The other day I saw an encore screening of George Bernard Shaw’s play “St Joan” from National Theatre Live. I studied this play at university. Then, as in my recent viewing, I was entranced by the character of Joan herself, and by the words Shaw puts into her mouth. Joan has special resonance for me becauseContinue reading “Joan of Arc: Mystical Experiences and Empowerment”
Category Archives: life
The Laborious Art of Book Writing
I love this post by Lucy Mills and it echoes my own thoughts about the process of writing a book. Lucy is writing an inspirational book, not a novel, but she describes an experience common to all those who throw themselves heart and soul into writing a full-length work for publication. Lucy refers to theContinue reading “The Laborious Art of Book Writing”
Whatever Happened to Small is Beautiful?
In 1993, E.F. Schmacher published a book entitled Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered. It was well received, and promised a potential revolution in ideas for capitalism and for the consumer society. Recently I saw a plea from a Christian charity for us to invest in poor (“small” in economicContinue reading “Whatever Happened to Small is Beautiful?”
What do the Secrets of the Australian Swagman Have to Say to Creative Writers?
“Ashes are much hotter than flames”.This is an observation I heard online a few months ago, and you’d think, OK, what does that have to do with creative writers? Well, let me take you to the Australian Outback to explain. The ‘swagman’ of Waltzing Matilda fame traditionally goes walkabout through the Outback of Australia withContinue reading “What do the Secrets of the Australian Swagman Have to Say to Creative Writers?”
Creative Artists: In the Minority, and On the Outside Looking In
Today on Radio 4, whilst stuck in slow-moving traffic due to an accident on the M40, I listened to the Midweek programme, in which Libby Purves interviewed four guests – Diana Moran, fitness expert; Jack Thorne, playwright; Dashni Morad, singer and presenter; and finally Omid Djalili, comedian and actor. For the purposes of today’s blogContinue reading “Creative Artists: In the Minority, and On the Outside Looking In”
What the Camp Comedian Has To Say to the Creative Writer
I love camp, on-the-cusp comedians who subvert gender stereotypes. A good example is Julian Clary who is above all a genius with words – playful, teasing, fluid, quixotic, suggestive, subversive – and he has an acute sense of irony. His camp public persona in itself subverts what I believe may lie much deeper in him,Continue reading “What the Camp Comedian Has To Say to the Creative Writer”
Angels and Supernatural Experiences: Book Review
Angel on My Shoulder: Inspiring True Stories from the Other Side by Theresa Cheung My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is one of those books where you feel the title and cover image give a misleading idea of the contents. An Angel on My Shoulder was passed on to me and I admit fromContinue reading “Angels and Supernatural Experiences: Book Review”
Cover Reveal of My New Book ‘Perilous Path: a Writer’s Journey’
I’m delighted to reveal the cover design of my new book which is due out soon:The cover was created by graphic designer Annabelle Bradford. Perilous Path: a writer’s journey is a short non-fiction book (106 pages) which will be available both as a paperback and also as a Kindle ebook. It’s in the Self-Help / CreativityContinue reading “Cover Reveal of My New Book ‘Perilous Path: a Writer’s Journey’”
What a Great Actress Has to Say to Creative Writers: Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes is an actress I have watched and been captivated by for decades. She is of course the essential Dickensian character and she was perfect as a JK Rowling character too, and has been so in many other roles, both on TV and radio. I have often marvelled at her wonderful fluid and flexibleContinue reading “What a Great Actress Has to Say to Creative Writers: Miriam Margolyes”
I Have a New Book Coming Out Soon
I’m pleased to announce I have a new book coming out soon, this time non-fiction. It will be a short one, 100 pages, and will be available in paperback as well as an ebook. I’ve written it for all those who’d love to know about the process of writing novels: whether they be aspiring writers,Continue reading “I Have a New Book Coming Out Soon”
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