop and immediately had her solution.

PS The Diary now realises why we never solve the numerous problems that arise scribbling this pesky column.

We only watch six episodes of Seinfeld in a row… beginner’s error.

Management speak

INTERVIEWING a bloke for a job with the accountancy firm that he runs, Bruce Johnson was surprised when the potential employee starting to boast about his ‘skill set’.

Says Bruce: “When I was starting my career, many years ago, nobody claimed to have a skill set. Instead, we would say, ‘Here’s a bunch of tasks I can just about complete without screwing any of them up’.”

Adds Bruce: “It doesn’t sound nearly so impressive as a ‘skill set’, though undoubtedly more truthful.”

Drumming up business

YUMMY Chinese food has become part of the staple diet of the Scottish nation, with wonton soup almost as popular as haggis, neeps and tatties.

It wasn’t always so.

Reader Harvey Davidson recalls organising a business lunch in a Glasgow Chinese restaurant in the 1970s, where chopsticks were on the table.

Harvey’s client glared at them incredulously, then said: “What’s this, eh? Does someone want me to audition as a drummer?”

Alan Miller concludes that next year’s Tour de France is going to be even more physically exhausting than usual. (Image: Contributed)

Brought to book

FICTION fan Laura Phillips is a member of a local book club, and the gang were discussing notable Edwardian authors.

“Do any of you like Kipling?” enquired Laura.

“I don’t know,” confessed another member, “I’ve never Kipled.”

Off the rails

TRANSPORT news.

Reader John Mulholland notes that those generous folk at ScotRail have reintroduced peak fares for train services.

“No doubt this will annoy many commuters,” he says. “So perhaps such train tickets should be called pique fares.”

Liquid lunch

FINE dining expert Nicola Finch from Newton Mearns tells us: “I always cook with wine. And sometimes I even add it to the food.”