There is a fantastic moment in a 1971 sketch with those late, greats: comedian Eric Morecambe and conductor André Previn. Previn is conducting a small ensemble in Grieg's piano concerto; Morecambe is at the piano. The musical intro is great - unlike Morecambe's playing. Previn stops 'the band' and comes over to the piano: "What … Continue reading All the right words…
Category: Books
Houston – Prelude
For once it didn’t seem to matter that we were going to board late; there was just about enough entertainment in the pantomime of people trying to get to the front of the queue - as if the plane was going to leave without them! Beforehand, I had sat in the lounge trying to etch … Continue reading Houston – Prelude
The books are here!
Copies of "Oak Tree Alchemy" arrived in good time for our launch event and reading at 3pm on Saturday 6th April at The Oak Tree in Helperby, North Yorkshire. The books will be on sale the same day on-line and by order through any good bookshop worldwide. Exciting!
“The Reservoir Tapes”
This is an interesting one. "The Reservoir Tapes" is almost a 'prequel' to Jon McGregor's "Reservoir 13", and actually made its debut on BBC Radio 4. And you can see why. It's made up of a series of monologues that would be perfect for radio. Or, come to think of it, maybe it's a sequel... … Continue reading “The Reservoir Tapes”
It’s not “a hobby”…
I was in the kitchen at work the other day when a colleague said something about writing books being "a nice hobby to have". Work (defn.) - what you have to do to pay the bills when you'd rather be doing something more meaningful..? It was, of course, small talk, and it was good of … Continue reading It’s not “a hobby”…
Nothing to write about? You’re not trying…
In fact it's almost the opposite; there's almost nothing not worth writing about..! I'm sitting in the casual bar of a reasonably up-market hotel as I write this. In front of me a panoply of characters and interactions, of dialogues and intrigues, of mystery and emotion. Actually there's a whole short story collection right here! … Continue reading Nothing to write about? You’re not trying…
Late Frost
Late Frost Surprised by the renegade day you had expected the temperate, a welcome more fitting for late May. This chilled air has the tell of a first date bound to fail. In the gathering grey, nothing shines, your prospects dimmed as the dial’s sharp shadow declines with the sun. Sails untrimmed you … Continue reading Late Frost
Another American Adventure…
This time next week I will be on a plane over the Atlantic heading for Houston, Texas. I haven't been to the States for about four years or so and I'm really looking forward to it! I love going to the US, and I've never been to Texas before, so I'm really looking forward to … Continue reading Another American Adventure…
“Killing Commendatore”
Having read - and loved - just about everything Haruki Murakami has written, I think I'm allowed to say that "Killing Commendatore" just isn't up to his usual standard. My anticipation for reading this monster of a book was right up there; I had hoped - based on size alone - for something as enthralling … Continue reading “Killing Commendatore”
A Writing CV
At work today I was reviewing some CVs for a role I am likely to need to fill in my team. As I was doing so, I wondered what my own CV - in a writing context - would look like... Wrote my first story - about a boy's adventures in space - including illustrations, … Continue reading A Writing CV
Ian Gouge - Writer 