In the days before we all had mobile phones and satnavs, I drove north along the M40, heading home to Warwick, having visited my elderly father near Sevenoaks in Kent. Dusk had fallen. I looked at my petrol gauge; the marker hovered on red. I had no hope of reaching the next services before runningContinue reading “Angel Encounters Mini Series: Part 2. “I met Two Angels in a Mercedes Benz on a Dark Road Near Oxford.””
Category Archives: SC Skillman
Angel Encounters Mini Series Part 1. Modern-Day Angel Encounters – With or Without Wings.
What does a modern day angel look like? Like the fussy angel played by Michael Sheen in the deliciously funny and clever ‘Good Omens’ by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett? More, perhaps like this angel depicted by Vincent Van Gogh? or maybe like the powerful and moving Knife Angel that appeared at Coventry Cathedral inContinue reading “Angel Encounters Mini Series Part 1. Modern-Day Angel Encounters – With or Without Wings.”
A Walk in the Park Leads to Reflections on the Covid-19 Crisis, Shakespeare and The Plague…
I went for a walk with my son Jamie to St Nicholas Park in Warwick on a beautiful warm sunny day. We found very few people, all observing the 2 metre rule. The atmosphere was like a dreamy quiet Sunday afternoon in a sleepy village in the 1950s. I thought, If this was a dystopianContinue reading “A Walk in the Park Leads to Reflections on the Covid-19 Crisis, Shakespeare and The Plague…”
Cover Reveal: ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’ by SC Skillman
I’m delighted to be able to bring you the cover reveal for my new book, Paranormal Warwickshire, which is due to be released by Amberley Publishing on 15th November 2020. I’ve been looking forward to this for several months, as I wondered which of the photos (taken either by myself, by my son Jamie orContinue reading “Cover Reveal: ‘Paranormal Warwickshire’ by SC Skillman”
The Art of Writing Backwards: a Novelist’s Sleight of Hand?
When you saw that title what did you imagine? A scene from Alice through the Looking Glass? One of those high speed reverse sequences in a magical fantasy film, when everything rewinds? Or perhaps a time-slip scenario? Or simply an image of mirror writing? Would it be wonderful if we could indeed start at theContinue reading “The Art of Writing Backwards: a Novelist’s Sleight of Hand?”
The Extraordinary Animal That Is Grief
Originally posted on Zen and the Art of Tightrope Walking:
The Extraordinary Animal That Is Grief I thought I knew about grief. I’ve written enough about it, after all’s said and done. I thought I understood it. But I realise that like a child who paddles on the shores of a vast ocean, sometimes venturing…
Please Welcome Ritu Bhathal and her Debut Novel “Marriage Unarranged!”
#SocialDistancing #Walks in Enchanted Woodlands
I admit I rather like taking nature walks where everyone we meet is social distancing… with a polite smile, other walkers withdraw into the shrubbery or the bracken and we pass each other by at a safe distance, or with jokes about whether we are on the right route and whether we’re going round inContinue reading “#SocialDistancing #Walks in Enchanted Woodlands”
Inspiration for Creative Writers From Grayson Perry in Grayson’s Art Club
Honesty and truthfulness – these are the outstanding virtues of a great artist. And as a creative writer I am currently finding inspiration from artist Grayson Perry as he showcases “Covid-19 lockdown art” in his TV show “Grayson’s Art Club” on Channel 4. Grayson makes use of our contemporary culture which he transforms into artContinue reading “Inspiration for Creative Writers From Grayson Perry in Grayson’s Art Club”
Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors
During the Covid19 lockdown, the Society of Authors are presenting a number of webinars with notable authors, and the other day I attended “Afternoon Tea with Philip Pullman”. I was keen to hear from the author of a fantasy trilogy that captivated me, “His Dark Materials“. 500 of us attended, all waiting with drinks andContinue reading “Inspiration from Fantasy Novelist Philip Pullman, President of the Society of Authors”