Fingery-Pokery – The Artist’s Way

I heard about it. I saw it in a friend’s vast personal library. He said “Here, take it.” It sat on my shelf for a year. I started it. Wow. I’m reading / doing / taking / following The Artist’s Way. It’s a course in a book. I’m fed up of feeling my work isContinue reading “Fingery-Pokery – The Artist’s Way”

“weird” “new” “habits”

It was when I joked, “Yep, it makes me feel like a MAN!” and then the women laughed knowingly that I realised I’d surprised myself… When I’m not doing fee-paying client work over here, I’m parenting or writing. Or researching for the writing. Or applying for grants, entering competitions…you get it. This time last yearContinue reading ““weird” “new” “habits””

The Awful Art of Unwriting

I’m not entirely sure why but er, um, I haven’t written a speculative  screenplay (plays, I have done) for err, um, five years. There you go. I have no more secrets. What the merry heave-ho have I been doing? ‘Cos I’m pretty sure I call myself a writer a lot of the time. There’s beenContinue reading “The Awful Art of Unwriting”

Taking the helm of the Rondo Writers’ Group

What IS the collective noun for a group of writers? A murder of crows, a sleuth of bears, a flange of baboons and a flight of dragons. Take your pick what would we like? A blot? A tippex (for writers of a certain age)? A row? A bin? But that’s merely an intro… I’m very,Continue reading “Taking the helm of the Rondo Writers’ Group”

Giving good story: it’s all about the posture (but never posturing!)

If you love writing, you just love writing. I’ve got several fresh projects on the go  (film, stage and TV) and it’s a lovely time, tending the garden, straightening the bamboo poles, checking the rainfall, soil and consulting the manual…I also have several (*metaphor switch alert*) fully formed babies out there, trying to find theirContinue reading “Giving good story: it’s all about the posture (but never posturing!)”

My under-nourished child: writing

I’m writing again. After a year of office work fee-earning, a lot of high heels and suits, mind-shredding guilt and doubt, 800 commuting hours and a host of very unexpected experiences, I’m writing. Again. And of course, a bit of writing stuff happened in the last year – one stageplay rewrite, a couple of 1-page TVContinue reading “My under-nourished child: writing”

Catch & Kill the Clock-Eaters? Or live now, write later?

I’ve never before seen the clock as a tyrant the way I do (ironic pause) now. In February, I binned the full-time office contract- great for funds, appalling for my just-4 year-old. My extraordinarily understanding client got out her net, dragged me from the slough of despond and offered me fewer hours. The results areContinue reading “Catch & Kill the Clock-Eaters? Or live now, write later?”

A bad writer…

Before you leap in, protesting, writing letters to the Queen, setting up Change.org petitions, I’ll say I don’t mean I’m a bad writer….just an appalling blog writer. Phew. The country heaved a sigh and put down its quills. On the 1001 excuses list, the top one is I’ve been writing. Loads. All of it (fanfare)Continue reading “A bad writer…”

Does this make me a Marxist?

Busy, good times. Last week saw the London VAULT Festival outing of Passion, thanks to  Allie Butler and Helen Cuinn at tidycarnage. I’ve also been working up the notorious ten-page treatment (and other stuff) required for ifeatures and proposals for Screen Yorkshire’s Triangle. And we’re moving towards the development day for the all-consuming quantum mechanicsContinue reading “Does this make me a Marxist?”