Hello, and thank you for visiting my site. I hope that you'll return often and always find something of interest about my world and what inspires me to pick up a pen. (This is a figure of speech, unfortunately. My handwriting is terrible!) Here's what I've been up to recently...
Workhouse Orphan on sale in the most appropriate place possible!
The thousands of destitute people who entered the Ripon workhouse as a very last resort would have been amazed to see its transformation into a highly rated visitor attraction. Now open for the 2019 season, it has a lot to offer for individuals, families or groups. Activities for children are a particular feature, especially during the school holidays, but are offered to school parties during term time as well.
Having spent a good deal of time in the Ripon Workhouse Museum whilst researching my latest book, I’m delighted to see copies now on sale in its well stocked shop. I’m looking forward to doing a signing session later on in the year.
15 February, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
Shadows of the Past – the prequel!
Grammar and the acquisition of vocabulary were very much to the fore at my school in those days, with speaking almost an optional extra. This goes some way to explain the difficulties experienced by my characters Daisy, Kate and Ronnie when they found themselves in a nightmare scenario rather than the innocuous ‘international work camp’ that they had signed up for. Not understanding what was going on around them for much of the time, they didn’t know that they should have run for their lives while they had the chance.
The prequel to ‘Shadows of the Past’ will be available as a free download. WATCH THIS SPACE!
10 February, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
Swanwick 2019
Always pleased to support the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School in any way I can, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to repeat a workshop that has been very successful in the past.
Money isn’t everything, I know, but it certainly helps. ‘Easy Money for Writers & Wannabes’ has been described as the gift that keeps on giving. If you haven’t already got a copy, why not give it a try? You won’t lose by it.
10 February, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
An unexpected accolade
No, that isn’t yours truly receiving a trophy from Carole Bromley. That distinction went to Ripon Writers’ Group’s Chair, Sheila Whitfield, for her poem about the traditional craft of dry stone walling. BUT, and it’s a big BUT, I was placed joint third.
Why should that be such a big deal, you might ask. Well, it’s because my entry, ‘Not a Hope’, listed all the reasons why I wouldn’t expect to get anywhere in a poetry competition. Prizes these days tend to go to writers of free verse, with traditional forms disdained as hopelessly old fashioned. I disagree, as you’ll realise if you read on. Much of what I hear today, whether at an adjudication or an open mic, I only know is a poem because that’s what I’m told it is. Beautifully crafted and full of clever imagery it may be but, devoid of both rhyme and metre, it’s indistinguishable to my ear from prose.
Carole said that she placed my poem, submitted anonymously, because its writer ‘succeeds in writing a tongue in cheek, brilliant poem which makes her point powerfully and wittily’. I hope you agree. Comments very welcome.
NOT A HOPE
To write an ode is her intent,
But inspiration, heaven sent
To those of a poetic bent,
Has quite forgotten where she lives;
An oversight that always gives
A chance to better poets than she
To craft their entries, while she sighs
And wonders why she even tries.
Her pen is chewed beyond repair
And nothing beckons but despair.
Her friends evoke both place and time
In part or para or half- rhyme.
She knows their poems can’t fail to chime
With any judge of modern verse.
That’s not her style, for she is cursed
With love for both full rhyme and metre
And something strongish by the litre
To drown her sorrows when they beat her.
9 January, 2019 - There are 2 comments on this story
Every little helps!
First ‘filler’ of the year to appear in print, cheque to follow. The advice in my ‘Easy Money for Writers & Wannabes’ continues to stand the test of time!
7 January, 2019 - Make the first comment on this story
A very ‘authorly’ gift.
I’d wondered how my nearest and dearest might top last year’s charm bracelet, which featured several of my books, and now I know!
These mugs will certainly be accompanying me to next year’s literary events!
(Apologies for the quality of the image, which is due to my lack of skill at photography and no reflection on the print shop that produced them.)
27 December, 2018 - Make the first comment on this story
A festive story published at last!
D.C.Thomson have maintained their policy of paying on acceptance rather than on publication, for which their regular writers are very grateful. However, it’s always a little disappointing when a story is ‘held over’, as mine was last Christmas. However, here it is at last in the issue dated 22.12.18.
My original title, ‘A Slice of Happiness’, gave more of a clue to its subject matter than that chosen by the fiction team. Inspired by the same event that I described in my novel ‘Shadows of the Past’, it tells of an unexpected act of kindness during the final days of the WW2 German occupation of France. One reader has already let me know that it moved her to tears.
20 December, 2018 - Make the first comment on this story
Another boost for ‘Workhouse Orphan’.
Thank you, Graham. Your unflagging support for the creative members of our community is always very much appreciated.
6 December, 2018 - Make the first comment on this story
Promoting Yorkshire Authors Christmas event
The weather outside Harrogate Library was horrible, but inside all was warm and cosy. Fellow PYA members Neeley Wickes, Marla Skidmore, John Jackson, Edwin Rydberg, Brian Pentelow, Darren Walker and I set out our stalls and looked forward to a few hours of discussing our books with the public and – eternally optimistic – going home at the end with empty bags. It didn’t quite work out like that, but I sold a fair few of mine and met some very interesting people.
I’m indebted to John Jackson for this wonderful collage of the PYA members selling their books today.
The presence of the Friends of Harrogate Library with their pop-up cafe (and good selection of delicious cake!) was very welcome and I was fascinated by the skills of the ladies from Harrogate Embroiderers’ Guild, who were displaying their work and offering the opportunity to have a go. Thanks are also due to the talented gentleman who played seasonal music for us throughout the event. Sorry I neglected to get his name.
1 December, 2018 - Make the first comment on this story
Just for fun!
If you scroll down, you’ll discover that the outfit featured was concocted for the 1940s disco at this year’s Swanwick Writers’ Summer School. Amit (AA) Dhand was the guest speaker I’d recommended to the Committee, having met him previously at a York Writers meeting. His powers of oratory are as great as his books and, despite the grim nature of the topics he writes about, he could easily have a second career as a stand up comedian. He was a huge hit at Swanwick and the queue to buy his books stretched back from the information room to the bar. (Fellow Swanwickers will know just how far that is!)
Andy Hamilton and Bob Pegg are both old favourites of mine, my admiration for Bob going right back to my teenage years.
As for the newspapers, well, I admit to being rather tongue in cheek on that topic!
22 November, 2018 - Make the first comment on this story
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