After being turned down by numerous publishers, he had decided to write for posterity – George Ade It is a truth certainly acknowledged by the author of the above quote that many creative writers struggle for years, enduring perhaps decades in the wilderness of submissions and rejections, before their persistence finally pays off. Most would-beContinue reading “The Pessimistic Optimism of the Long-Distance Creative Writer”
Monthly Archives: March 2012
Highly-focused, intense, and brilliant: The First Hunger Games Film
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins provides a very exciting, stirring read, engaging young adults – and now of course adults too – with major issues in today’s world. I saw The Hunger Games movie having read the trilogy a couple of years ago. I found the books compelling in their narrative of horrific events, in the endContinue reading “Highly-focused, intense, and brilliant: The First Hunger Games Film”
Wisdom from Hermitage, Cave and Monastery
Sometimes you hear people say “What’s the use of being a solitary contemplative?” How can any of humanity’s problems be resolved by those who withdraw from the world, to live the life of a hermit or a monk? The vital role of the sadhu or holy man is long established in Indian tradition; and renewed interestContinue reading “Wisdom from Hermitage, Cave and Monastery”
Literary Criticism, Joseph Conrad Corns and Jane Austen’s Irony
A friend recently asked me this question on behalf of her daughter, an Eng Lit A level student: “How do you analyse a novel?” And I tried to be helpful… but what strikes me most about literary criticism is that even though you may analyse a novel on many levels, according to the personal preference of theContinue reading “Literary Criticism, Joseph Conrad Corns and Jane Austen’s Irony”
Favour, privilege, and royal fairy dust
My son mentioned to me that he had learned from Newsround that Garry Barlow of Take That had asked Prince Harry to sing a line in one of their songs. And that Harry had (so far) refused. This led to thoughts about royal power and privilege; especially as I later watched the excellent TV programme “She-Wolves” presentedContinue reading “Favour, privilege, and royal fairy dust”
How Do You Write About a Character’s Thoughts?
This was the question my teenage daughter posed when I said: “Ask me any question about writing novels. What would you like to know?” So I replied, “Put it in italics.” But I hasten to add that I don’t think that was the answer she wanted. Nor do I believe it really does provide the solution.Continue reading “How Do You Write About a Character’s Thoughts?”
Water, Rock, Moon and Ancient Stone
Imagine the Warwickshire countryside in silence and darkness. A rabbit running from the headlights. Imagine a radiant moon and bright stars. The fresh rich smell of silage in the night. A tiny ancient church on a hill, lit only by candles within. Imagine rocks, water, Celtic prayers and songs – and you’ll know what IContinue reading “Water, Rock, Moon and Ancient Stone”
An Owl in the Starry Night and a Lost Friend
In Birmingham Art Gallery shop I found a card with a picture called “Owl in the Starry Night”. Immediately I saw it I thought, Pam. And I bought the card. The image is from an oil painting on canvas by artist Sophie Grandvall (2007) which is in The Bridgeman Art Gallery. And this one imageContinue reading “An Owl in the Starry Night and a Lost Friend”
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