Shakespeare’s Wronged Women: A Reflection In The Light Of International Women’s Day

The other day I went to a see a production given by  Playbox Theatre, held at their local headquarters,  Dream Factory, Warwick. There we saw members of the Shakespeare Young Company present to us “Shakespeare’s Wronged Women”. In the words of Stewart McGill & Mary King, the Artistic Directors of this company,  “Having explored withContinue reading “Shakespeare’s Wronged Women: A Reflection In The Light Of International Women’s Day”

The Lovely Bones Film – New Insight Onto a Terrifying Subject

What could be worse than losing someone you love through untimely death? And what could be even worse than that? Losing them through murder. And then worse than that? Just imagine – the person you love, who is murdered, is a child, with all life and hope ahead of them. This is the nightmare scenarioContinue reading “The Lovely Bones Film – New Insight Onto a Terrifying Subject”

Why Les Miserables Is So Popular

How is it that the story of Les Miserables has tapped into the emotions of so many? I first read Victor Hugo’s novel in my late teens/early twenties, and a central idea stayed with me over the years (though not necessarily in the exact words Victor Hugo used): You have been taken away from evil,Continue reading “Why Les Miserables Is So Popular”

Men Into Monsters – Spidermen, Octopuses, Lizards and Aliens – Why Do We Love Them in Books, TV Dramas and Movies?

Who’s the most compelling character in a Spiderman movie? For me, it’s Dr Otto Octavius (Doc Ock) and Dr Curt Connors. As I watched “The Amazing Spiderman” DVD again the other day, it was Rhys Ifans in the role of Dr Curt Connors, that my eyes were on. Rhys Ifans is an actor I loveContinue reading “Men Into Monsters – Spidermen, Octopuses, Lizards and Aliens – Why Do We Love Them in Books, TV Dramas and Movies?”

People of Inspiration Part 6 – Gareth Malone, The Love of Singing and the Rediscovery of the Power of Sound

What or who would inspire you to start singing? Gareth Malone, self-described as an “animateur, presenter and populariser of choral singing” (Wikipedia) Even if you’ve spent years of your life  thinking  you “can’t sing”? And there are many people with this gift – I’ve met quite a few in my own life of singing –Continue reading “People of Inspiration Part 6 – Gareth Malone, The Love of Singing and the Rediscovery of the Power of Sound”

The Core of a Successful Novel: The Ring of Truth

Q – What is the core of a successful novel? A – You can in some way identify with it; you recognise it as relating to your own life experience. And this doesn’t mean you need to have experienced exactly the same events that the novel describes: simply that you recognise the truth in theContinue reading “The Core of a Successful Novel: The Ring of Truth”

People of Inspiration Part 5 – Frankie Howerd, My All-Time Favourite Comedian

A recent TV programme on Channel 4 inspired me: “Frankie Howerd: The Lost Tapes.” Frankie Howerd is my all-time favourite comedian. In my recent “Next Big Thing” blog I noted that, as an author, I owe part of my inspiration to characters I’ve loved on TV and movies. Frankie Howerd is up there with theContinue reading “People of Inspiration Part 5 – Frankie Howerd, My All-Time Favourite Comedian”

What Happened to Hopes and Dreams on TV Programming This Christmas? – Maria is Unmasked, Arthur Dies, and Tragedy Returns to Downton

“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”

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”

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”