Great Reads and Inspiration.

Recently I've been reading two very different and yet, strangely, similarly inspired books: Sebastian Barry's 'The Secret Scripture' and Dave Boling's début novel, 'Guernica'. The former, set in a mental institution in contemporary Ireland looks back to key events, both personal and political, through the eyes of a very elderly resident, Rose, who feels compelled to record her fading memories. Her testimony deals with shifting memory, loss and redemption. In common with his other novels, 'The Secret Scripture' draws some of its inspiration from Barry's real-life ancestry.

'Guernica' also records troubled and violent times - 1930's Spain and the ruthless bombing of Guernica by the Luftwaffe at Franco's invitation. The story starts with a Basque family and records their lives, loves and culture. Tragically, these individuals become caught up in the terrible events graphically depicted by Picasso in his famous mural. In an introductory letter, Boling explains the source of his inspiration for the novel:

 'Fresh out of college, I met a lovely Basque girl whose grandparents had come to America to herd sheep in the mountains of Idaho. Her family filled me with Basque foods . . . . . . and displayed a fierce loyalty to their families and heritage. From them I learned of the decades-long oppression of their culture by the Franco régime. And from them I also heard of the bombing of Guernica.'

I was thinking about both of these books while looking for an idea for a short story. And, you've guessed, I think I've found it in a particular family narrative about my maternal grandfather who, sadly, died before I was born but about whom my mother told many stories with warmth and laughter. These are truly inspirational.

Coping with Rejection!

On the same day as I was rushed to hospital after suffering a blackout, I received an e-mail from the Scottish Book Trust telling me that 'unfortunately' I had failed in my application for one of their New Writers awards. I wasn't really expecting to be a recipient but still, somewhere in the back of my mind, there lodged a vague hope that I might have an outside chance. So, still feeling very woozy after my hospital sojourn, it only took one reading to reduce me to tears!

Feeling sorry for oneself when faced with rejection letters, however, is not a very constructive response. The next day I had a serious talk to myself and spent some time reading samples of writing from previous winners of these awards. Despite admiring many of the extracts, I'm not sure I learnt an awful lot about what makes a winning entry.

Writing is fraught with the hazards of self-doubt and mood swings: one day you feel proud of your words, the next filled with despair. That's when I try to speak to others in the same position - come out of my solitary eyrie and bounce ideas off someone else. Remind myself of all those famous authors who've faced multiple rejections but finally won through, Ruthless tenacity is the key. That, and a passionate belief that this is what I want to do above everything else -write and keep on writing in the hope that someday I'll produce something of real merit.

Until then, I'll invest in a few more boxes of man-sized tissues and a steel rod for the back!

New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's arrived - 2012. And another chance to list those resolutions which, in my experience, generally last about five minutes! But this year it's going to be different - no really. Having lost two very special friends to cancer in 2011, I'm acutely aware of my own mortality and the need to get down on paper all the storylines that have been buzzing around in  my head for far too long. Procrastination is no longer a recognised concept!

So I've drafted out a writing timetable for January to March with targets and realistic deadlines. Because I know I respond better when under a bit of pressure, I've built in a couple of competitions with closing dates end January and end February. (My Tax Return might get in the way of the January deadline!)

I am resolved to make 2012 the most productive year yet! If there's anyone out there ready to share my resolution, I'd love to hear from you. Happy New Year.

Raring to Write: Pull Out All the Stops

Raring to Write: Pull Out All the Stops: I've just finished reading 'Pull Out all the Stops' by Geraldine McCaughrean, a sequel to 'Stop the Train'. Much of the action takes p...

Follow-up to Perthsire Open Studios

Delighted to feature in Saturday's (3rd)  Scotsman magazine which ran an item on eight Perthshire artists, including Kyla Tomlinson and self. The editor contacted me, having got my name from the POS brochure and it went from there. She was particularly interested in the mix of text and image so maybe that's worth thinking about for future projects. Anyone out there involved in any similar kind of collaboration? Love to hear from you.
                                                               Mature Pole Dancer

Now, however, I'm continuing to enter as many short story competitions as possible to keep me writing to deadlines!

Pull Out All the Stops

I've just finished reading 'Pull Out all the Stops' by Geraldine McCaughrean, a sequel to 'Stop the Train'.  Much of the action takes place  on a storm-damaged Mississippi paddle steamer during the late eighteenth century. The narrative is fast-moving, funny and hugely enjoyable, But, above all, it's  superbly written in a style sparking with originality and fizzing with humour. Anyone who is seriously interested in writing, whether for children or adults, should read her work. Every page just dances with original images: describing the storm-swollen river, 'And when it has made its point, and withdrawn, it leaves behind flotsam, like a drunkard's tip on the bar.' Or, talking about Cissy, the central character, 'Cissy sat back down in her chair, tears pressing her eyes like cows in a cattle crib.'  - Wonderful stuff!

Short Story Competitions

Having set aside the novel for the moment (trying to pluck up courage for a major redraft!), I've been exploring short story competitions to provide motivational deadlines to keep me writing. There are so many of these that it can be very confusing but this month's edition of the magazine 'Writing' provides a selection of interesting ones. I've also spent some time checking out useful websites which list current competitions for all genres. Here are three that I've found useful in providing links to rules, entry forms etc. www.firstwriter.com (need to subscriber to this one but it's pretty cheap), www.theshortstory.org.uk/prizes and www.jbwb.co.uk/writingcomps.htm
Happy writing! And do keep me posted about any aspect of writing you'd like to discuss.