"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"
Category: Fiction
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
“Tea at the Midland”
The stories in David Constantine's "Tea at the Midland" are a little like stained glass windows: sometimes you see fully formed portals through which the sun shines, and on other occasions just a fragment or two of glass glinting in the sun. As a consequence - and as I may have said before - don't … Continue reading “Tea at the Midland”
After the dust settles…
The best part of a week since I returned from my retreat and, in terms of 'what next?', things are now clearly in focus. Which was one of the things the retreat was all about, to answer questions like that. And the 'what next' things are tangible and solid. Firstly: finish my next novel; second … Continue reading After the dust settles…
Retreat – Day 3
06:55 - 13th May 2022 Another decent day yesterday with the majority of my time spent on editing 'Reunion'. Some work on the Sonnets as I edge closer to drafting #80. Plus I started work on my Reviewers' list by reestablishing control over my Goodreads author profile. I think I'll be doing some work on … Continue reading Retreat – Day 3
“Klara and the Sun”
I was left strangely underwhelmed by Kazuo Ishiguro's "Klara and the Sun". It wasn't the quality or style of Ishiguro's writing (which to my mind has only failed to come up to scratch in "The Unconsoled"), nor in the inventiveness of the basic premise. I think I felt left down by the way the plot … Continue reading “Klara and the Sun”
Ian Gouge - Writer 