I Went Away

I’ve been at my desk all day today, preparing for the workshops I’m running at Crystal Peaks next week, and tidying the stories I wrote while I was away. Yes. I went away. First proper break in about nine years and it was as worth it as it was needed. I had fun. I walked, visited interesting places, spoke to nice people, and wrote. I even visited a Buddhist temple and smelled the most beautiful smelling roses I’ve ever come across. Here are some pics.

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Things I’ve Enjoyed

Here are a few things I’ve enjoyed over the past couple of weeks…

 

First off, The Sculptor. An epic and wonderful graphic novel on art, relationships, and what you’d give up for the time to make something brilliant. I loved it.

Juhmpha Lahiri, Interpreter of Maladies – an absolute masterclass of short story writing. It won the Pulitzer. As a short story collection. Say no more.

I re-read Café Niagara by István Örkény, which is lovely but I can’t seem to find it anywhere to read or buy online (I have it in a Nothing’s Lost – a collection of Hungarian short stories).

Last night I watched Midnight Special which was great – a kind of a modern B movie/ X-Files mashup that, simply, worked.

And, a couple of nights before, I watched the Deadpool movie and was more surprised than I thought I’d be when it turned out to be really good fun.

We Have a Winner

Thank you to all who entered the Sandlands giveaway.

 

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The names have been printed and put in a pot. They have been shuffled and I have closed my eyes, pushed my hand into the pot and I have pulled out and unraveled a scrunched up piece of paper.

And the name on the paper

was…

and still is…

 

Debra! 

Huge congratulations to her- I am sure she’ll love it.

(And, even better, I can give it to her in person which means I even save the postage.)

Crystal Peaks Junior Writers

I’ve barely finished one set of workshops for the brilliant library service in Sheffield (their books are being prepared for printing as we speak) and now I get to announce another.

Really, really thrilled to say I’ll be at Crystal Peaks Library for three days to work with young writers (ages 8-11). The sessions will run at 2pm on Monday 22nd August, then 10:30 on Tuesday 23rd, and  10:30 Thursday 25th.

We’ll learn how to write well – generating good ideas and turning them into brilliant stories, with illustrations and, at the end, those stories will be turned into their own book which’ll be presented at an event where mums and dads and friends will hear the stories being read. It’s FREE but places are strictly limited so I’d suggest booking very soon (the last couple have sold out very quickly). Do spread the word and I hope to see you there!

To book contact Crystal Peaks Library – Email: [email protected] or by phone: 0114 2930612

 

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Rest, Sculptors, And Not a Train in Sight

So I’ve had a week where I’ve not had to be anywhere and it’s been lovely and refreshing. A different city every day, or every few, can really wear you down so it’s been nice to stop and consolidate and get up to date. And I have. Emails have been done, things have been sent to people, a little writing has happened, music has been listened to, and books have been read (I’m currently getting along very well with Scott McCloud’s The Sculptor). And there has been plenty of sleep. And not one train was caught.

I also had a birthday. 35. That came around quick and I’m still pretty bowled over by how many lovely messages I had. And a couple of cards too. And mugs! Thank you for all the good wishes – they always make a difference.

Don’t forget to comment here for a chance to win Rosy Thornton’s brilliant collection.

So that’s that. There’s still plenty to talk about here but there’s no rush. Not just yet anyhow. Now I’m going to make dinner, have a shower, and take myself off for a beer somewhere where I’ll mostly look something like this.

Nik relaxed