Still more news…
Précis Journalists are trained, taught from the beginning, to précis, never to use 100 words where 10 will do, and yet here they are, every morning, filling page after page with coronavirus news, analysis, the latest pet theories, words to reassure or just to pile on worries, anxieties, anguish, doubts with no possibility, or so […]
Highs and lows
Last weekend we had a family trip to see Matilda the Musical. Three generations of Roald Dahl fans enjoyed it hugely, not least the younger generation. One of the things that struck me, as one of the older members of the group, was the very contemporary relevance of some of the points Dahl was making. […]
Such stuff as dreams are made on
I went to a funeral on Friday. Not the most promising start to a blog perhaps, but bear with me, it was uplifting. Sad, yes. A too early death of a very special person. Steph was talented, engaged, engaging. I could go on. But, and here’s the uplifting bit, it was her positive qualities that […]
The Door in Guildford
I’m delighted that Damn Cheek are coming to Guildford with my original and longest running play. The Door will be on at the Yvonne Arnaud’s Mill Studio for one night only on Friday, February 7th at 8pm. Tickets are £17.50, inclusive of restoration levy and booking fee and are available on 01483 440000 or online […]
Teamwork
What does a writer do when he’s not writing? Marketing, obviously. Thinking. Procrastinating. Social media. But also, if he’s a playwright, he or she probably gets involved with a production company. In my case I was a founder director of Damn Cheek Productions around four years ago and this week we met to discuss the […]
Tapas and the Edwardians
I spent a very enjoyable day cooking tapas last week. A day away from the pressures of pension scheme funding, book publication and the rest and an opportunity to learn a new skill. I was on a one day course at the Abinger Cookery School and the dishes I produced included braised octopus and chorizo, […]
Networks of writers
As publication date looms I’ve found a whole world of author networks and channels to work through in getting the book noticed. Some of these are very commercial but many are enablers and supporters. I’ve recently joined the Alliance of Independent Authors which means I can tap into the experience and knowledge of many others […]
Inspirations
As I approach publication of my novel, I’ve been thinking about some of the people who have helped me to get this far. Friends who have become writers. Friends who have supported and mentored. I thought I’d write a little about some of them. Where better to start than with Lynn Ruth Miller. I met […]
A whole new world
Joining the ranks of independent authors I’ve spent the week immersed in on line chats, closed Facebook groups, websites of marketing companies and you tube videos on the intricacies of being a publisher. All fascinating stuff, some of it a little confusing and a few acronyms thrown in for good measure. I’ve been helped in […]
Preparing for power. And for publication.
Where it all started Baildon Moor. Not strictly speaking where it all started of course. I was born in a nursing home on the edge of Saltaire, but Baildon Moor formed the backdrop to my early years and remains significant. It is also the backdrop to the early years of two of the characters in […]