I keep a kind of 'tracker' on which I record my daily activities as they relate not only to all things writing-related but a little to well-being too. The tracker is broadly split into: my own writing projects, my publication work (through Coverstory books), sundry writing activities - such as poetry groups, retreats etc. - … Continue reading It’s okay not to be on top form every day…
In a way, Damon Galgut's "In a Strange Room" only comes to life in the third and final section. This is where there is real pace and drama and is so different to what comes before that the novel eventually seems more like a loose collection of novellas. Yes, there is a constant character throughout … Continue reading “In a Strange Room”
What can you tell from the title of a book, its cover, the blurb that goes with it? Too often these prove insufficient clues as to what might be hidden inside - good or bad. Sometimes when we're buying a new book we'll take a punt; but more often than not, we probably settle for … Continue reading Openings
Since my original post (appended below) I have now completed 30 stages (from a revised 60) of my journey since 'leaving' Land's End, cycling some 747km. Progress was a little slower in December than previously, but I hope to ramp it up again during Q1'22. In a virtual sense, therefore, I am now just about … Continue reading Sound body, sound mind – another update
As much as I like and admire William Golding's work, "Darkness Visible" missed a beat for me. It almost felt as if his characters had gifted him with multiple themes yet he hadn't been able to exactly settle on the central one when he was writing it. Thus the focus seems to shift been the … Continue reading “Darkness Visible”
I am delighted to announce that I have a new book out today. 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; nor is … Continue reading Published today: “Shrapnel from a Writing Life”
What can you say about Samuel Beckett? If you have ever seen "Waiting For Godot" performed live you'll know the genius of the man. Beckett is a supremely visual playwright, and so simply reading "Krapp's Last Tape and other shorter plays" was never going to be an excessively rewarding experience. But having a sense of … Continue reading “Krapp’s Last Tape and other shorter plays”
Have you ever thought about how you navigate through Time? Because we do. Unlike a map however, which has references to the concrete and physical - those hills, that river - and which articulate means to get from one place to another - roads or railway lines, for example - Time has no such attributes, … Continue reading The Lure of Time
Jan and the team at Writers' Retreats UK have their next three-day event scheduled for the 11th February 2022 in the northern Lake District, not far from the Scottish border, and I am delighted to have been invited as a guest in order to run some workshops and offer a little ad-hoc mentoring as and … Continue reading Writers’ Retreat – The Lake District, February
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”
Ian Gouge - Writer 