I find this view of the Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle very evocative. It would have been the view Elizabeth first saw when Sir Robert Dudley led her into the garden in 1575, hoping that this time she’d accept his proposal of marriage. This first sight of the garden, glimpsed from the Keep, conjures upContinue reading “Secret Gardens: The First Glimpse of the ‘Privy Garden’ at Kenilworth Castle for Elizabeth in 1575”
Author Archives: SC Skillman
The Creative Power of an Intense Group of People in the Hothouse Environment of a Writers Retreat
I’ve now finished my series of Cave posts as new inspiration has intervened! One of my fellow bloggers Lance Greenfield has just opened up thoughts of writers retreats by reblogging this post on the subject by Max Dunbar. Lance then went on to ask his own followers for their responses to Max’s thoughts, and whether itContinue reading “The Creative Power of an Intense Group of People in the Hothouse Environment of a Writers Retreat”
Words From a Cave – Part 3
Here I am about to step out of the cave nearly 3 weeks after my hip replacement operation – without crutches! Yesterday I took part in a beautiful performance of Mozart’s Requiem with the Coventry Spires Philharmonic Choir in Holy Trinity Church Coventry. I think that, together with a walk through the Coventry city streets, counts as aContinue reading “Words From a Cave – Part 3”
Versatile Blogger Award
I was very pleased to learn that I’ve been nominated for this award by fellow-blogger and Goodreads friend Lance Greenfield whose blog I follow. Lance is the author of “Eleven Miles” a book which I reviewed recently and which I can thoroughly recommend. Writing a weekly blog post is an excellent writing discipline, and a wonderful creativeContinue reading “Versatile Blogger Award”
Words From A Cave – Part 2
Since last week’s post I’m starting to see the light flooding through into my cave. I’m moving around on my crutches (and sometimes without them.) I went to the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter morning services at my church (St Mark’s Leamington Spa) and then later on Easter Sunday I was out at a local beautyContinue reading “Words From A Cave – Part 2”
Words From A Cave – Part 1
I had a hip operation last Tuesday, and am now recovering at home. It’s difficult living with reduced functionality, relying on crutches and a cocktail of drugs. The best metaphor I can think of to describe my emotional well-being is that of living in a cave. I’ve always been in good health and this is somethingContinue reading “Words From A Cave – Part 1”
Exciting Times for the People of Leicester, for Those Who Love English History, and for the Power of Story
In the last few years we’ve seen an astonishing and exciting thing here in our country: a relatively small, minority interest group dismissed by some as a gathering of eccentrics, has been triumphantly vindicated in the most extraordinary way. And the Ricardians‘ journey has drawn with them a city, a nation, the sweep of English history, andContinue reading “Exciting Times for the People of Leicester, for Those Who Love English History, and for the Power of Story”
Ghostly Encounters, Earthbound Spirits and a Promise of Love
Recently my sister in Australia sent me a set of DVDs – ironically made in England, containing a documentary series on Great British Ghosts narrated by Michaela Strachan for the BBC. The set also included a third documentary, narrated by Paul McGann in a balanced, neutral tone, called Ghosts of the London Underground, and this was by far theContinue reading “Ghostly Encounters, Earthbound Spirits and a Promise of Love”
The Psychology of Mother and Son in the Psycho Prequel “Bates Motel”
My daughter Abigail, Creative Media Production student, has recently completed a project on Alfred Hitchcock’s editing technique in Psycho. So I’ve watched Psycho again several times recently. And my fascination with the subject led me to pick up the books Abigail had gathered for her project, and read them myself. Editing techniques in film can ofContinue reading “The Psychology of Mother and Son in the Psycho Prequel “Bates Motel””
Two Excellent BBC Drama Offerings: Wolf Hall and A Casual Vacancy
We’ve recently seen two very good dramatizations on BBC TV: Wolf Hall, and The Casual Vacancy. The casting was brilliant, particularly Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall, and Michael Gambon as Howard in The Casual Vacancy. You may think think the two novels on which these dramatisations were based, Wolf Hall by HilaryContinue reading “Two Excellent BBC Drama Offerings: Wolf Hall and A Casual Vacancy”
scskillman.com 