Ever since I discovered the joy of novels at an early age, my bookshelves have been a sort of gentleman’s club. Not through sexism or prejudice — I just figured men wrote in a style I was most comfortable with. One glance at my book collection will show that I like a literary diet of …
It was April 15, 2021 that I wrote and published my first blog post on here. I called it, ‘The Cheapest Form of Self Care,’ referring to the health benefits of journalling. It began with a confession: 'It's fair to say that diaries have never really been my 'thing'.' Oh, I liked the idea of …
Continue reading #100: The Cheapest Form of Self Care (Revisited)
WRITING RECENTLY about my mental health crisis and the long, torturous path to recovery was challenging, to say the least. The story was raw, deeply personal, and not an easy one to share—or, I imagine, to read. So in this post, and as a postscript to my previous one — ‘The Raven’ — I’d like …
We never stop learning, do we. Even during our leisure, when we take time out to ‘quieten our minds’ and relax awhile — even a quiet mind remains alert to new discoveries. Earlier today, while reading the historical novel ‘The Bookseller of Inverness’ by S. G. MacLean (which is excellent, by the way), I came …
Ever since our earliest ancestors began telling one another stories we have enjoyed tales of adventure, daring and heroism. It matters not whether the account is real or make believe, our level of enjoyment is proportionate to the thrill of the tale. The more gutsy the courage and greater the risk the more rewarding the …
As is the case with Marmite, fans of author Stephen King fall into two diametrically opposed camps. Those who love his work occupy one side. On the other are those who either dislike his work intensely or, as is sadly so often the case, those who have never read him and never will ... 'because …
'We felt lost souls, who had forgotten that men are made for something else, that time exists and hope, that the earth can be used for something other than burying the dead.' Guy Sajer5th Panzergrenadier Company,Grossdeutschland DivisionEastern front, 1944/45 A year or so following completion of the Fallen Eagle screenplay I was again called on …
When tasked to write a feature-length World War Two action drama, I knew my childhood diet of Commando comics and classic war movies would come in handy. I have recently embarked upon a new and fascinating writing project. In so doing I had occasion to resurrect my old scriptwriting material, such as sample scripts, tips …
This morning I once again felt the lure of the open road. Prompted by clear skies and warm, summer sunshine, I pumped-up my bike's tyres and took to the tarmac. Heading out of my home village, I entered the maze of near-deserted North Lincolnshire backroads. There, flanked by lush hedgerows and verdant verges, I followed …
Deepdale led Levi down the narrow street and halted outside a ramshackle, timber-fronted structure. The fox ranger took care to hold his russet brush-tail above the street’s filth, though the hem of his frock coat trailed, leaving a track in his wake. Leaning buildings loomed either side of them, their gables drawn together high above, …
RAVEN MOON 