Inspiration from JRR Tolkien in Oxford

My recent visit to Oxford to see the exhibition of Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth was a revelation to me and full of inspiration. You may find the exhibition in the  ST Lee Gallery, Weston Library, next to Blackwell’s Bookshop on Broad Street. It’s packed with fascinating objects and letters, and drawings: Tolkien’s own exquisite illustrations forContinue reading “Inspiration from JRR Tolkien in Oxford”

The Power of a Picture: the Burton Dasset Hills Country Park, Warwickshire

It’s said that an image is much more powerful than words; which is rather a shame for authors who write books that don’t have any pictures! And so an author’s alternative is to paint a picture with words. Because, as author Isamu Noguchi says, We are a landscape of all we have seen. In myContinue reading “The Power of a Picture: the Burton Dasset Hills Country Park, Warwickshire”

Taste the Spirit of Warwickshire – A Shakespeare-Inspired Spiritual Travel Guide

My proposed new non-fiction book, Spirit of Warwickshire, is currently in the early stages of its journey into the world. Richly illustated with full colour photos by photographer Abigail Robinson, the book contains twenty short pieces about places  in Warwickshire that I love, visit often, and believe to have spiritual presence. I define a placeContinue reading “Taste the Spirit of Warwickshire – A Shakespeare-Inspired Spiritual Travel Guide”

Fun and Excitement on the Author Stand at the UK Games Expo

Just back from the UK Games Expo – a fun event for all ages at the  Birmingham NEC showcasing creative games designers, model makers, authors, artists, cosplayers and Vikings! The authors’ genres spanned fantasy, paranormal, thrillers, history, sci fi and time travel. There was a real buzz about the event, and I enjoyed networking with fellow authors, soldContinue reading “Fun and Excitement on the Author Stand at the UK Games Expo”

GDPR Compliance on SC Skillman Blog

Thank you to all of you who read and enjoy my blog posts. I greatly appreciate those who support me by following, reading, liking and commenting. I hope to continue providing you with short inspirational blog posts about any subject that  catches my eye! It’s been a busy few days as I have been listeningContinue reading “GDPR Compliance on SC Skillman Blog”

New Book: Spirit of Warwickshire

Now I’ve begun work on my new book Spirit of Warwickshire, here’s a taster of what you’ll find in it. The book, which I plan to release later this year with Luminarie, will contain a selection of articles about places in Warwickshire which I’ve visited and which have spiritual resonance. These will be places whichContinue reading “New Book: Spirit of Warwickshire”

A Visit to the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park, Gloucestershire

What a lovely place the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park is. I was very impressed with it when we visited on Easter Saturday. The park is beautifully landscaped with some enchanting gypsy caravans and playhouses for young children, and the birds and animals are very tame indeed.  A word of warning – do buy theContinue reading “A Visit to the Prinknash Bird and Deer Park, Gloucestershire”

An Interview on Linda’s Book Bag About My Newly Released Edition of Mystical Circles

On 9th September 2017 on the last day of my Mystical Circles blog tour, fellow blogger Linda Hill published an interview with me on her blog Linda’s Book Bag.  This is the final one in a series of  nine blog posts, in which I re-publish the stops on my blog tour. So with my thanksContinue reading “An Interview on Linda’s Book Bag About My Newly Released Edition of Mystical Circles”

Intense Relationships in Closed Communities, and the Stresses and Tensions of Life

On 8th September 2017 on the eighth day  of my Mystical Circles blog tour, fellow-blogger Kerry Parsons published an article by me on  her blog Chat About Books. This is the eighth in a series of blog posts in which I re-publish the articles on that blog tour. So with my thanks to Kerry, here’s the article sheContinue reading “Intense Relationships in Closed Communities, and the Stresses and Tensions of Life”

Inspiration, Motivation and Keeping To The Path

On 7th September 2017 on the seventh day  of my Mystical Circles blog tour, MJ Mallon published an article by me on her blog which has the wonderful title of  Kyrosmagica. This is the seventh in a series of blog posts in which I re-publish the articles on that blog tour. So with my thanksContinue reading “Inspiration, Motivation and Keeping To The Path”