I'm a snob. There, I said it. I have a prejudice towards books; real, physical - wonderful! - things you can hold in your hands, flick through, weigh, sniff... Books are one of the vessels through which people open doors onto the world, their ideas, their souls. I love books. Which means - doesn't it? … Continue reading Wake up and smell the Kindle…
Category: Blog
Would this be acceptable – or theft?
I have just read Ted Hughes' poem "Chaucer" from the volume 'Birthday Letters', a vast collection of pieces written for / about Sylvia Plath. The thing that struck me about "Chaucer" - indeed as it has about many of the poems I have thus far read in the book - is that they read like … Continue reading Would this be acceptable – or theft?
“The Bedlam Stacks”
As a writer, Natasha Pulley's "The Bedlam Stacks" annoys me - because it's so good. As a reader, I love it. I hope that contradiction is permissible... She has a talent of effortlessly taking you on a journey in such a way as to let you know that you are safe in her hands. Her … Continue reading “The Bedlam Stacks”
Changing Trains
Changing Trains An express lances through a verdant cutting. Insistent, a tell-tale whistle of air compressed against an aerodynamic shell; air forced aside as the train has somewhere more important to be. The tuning-fork wheel hum on unending miles of extruded track robs us of a heartbeat, like grieving for that throat-clearing cough from the … Continue reading Changing Trains
Finished!
After nearly five months I have just finished my first draft of my new novel, "At Maunston Quay". 102,000 words, or thereabouts. How good does that feel!! Aiming for the end of March 2019 for publication. A week or two not thinking about it, and then on with the first of two revisions. Joy... Ideas … Continue reading Finished!
Something for nothing – really?!
Five days ago I made an offer of a free book to WordPress readers. A number of people liked the post and checked-out the link, but no-one signed up for either of the books. This bothered me somewhat as my audience is largely driven by fellow writers and readers, people who search for things tagged as 'writing', … Continue reading Something for nothing – really?!
The Cut-out
The Cut-out I try and imagine the irregular space he will leave, the awkwardness of it. Will it have boundaries, soft-boiled edges to compromise if you’re not too careful, like stranger-bumping in a Tesco’s chiller aisle? Stolen from unconcerned history and devoid of value, I could take this abstract replica in all its coarse … Continue reading The Cut-out
FREE BOOK to say ‘Thank you’
In order to say 'Thank you' to those of you who have read and followed Writeral.com and my blog over the past two years or so, I would like to offer you a free copy of one of my books in ebook format. The choices are either my collection of short stories, "Secrets & Wisdom", … Continue reading FREE BOOK to say ‘Thank you’
Untitled
a few precious words are released unprotected into the maelstrom living on their wits and the genius to melt into an image the mind’s eye trick to trace pattern myth and ghosts in the never-there when we caress them our crass manipulation falls so often short yet there they remain imperious … Continue reading Untitled
It’s been far too long…
...since I updated some of the pages on my site. With that in mind, I set myself the task to do so this weekend. Here's a summary of the updates: My Writing Diary It has been far too long since I updated this page. Indeed, since I updated a number of my pages. A job … Continue reading It’s been far too long…
Ian Gouge - Writer 