It was mere coincidence that saw me reading Denis Johnson's short story collection "Jesus' Son" immediately after Kevin Barry's "That Old Country Music" - but it was a coincidence which served to throw the two into sharp contrast. Where Barry's stories are softer, somewhat gentle, filled with 'Irishness', Johnson's are raw, hard, uncompromising, and paint … Continue reading “Jesus’ Son”
Category: Short Stories
“That Old Country Music”
Kevin Barry's collection of short stories, "That Old Country Music" is, in its own way, a gem. Although the subjects of the stories are often serious and sombre (e.g. teenage pregnancy, abandonment, failed love), Barry handles his material with such subtlety that at times you perhaps can't help but wonder if the tone isn't a … Continue reading “That Old Country Music”
“The Cat and the City”
The premise behind Nick Bradley's "The Cat and the City" is sound enough: a series of short stories or vignettes that are linked together by a range of characters who variously flit in and out of each - and by the appearance of a calico cat in just about every one. The collection starts out … Continue reading “The Cat and the City”
Writing Retreats: panning for gold…
I suspect just about everyone who attends a Writers' retreat uncovers a nugget of some kind. Often these priceless finds will be unearthed through informal interaction with other attendees, conversations over dinner, sharing writing experiences - or even experiences of life. At my first retreat four years ago (at Garsdale Retreat in North Yorkshire), my … Continue reading Writing Retreats: panning for gold…
Writing Retreat – mk. 2
The first time I enrolled on a writing retreat I ended up getting the inspiration for - and writing the initial short story of - my collection "Degrees of Separation". Next week I am enthusiastically anticipating my second retreat and hope for a similarly productive outcome! Once more I go into the week with questions … Continue reading Writing Retreat – mk. 2
Why I love making people…
If you were to ask me what I like best about writing prose then the answer is simple: making people. There is nothing quite like that feeling of giving life to a previously non-existent character, of forming them, building their history, giving them emotions, ambitions, plans. For each and every one of them the potential … Continue reading Why I love making people…
Free Kindle Book Promotion – the 3rd and final book!
The third book in my free three-book promotion is now available on Amazon: "Secrets & Wisdom" - 11th to 15th March A collection of short stories.
Free Kindle Book Promotion – the 2nd book!
The second book in my free three-book promotion is now available on Amazon: "Degrees of Separation" - 6th to 10th March This will be followed by "Secrets & Wisdom" - 11th to 15th March Both of these are collections of short stories.
Free Kindle Book Promotion
I have a free Kindle book promotion running over the next two weeks on Amazon: "At Maunston Quay" - 1st to 5th March "Degrees of Separation" - 6th to 10th March "Secrets & Wisdom" - 11th to 15th March
“The Snows of Kilimanjaro”
To call Ernest Heminway's "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" a collection of short stories is a mis-labelling. Indeed, it could be argued that very few of the eighteen tales within the book qualify as a 'short story'. Many are very short - almost vignettes - and a number, which all centre around the same character - … Continue reading “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”
Ian Gouge - Writer 