Thoughts about things I’ve written or read or heard or seen. An attempt to stay positive in a turbulent world.
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The CORNFLOWER Book Group
Yesterday, at the Cornflower Book Group, Speaking of Love came out of the hat to be read next. It’s the fifth volume to be read by Cornflower Book Group members and discussion will begin from 12 April on Cornflower’s blog. I’m looking forward to finding out what the Cornflower Book Group members feel and think...Continue reading→
Monet and painting, MATing and writing
Today MATing translates as ‘writing this before I begin to stare through the window’. Sometimes it takes much staring before I can write. This story knows what I mean: One day Monet was sitting on the bench in his garden at Giverny staring at the waterlily pond. His neighbour walked by, poked his nose over...Continue reading→
Cover story … and fab reports
In October I asked people to tell me the short story that Speaking of Love‘s paperback cover told them. I promised a copy of the paperback to the writer of the story that most appealed to me (see original post here) … and the one that most appealed to me was Richard Gray’s. It’s in...Continue reading→
Congratulations to …
… Jonathan Trigell and Boy A on becoming THE Book to Talk About, 2008. (Press release here.) And thank you to everyone who voted for Speaking of Love. It has been a privilege for the book to be on the shortlist.Continue reading→
It’s a little bit funny …
… this feeling inside. The rest of Elton John’s song doesn’t apply, but today is a day when it’s difficult to concentrate because I’m feeling a bit funny inside and I’m not even trying to MAT: a MAT is being forced upon me because … … in 24 hours’ time the author and the publisher...Continue reading→
Do you live near Oxford (England)?
If you do, and you aren’t already doing something tonight, you might like to come to Mostly Books in Stert Street, Abingdon at 7.30 to hear Eliza Graham and I talking about the effect that the Spread the Word, Books to Talk About shortlisting has had on our writing careers, and how our books made...Continue reading→
Daffodils for St David’s day
… from my little garden. … aren’t they beautiful? And because it’s St David’s day why not support a Welsh Arts Centre that might lose its Arts Council funding? The St Donat’s Arts Centre runs the wonderful Beyond the Border storytelling festival (which features in Speaking of Love) among many other brilliant events. Posted by...Continue reading→
Spread the Word / World Book Day – last chance to vote
As I write this there are less than three hours to go before voting closes on the shortlist for THE Book to Talk About 2008 award. If you’d like to vote for Speaking of Love, go here. Or click on the link on the paperback cover over there on the right. Thank you … and...Continue reading→
Booking Through Thursday
Who is your favorite female lead character? And why? (And yes, of course, you can name more than one . . . I always have trouble narrowing down these things to one name, why should I force you to?) There is only one: Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bennet. She is feisty, funny, serious, sympathetic, won’t-be-downtrodden, thinks intelligently...Continue reading→
Jallaludin Rumi, 13th-century poet
The Guest House This being human is a guest houseEvery morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meannessSome momentary awareness comesAs an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them allEven if they’re a crowd of sorrowsWho violently sweep your houseEmpty of its furniture. Still treat each guest honourably:He may be clearing you outFor some...Continue reading→