I am delighted to announce that I have a new book coming out in January. Neither fiction nor poetry, "Shrapnel from a Writing Life" isn't easily categorised. Here's an excerpt from the blurb: "Shrapnel from a Writing Life" is not a conventional book. It is neither fiction nor poetry, though it contains elements of both; … Continue reading New book out in January!
Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped.George Orwell, from "1984" Airbrushing history does not make the future any better. … Continue reading It will soon be 1984…
Thirteen months ago I stepped off the edge of a cliff. In my post "The Daunting Prospect of Reinvention" I described how I was about to leave my most recent job - well paid, professional work - and embark on what had been loosely termed 'the glide path to retirement'. It was, I told myself … Continue reading Brave new world?
Since my original post (appended below) I have now completed 12 stages of my journey since 'leaving' Land's End, cycling some 330km. In a virtual sense, I have now reached Cheddar. Nearly out of the West Country! I have decided to cycle the length of the UK - Land's End to John o'Groats - on … Continue reading Sound body, sound mind – an update
Although it was not that long ago I reflected on the challenge of having 'too much free time' to work on literary projects (see my 'dreams' post), it has been a while since I offered any kind of update on what I'm actually writing. It's odd how your perspective can change week-to-week; how one day … Continue reading A quick look in the rear-view mirror…
If you're a parent and a driver, the chances are the title of this post will resonate. Remember those long journeys - and probably not-so-long ones - when the chant from the kids in the back at some stage invariably migrated to "Are we there yet?"... Journeys of this nature - from A to B, … Continue reading Are we there yet?
I have decided to cycle the length of the UK - Land's End to John o'Groats - on my exercise bike. Over 1,500 km split across 57 'stages'. Okay, so there are no uphills - but there are no downhills either! It seemed like a good idea: keep fit, have a challenge to aim for, … Continue reading Sound body, sound mind..?
Monday next week will be something of a landmark day. And for all sorts of reasons. Most importantly perhaps, it begins the university journey of one of my children: their first full week away from home. I am, of course, both proud and jealous! Simultaneously, our youngest has started on their journey into adulthood via … Continue reading Don’t fear dreams – worry about them coming true…
It seems lots of people are deserting WordPress for Substack, lured by the notion of creating 'newsletters' that people will pay to receive. That and knowing they'll be rubbing virtual shoulders with famous names and literary goliaths - and the fact that Substack is currently 'free'. So is it a good move? It's tempting, of … Continue reading Substack: Nirvana or the Emperor’s New Clothes?
The Binding of the Sea would the tide never stop coming in inching ever higher as the months passed there were only two roads out each burdened with over-familiarity all novelty quagmire-sunk as if the peninsula had capitulated and the sea invaded the land going further afield they sought pubs in out-of-the-way locations explorers for … Continue reading The Binding of the Sea
Ian Gouge - Writer 