Archive for September, 2009

2 comments

Jubilacion and The Durham Divan


2009
09.29

Posted in Inspiration, People, Places | 2 Comments »

A Divan/Diwan

A Divan/Diwan

There is much happening in our house at present inc. several birthdays and a retirement – John is retiring after thirty years of working in Children’s Services for DCC in what is a very tough job.

The Spanish word for retirement is Jubilacion – ‘an expression of great joy.’ We prefer it!

-and while I’m on the subject of joy and celebration I must just tell you about The Durham Divan which met for the first time last Friday. The Divan is a forum where published authors based in the North East can communicate and network. It has been organised by Fadia Faqir and Pat Barker and generously hosted by St Aiden’s College. The first meeting was a huge success, I met some great new people, all writers of course, and I felt privileged to be there. I’m looking forward very much to being a part of what promises to be a formidable group.

In case you’re wondering why Divan?

Diwan or Divan – the word is Persian in origin, and was loaned into Arabic. It has many meanings among them: ‘bundle (of written sheets)’, hence ‘book’, especially ‘book of poetry,’ (Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi by Rumi), ‘forum’, ‘council chamber’, ‘people’s consultative council or assembly’. It also means a place that is separate from the main house and usually used for social gatherings. Divan provides a friendly space, where debates on a wide range of subjects: literature, culture, art, politics etc., are facilitated. It also means ‘a long, cushioned seat’

4 comments

Re -entering the World of the Novel – Micro Editing and Meeting Linda


2009
09.28

Posted in Editing Your Novel, Inspiration, People, Writing your novel | 4 Comments »

Autumn is my favourite time of year I am finally back to editing my novel and what a joy and a relief it is to be writing again! I have re-entered the world of my P. I. Danny Beck and in doing so have realised that this is what editing is all about.

Editing is the process of going back to our work, hearing our characters speak, watching them act and grow, and making all the necessary changes that the creative logic of the novel demands.

By now we know so much more of who our characters are; their motivations, their fears, what makes them angry, who they love….we can of course decide these things at the outset but what emerges in the organic process of writing a novel is something richer and more solidly grounded. Now is the time to harness our intuitions and allow the characters we have created to truly speak.

This is not the time to worry about correcting our prose like an English teacher might- what I have called micro editing – micro editing is just something we do instinctively as we go through and for me it is less about punctuation and paragraphs etc and creating rules to follow, and more about the weight, the rhythm, the feel and the purpose of every sentence we create.

And don’t forget, during this process we should  always remain open to new inspiration which can come at us unexpectedly and sometimes make us think in a different or more coherent way about what we are writing. This happened to me last week when I met Linda who is psychic, and we talked about PTSD – many thanks Linda – it brought a lot of ideas together for me.

5 comments

Calling All Cooks,Writers,Bloggers, Artists -Creative Women Everywhere!


2009
09.20

Posted in Inspiration | 5 Comments »

julie

If you haven’t seen it already then you simply must treat yourself to an evening or an afternoon (as we did) at the cinema to see Julie & Julia.

Julie & Julia is a film of two interwoven parts which tells the story of Julia Child author of the iconic, ‘Mastering the Art of French Cookery,’ played by the fabulous – and she really is fabulous in this role – Meryl Streep – and also blogger Julie Powell, would-be writer who spent a year in 2002 cooking every single recipe in “Mastering the Art” and writing a blog about the experience.

Post war Paris, where Julia lives with her husband, (played by Stan Tucci, who incidentally I’m now in love with!)  – its markets, buildings, beautiful clothes, stylish hats, wonderful food are a delight – and for me they won out every time over New York. But the portrayal of the indomitable Julia, and the understated love story that was Julia’s marriage are the film’s core and strength.

A. O. Scott reviewing the film in The New York Times, said, ‘If only Mr. Tucci and Ms. Streep were in every movie, I thought to myself at one point, as, in a state of rapture, I watched them sit still on a couch looking off into space.’

I can only agree.

This is a film about women pursing their creative instincts and passions, supported by good and gentle men- it made me think of Debora and Sean, and it made me think of John, who always believes in and supports my writing.

A word of warning! Once you’ve seen this you will absolutely have to cook Beef Bourguignon. But don’t worry – it will not have to be perfect – as Julia would say, never apologise and bon appetite!

Oh, and while we’re on the subject of creative women! – here is a sketch of David my son, done while we were on holiday in Spain by my lovely and talented sister-in-law Jan

dave

2 comments

A September Evening and A Perfect Party


2009
09.18

Posted in People, Places | 2 Comments »

flowers and candles

I am pleased (and mightily relieved) to report that I can finally put my socks on again!  I still can’t spend long at the computer though, and am definitely having to ration myself.

So what has life been like without writing, blogging, reading blogs etc? Well I have to say I’ve quite enjoyed it! It was kind of peaceful and useful in reminding me what was really important

-          HOWEVER – enough of that – because writing is very important and after all I am addicted – so here goes –

Last night I made my first real foray back into the world at Wendy’s celebration of twenty one years as a writer of adult fiction! – a true cause for celebration, along with the publication of her novel, The Woman Who Drew Buildings.

It was a lovely September evening warmed through by the afternoon sun. As we arrived several small children in the street asked us if we were going to the party and did we know the way? Their excitement mingled in the air with voices drifting from the house where the front door stood open, inviting us in.

Candles and flowers adorned Wendy’s lovely house and there were sparkling lights and a gazebo in the garden. Wine flowed, food was abundant and delicious, and conversation was the best! I had lots to talk about with the lovely writers from Easington, and with many other friends and colleagues, also with Rachel of Listenupnorth who I met for the first time, thanks to Anne. I so admire what Rachel is trying to do.

I couldn’t squeeze into the study to hear what Wendy said, there just wasn’t room, but Fadia told me it was ‘perfect’ for the occasion and I am sure it was.

I tried desperately to talk to Sharon and Pat but seemed fated never to manage it!  I was pleased that I did at least get to catch up with Liz after missing our last writer’s lunch.

I wanted to stay longer than I did but my back won out in the end. My only real regret – I forgot to take my camera, but then cameras can get in the way of good conversations and special evenings can’t they? And this was truly special – a great party Wendy, I loved it. When’s the next one please ?

2 comments

Off Air


2009
09.13

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Apologies from Avril about the lack of promised posts on editing. She is being treated for a bad back (ouch!) can’t sit, can’twrite, can’t put her socks on !

She hopes to resume normal service soon

3 comments

Cycling in Saigon and Summer Gardens


2009
09.06

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

 

saigon

Finding out that other people are inspired by something you’ve written is a wonderful surprise. It happened twice this week – first via email from Vietnam, from Kelly. Kelly, originally from Stoke Newington, has been living in Saigon where she cycles aorund the busy city. She is just about to begin a big edit on her first novel and found me by chance through Google – it seems my posts on editing have helped, which is great news.

Secondly, on Saturday at the Family Writing Workshop, Norma presented me with a series of short but beautiful descriptions of the flowers in her garden. Here is just one…

Fuschias, their scarlet stamens, suspended like a necklace beneath a fascinator of purple and pink

I love this image of the fuschia as a fascinator. (I loved the shredder desciption too!)

Norma said she had been inspired by reading some of my descriptions in The Sweet Track - so it is a great compliment.Many thanks to Kerry and Norma – getting feedback is something I/we all need – I do appreciate it – a real gift and something to treasure

fuschia

 

More editing posts coming soon!

2 comments

Prison On My Mind –


2009
09.03

Posted in My Writing, Prison, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

The prison, and especially those women I know who are still there a year on, is so much in my thoughts at the moment. Going back on Monday, if only to a meeting outside of the prison in the Visitors Centre, brought it all back.

It made me think too of my forthcoming novel Bad Girl and how important it is to me to see it in print -  a mark of respect to the women in HMP Low Newton and I hope to the staff too.

But first and foremost Bad Girl is a novel. A novel set both inside – in the women’s enclosed world and outside in the twilight world of the stranger who preys on them. Here is a brief extract  which I think gives an idea of both worlds -

Towards the end of Chapter twelve -

That night we sat safe, in the pink paradise of Kelly’s cell. Her, me and Mandy, watching TV.

     Kelly’s cell was an Aladin’s cave, littered with treasures from the canteen, a posse of them covered every inch of space. But they were not for use. Christ no! Never opened. The bottles of coconut shampoo, apricot shower gel, cheap soap, stayed as they were. They masked the walls, softened the edges, filled the space and convinced you, you were somewhere else altogether.

     Her cards said, I love you, I miss you, I’m thinking of you.  Her cards had hearts on and so did her curtains. Her curtains were covered with sparkling pink and purple hearts and tied back with ribbon.

      We sat there, smoking and waiting. There was no news, they still hadn’ t identified the woman, but you know what the TV’s like they make news, they stretch it out, on and on, even when there is nothing to say.

       ‘Been trying to phone Louise all day,’ said Mandy

      ‘Where’s she living now?’ said Kelly drawing on the thin end of her rollie. She passed it to Mandy.

     ‘With that fucking pimp, Carter.’ Mandy took the tab and sucked hard, then held it out to me.

      I took the wet, pinched end  between my thumb and finger. ‘Well he’ll be looking after her then won’t he?’        

       “I wouldn’t bank on it,” said Kelly, “pimps like him fuck off at the first sign of trouble, don’t do you any favours, not when the filth are involved. No fucking way.”

       “Pimps and perverts, there all the same,” said Mandy, “they only want you for one thing, and then they call you a slut or a dirty whore just so they can feel alright, chop their balls off if you ask me, burn in hell , they’ve got it coming. God can see everything.”

      “What the fuck’s God got to do with it?” said Kelly.

Chap Thirteen

 Kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. Numbers 31:17 .

He pictured her, face down, her pale body on the black earth and the words written in thick ink on her back. He wondered if next time he should take a camera.

4 comments

The Long Road Back – Outside the Prison Gate


2009
09.02

Posted in My Writing, Prison | 4 Comments »

 

prison A long straight road leads to HMP Low Newton and yesterday I drove down it a year after leaving the prison.

I was apprehensive about returning, although I was going to a meeting in the Visitors Centre outside of the gate. Going through the gate would have been daunting. It can be a big problem – ask anybody who’s had extended time away from the prison (any prison)  about how they feel walking back through the gate. It’s not always easy, sometimes people offer to meet someone outside and then go through the gate with them.

For some it becomes an impossibility. Working in a closed institution has a powerful effect and sometimes it catches up with you – but thankfully not yesterday

 The meeting was in fact inspiring, chaired by the dynamic, no nonsense Alison Redshaw of Durham City Arts. It concerned a Durham Book Fest event on Oct 27th 6pm at the Gala Theatre where I, along with four other panellists –Wendy, former Writer in Residence, Charlie, King of the Library, Derek, Head of Learning and Skills and Richard, Writer in Residence in Frankland prison, will listen to the women’s work being read aloud, talk about writing in prisons, answer questions and read. It’s a free event so - Put the date in your diary now!