Monthly Archives: January 2013

M & S; Big Versus Small and the Innate British Sense of Belonging

What is national identity? How do we define it? In our British culture there are a number of different touchstones of our national identity – and here’s one of them. M & S. This is not so removed from the subject of my fiction – as I believe that Marks & Spencer has something toContinue reading “M & S; Big Versus Small and the Innate British Sense of Belonging”

The Holocaust: Why the Stories of the Survivors and Their Descendents Must Be Told Again and Again – And Why Every New Generation Must Listen

Today – Sunday 27th January 2013 – is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Many will be writing and talking about it. So why do I feel I must add my voice to theirs? Because, over the years I’ve read many books on the Holocaust and by survivors and by survivors’ children. I’ve listened to their stories,Continue reading “The Holocaust: Why the Stories of the Survivors and Their Descendents Must Be Told Again and Again – And Why Every New Generation Must Listen”

The Core of a Successful Novel: The Ring of Truth

Q – What is the core of a successful novel? A – You can in some way identify with it; you recognise it as relating to your own life experience. And this doesn’t mean you need to have experienced exactly the same events that the novel describes: simply that you recognise the truth in theContinue reading “The Core of a Successful Novel: The Ring of Truth”

People of Inspiration Part 5 – Frankie Howerd, My All-Time Favourite Comedian

A recent TV programme on Channel 4 inspired me: “Frankie Howerd: The Lost Tapes.” Frankie Howerd is my all-time favourite comedian. In my recent “Next Big Thing” blog I noted that, as an author, I owe part of my inspiration to characters I’ve loved on TV and movies. Frankie Howerd is up there with theContinue reading “People of Inspiration Part 5 – Frankie Howerd, My All-Time Favourite Comedian”

What Happened to Hopes and Dreams on TV Programming This Christmas? – Maria is Unmasked, Arthur Dies, and Tragedy Returns to Downton

“A night made for believers of all ages.” So says the heartwarming 1997 Christmas video “Annabelle’s Wish” (which I watched again with my 2 teenagers yesterday). But the Christmas  programming this year on BBC and ITV seemed to be all about dashing dreams. King Arthur died; Maria was unmasked; the creator of The Snowman wasContinue reading “What Happened to Hopes and Dreams on TV Programming This Christmas? – Maria is Unmasked, Arthur Dies, and Tragedy Returns to Downton”