Welney Wishes

Thought provoking article by Margaret Atwood in this week’s Sunday Telegraph ‘Review’.  A discussion about the term ‘science fiction’ which moves on to consider the novel versus genre.  Here’s the paragraph that grabbed my attention: ‘The French have two words for short stories - contes and nouvelles  “tales” and “news” - and this is a useful distinction.  The tale can be set anywhere, and can move into realms that are off limits for the novel - into the cellars and attics of the mind, where figures that can appear in novels only as dreams and fantasies take actual shape, and walk the earth.’  

Note to self, use the term ‘Tale’ more in promoting my new novel - my characters are in the here and now, moving in the present day.  

lisaelizawoods:

The January issue of the Welney News is now out. I’m very pleased with this issue.  I must say I’m not sure what’s happened to my copied image here as the title is refusing to stay on the page, the good news is that the full title etc will be on the printed copy.  

I enjoy editing the newsletter and I have brought in new initiatives which I think are an improvement.  I live in a village that is located on the side of the Ouse Washes - not a great name but extremely beautiful - with amazing bird life.  The photos in this edition were supplied by Glynis and Mark Pierson and I’m extremely grateful to them for allowing me to use their photos of the birds we have as neighbours. 

The Welney News is available by subscription and can be mailed or sent as PDF. 

The January issue of the Welney News is now out. I’m very pleased with this issue.  I must say I’m not sure what’s happened to my copied image here as the title is refusing to stay on the page, the good news is that the full title etc will be on the printed copy.  

I enjoy editing the newsletter and I have brought in new initiatives which I think are an improvement.  I live in a village that is located on the side of the Ouse Washes - not a great name but extremely beautiful - with amazing bird life.  The photos in this edition were supplied by Glynis and Mark Pierson and I’m extremely grateful to them for allowing me to use their photos of the birds we have as neighbours. 

Wonderful to watch the BBC adaptation of ‘Watership Down’ over Christmas.  It’s hard to believe it’s almost forty years since I read the book.  Such a fabulous book, written by Richard Adams. I’m so glad it was part of my reading heritage. As a writer I find the inspiring message is that the book was rejected seven times before a publisher took it on for a print run of 2,500 books. 

I’ve a two week break from my OU Masters Studies ahead, so I felt it was time to find myself a small gift to read and enjoy over the break.  The first book I chose was ‘Eight Ghosts’ a compilation of stories selected by English Heritage. 

The second book is Kate Bush ‘How to be Invisible’. The book presents the lyrics from our great musician’s songs for the first time. It will be a real treat to read the words and then revisit the songs.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

I found this snippet in ‘The Telegraph’ last weekend.  It refers to a request made around 1966 for The Beatles to provide a score for As You Like It. It would have been performed at The National Theatre.  It doesn’t say why Paul McCartney turned it down, maybe they were busy or perhaps they didn’t feel it matched their image.  It was such a lost opportunity though.  Could you imagine if As You Like It’  now came with a Beatle’s score? How wonderful would school productions be? What a marriage it would have between the brilliance of the Beatles and the timeless elegance and entertainment of the Bard. Two major English icons would have been joined and would have stayed together into posterity. Sometimes two things will combine and there is an amazing synergy for which we can only be grateful. Unfortunately, this is one that got away. 

A year on from the launch of my own book ‘Tales from Plover Cottage’, it was great to attend the launch of a friend’s new book.  Pen Avey’s book ‘Dear Earthling: Cosmic Correspondent’ has been published by Common Deer Press and is expected to be a big hit in the States and Canada as well as the UK.  

I was so pleased at how the launch went.  It was a lot of fun, which is what all good book launches should be! It’s so nice to have a friend who is also going through the stages of writing, finding publishers and promoting a book after publication as it provides an opportunity to learn from one another.

Do have a look at her book, it’s ideal for older - pre-teenage- children. As well as an amusing story line Pen has created wonderful images through her artwork.  Lots of humorous play on words as well as through her drawings. Children will love it.  

And here I am, appearing as Dethbert Jones from the planet Crank :)

Well, it’s Saturday morning, the new Tumblr blog appears to be set up, so it’s probably as good a time as any to say ‘hello’.