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?”
Author Archives: SC Skillman
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”
The Lost World of the Reclusive Bestseller Author
JK Rowling has said, I imagined being a famous writer would be like being Jane Austen, being able to sit at home in the parsonage and your books would be very famous… I didn’t think they’d rake through my bins. I didn’t expect to be photographed on the beach through long lenses. JD Salinger and Harper LeeContinue reading “The Lost World of the Reclusive Bestseller Author”
Elizabeth, Dudley and Happy Times in Ruined Castles
Castles always make me happy. I’m lucky to live within a short distance of two of the country’s greatest – Kenilworth and Warwick. I’ve visited both many times but it’s Kenilworth that most captures my imagination. Is this because it lies in ruins whereas Warwick is still intact and has a Tussauds exhibition in it? WhenContinue reading “Elizabeth, Dudley and Happy Times in Ruined Castles”
The Novels We Love and Carl Jung’s Theory of the Collective Unconscious
Among his many theories, Carl Jung includes “the Collective Unconscious”. This “collects and organises personal experiences in a similar way with each member of the species.” If we consider a book to which millions have responded in a similar positive way, for instance Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”, we may then see that the story touches uponContinue reading “The Novels We Love and Carl Jung’s Theory of the Collective Unconscious”
Spaces, Holes and Boundaries in Creative Imagination
In the Birmingham City Art Gallery I found an artist whose work conjured up for me an imaginary conversation between two people meeting at a party: “So what do you do for a living?” “I tie threads round holes.” As I imagined the likely response, I gazed at a series of photographs of various holes inContinue reading “Spaces, Holes and Boundaries in Creative Imagination”
Sherlock Holmes And Creative Writing
Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft tells Watson in the latest BBC recreation of this much-loved character, has the mind of a scientist or a philosopher; yet he chose to be a consulting detective. When he was a child he wanted to be a pirate. And Conan Doyle tells us Holmes is also a consummate actor. He willContinue reading “Sherlock Holmes And Creative Writing”
Learning From David Hockney
On a recent visit to David Hockney’s exhibition “A Bigger Picture” at the Royal Academy, not only was I uplifted and enthralled by his art, but also I took away with me several insights for creative writers. Here are five highlights that apply to novelists as well as artists: 1) Working From Memory Frees the Imagination Hockney does aContinue reading “Learning From David Hockney”
An Answer to Prayer, or Just Good Luck?
Often traditional Irish / Celtic prayers travel cyberspace, packaged as good luck messages inspired by folk religion and treated as if they’re magic words – giving luck and chance greater respectability to our way of thinking than the idea of prayer to a God who is listening and answering. So, today I ask: ‘Why pray?’ and ‘Does it work?’ Many doContinue reading “An Answer to Prayer, or Just Good Luck?”
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