Watching the Sunset

    Sunday was a lazing around on the sofa day. Accompanied by copious cups of coffee, chocolate and channel surfing. My little grey cells have been in dormant mode since my move and in need of a little TLC.

    There was nothing on Netflix that caught my eye, but on the TV guide I noticed that a 1950's movie, directed by Billy Wilder was on and one which I could watch over and over again. It was, Sunset Boulevard, starring, William Holden (as Joe Gilles) and Gloria Swanson (as Norma Desmond) and it was probably no coincidence that it was showing on Holden's birthday. (Thought I'd share that piece of trivia with you !)

    The story told is that of a young screenwriter's dramatic affair with a tragic, forgotten, ageing actress. The story itself has been played out on our screens and in reality on endless occasions, however the thing I love about it, is the spoken narrative by Holden.

    Instantly you're drawn to the character and you most definitely want to listen to the story he has to tell.

    Unlike a book, the words voiced, and the visual mannerisms displayed pull you in. As writers we don't have the visuals, or the sounds, but we do have the opportunity to create that scene with what we put down on paper.

    Choosing the right words create the scene in the reader's mind and those same words give the characters a voice. The reader  must hear our narrative loud and clear, if they are to connect with our book in the same way as the audience connected with, Oscar nominated, Holden's portrayal of Joe Gilles.

Good Friends

Friends constantly go that extra mile,

Consoling you with kind words and a smile.

Needing to get things off your chest,

Convincing you that talking about problems is best.

Friendship is a two-way street,
 And any differences you will always find a way, to in the middle meet.

Sun, Sea and Paella

    I love Spanish paella and the one in this photograph is the best I've ever had. I make it at home in Scotland, but it just never seems to taste the same as this one.

    Of course there are two ingredients missing, they are regular sunshine and warm sea. I'll just need to keep drooling over this picture until I can taste the real thing again.

   

   

Great Expectations

 

    It's still a little crazy around here, with the date for us moving into our new home nearly upon us. Trying to pack up my books and photographs has been quite a challenge, but nearly done.

    One old book I came across, I want to share with you; it is a battered, old, abridged edition of Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens.

    The book itself has little, or no value; however what I found jammed amidst its yellowed, dog-eared pages filled me with joy. It was a sprig of dried heather, that my grand-mother gave to me, more than forty-years ago.

    As for the rest of my belongings I still have to pack, I have no real great expectations of finding another treasure like this.

 

Book publisher: Dean and Son.

Sleeping Like a Baby

   

Exhibit in National Museum Scotland, Edinburgh

    Regretfully, this week I have had little time to write, because I'm still trying to pack a lifetime of belongings into boxes for my move. I try to maintain a presence on social media as I find that if I don't my Blogger page views plummet, especially if I don't tweet.

    Whether it's the excitement, stress of moving, or lack of writing I have no idea, but my dreams this week have been extremely vivid and sometimes I've actually felt that I was part of some fantastic thriller plot. It's rather disappointing when I wake up in the morning to find that the only thrill I had to look forward to in the day ahead, was another mountain of cardboard cartons to fill.

  First thing this morning I wrote down last nights dream which was particularly life-like. The dream for once wasn't too crazy, it had a beginning, middle, end and I did remember even the small details. So, I can't wait to get my new study set-up to start writing and my new bedroom so I can sleep like a baby again.

    Have a great week!


 

   

 

Dusting Off The Bookshelves

 
 

    The BBC revealed this week as to the extent which libraries are being closed in the UK. Three hundred and forty-three, have closed over the last six-years, with a loss of 8,000 jobs.

    Two hundred and twenty-four, have been rescued by local communities and external organisations with fifteen thousand volunteers filling the place of qualified, experienced library staff.

    The volunteers, have stepped in because they know that the library is an important part of many communities. It's not just a place of where members of the public, adults and children alike can access, WiFi, find enjoyment from the thousands of books that are available, it's also a meeting place.

    Children go there to have stories read to them and adults can go along to meet up with like-minded people who want to chat about books in group settings, or be part of a writer's circle.

    Yes, the volunteers are doing the best they can, however, the expertise of the trained librarian is irreplaceable. They are not just book lovers they are the custodians of the written word and we shouldn't be pushing them aside as though they were dust gathering on the bookshelves.  

 


 

The Easter Hunt

You never know who you might meet!

Searching amongst the flowerbeds for the Easter Bunny's treat,

You never know who you might meet.

If at first you are fazed,

Do not give up. 

Because once you find his gifts of candy, chocolate and painted eggs you will be amazed.

Bursting open the shell represents the resurrection of Our Lord,

And the celebration of new life that the rising sun brings,

So pass the word

Happy Easter!