Unless you live in the Falmouth area you probably won't have heard of Babahogs. Until a couple of days ago neither had I, but after tonight I'm a fan. I went to the monthly writers evening tonight - last Tuesday in every month. The place was packed, people sitting and standing to listen to readings in a whole range of genres - poetry, drama, short stories and extracts from possible novels.
Yes, I certainly did the right thing coming to Falmouth, the arts scene is really buzzing here.
Chris.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Monday, 19 October 2009
And shall Trelawney live...
And shall Trelawney die... that's what they were singing in Falmouth last night, long after the Oyster Festival was officially over. 'The Song of The Western Men' is recognised by many as the Cornish Anthem and I was proud to stand there, shoulders back and sing loud and proud along with the rest of them, though I can't help wondering how much that had to do with the 'Pear Rattler' we'd been drinking most of the day.
The longer I've been in Cornwall the more I get this feeling that it's a story of The Lady Penrhyn I've come here to write, a story about the first female convicts to be transported to Australia in 1787. Maybe not a strictly accurate rendition, but a fictional, research based tale about one of the 'ladies' who were taken on the 8 month 'cruise to warmer climes'.
Though the story itself didn't take place in Cornwall they have a good selection of research material here, both in The Maritime Museum in Falmouth and also in Truro. Must get over there in the next couple of weeks and take a good look.
First though I need to finish that 800 word thesis on Icarus, not as dry as you might think... at least not the way I'm writing it.
Enjoy the week.
Chris.
The longer I've been in Cornwall the more I get this feeling that it's a story of The Lady Penrhyn I've come here to write, a story about the first female convicts to be transported to Australia in 1787. Maybe not a strictly accurate rendition, but a fictional, research based tale about one of the 'ladies' who were taken on the 8 month 'cruise to warmer climes'.
Though the story itself didn't take place in Cornwall they have a good selection of research material here, both in The Maritime Museum in Falmouth and also in Truro. Must get over there in the next couple of weeks and take a good look.
First though I need to finish that 800 word thesis on Icarus, not as dry as you might think... at least not the way I'm writing it.
Enjoy the week.
Chris.
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Flying on the wings of Icarus...
At first sight, hardly the most productive way to spend your days, unless you're a writer of course. 'Two pages on Icarus please' we were told, 'size 12 - Times New Roman font and a spacing of 1.5.' Roughly speaking that means something in the region of 800 words, though because of the style I'm using - plenty of dialogue between Icarus and his father Daedalus - I'll probably end up with closer to three pages.
Not sure how Helen (Shipman) will react to the (almost comedy) treatment I'm giving the piece, but I'll find out soon enough. Personally I reckon I'm here to stretch my own wings, to learn a whole range of skills and seek out new horizons. As far as I'm concerned the course is already doing that, and more... I'm like a kid in a sweet shop just now, my main problem is trying to rein in the excitement I'm feeling, the inclination to go rushing in and opening every jar on the shelf.
There just aren't enough hours in the day. Yes I need to learn these things, but I also need to learn patience and discipline.
Chris
Not sure how Helen (Shipman) will react to the (almost comedy) treatment I'm giving the piece, but I'll find out soon enough. Personally I reckon I'm here to stretch my own wings, to learn a whole range of skills and seek out new horizons. As far as I'm concerned the course is already doing that, and more... I'm like a kid in a sweet shop just now, my main problem is trying to rein in the excitement I'm feeling, the inclination to go rushing in and opening every jar on the shelf.
There just aren't enough hours in the day. Yes I need to learn these things, but I also need to learn patience and discipline.
Chris
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Well...
Well, that wasn't the best of days, but I suppose it was bound to happen some time. Now it's happened it's up to me to buckle down and put things right instead of getting precious about them. After all tomorrow is always another day.
Chris.
Well, that was a couple of days ago now and, as they always do, things have picked up considerably since it was written. I've left the post in place if only to remind me that all writers have these moments of self doubt - at least all the ones I know have them. It's in not allowing them to divert your attention from the task in hand that the learning comes.
Chris
Chris.
Well, that was a couple of days ago now and, as they always do, things have picked up considerably since it was written. I've left the post in place if only to remind me that all writers have these moments of self doubt - at least all the ones I know have them. It's in not allowing them to divert your attention from the task in hand that the learning comes.
Chris
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Well begun...
...is half done. That comment originally came from Aristotle I believe, but it certainly sprang to mind as we celebrated a successful first week of study. Well begun maybe, but it's still only the first week. It's a long way from being even half done, and to be honest it didn't really feel like work at all. It felt as though I was on holiday with a group of friends I'd known all my life.
Here's a photo by the way; a post-production pose of writers, actors, producer and sound engineer. A few faces missing amongst the 'writers' I'm afraid, which is a shame because it was one of those 'once in a lifetime moments' that come to us all too rarely.
Next week will bring us all crashing back to Earth I suspect, and though I'm tempting fate by saying so, I reckon I'm about ready for it. Me and my two A4 pages of reasoned argument on the pros and cons of 'Pre-nuptial agreements'; a single sentence description of my physical attributes, two more sentences on my psychological attributes, (only two?), and a list of my ten favourite books of all time.
Interesting huh? Particularly when you suspect the tutor is going to tear your precious submission to shreds in three minutes flat. You ought to try it some time, if nothing else that knowledge alone concentrates the mind beautifully. Maybe I need to go over that 'Pre-nup' thing again...
Chris.
Here's a photo by the way; a post-production pose of writers, actors, producer and sound engineer. A few faces missing amongst the 'writers' I'm afraid, which is a shame because it was one of those 'once in a lifetime moments' that come to us all too rarely.
Next week will bring us all crashing back to Earth I suspect, and though I'm tempting fate by saying so, I reckon I'm about ready for it. Me and my two A4 pages of reasoned argument on the pros and cons of 'Pre-nuptial agreements'; a single sentence description of my physical attributes, two more sentences on my psychological attributes, (only two?), and a list of my ten favourite books of all time.
Interesting huh? Particularly when you suspect the tutor is going to tear your precious submission to shreds in three minutes flat. You ought to try it some time, if nothing else that knowledge alone concentrates the mind beautifully. Maybe I need to go over that 'Pre-nup' thing again...
Chris.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
BOGOF...
Buy one, get one free... is a motto adopted by every business on every High Street in the country these days. But in Bumbury's Falmouth store, the levels of service are taken to a totally new level. From Arnie the store manager, through Bob the Trolley Man, all the way to Charlie, the unusual is putting it mildly butcher's assistant. But log in to http://thesourcefm.co.uk/programmes/tash-berks-show-friday at 14:45 this Friday to find out for yourself.
I know it's too early to make any definite decisions, but for me the format the tutors have used to introduce us, both to each other, and to the course itself, has been first class. It's been an excellent way to get us working together as a team in what could have been a difficult first week.
Well, final editing and run through in the morning, then we'll be sitting round the radio with nerves jangling and more than a little pride.
A good first week, but still a long way still to go.
Be happy,
Chris :o)
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Two Days In...
Rainbow at Port Pendennis, Sunday. Just wish I could have got it when the big yacht was coming through the roads with all sails set. Now that would have been some picture.
Anyway, back to the course. Two days in and I'm holding my own. I'd like to tell you I'm doing better than that, but you know me, always a little on the quiet side. It's been an amazing couple of days actually, such a diverse group and yet we seem to get on well, utilising each other's talents for the benefit of the group as a whole.
We're writing a 15 minute comedy sketch show for radio under the guidance of Paul Dodgson, a talented writer, artist and musician... and here's me trying to master just the one talent ! Lol. Seems to be going well, though I'm sure things won't seem nearly as funny when we hear them done in cold blood as it were.
Still, we're off and running...
Chris.
Anyway, back to the course. Two days in and I'm holding my own. I'd like to tell you I'm doing better than that, but you know me, always a little on the quiet side. It's been an amazing couple of days actually, such a diverse group and yet we seem to get on well, utilising each other's talents for the benefit of the group as a whole.We're writing a 15 minute comedy sketch show for radio under the guidance of Paul Dodgson, a talented writer, artist and musician... and here's me trying to master just the one talent ! Lol. Seems to be going well, though I'm sure things won't seem nearly as funny when we hear them done in cold blood as it were.
Still, we're off and running...
Chris.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Changing my Mind...
The course begins on Monday - 10:30 in the morning, and I don't have a clue what I'm expecting to gain from it. No, seriously, not a damn clue...
I've read through most of the authors on the reading list now, and to be honest I've not been impressed by any of them. Took me an age to finish the last one 'Haunted' by Chuck Palahniuk and I think I'm beginning to understand why that was. I really enjoyed 90% of the book, but it seems I'm not the only writer who struggles to find good endings... Endings that grab you by the throat and shake you till your eyes rattle in your head. The authors on our reading list are all well known; prize winners; feted and lauded in the literary press, yet personally I still prefer the likes of Gaiman, Pratchett and (Bernard)Cornwell.
I've tried to understand what makes them prize winners I really have. What makes them so special to the Literati Glitterati; but now, on the eve of one of the greatest adventures of my life I put them on one side. They're not for me, and rightly or wrongly, I don't wish to be tainted by them. Yes, that's the word - tainted. They can write I grant you that, but theirs isn't a style I wish to copy. Nor for that matter is Gaiman's, or Pratchett's, or Cornwell's. No I have my own path to tread. Maybe I'm slitting my throat with these words, but what it means is that come Monday morning I walk up the hill to the Wood Lane campus with a completely open mind about the challenge that faces all of us doing this course.
Where it will lead I know not, but the excitement is so intense I can hold up my fingers and watch them tremble. 'Okay - Alzheimers...' I can almost hear you saying it, so don't pretend that's not what you're thinking - only you're completely wrong. Think I've already said something of the sort in the early days of this blog, but this coming twelve months is going to lead somewhere unexpected, somewhere special. Well, wouldn't your fingers be shaking if you felt that way?
Pia... if you ever read this, thank you. I owe you so much, for the way you've pushed me these past 8 months. The way you've criticised both me and my work, tearing down the walls I'd built to protect my safe and uninspiring little world. Forcing me at last to face up to the true realities of what my life had become. Some days you've pushed me to the edge of exhaustion. We've had our battles, and I know they've been pretty fierce at times. Yet whatever life throws at us, (and I believe that our journey together has barely yet begun), know that I will always be here to write for you. 'Tattoo Parlour' will be finished, and polished until it is of the standard you truly deserve.
With that off my chest I can now move on and start today's episode - Chapter 4.
Tack sjalv sa mycket...
Chris.
I've read through most of the authors on the reading list now, and to be honest I've not been impressed by any of them. Took me an age to finish the last one 'Haunted' by Chuck Palahniuk and I think I'm beginning to understand why that was. I really enjoyed 90% of the book, but it seems I'm not the only writer who struggles to find good endings... Endings that grab you by the throat and shake you till your eyes rattle in your head. The authors on our reading list are all well known; prize winners; feted and lauded in the literary press, yet personally I still prefer the likes of Gaiman, Pratchett and (Bernard)Cornwell.
I've tried to understand what makes them prize winners I really have. What makes them so special to the Literati Glitterati; but now, on the eve of one of the greatest adventures of my life I put them on one side. They're not for me, and rightly or wrongly, I don't wish to be tainted by them. Yes, that's the word - tainted. They can write I grant you that, but theirs isn't a style I wish to copy. Nor for that matter is Gaiman's, or Pratchett's, or Cornwell's. No I have my own path to tread. Maybe I'm slitting my throat with these words, but what it means is that come Monday morning I walk up the hill to the Wood Lane campus with a completely open mind about the challenge that faces all of us doing this course.
Where it will lead I know not, but the excitement is so intense I can hold up my fingers and watch them tremble. 'Okay - Alzheimers...' I can almost hear you saying it, so don't pretend that's not what you're thinking - only you're completely wrong. Think I've already said something of the sort in the early days of this blog, but this coming twelve months is going to lead somewhere unexpected, somewhere special. Well, wouldn't your fingers be shaking if you felt that way?
Pia... if you ever read this, thank you. I owe you so much, for the way you've pushed me these past 8 months. The way you've criticised both me and my work, tearing down the walls I'd built to protect my safe and uninspiring little world. Forcing me at last to face up to the true realities of what my life had become. Some days you've pushed me to the edge of exhaustion. We've had our battles, and I know they've been pretty fierce at times. Yet whatever life throws at us, (and I believe that our journey together has barely yet begun), know that I will always be here to write for you. 'Tattoo Parlour' will be finished, and polished until it is of the standard you truly deserve.
With that off my chest I can now move on and start today's episode - Chapter 4.
Tack sjalv sa mycket...
Chris.
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