This weekend I joined a cast in a drama – at St Mark’s Church in Leamington Spa – which I think Shakespeare would have loved. Why? because we were rather like the little band of local workmen in that Athenian wood in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. But we were not playing “Pyramus and Thisbe”. Instead,Continue reading “Amateur Actors, No Rehearsal, Disorganised Direction, Disappearing Props – A Dream for Shakespeare”
Tag Archives: creative
Wildflower Inspiration from Highgrove
One of the loveliest things about England is the sight of our native wildflowers. For some it may be possible to take these things for granted, but to me, cow-parsley growing in the hedgerows, and bluebells appearing in unexpected places, is something miraculous – along with the oxeye daisy, the meadow buttercup, viper’s bugloss, redContinue reading “Wildflower Inspiration from Highgrove”
Inspiration from Foreign Language Films in our Film Club
During the course of this blog I’ve written about sources of inspiration from many directions – from people, cities, landscape, history, buildings, travel, books, art, TV drama and films. Certainly films I love have enriched my creative life. Writers benefit from cross-fertilisation all the time! A few years ago my writer friend Meg Harper setContinue reading “Inspiration from Foreign Language Films in our Film Club”
The Power of Light to Uplift the Spirit and Transform a Dark World
Add light to any situation, and it changes dramatically. I have often thought the Shard in London looks like a mystical tower. Here in this view it certainly lives up to this image! Highlight one element of a picture and immediately it starts communicating its message – as you will see from these picturesContinue reading “The Power of Light to Uplift the Spirit and Transform a Dark World”
Book Marketing Inspiration and Fresh Ideas for Writers
Led by Adrianne Fitzpatrick (publisher and owner of Books To Treasure) and Wendy H. Jones (successful crime writer), the ACW Writer Day on Saturday 12th March at Widcombe Baptist Church, Bath, provided me – and a church full of my fellow-writers – with a wealth of fresh information about book publishing and marketing. The picturesContinue reading “Book Marketing Inspiration and Fresh Ideas for Writers”
10 Things I Want My Readers to Know About Me
1. I was born and brought up in Orpington, Kent; my father’s family owned A.D. Skillman & Sons, the Ironmongers Shop opposite the Woolwich Ferry on the River Thames. This shop was started by my grandfather in December 1900 and the last owner was my brother Chris who sadly had to close for business inContinue reading “10 Things I Want My Readers to Know About Me”
The Creative Power of an Intense Group of People in the Hothouse Environment of a Writers Retreat
I’ve now finished my series of Cave posts as new inspiration has intervened! One of my fellow bloggers Lance Greenfield has just opened up thoughts of writers retreats by reblogging this post on the subject by Max Dunbar. Lance then went on to ask his own followers for their responses to Max’s thoughts, and whether itContinue reading “The Creative Power of an Intense Group of People in the Hothouse Environment of a Writers Retreat”
A Gift to the Future – One Man’s Vision to Create Hidcote Manor Garden
I love Hidcote Manor Garden, near Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire. It’s one of the National Trust’s greatest gardens and was created by an American horticulturalist Lawrence Johnston, between 1907 and 1947. One very special element in the garden is the Beech Allee – an avenue of majestic beeches. Lawrence Johnston planted it knowing he’d neverContinue reading “A Gift to the Future – One Man’s Vision to Create Hidcote Manor Garden”
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Quirky, Anarchic, and Fizzing with Life
During the last week we’ve been at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival – an overwhelming variety of acts and shows and comedians and performers, all jostling for your attention. Those who are trying to make a name for themselves are free: the already established are in big venues and do paid-for shows. I’ve never been handedContinue reading “The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Quirky, Anarchic, and Fizzing with Life”
Folk Festival Fun for Warwick
This weekend Warwick hosted its annual Folk Festival. Folk dancers and singers were out in force together with a wide variety of creative stallholders and vendors, and everywhere we saw bright coloured clothes and gypsy-style skirts and hats decorated with flowers. In common with many others I love to watch to listen to folk songsContinue reading “Folk Festival Fun for Warwick”
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