The UK Games Expo had not been on my radar until Richard Denning one of the Games Expo directors and a historical and fantasy novelist, kindly offered me space on the Authors Stand in the Birmingham NEC during the weekend Friday 2 – Sunday 4 June 2017. So there I was for three days, sharing a standContinue reading “Fun and Excitement with Fantasy Authors at the UK Games Expo 2017”
Category Archives: love
The Full Monty and What it Says About Not Being Controlled by Your Circumstances
Recently I watched the 1997 British comedy drama film “The Full Monty” again. The reason why I love it is that it’s about “little” people deciding not to be controlled by their circumstances. Six men who in their different ways are suffering during the decline of the Sheffield steel industry, decide to do something nobodyContinue reading “The Full Monty and What it Says About Not Being Controlled by Your Circumstances”
That’s Life – in the Eyes of Noel Coward
I’ve loved the work of Noel Coward since I first saw one of his comedies, in my teens. Among many different archetypal character-types which I hold in my mind, is that of an indolent Noel Coward male lead, lounging against a mantelpiece wearing a silk brocade smoking jacket, elegant, mannered, and dispensing witticisms with theContinue reading “That’s Life – in the Eyes of Noel Coward”
Joan of Arc: Mystical Experiences and Empowerment
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”
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”
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”
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”
How Many Books Do You Read in a Year?
Recently I thought it would be fun and interesting to ask this question of fellow-writers on our own dedicated Facebook group, having just learned from Goodreads that I’d reviewed or rated 28 books this year. I made a fascinating discovery. Annual reading achievement varied enormously. I thought I was doing quite well at approximately 30 –Continue reading “How Many Books Do You Read in a Year?”
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