I was very moved by the film “The Imitation Game” which I saw the other day. It tells the story of Alan Turing who led the team which cracked the Enigma Code at Bletchley Park during World War II. Benedict Cumberbatch opened up for us a picture of a hero who was never rewarded and acknowledged,Continue reading ““The Imitation Game” Film Starring Benedict Cumberbatch – Moving and Powerful”
Category Archives: empowerment
Review of “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green
I’ve just finished reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. This story of two young cancer “survivors” is a story that eats into your marrow. And if you haven’t seen the film or read the book, and would like to, don’t read on, for my review contains plot spoilers! Even though I hadContinue reading “Review of “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green”
The Writer’s Journey
After being turned down by numerous publishers, he had decided to write for posterity – George Ade It is a truth certainly acknowledged by the author of the above quote that many creative writers struggle for years, enduring perhaps decades in the wilderness of submissions and rejections, before their persistence finally pays off. Most would-beContinue reading “The Writer’s Journey”
Review of “The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared”: a Lesson in Opportunism?
I’ve just finished reading The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. What an amazing book this is – one which makes you reflect on the nature of life, the irony of events and choices, the workings of chance, and the value of opportunism. As I read itContinue reading “Review of “The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared”: a Lesson in Opportunism?”
Ancient Civilisations: Reflections From Stonehenge
Last week I was sitting in the café at the new English Heritage Visitors Centre near Stonehenge, listening to a conversation between two American visitors. “Well,” said one, “I definitely think it was three things; a church, a burial ground and a place of healing.” “You don’t mean church,” said her friend. “Oh no. Well,Continue reading “Ancient Civilisations: Reflections From Stonehenge”
The Therapeutic Journey of the Fictional Hero or Heroine
Recently I came upon an article in The Psychotherapist magazine which highlights the close parallels between the novel and the process of psychotherapy. In her article Psychotherapy and the Novel, in issue 56 Spring 2014 edition, the author (therapeutic counsellor Rosamond Williams) makes the point that only the novel (of all the narrative art forms) offers a parallelContinue reading “The Therapeutic Journey of the Fictional Hero or Heroine”
Rocky Hillsides, Dark Valleys and the One Voice You Can Trust
In our lives we can often find that there seems to be one poem or a prayer which has been most helpful, most meaningful to us. For me this has been the 23rd Psalm: The Lord Is My Shepherd. In times of strong negative emotion, the words though I walk through the valley of the shadow ofContinue reading “Rocky Hillsides, Dark Valleys and the One Voice You Can Trust”
Find Me at International Women’s Day 2014 Event in Leamington Spa
Watch out for me at the International Women’s Day event at the Sydni Centre, Leamington Spa on Saturday 8 March 2014 from 1-6pm. This is a FREE women-only event. I’ll be showcasing my best blog posts, selling copies of Mystical Circles at the special reduced price of £5, & showing the official trailer. There willContinue reading “Find Me at International Women’s Day 2014 Event in Leamington Spa”
The RADA Student Who Felt Like Packing Her Bags and Going Back North
The BBC Radio 4 Today programme is often a source of inspiration to me. And today at 8.20am I heard an item about the party for former RADA students that the Queen will be holding in Buckingham Palace this evening (Monday 17 February 2014) I’m very interested in the life of an actor, partly because the acting world doesContinue reading “The RADA Student Who Felt Like Packing Her Bags and Going Back North”
Loyalty, Hope and Keeping Faith, in the Greatest Film I’ve Ever Seen: The Shawshank Redemption
We love listing “The 50 Top … Films, Books, Magic Tricks, Comedians”, etc. etc. And a list of the top films will always change from year to year. But to my mind, The Shawshank Redemption makes the top of the list. And I saw it again very recently on TV. I watched it for the first timeContinue reading “Loyalty, Hope and Keeping Faith, in the Greatest Film I’ve Ever Seen: The Shawshank Redemption”