HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOOK
Month: September 2007
This Time Last Year
I don’t know why I’m feeling all nostalgic. Maybe it’s because, a little under a year ago, I became an author proper when my book was released to the world. And I find myself thinking, was it only a year ago? and, no, a whole year ago! at the same time. It’s been a funny year; difficult at times. But I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed the visits I’ve done; the workshops I’ve led; the talks I’ve given; the people I’ve met; the writing group; their book; my writing. And when I put it like that it reminds me that I rather enjoy doing what I do, in spite of the terrible pay and the Hard Work.
Yes. I enjoy being that writer and workshop leader from the north west of England. And I reckon there’s plenty more to come from him.
Anyway, here’s what I said, on this very blog, almost a whole year ago to the day:
“Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Slipping ByGoodness this week has just flown. Monday and Tuesday have just been a blur and I’m tired. I can’t believe that we’re almost in Wednesday. The days are just slipping by, and the release of my book gets closer and closer (only three days to go now). And that also means that the start of the Roaming Roman Book Tour is getting nearer as well. I’m at Styal Primary School on Monday, I’ve a workshop on Tuesday and on Thursday I’m running some workshops at Crewe Library. The first event on the tour that’s open to the public is on October 14th at Bollington Library. You can click here to see the other public dates. They’re all free and everybody’s welcome.I saw a film last night of a book that I’ve always wanted to read but, as with so many others, haven’t had the chance. It is called Regeneration and tells the story of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon’s … well I’ll not spoil it for you. I’d highly recommend a watch though. The book, I believe, is very good as well.Signing off for now.”
Wonderful
I saw the wonderful Corpse Bride recently and was reminded of this. Great fun.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkhxjzc9uuE]
Read All About It!
Authors Attract
Tis true, and was proved last night. I’d been invited to attend a ‘special evening viewing’ of an exhibition on Cheshire’s literary heritage held at the Salt Museum in Northwich. I went last night, not really knowing what to expect (well, you wouldn’t really, would you?). After a brief and friendly chat with a couple of staff members I was ushered into the room where all the guests were being held. I accepted a glass of water and waited for things to commence.
I must have stood there for about five minutes before I realised that I was going to struggle to engage anyone in conversation. Some clearly weren’t all that keen on even returning smiles. But they don’t know me and I don’t know them and I suppose they might not have been there to talk to people – and in my motorcycle jacket I could have been anyone/trouble/lost.
And then a lady and her husband walked in and ended up heading my way. They nodded and smiled, as did I, and pretty soon we were having a great old chat. It turned out that, not only was the lady, Gee Williams, a fellow author (you can order her book, Salvage, – which sounds marvellous – here) but we also share a writer friend.
From then on the evening was great. The exhibition was fab. They had original typescripts of Robert Westall’s, The Machine Gunners, his typewriter, medieval writing implements (not his), stuff on Alan Garner, Lewis Carroll, Elizabeth Gaskell… all sorts. Well worth a look if you’re in the area.
And at some point, people started to smile at each other.
A Possibly Slightly Lengthy Post
Do as I Say, Not as I Do
Happy Birthday!
They’re like buses, these birthdays. Rosie is 21 today; HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
And thanks to the super lovely Anne for her comments on my library writing group’s collection of short stories and poems.
Breville Monkey!
I went to see Ross Noble on Wednesday night. How I laughed. He was absolutely brilliant. He didn’t talk about Breville Monkies though, which was a shame.
Oh, and I was flicking through a book on antiques, as part of my research for a story I plan to write, and discovered that a whatnot is actually an item of furniture. Who’d have thought it!
A Post of Two Birthdays
One belated, the other not.
So, happy birthday to the lovely and Very Talented Sarah (hope you have a splendid day).
And, belatedly, happy birthday to my blog. It turned one during August and I never noticed.