Further to yesterday’s picture of my desk (and the suggestion that pah! it wasn’t scruffy enough) here’s a little video I took on my phone this morning of my office. So – all you doubting Douglases – is it scruffy enough? Or is it me…
Month: February 2009
Pics
First, something I promised Diane I’d do a while ago – post a picture of my workspace. It’s my desk earlier in the week. I think, judging by the book on my desk, I’d just finished reading Errand, by Raymond Carver (very good and I have no idea why I’d not read it before).
Very Good is The Artists’ Enemy
I watched The Culture Show last night (and, of course, it had nothing to do with its presenter). U2 were on and Bono (love him or hate him, it’s not particularly important) said something which struck a chord. He said, ‘Very good is the enemy of Great.’ And I think he’s right. Artists don’t tend to build careers on the strength of being very good, and there’s quite a leap between being consistantly very good and great – BUT being very good can feel like a pretty decent place to be. I know (and I’m sure you do too) how important hard work is in any creative industry, I just thought that little quote gave it a terrific perspective.
WORLD BOOK DAY/BOOK AID PRIZES
Here’s a complete list of what you could win for £1.
A GENTLE AXE – R N MORRIS
SOCKS, SHOCKS AND SECRETS – LEILA RASHEED
THE DAUGHTER GAME – KATE LONG
MALONEY’S LAW – ANNE BROOKE
TRADING TATIANA – DEBI ALPER
THE LETTERS – FIONA ROBYN
SAY AHHH, FINLEY PIG – EMILY GALE
SPLIT BY A KISS – LUISA PLAJA
CHANGELING – STEVE FEASEY
HARLEM RIVER BLUES (FISH 2008 ANTHOLOGY) – contributor – SARAH HILARY
I MET A ROMAN LAST NIGHT, WHAT DID YOU DO? – NIK PERRING
WRITING THERAPY – TIM ATKINSON
OUT OF A CLEAR SKY – SALLY HINCHCLIFFE
UNCLE ALONZO’S BEARD – EMMA KING-FARLOW
YUCKETEYPOO –JILLY HENDERSON-LONG
WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER – SALLY NICHOLLS
THE MUSIC OF OURSELVES – HARRY OWEN
LEADING THE DANCE – SARAH SALWAY
and on their way…
SADOMASOCHISM FOR ACCOUNTANTS – ROSY BARNES
THE WHITE ROAD AND OTHER STORIES – TANIA HERSHMAN
A SECRET ALCHEMY – EMMA DARWIN
And More Ashworth Goodness
… in a Waterstone’s New Voices sort of shape. Very cool.
Cool Competition
Go to Jenn Ashworth’s blog for a chance to win a copy of the above in a rather brilliant competition.
An Unreliable Reader’s Review
This post was going to be a confessional, of sorts. It was going to be me telling you that I’m an unreliable reader. That I feel guilty. See, there are lots of books I want to read. I buy loads, I get sent some, and I want to read them all. But something happens. I know exactly what it is – it’s a complete lack of time coupled with my being cautious of what I read while I’m writing (and I’m writing most of the time). So what ends up happening is many, many books get added to the To-Read pile, and they’re often there for a long time.
Twit
Hmm, I’m Twittering. Or tweeting. Or whatever it is. I am not sure how long this will last but if you’d like to find out then you’re welcome to follow me. Or just look at the Twitter thingumy in my sidebar.
World Book Day Raffle Tickets
If anyone would like to buy tickets for the raffle (£1) then please email me here.
World Book Day Raffle Books List
Here’s a list (really, for the benefit of those who might be interested in buying a ticket) of all the books I’ve received for the World Book Day/Book Aid raffle – and above is a pic of how I’ve arranged them. Not quite as impressive as L’s classroom displays but I have, I feel, done myself proud.
A GENTLE AXE – R N MORRIS
SOCKS, SHOCKS AND SECRETS – LEILA RASHEED
THE DAUGHTER GAME – KATE LONG
MALONEY’S LAW – ANNE BROOKE
TRADING TATIANA – DEBI ALPER
THE LETTERS – FIONA ROBYN
SAY AHHH, FINLEY PIG – EMILY GALE
SPLIT BY A KISS – LUISA PLAJA
CHANGELING – STEVE FEASEY
HARLEM RIVER BLUES (FISH 2008 ANTHOLOGY) – contributor – SARAH HILARY
I MET A ROMAN LAST NIGHT, WHAT DID YOU DO? – NIK PERRING
WRITING THERAPY – TIM ATKINSON
OUT OF A CLEAR SKY – SALLY HINCHCLIFFE
UNCLE ALONZO’S BEARD – EMMA KING-FARLOW
YUCKETEYPOO –JILLY HENDERSON-LONG
WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER – SALLY NICHOLLS
THE MUSIC OF OURSELVES – HARRY OWEN