Load of Old Cobbles

It’s a funny thing seeing what you were doing (almost) a year ago, and how you and your writing has changed in that time. I think this was the last proper fantasyish thing I wrote. It certainly has the longest title of a Nik short story. You can see it in Twisted Tongue here. (And if you’d like to see details, from this very blog, as to how it came about, see here and then here.)


And I was very happy on Friday when Mr Postman delivered my repaired pens. The Pen Doctor, it seems, has done a sterling job.

What Do You Get if You Cross

two of my favourite things? Namely, my favourite book from last year (called Something Beginning With here, and in the US, the ABCs of Love, by Sarah Salway) and birds.

Well, this, really. The ABCs of Love Bird. Isn’t it fab?

I would like someone to do that with something I’ve written one day.
Right, back to the editing. I’m doing quite a lot of that – I’m doing a short story (which seems desperate to not work) and my little novel which is, on the face of it, much more compliant.

How Do You Have Fun?

Photo from the wonderful Du Rose’s Digest

It has occurred to me that since I’ve been writing seriously, I have, on occasion, neglected to have as much fun/time off as I probably should have. And I think it’s time that changed. Having time away from writing, even if it’s only a little (this is a job we can very easily live in 24/7) is important. It is good to be fresh.

So that means (with luck) that I’ll be making more of an effort to spend more time doing things I enjoy; that means more walking, more running, more yoga, more looking at birds – more being away from my desk.

So, I am curious, readers of my blog, what do you do for fun? How do you relax? You never know, you might inspire me to take up a new hobby…

Me, looking at dolphins

The Truth is Out There

In Cardiff, it would seem. As well as filling me with great joy, reading this reminded me of my own experience, which, if you’re a grown-up, you can see here.

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And a thought for the day (something which has had me thinking recently): was there ever such a thing as a non-woolly mammoth?

Your Help?

If I was to say ‘High School’ what would you think I was referring to? State Secondary? Mixed? Single sex? This is for a story set in the UK.

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I thought this talk by Sir Ken Robinson was terrific. Thanks to John Lenahan for flagging it up. And while I’m doing youtube linking, I may as well whack this up as well. I know it’s an oldie but it always makes me chuckle.

Of Mystery Insects and Terrific News

We went to a reservoir yesterday, and it was lovely (well, mostly, a bird did poo on my head but that’s another story). There were lots of birds, cormorants, herons, chaffinch, treecreepers, grebes, goldeneyes, a lesser whitethroat – even jumping fish. And this:

Anyone got any idea what it is?
I’ll bet those of you who asked for more pictures on the blog didn’t expect a humdinger like this one, did you?
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And the terrific news is that Jenn Ashworth is going to have a book out. I’m a big fan of hers so I am totally thrilled; and what makes it even nicer is that she’s a lovely lady. Three cheers for Jenn.
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Also, speaking of top people with books due out, there’s a cool post on Sarah’s journal by Tania Hershman which is well worth a read.

A Funny One

Well, further to Vanessa’s comment on yesterday’s post (and this isn’t some sort of edit-off or competition, promise!) here’s another, more intense, editing picture. I think this was in February or March.

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My flash written on a postcard for the Waterstone’s gallery thingumy is now up. It’s called In Utero. It’s an old one, probably getting on for about three years old. And it’s a funny one. As I said yesterday it’s one I’m quite fond of when I remember it, it’s just that I don’t remember it very often. In fact, I don’t think it’s much of a story, probably more of a thought put into words, or something like that. Anyway, it’s up, it’s not going to win anything, but, I think, it’s fun.