“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”
Author Archives: SC Skillman
2012 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: 600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 5,300 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 9 years to getContinue reading “2012 in review”
The Christmas List: a Bittersweet Time to Bring Out the Sherry and Candles
Who else finds writing Christmas cards a bittersweet task? I’m reblogging this post from a version first published last Christmas – because it still seems so relevant! I put off “doing” my Christmas list until I’m in the mood – and light a candle and have a glass of sherry or wine to help create that mood.Continue reading “The Christmas List: a Bittersweet Time to Bring Out the Sherry and Candles”
The Next Big Thing: A Passionate Spirit
I was invited to take part in “The Next Big Thing” – a blog hop for authors – by Fay Sampson who has written many wonderful books for children and adults arising from Celtic history, and also includes mystery, suspense and crime fiction in her output. In her capacity as a manuscript editor for TheContinue reading “The Next Big Thing: A Passionate Spirit”
Darkness into Light: Celtic Spirituality
Heart of Darkness, Sharing the Darkness, embracing the darkness – the archetypal theme of darkness versus light is ever-present in our lives, through books, movies, media, faith, life experience. Last week – on the night of the full moon – I was at a Celtic Christian service in the 13th century church at Morton Bagot,Continue reading “Darkness into Light: Celtic Spirituality”
Page-Turning Psychological Suspense Free on Kindle
Mystical Circles by SC Skillman PAGE-TURNING ROMANTIC SUSPENSE FREE ON KINDLE Download for free any time between 8pm on 24 November and 8am on 27 November “Hi, you in crowded, stressed old London from me in the peaceful, perfect Cotswolds. Massive change of plan. I’m in love. Craig is gorgeous, sexy, intelligent. Paradise here.Continue reading “Page-Turning Psychological Suspense Free on Kindle”
Mind Programming: What is the Central Desire of Your Life? And Who Put It There?
IN a recent episode of the BBC Drama Series “Merlin” we saw Guinevere being “brainwashed” by Morgana. Now Arthur’s beautiful queen (who was previously all goodness) is in Morgana’s power,and doing her will. Although of course she did use the full force of her magical powers as well, Morgana used long-established brainwashing techniques on Guinevere.Continue reading “Mind Programming: What is the Central Desire of Your Life? And Who Put It There?”
Historical Novels versus History Books, and Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall: The Power To Make You Feel You’re An Insider in the World of Henry VIII
Hilary Mantel’s success in winning the Man Booker Prize for her novel “Bring Up the Bodies” has provoked many varying opinions of her work. For my part, I look forward to reading this second book in her Tudor Trilogy. The other day I had a conversation with a keen reader who said, “I don’t likeContinue reading “Historical Novels versus History Books, and Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall: The Power To Make You Feel You’re An Insider in the World of Henry VIII”
Searching for Love… And Craving Celebrity
In my last post, on the case of Jimmy Savile, I wrote about the dark side of celebrity. We live in a society obsessed with celebrities – the gods of this secular age. And we try to convince ourselves that fame would guarantee entry into a perfect region of love, wealth and success. Yet theContinue reading “Searching for Love… And Craving Celebrity”
The Big Bad Wolf, the Human Capacity to Deceive, and the Case of Jimmy Savile
In recent weeks many of us have been shocked by the case of Jimmy Savile and the BBC, and wondered how someone who did so much good in the world could turn out to have such a dark side. The case of Jimmy Savile should make us all look with new eyes at the cultContinue reading “The Big Bad Wolf, the Human Capacity to Deceive, and the Case of Jimmy Savile”