Monthly Archives: February 2009

Pics

25 Wednesday Feb 2009

Posted by in British Legion, local rag, scruffy office

≈ 7 Comments

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).

***
And here’s what the local press had to say about what my writing group (some of whom are pictured – Jenny, Betty and Karen) did for the local British Legion (some of whom are pictured – Harry Gaskell, and Anne Cave). I’m just chuffed and – I admit it – surprised my name’s spelled right.

Very Good is The Artists’ Enemy

25 Wednesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

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.

So that’s what I think about that. Just thought I’d share.

WORLD BOOK DAY/BOOK AID PRIZES

24 Tuesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Book Aid, raffle, signed books to won, world book day

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Here’s a complete list of what you could win for £1.

All copies are signed – the draw will be drawn on March 5th, and all proceeds will go to Book Aid International.

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

An Unreliable Reader’s Review

19 Thursday Feb 2009

Posted by in Black Boxes, Caroline Smailes, Nik 'I don't do reviews' Perring, The Incredibles

≈ 5 Comments

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.

But sometimes something strange happens. I don’t know if it’s me thinking sod it or just chance – but I’ll buy a book and read it straight away. It’s not planned, it’s not that I fancy it more than the others that are waiting – it just happens (can you see why I’d feel guilty?).
But I’m not going to tell you (any more) about that. Because I have just finished one of the best books I’ve read, the reading of which, it just so happens, was precisely one of those jump-to-the-front-of-the-queue-without-reason occurrences. (And I hope that is more interesting than telling you what I haven’t read.)
It’s called Black Boxes and it’s written by a very lovely lady by the name of Caroline Smailes. There’s a strong possibility you’ll have heard of her for it is she who’s responsible for that terrific Black Box widget that’s appeared on many a blog over the last few months.
Now, I don’t do reviews (I’m no good at them, you know this) and I’m not going to go into too much detail about the book – wouldn’t want to give too much away – but, but, but – I do want to tell you what I think.
The book tells the story, the recording of sorts, of the last hours of 37 year old Ana’s life, which is about to end by her own hand. It’s told in her own words and those words are told just beautifully. It’s poetry, beautifully tragic and honest and brutal – as are the words we find in her teenaged daughter’s diary.
The subject matter’s not pretty – it’s heart-breaking (no bad thing). But it’s the story and the way it’s told that makes it so brilliant. It’s hypnotic, it’s sad, it’s beautiful, it’s fresh, it feels original and, most importantly, it feels real. It’s not easy to do haunting and affecting, and it’s not easy to write about depressing situations convincingly and make them entertaining without relying on people’s morbid curiosity (or just plain wallowing) – take it from me, Caroline Smailes has managed it here. And how.
I’ve mentioned here over the past few months how chuffed and lucky I’ve been to discover some utterly wonderful writers recently (Aimee Bender, Lorrie Moore and Etgar Keret most notably) and I’m chuffed and lucky again because Caroline Smailes has gone straight onto that list. Black Boxes is wonderful – in content, in story and in its telling. It could very easily be my book of the year.
I just wonder now what other gems I’m missing out on by not getting more stuck in to my To-Read pile.

World Book Day Raffle Books List

17 Tuesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Book Aid, Fab author friends who are very generous, world book day

≈ 8 Comments

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 huge thanks to all who’ve contributed and to all whose books are in transit/waiting to be sent. I really, really, hope what we raise does justice to your generosity.
And the books are:

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

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