As a novelist I enjoy writing about relationships. I’ve spent years observing people’s behaviour in all sorts of situations – within romantic relationships, family relationships, within groups both informal and structured, at dinner parties or self-help therapy groups or in other group situations such as writing workshops. In my mystery romance novel “Mystical Circles”, I create aContinue reading “Dangerous Interpersonal Tensions at The Wheel of Love, Esoteric Spiritual Group”
Category Archives: SC Skillman
How To Answer The Question at a Writers Workshop “Does Anyone Here Want To Become Rich and Famous?”
At a recent Writers Workshop which I attended in London, one of the delegates asked this question of all of us who sat at my table: “Is there anybody here who wants to become rich and famous?” A silence followed, of about three seconds in duration, when it seemed that no writer present dared toContinue reading “How To Answer The Question at a Writers Workshop “Does Anyone Here Want To Become Rich and Famous?””
A Portal to Another World – What Makes Any Place a Dream Home?
A couple of days ago the words ‘dream home’ sprang into my mind. I don’t know why. Perhaps it was a bit like J.K. Rowling on that train journey when she was gazing out of the window day-dreaming and she thought ‘Boy wizard – doesn’t know he’s a wizard – gets invited to wizard school.’ Anyway,Continue reading “A Portal to Another World – What Makes Any Place a Dream Home?”
Interpersonal Relationships in the Hothouse Atmosphere of a New Age Commune
In my mystery romance novel “Mystical Circles” I explore the interpersonal relationships to be found in the hothouse atmosphere of a New Age commune. This is a place where relationships and liaisons flare and flourish or fizzle out quickly. The group I describe is based in an idyllic farmhouse in the Cotswolds. It is aContinue reading “Interpersonal Relationships in the Hothouse Atmosphere of a New Age Commune”
A US Reviewer’s Take on “Mystical Circles”
A US reviewer says: “What Juliet finds when she reaches the ranch is an oddly charismatic and dysfunctional group of people…. there are strange things happening in the commune, and when a priest shows up it further traumatizes the group… This loving and freedom-believing cult, while wonderful on the surface is a cauldron of deceitContinue reading “A US Reviewer’s Take on “Mystical Circles””
Family Relationships in Mystical Circles – Conflict Between Sisters
In “Mystical Circles” I explore the conflict between two sisters Juliet and Zoe. Juliet, the older sister, aged around 30, is worried that the impetuous Zoe, age 22 and fresh out of university, has fallen in love with charismatic New Age guru Craig McAllister, and rushed off to join his esoteric spiritual group in the Cotswolds,Continue reading “Family Relationships in Mystical Circles – Conflict Between Sisters”
Extracts from Mystical Circles – What is Dream Yoga, as Practised by the Members of Craig’s Esoteric Group The Wheel of Love?
What is dream yoga? Does it really exist? The answer is yes. It is one of the practices of Craig’s group The Wheel of Love, which I describe in my novel. I have investigated dream yoga myself in the past. It originates in Tibet, and through it one aims to achieve wholeness and self-knowledge by mastering theContinue reading “Extracts from Mystical Circles – What is Dream Yoga, as Practised by the Members of Craig’s Esoteric Group The Wheel of Love?”
Extracts from Mystical Circles – What is Dynamic Meditation, as Practised by Craig’s Esoteric Group The Wheel of Love?
What is “Dynamic Meditation”? I describe this in my novel, as Craig leads a session for the members of his group The Wheel of Love. I observed this supposed “emotional release therapy” myself in the past, whilst investigating the practices and beliefs of the sannyasins who followed the guru Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh. EXTRACT FROM “MYSTICALContinue reading “Extracts from Mystical Circles – What is Dynamic Meditation, as Practised by Craig’s Esoteric Group The Wheel of Love?”
Characters in Mystical Circles – Beth, a Member of Craig’s Esoteric Group The Wheel of Love who Feels Unloved – will she Find Healing in Craig’s Community?
Beth doesn’t really know why she’s here; she’s edgy, tense, anxious. Is she searching for the healing that Craig promises? And is she prepared to do the mysterious “work” on herself that Craig requires? She doesn’t want to tell Juliet about her past. She hero-worships Craig, but he’s inaccessible. There is one in the groupContinue reading “Characters in Mystical Circles – Beth, a Member of Craig’s Esoteric Group The Wheel of Love who Feels Unloved – will she Find Healing in Craig’s Community?”
Extracts from “Mystical Circles” – the Charismatic Craig has a Strange Gift for Sudden Changes of Appearance – is he a Shaman?
Craig has a strange and unsettling habit of changing his appearance in front of Juliet’s eyes. What is this all about? It is certainly a gift that he has, and a skill that does come from an arcane body of knowledge. You will have to read “Mystical Circles” to find out exactly how Craig does this,Continue reading “Extracts from “Mystical Circles” – the Charismatic Craig has a Strange Gift for Sudden Changes of Appearance – is he a Shaman?”
scskillman.com 