The Gatiss/Moffatt Post-StoryTelling World of Sherlock

We’re familiar with the phrase postmodern and more recently with the notion of post-truth. But now I think, for writers, it is true that there is a post-storytelling phenomenon – which moves beyond and over-turns current rules. And it’s illustrated in the scripts that Steven Moffatt  and Mark Gatiss create for their TV drama seriesContinue reading “The Gatiss/Moffatt Post-StoryTelling World of Sherlock”

How Many Books Do You Read in a Year?

Recently I thought it would be fun and interesting to ask this question of fellow-writers on our own dedicated Facebook group, having just learned from Goodreads that I’d reviewed or  rated 28 books this year.  I made a fascinating discovery.  Annual reading achievement varied enormously. I thought I was doing quite well at approximately 30 –Continue reading “How Many Books Do You Read in a Year?”

Dark TV Drama for Christmas 2016 and New Year 2017

This year darkness seems to be the keyword for some of our best drama offerings on TV: from Agatha Christie: The Witness for the Prosecution: through Jonathan Creek: Daemons’ Roost; Sherlock in The Six Thatchers. and the Bronte Family in To Walk Invisible. In Sherlock we discovered that Death had an appointment – with Mary WatsonContinue reading “Dark TV Drama for Christmas 2016 and New Year 2017”

Boxing Day Entertainment by the Kenilworth Lions at Kenilworth Castle and Abbey Fields

The English love to do fun – and some might even think silly – things on Boxing Day. Perhaps this is a relief from all the stress of preparing for Christmas. It’s also the opportunity for people to gather together in the fresh air and enjoy themselves with traditional English entertainments. Here are a fewContinue reading “Boxing Day Entertainment by the Kenilworth Lions at Kenilworth Castle and Abbey Fields”

Garden of Significant Inspiration and Curious A-MUSE-ments at Shakespeare’s New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon

O for a muse of fire that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention. So wrote William Shakespeare in the Prologue to Henry V –  and a few days ago we were in the garden at New Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, site of Shakespeare’s former family home – infusing marbles with the power of that same muse.Continue reading “Garden of Significant Inspiration and Curious A-MUSE-ments at Shakespeare’s New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon”

New Puppeteers at the Children’s Christmas Party at St Mark’s Church Leamington Spa

On the third Sunday of Advent, I became, along with two others – Jamie and Sidney – a new puppeteer. That morning, after the Nativity Service led by St Mark’s Church Beaver colony, the children poured into the hall for their Christmas Party – and the centrepiece of the party was a puppet show. To theContinue reading “New Puppeteers at the Children’s Christmas Party at St Mark’s Church Leamington Spa”

Lovely Atmosphere at King Edward VI School Christmas Fair Book Signing

at I enjoyed selling and promoting signed copies of my two thriller suspense novels Mystical Circles and A Passionate Spirit and meeting readers at King Edward VI School Christmas Fair, Stratford-upon-Avon last Saturday. A pianist and choir entertained us with carols, the prefects carried our bags from the car and brought us tea and coffeeContinue reading “Lovely Atmosphere at King Edward VI School Christmas Fair Book Signing”

A Passionate Spirit and The Cult That Stole Children

A couple of years after I left university, whilst on a spiritual search, I went to a lecture at the Royal Overseas League in London, met, chatted to and  became captivated by an inspirational speaker: a Physics professor who wrote spiritual books. His name was Dr Raynor Johnson. Subsequently I read and loved all his books,Continue reading “A Passionate Spirit and The Cult That Stole Children”

Good Progress on New Novel “Director’s Cut”

I’m making good progress on my new paranormal suspense novel Director’s Cut, working towards 50,000 words for Nanowrimo.… and trying to follow my own advice in my article The writing process for creating a novel in less than a month. No writing for the rest of today as I’ll be in London, but since that’s whereContinue reading “Good Progress on New Novel “Director’s Cut””