“Shy”

One of the questions from writers that annoys me most is how 'long' things are - most especially "How long's a novel?" - as if there's a right answer. [These days there are very few 'right' answers in writing...] Take Max Porter's novel Shy. It's published as a novel, and you will find it on … Continue reading “Shy” →

Yesterday & Today: 9th June

In writing about yesterday I could almost copy the previous day's post. Almost. But then a lot of days are like that aren't they when you are working on a limited number of projects? Kicked-off with Crash, the final read before tomorrow's performance. Way back in February I knew it would come round soon enough, … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 9th June →

Yesterday & Today: 8th June

There was only one area of focus yesterday: the editing of 17 Alma Road. I have been introduced to QueryTracker thanks to various Twitter interactions, and I intend to give it a go when putting Alma Road out to agents. Whilst I'm not necessarily expecting different results, I will be interested to see what the … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 8th June →

Yesterday & Today: 7th June

The best thing about yesterday was sorting out some of the practicalities for Crash on Saturday - sound, seating etc. - along with the fact that my morning run-through was, I think, the most fluent I've ever got it. All of which suggests things are peaking nicely for the weekend! One more read-through tomorrow and … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 7th June →

“Crash” – performance on Saturday!

My performance of Crash is now just three days away! I will be reading it as a dramatic monologue on Saturday 10th June @ 13:00 UK-time in the cellar of the Curzon Cinema, Ripon, North Yorkshire. There are just a handful of tickets left!

Yesterday & Today: 6th June

Steady as we go! Nothing remarkable yesterday as my thoughts turn towards my Crash performance on Saturday. There are some last-minute discussions around practicalities, but other than that I think I'm ready to go. That preparedness is one of the reasons Crash didn't feature yesterday: a, over-rehearsing isn't needed, and b, I want to protect … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 6th June →

Yesterday & Today: 5th June

Small steps; as long as you're making progress, giant strides aren't always needed. Take yesterday for example: a run-through of Crash; more Alma Road editing; a little more drafted on a short story; sending out June's Coverstory books' newsletter; admin work around both New Contexts: 5 and an upcoming Stanza Group meeting; and some more … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 5th June →

Yesterday & Today: 4th June

Coming back to 17 Alma Road yesterday felt a little like greeting an old friend; there was something comfortable in working again on something I know and like, that I am happy with, that represents me and my writing. Perhaps it was that last - the connection - which I felt most strongly of all. … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 4th June →

“Lessons”

Although I have been unable to finish Ian McEwan's Saturday, I respect his work so much that Lessons was an obvious request for a Christmas present gifted to me some five-and-a-bit months ago. As ever, McEwan's work is really well-written and with a style that appeals - at least in part because in some respects … Continue reading “Lessons” →

Yesterday & Today: 3rd June

Given how the first day of June went writing-wise, yesterday was unlikely to be any worse - and thankfully it wasn't. I think taking the time out to post that 'interim' update helped exorcise the bleakness of the previous day, and helped my put some shape to my thoughts. So, if you have been with … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 3rd June →