I guess we’ve all had moments in our lives when some unexpected event has triggered memories we had forgotten were even there. Perhaps the smell of some stranger’s perfume that ignites memories of a much loved aunt long since departed. Or maybe a song that was always an old lover’s favourite.
When I visited Oxford the other week to attend events at the literary festival, I looked up a cookie seller I used to frequent many years ago whenever I visited the city. Great news, it’s still there.
I was lucky enough to attend an event at the recent Oxford Literary Festival that I so enjoyed I thought I’d share some words on it here.
It was a talk by one of my favourite historians, Michael Wood, who spoke about his new book recounting a journey he made in the footsteps of the Chinese poet, Du Fu. The talk took place at the Sheldonian Theatre on March 22nd.
Continue reading “In the Footsteps of Du Fu: China’s Greatest Poet”
I’ve been writing a short story for the last week or so, based on an idea I had jotted down many moons ago. The entirety of the story has already put itself together in my head, which is very handy as it means I am now left with solely the writing to do.
There was a new experience for me this week when I gave a talk about my writing to a live audience. And no, they hadn’t been tricked into coming along and then being locked in the room! At least, that’s what I was told.
I completed the initial draft of a new novel about three week ago and then the first re-write this week. Sitting back as I saved the document on my PC, I finally had to acknowledge a feeling I’ve been aware of for some time but have been fending off. I need to set myself free.
The crowds on the broad, tree-lined promenade that was London’s Victoria Embankment were substantial. Fleet-footed delivery boys and office messengers weaved their way around smartly dressed bankers and lawyers, on their way to or from important engagements, or newly-arrived tourists who wandered at their leisure, gawping at the sights shown in their guidebooks.
A close relative has worked in the newspaper business for over two decades, first as a journalist and then as editorial staff. This has provided me with a close up view of what happens to an industry when it fails to adapt to a changing world and, especially, to its customers’ needs and expectations. I can’t help but realise this has some important lessons for me as a writer and publisher.
Every once in a while, I will find myself writing a new character that I know I want to belong very much to a particular time and place. Right clothes. Right interests. Right beliefs. The list can go on and on. There’s a lot to take into account and I want to get things right.