If you've read my previous reviews - all the way back into 2018! - you'll know that I loved Natasha Pulley's "The Watchmaker of Filigree Street" and "The Bedlam Stacks". Sadly I can't say the same of "The Kingdoms". The beginning of the book is something of a confused muddle. I know the main character … Continue reading “The Kingdoms”
Category: Blog
Another great mentoring experience!
Last week I had the great privilege of mentoring at another Writers' Retreat. In addition to a couple of workshop sessions, at the core of my mentoring are 1-2-1 sessions with each of the attendees during which we discuss their current and future projects. Sometimes they arrived burdened with uncertainty over what to do next, … Continue reading Another great mentoring experience!
“Lean Fall Stand”
Jon McGregor is nothing if not inventive and challenging - and "Lean Fall Stand" is both of those things. Spoiler alert! The primary action of the novel (covered in the 'Lean' part of the story) concerns an ill-fated expedition in Antarctica. The rest of the novel - 'Fall' and 'Stand' - narrates the post-expedition experiences … Continue reading “Lean Fall Stand”
Writing longhand…
"you have to make an effort when putting pen to paper; it's more meaningful; you leave something of yourself in the marks you make"Caroline, in my forthcoming story "Smoking in the Park"
Working in ‘the office’…
I like to add some variety to my working routine. Often - as this morning - I make my way first thing to the café in one of our local supermarkets. Usually first or second to be served (black Americano and an almond croissant), I plant myself at the far corner table and open my … Continue reading Working in ‘the office’…
Looking forward to mentoring again…
On Thursday next week I embark on another three-day gig as on-site mentor for a writers' retreat. The commitment involves running a couple of workshops, some evening sessions - ice-breakers, readings etc. - and individual 1-2-1s with the participants. Based on my experiences thus far, I am probably looking forward to the 1-2-1s most of … Continue reading Looking forward to mentoring again…
“A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth”
If you were looking for a collection of short stories with a somewhat dizzying array of themes, characters and styles, you could do a lot worse than take a look at Daniel Mason's "A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth". Thanks to the variety in the nine stories offered us, it is actually very … Continue reading “A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth”
One little word…
The other day I read my short story "Park'n'Ride" at a local writing group. Someone whose opinion I respect described it as 'brilliant'. It was - needless to say - a real boost! Of course it was also a demonstration of how subjective our appreciation of writing - or any art - is. "Park'n'Ride" has … Continue reading One little word…
Two New Podcast Episodes
I have just published two new episodes on my "Walking Thru' Fire" podcast; both are short stories. "Downsizing" - sometimes short stories can surprise you, emerging not from specific ideas or experiences, but growing organically from seeds which you are later unable to identify or remember. “Downsizing” is one such story. It will be included … Continue reading Two New Podcast Episodes
Published today! “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
I am delighted to be able to announce the publication of "Selected Poems: 1976-2022". At a recent reading event, I was asked which of my collections was my ‘best book’. It was an innocent enough question, designed to aid a purchasing decision. It was also an unfair one. Any marginal preference I may have for … Continue reading Published today! “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
Ian Gouge - Writer 