WASTED - Nicola Morgan

I'm thrilled to welcome back the lovely and talented Nicola Morgan. Today she talks about how writing books is quite similar to sky-diving. Her latest is called Wasted and you can buy it here. And the book even has its own blog here.

Not Sky-Diving But Writing by Nicola Morgan

It’s fair to say that we writers rarely stop moaning and that our emotional relationship with our work is, erm, volatile. I had no idea it would be like this. When I was unpublished, and miserably so, I thought that there were only two possible states: the crushing defeat of rejection, or the boundless heaven of publication.

I soon discovered that being published opens a whole range of emotions. Many books later, I’ve learnt the pattern, for it is a pattern and it seems to be a pattern that most writers recognise.

First comes the idea for a new novel. Fabulous! (Literally, one might say). It hits me on the tongue like sherbet. If I’m in a supermarket, I will stop mid-aisle. Walking the dog, I’m likely to ignore the worst canine behaviour. At this point, I’m thinking, “Yesss! Why didn’t I think of this before?”

Next, I fluctuate between excitement and a more prosaic, “Hmm, but such-and-such might be a problem later.” But over the following days, as the characters grow in my head, excitement mounts and doubts fade. I am about to start to write.

Which is damned terrifying because it’s the start of a long and unknown journey. When I sat down to write the first page of Sleepwalking, my third novel, I actually said aloud, “Oh God, here we go,” taking a huge breath to summon the strength. Many blank pages stretch ahead, and they won’t fill themselves.

But then I get into the swing of it. It becomes exciting again. It feels like gutsy writing at this point, risky, open-ended; it’s easy to get “into the zone”. I come to breathe the characters. New ideas arrive, new colours join the pattern, with no requirement to know where they are going.

Until the middle. Oh hell, that middle. It sags. Flaws are revealed. A creeping doubt becomes stronger. It’s not working. What if I can’t solve it? Have I wasted all that time? I can’t sleep properly, wake early and toss ideas around in my head. It’s horrible. And horribly lonely, because no one can help.

There are only two ways, as far as I know, to get out of this stage:

-         1) Remind myself that I’ve had this in every book and each one has worked in the end.

-         2) Get away from my desk and walk. Then write. Just write.

Next comes joy as that saggy middle is tightened up, problems solved. And suddenly I’m hurtling towards the denouement, tying everything up, noting changes that I’ll make later. End in sight!

The satisfaction of writing that last sentence is intense. Many of us have to shout it out, go on Facebook or Twitter or the phone and announce that the last sentence is done. It doesn’t matter that I know I’ve got lots more tidying up to do, even re-writing whole sections – that’s easy.

During the editing there are fluctuating emotions, too: one moment I think it’s worked, next I think I’m deluded, the whole book is rubbish. Then my editor sees it, likes it, even loves it, and I am happy to lap up the relief.

Now comes a long period when I don’t have to worry: no one else has read it apart from agent and editor, and they liked it otherwise they’d have said so, so it must be OK, mustn’t it? I forget about it, start writing something else. While no one else can read it, I can’t have negative feedback, can I?

Copy-editing comes and I put my book in the hands of experts, to make sure there are no silly mistakes. Proof-reading, all of us, a team. It feels very safe, very unreal.

The moment of signing it off is another terrifying one - but it has to be done. I try not to think about it. Publication still feels unreal anyway.

And then suddenly it doesn’t feel unreal: it’s approaching. The marketing people start talking about what they might do (though they usually haven’t read it at this stage) and it all begins to feel more real.

And scary. I’ll rephrase that: it’s bloody terrifying. This is when I have exposure dreams – you know, the sort of dreams where you’re in a toilet with no door, or you’re walking down the street partly clothed?

At this point, no one outside the publishing company has read it. And of course they’re going to say they love it. They’re paid to. So I start to worry that real readers won’t like it and will say horrible things on Amazon. I now have real fear for my new baby. What if everyone hates it? What if I end up being ashamed?

Finally, here we are. Wasted will be published on Monday. Gulp. But you know what that emotion is? Pure excitement and pleasure. It’s too late for fear, too late for angst and the possibility of failure. Just leap out of that plane and sky-dive. There’s no turning back once you’ve jumped.

Not that I’d ever really sky-dive, you understand. Writing a book is quite enough for me.

***

"Nicola Morgan is an award-winning author for teenagers, with successful titles such as Fleshmarket, Deathwatch, Blame My Brainand Sleepwalking. She prefers to forget that she also used to write Thomas the Tank Engine Books... When she's not writing, she loves speaking in schools, and at festivals and conferences in the UK and Europe,  She also enjoys messing around on Twitter or her blogs. Nicola blogs for writers at www.helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com and has set up a special blog about her brand new book, Wasted - you can join the activities and contribute in lots of ways at www.talkaboutwasted.blogspot.com"

Illustrations

So, yesterday I mentioned that there are illustrations in Not So Perfect. And there are, there's one for every story. So, today, I thought it might be a nice idea to share a couple here.

There are more on my Facebook fan page.

***

And do pop back tomorrow when I'll be hosting the first leg of the brilliant Nicola Morgan's Wasted blog tour.

Sneak Peek

Look what the postman brought me:

Bit of a looker, isn't it?

And yes, it is illustrated. Rather beautifully if you ask me.

And it is available to pre-order from any good book retailer, including The Big Green Bookshop, The Book Depository and Amazon.

Talking music

Yesterday it was all about Talking: Books on here, and today it's all about music. I'm over at the always brilliant 3 :AM magazine taking about Emmy the Great, Polly Scattergood, Suede, Mariee Sioux and David Bowie. Pop across. Have a nosy.

So, what are the last five songs you listened to?

Talking: Books

Over these past few weeks I, along with Caroline Smailes and Jon Mayhew, have been forming a plan.

A plan for a series of events. Events that will be relaxed, informal and fun. We wanted them to be accessible and informative.

So what will you get if you come along to one of these events?

You'll get the opportunity to listen to a short story writer (that's me), a children's author (that's Jon) and a novelist (that's Caroline) chatting about all things books. From the seeds of ideas, to how we write (how we definitely DON'T get cross when things aren't working), to the editing process, how publishing works, all the way to the finished book, and probably beyond. Your questions will be welcome throughout.

Sounds good, no?

Our first event will be at Chester library on June 9th, 7-9pm. I'll announce future dates here when I can. In the meantime you can join the fan/events page on Facebook by clicking here, and you can read the full details below. I am really, really looking forward to this. We hope to see you there!

Talking: Books. An evening with Jon Mayhew, Nik Perring and Caroline Smailes.

Join authors Jon Mayhew, Nik Perring and Caroline Smailes for an evening exploring the world of writing and publishing. A children’s author, a short story writer and a novelist, these three published authors will take you on their journey from beginning to book, answering your questions along the way.

Date: Wednesday, 9 June 2010

Where: Chester Library

Time: 7-9pm

Cost: £3 library members / £4 non members (including refreshments)
People should book tickets in advance, from the Information Desk at Chester Library, or reserve a place by telephoning 01244 977380.

A Week Of Broken Things

Well, it's certainly been one of those weeks.

First my iPod decided it couldn't be arsed talking to my computer and refused to be fixed by any of the suggestions on Apple's wonderfully helpful site (I say wonderfully helpful because all of the suggestions take bloody hours to do and have been bugger all use).

Then, on Thursday I fell over. I tripped up a kerb (yes I know, and yes I had had a drink but was far from drunk). So after a spectacular fall (we're talking Superman impression here) and a rather awkward landing I have (according to my research) sprained my elbow. That hurts. (It's also a shame no-one saw.)

And I discovered that my arm wasn't the only thing that got knackered in the fall. I give you Exhibit A: my glasses,which were in my jacket pocket at the time. 

Which, actually, is an interesting one. I'd gone over to a friend's where we were about to watch the brilliant I Will Smash You *(oh the irony!). I pulled my glasses from my coat's inside pocket and there made my discovery.

It's also interesting because I bought them at a similar time to the suit I'd decided I'd not wear after last Tuesday (I talk about it here). I wonder if a part of me did it on purpose. It would not surprise me.

So, all in all, a frustrating week. And that's not mentioning how busy I've been and how I've got behind yet again. 

I hope next week's better. And that I make it through it in one piece.

***

* The film went down a treat. My friend described it as 'amazing' and I would not disagree.

Photo

So, as I said before, on Tuesday my writing group, along with photographer Katherine Elizabeth Lewis, handed over a cheque for the £200 we'd raised through sales of our 20 Photos 20 Stories book to Jo from the Alzheimer's Society.

And here's what it looked like:

From left to right: Jenny Martin, Sandy Milsom, Karen Crook, Jo Hawkins, photographer Katherine Elizabeth Lewis and me.

Katherine Elizabeth Lewis was also kind enough to donate one of the framed prints from the book (the cheque's the smaller one she's handing over!).

Mining Memories

Now, this is cool.

One of the people I teach at my writing group, the lovely and talented Jenny Martin, has put together a collection of poems, Mining Memories, for the benefit of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

And last night she was able to show us the finished product. It's been printed and whatnot by Silverwood Books, and I must say they've done a really splendid job. The book looks gorgeous (and I know that the poems inside are great as well - they're all very moving).

It's published on May 11th and to celebrate Jenny is launching it at The Beacon in Whitehaven, on May 11th, 1pm - 3pm.

You can pre-order from Amazon here.

My New Favourite Song

It's just gorgeous. And the words. Wowsers.

I've bought Emmy The Great's record and shall be giving it a listen very soon.






You can listen to the album version here.

Big Moments

I'll tell you what this post was going to be about.

It was going to be about the presentation of the cheque for £200 my writing group, and authors and poets, and Katherine Elizabeth Lewis had raised for The Alzheimer's Society.

And it was going to be about my Doctor Who suit.

You see, I bought it four years ago (without, I must say, any notion it was like the one the last Doctor wore). It was going to be the suit I'd wear when promoting my first book. And wear it I did. I had the most brilliant and rewarding time working in schools, reading my work, signing books, running workshops. It was a brilliant, brilliant chapter in my life. But what followed was a whole load of rubbishness. A lot of pain, a lot of being let down and being bent out of shape. Realisations that I'd been doing things in the wrong way and, in a few instances, for the wrong people (seriously, the things you compromise for certain people defies belief at times).

So tonight was going to be the last time I wore it. It was going to be a funny kind of celebration of all the good bits from the last few years but, probably more importantly, it was going to be me shutting the door on the bad bits. It was going to be an important moment And it was.

That was what this post was going to be about. But.

I was talking to the very lovely Jo who works for the Alzheimer's Society. She'd come down to my writing group so we could give her money. She was saying how pleased she was with how much money we'd managed to raise, and she was talking about what great ideas it'd given them for fund raising in the future.

And then she told us how useful the book (which contains flash fictions and poems written to photographs) had been. She told us how people who hadn't spoken to their carers (wives, husbands, sons, daughters) in weeks or months have often sat down with the book and engaged with it. AND SAID SOMETHING! The book I'd help put together, with all the brilliant contributors, had actually made a difference. I'm still proud and really moved.

Jo said that the faces of the carers, when that happens, are quite something.

I'll bet they are.

Now, isn't that a big moment?

***

And the contributors, who deserve another big thank you, are:

Sue Heathcote, Caroline Smailes, Vanessa Gebbie, Joy Winkler, Lorrie Porter, Jenn Ashworth, Tania Hershman, Lynda Iverson, Jo Bell, Steve Howe, John Lindley, Barbara Challenger, Betty Challender, Jenny Martin, Katherine Elizabeth Lewis, Karen Crook, Sandy Milsom, Anne Brooke and Gay Horton.

***

Jo's also agreed to write something for the blog on exactly how the staff at The Alzheimer's Society have used the book - I'm really looking forward to reading  that.

Things and Stuff

Let's have a bit of a round-up of things and stuff that have happened over this past week or so. It's been a busy one, and one that, for the past few days, has been hampered by an ugly hay-fever/cold situation.

Where to begin? How about here: My wonderful publisher, Roast Books, has added a Not So Perfect page to their website. They're also offering FREE UK DELIVERY if you pre-order with them, as well as low cost international.

I'm thrilled to see what the marvellous Simon has put up in his, equally marvellous, Big Green Book Shop's website.

***

I now have a fan page over on Facebook. I know. But, if you're on facebook and you'd like to become a fan of, err, me (and I don't know why you'd want to either - though there is actually exclusive content up there...) then you can do so by clicking here.

***

I'll talk about this in greater detail soon - but I'm thrilled to be a part of a rather exciting series of author events in and around the north west with the wonderful Caroline Smailes and the super Jon Mayhew. As I say, more on that when I know more about it.

Likewise, my book launch. First week in June, folks. More soon.

***

And tonight I'm off to my writing group where we'll have special guests: representatives from the local branch of the Alzheimer's Society who'll be there to collect the money we raised for them through the sales of our little book (go here for pics and stuff of the launch). I may wear my (Doctor Who) suit.

Words of A Devine Writer - Top Ten Implicit or Explicit Writing Tips

I was lucky enough, a little while ago, to get sent a copy of the mysterious Andy Devine's latest, Words.

I ate it up. I loved it.

But, because it's so new and fresh and different, it's not the easiest book to describe. That won't stop be trying though.

It's made up of a number of sections. There's a list of words that should not be used in fiction. There's a list of words that should be used in fiction. There are alphabetical stories. There's a 90k word novel that's been condensed into something that's twenty pages long. And there's a revealing  afterword by Michael Kimball.

All in all it's an utter, utter joy to read and it is so original. It's also a lot of fun.

So. I got in touch with Andy Devine and I asked him if he'd like to contribute to this post. And he said yes.

So, I give you:

Andy Devine's Ten Implicit or Explicit Writing Tips

1. Fiction writers are only fiction writers when they are writing fiction.

2. Fiction is not life. The goal of fiction is not to be realistic. Writing the word chair does not create a chair that somebody can sit in.

3. Every work of fiction can be improved. The fiction writer must find a way to manage their incompetence if they are to continue writing fiction. The conception of the fiction is always greater than the execution of the fiction.

4. Every word has some amount of reference. The fiction writer must control that reference.

5. The fiction writer should use as many of the properties of language as possible in as many instances as possible in every sentence. The great fiction writer is possessed by considerations that nobody else cares about.

6. Whatever word is being considered, is it an important word?

7. The energy of the diction has to arise from the vocabulary that has preceded it.

8. Most proper nouns should be avoided. Obvious exceptions include the names of some streets, cities, states, rivers, and lakes, as well as the names of the months and the names of the days of the week.

9. Words with prepositions in them — downstairs, downtown, inside, outside, upstairs — are good words. Write fiction about people going inside, outside, upstairs, etc.

10. Every piece of fiction should have its own particular syntax.

***

Andy Devine’s alphabetical fiction and essays have appeared in a variety of literary magazines, including New York Tyrant, Unsaid, elimae, Everyday Genius, and Taint. In 2002, Devine was awarded the Riddley Walker Prize (for a work that ignores conventional rules of grammar and punctuation). In 2007, he published his first chapbook, “As Day Same That the the Was Year” (Publishing Genius). In 2009, Devine was awarded The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Award (for fiction in the face of adversity). WORDS (2010, Publishing Genius) is his first book. Andy Devine Avenue — in Flagstaff, Arizona — is named after him.

***

And that's not all. Oh no. Here's a trailer for the book. Cool, isn't it?

Andy Devine's WORDS from Little Burn Films on Vimeo.

Polly Scattergood Interview

Way back in December I read this interview with Polly Scattergood over at the Decoding Static blog. Intrigued I popped Polly's name into Last FM and I loved what it came up with. I bought her album and there's hardly been a day when I don't listen to it. It's wonderful. You can have a listen here if you want to see how right I am.

And here she is, on my blog, talking about hats and writing and David Bowie. This is exciting. Enjoy!

Welcome to the blog, Polly, it’s a thrill and a pleasure to have you on. I first came across your work in November and there haven’t been many days since when I’ve not listened to it. Could you tell us a little about it? What does it mean to you? Did it turn out how you’d expected?  ‘Polly Scattergood’ was released in 2009. When were the songs written?

The oldest song on the album was "I hate the way" which was written when I was 17 and the last one I wrote was Other Too Endless...  So they were written over a few years, location wise they were all written in various bedrooms!

"I hate the way" was in a bedsit in Selhurst, Nitrogen Pink was in a white box in Streatham, Other Too Endless in my little flat in the attic in North London.


And what’s your writing process? 

I write a lot, and very fast.  if I haven't got a song down in half a hour or so I usually give up and do something else.  I am quite impatient and I don't believe in forcing things. I'm not good at being creative on cue.

How important are the words in your songs? What’s their relationship with the music? 

The words are very important to me, especially on that first album, as I wrote much of it whilst growing into myself.  The words were almost like my diary, my thought process, my vent.  I think the relationship between the words and the music was sometimes difficult.  I often write too many words for a line, but it was a stream of consciousness.  My music is just another part of me and I am constantly battling myself, so I guess the battle between the words and music was inevitable.

What does a song need to do to be great? 

I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what I think is great, maybe ugly to some.  Personally, I love things which have layers and textures and depth.  Light and dark. 

‘Polly Scattergood’ is going to be entered into the dictionary and you can write its definition, what would it say?

Well the actual definition of Scattergood means "here today gone tomorrow". I am a creative personality that comes with its pitfalls which makes trying to define my personality hard, as it changes on a regular basis.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to do what you do?

To always be true to yourself and not change to fit into someone elses idea of who you should be. I am libra.  I like balance and I am very diplomatic, but I learned the hard way that you can't please everyone and even if you spend months or years working on something that you have put your heart and soul into, someone will still inevitably sit there from the comfort of their living room hiding behind anonymity and shoot you down.  So you just have to have belief in what you love to do and ultimately do it for yourself and your love of music, otherwise what's the point.

What’s the most difficult part of your job?

I guess the first tour was a eye opener as we travelled back to London every night after the shows.  It wasn't very glamourous traveling back after a gig at 3am, me and all the band boys all sweaty in the back of a transit van, then lugging flight cases into our lock-up, but the thing is, I have worked in shopping centers, in a ice cream factory under a escalator, on a market stall, waitressing, and whilst I was doing those jobs I was dreaming about doing what I do now, so for that reason I could never complain.  Every job has its difficult bits and I am very lucky.


Who do you like listening to? Any recommendations?

I have been listening to Massve Attack recently and I am still a big Bowie fan. I also love Vampire Weekend and MGMT's


Tell us a secret.

When I was little I would go out wearing 3 hats at a time.

What’s next for you?

I am writing my new album which I am so excited about.  it is quite different to the first album.  I feel like it is a very natural progression though; it has lots more beats and I have built on the soundscapes making them bigger in places, its still quite dark, but this time I would say its slightly more comfortable in its plastic cover.

Anything you’d like to add?

Yes please check my blogs on myspace, and find me on twitter/pollyworld and facebook... 

I try and keep people updated on news via those three social networks. As soon as I have finished the album I hope to get back out there and start playing live, so please keep your eyes peeled and stick with me, whilst I write this new album!


***


And here's Polly's cover of New York, New York, appearing in the trailer for Crysis 2 (EA Games). It's been going down a storm...

NEWS FLASH: Not So Perfect

So. Here it is. This is the announcement. Above is the cover of my new book, my first collection. It's called Not So Perfect and I'm really, really, really excited about it.

The book itself, because it's published by Roast Books, will be a little bit different. Beautifully different. It's going to be square. A perfectly square book.

There will be 22 short, short stories inside it.

But that's not all. Oh no.

There will be illustrations as well. I've seen them. They're wonderful. (I was reading a proof of it in public a little while ago and a stranger asked me if I was reading Kurt Vonnegut. That made me happy.)

And because I'm not particularly good at blowing my own trumpet, here's what a couple of people whose work I LOVE have said about it.

'In Not So Perfect, Nik Perring pinpoints those moments in his characters' lives that everyone experiences, the points at which we all spit fire, we fade into nothingness, that instance we've all found ourselves lobbing grenades at defenseless farmers. While these notions are ridiculously fantastic, Perring's smooth style makes them all seem real, as much a part of us as sitting in the garden and having tea. Perring is a writer whose talent expands beyond his word count in this intriguing debut.'

- Michael Czyzniejewski, author of Elephants in Our Bedroom.

'An unforgettable assortment of wonky connections that glitter with truthfulness, that spill out ache, that make me nod my head and whisper, yes.'

- Caroline Smailes, author of 'Like Bees to Honey.'

And go on, one more.

'Nik Perring’s moving and imaginative flash fictions capture whole lives in just a glimpse, a character, a snatch of dialogue, and a few perfectly chosen details. These short, short stories are so full of life.'

- Michael Kimball, author of ‘Dear Everybody’.

It will be published on June 2nd. And you can pre-order it from Amazon now.

Hooray!

Why I Spent Most of This Afternoon On My Hands And Knees

Do you know what? It's just been one of those days. 


I'd just written the longest blog post I'd done in ages (about losing things, about spring cleaning, about what I'd found, about Dr Who, about Caroline Smailes' terrific interview with Jon Mayhew, and a whole bunch of other stuff) and I've just gone and deleted the bugger.


I know when to give up.


Tomorrow, there may be an announcement. Perhaps. Maybe.

Utterly and Wonderfully Amazing (and sorry, but you might cry)

A friend of mine is working in Nigeria and she's just sent me some incredible photos of the wildlife there.

And it reminded me of the best wildlife documentary I've ever seen, The Eye Of The Leopard, which in turn reminded me of the best bit from it: Lagadema, a maturing leopard cub has killed a baboon (bit of a taboo round those parts) without noticing there's a day old baby clinging to its leg. What happens next is about the most wonderful and tender thing you'll see. Promise.

Have a look:




Is that not just wonderful and gentle and moving? Yes, I thought so.

And here's my favourite photo my friend sent. I think someone's being told off good and proper. I wonder what he'd done.

I Love This For So Many Reasons

It's a short film by Spike Jonze called I Am Here. And it represents pretty much everything I love about fiction and pretty much what I try to do with mine. Weird situations that seem so normal. Excellent characters. A bit of magic and a heap of real sadness. This feels so real. Watch it. It is awesome.

CLICK TO VIEW.

(Thanks to Carol-Ann for the heads up.)

Influences. I'm Sorry. Thank You.

I couldn't not mention Malcolm McLaren's death here. I can't talk as eloquently about him as most other people can (one of the best things I've seen is that over at The Guardian and what Alan McGee said here) but I do want to say something.

I think I want to thank him. Not only for changing (shaping?) music and culture and for inspiring people. Not only for managing the Sex Pistols and kick starting punk. It's bigger than that. It's the people who have created wonderful, fresh, new art BECAUSE of what he did (there aren't many great bands who won't reference the Pistols as an influence now, are there? - and the Pistols wouldn't have been the Pistols without Malcolm McLaren).

And I'm a result of that as well (though not nearly as good or important as most by a mile).

Discovering The Clash, aged fifteen (I think) changed me. It educated me and inspired me. Not only did they look and sound incredibly cool but the things they sang about were not things I'd have been exposed to or considered relevant before. They gave context to what I'd learned about the Spanish Civil War. They sang about race issues, about dictatorships, about repression, about friendships, about governance, about socialism, fascism, and about fighting the law and not winning (credit, of course, to Sonny Curtis -- and there's another thing - they introduced me to other, older, songs and singers, such as (and how cool is this - The Bobby Fuller Four)). They made it okay to be interested in those things and made me more comfortable with being a bit different - with not fitting in. And they inspired me to create, to be brave, to ask questions, to learn.

I wouldn't have been a writer were it not for them.

And they wouldn't have been them were it not for Malcolm McLaren.

So, yes. Thank you.

Emails, emails, emails

Do you know, I'm sure I'm programmed to only delete/archive email messages on certain days. Like, once a month.

I've spent most of the day trying to get up to date with things and I'm happy to say I'm pretty much there. Hooray. But amongst all the Important and starred emails there's just so much junk. Google alerts, Twitter and Facebook notifications - all stuff I've actioned when I've had them. Is it just me? Is anyone else as, ahem, disorganised?

So. If anyone's waiting for stuff from me, they should either have it now or very shortly. I feel so much more relaxed now I know better where I'm up to.

And The Winners Are (take 2)

So, I've not heard a dickie bird from either Rhoda or Katherine so I have put my hand back into the tin.

And that hand pulled out Sam and LM118.

Congratulations to you both. Could you either DM me your addresses or email them to me here please
so we can get your signed copies of A Razor Wrapped in Silk to you.

On Making Things and Creativity

Really, really love what Brett Anderson had to say here about (song) writing. About making things if you don't have them. On making something different. On doing something different. On inspiration and creativity and on growing into what you become.

Story writing is no different.





I've been listening to old Suede stuff quite a bit of late. Especially this and (wait for the intro to finish) this.

And I think I've been doing a lot of thinking and remembering. Time doesn't half fly and people don't half change (I'm talking about me here as well). But doing that remembering and listening to these songs I loved when I was fourteen or so has cheered me up no end.

Blabbering over. For now.

How Much Of Us There Was

How Much of Us There Was by Michael Kimball, broke my heart. There's not much else to say about it. It is, as I expected, utterly brilliant and incredibly affecting.

An elderly man wakes up one morning to find his wife having a seizure and then slipping into a coma. What follows is the story of the man's wife's death. It's honest and moving and real and it's written in such a sensitive and tender way that it's almost impossible not to have your heart broken by it.

I wanted to describe How Much Of Us There Was as someone coming to terms with losing their partner, but that, I think would be wrong, because, like the man in the book, I don't think many people are able to come to terms with such a tragic event.

An incredible book and one which I was delighted to discover was just as good as Dear Everybody.

It also made me think of my late grandparents, and made me happy that I've dedicated my book to them.

Read it. You will thank me for it.

And you can see me interview Michael here.

***

And in other news...

If I've not heard from Rhoda or Katherine (come on folks, you've won!!!) by 5pm I shall pick two more winners of R.N. Morris' a Razor Wrapped in Silk out of the tin.

Death Is Not The End - Jon Mayhew Interview

Thrilled, thrilled thrilled to welcome children's author, Jon Mayhew, to the blog today to talk about his book, Mortlock, ghuls, mandolins, Dickens, ballads and running around the Wirral.

Welcome, Jon! So, Mortlock has just been published! Congratulations. Can you tell us a little about it? Who’s it for and what’s it about?

It’s about a girl called Josie and a boy called Alfie. They are twins separated at birth. What brings them together is the death of the magician the Great Cardamom, Josie’s guardian, at the hands of the evil crow-like ghuls. Josie and Alfie are plunged into a nightmare race to find Mortlock and the Amarant (the flower of Life) before the ghuls and their master the evil Lord Corvis does. Obviously, Corvis has nefarious plans for the Amarant and for mankind.

Why did you write it?

It kind of wrote itself in a funny kind of way. It was a story that buzzed around my head as I was running around the lanes of Wirral (as I am wont to do). I guess it was story I had to tell. So I did!

What’s the Mortlock world like? Is it a place you’d like to live?

Mortlock’s world is quite grim and dark. It’s a Hammer Horror version of Victorian London, choking fogs that conceal villainous pursuers, freezing cold winters that pinch at your fingertips and nose. A place where the dead can rise and where the brave can win through if they stay true. Nah, I’d hate to live there. I like to escape there quite frequently though. There is a fair amount of humour in Mortlock’s world too, so that’s quite reassuring.

Could you tell us a little about your influences?

MR James was a big influence. I love that whole genre, tweed –clad gents leaning on mantelpieces, tapping their pipes into the fire and then telling in hushed tones how they saw ‘something’ that could never be explained. Ace!

Dickens had a role too, I love A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations. When you consider a character like Abel Magwitch and the many layers. A convicted felon who is so impressed by the kindness of a terrified young boy, he never forgets. He sentimentalises the boy to such an extent that he risks his life to return and see how he has changed. Brilliant! It was the scene in Oliver Twist, when Oliver is sold to Sowerberry, the undertaker that inspired Alfie Wiggins.

As a teacher, I read a lot of superb children’s literature with my pupils. Skellig by David Almond, Holes by Louis Sachar were two of my favourites and inspired me to try my hand at writing.

Talk to us about ballads and how you’ve used those in the novel.

Traditional music has long been a major factor in my life. I love the link with times past. When I play Sir Roger de Coverley on my mandolin, I’m playing a tune that dickens would have recognised (my playing permitting). A tune mentioned in A Christmas Carol. The ballads are such a part of our culture, the culture we share with the Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Cornish, Manx all the island people but we ignore them. They are such fantastic gory and heart-rending stories and when you read them you see that people three hundred years ago had similar tastes to ours.

The ballads extracts I’ve chosen highlight a theme from each chapter. It’s not rocket science, in most cases the theme is death or blood! But there are some nice versions that I’ve found that do make a point.

A little bird told me Mortlock’s launch was something a little special – could you tell us about that?

It was a magical evening. Bloomsbury had found a basement room in an old London pub with a stage. They asked me to write a short play based on the idea of meeting a ghul and on the early chapters of Mortlock. Actors performed my play, it was amazing! And quite chilling too. I was able to invite family and friends. It was strange seeing my brothers and sisters mingling with writers and publishers, a kind of unusual mix.

Publishers don’t pay for launch parties as much these days so it was particularly special and a measure of the faith Bloomsbury have in Mortlock. I have to say, they have pulled out all the stops in terms of publicity, with school visits arranged, adverts in children’s magazines, and a huge number of uncorrected proofs sent to reviewers.

What does a story have to do to be great?

I’m very wary of giving out advice about writing. I suppose it has to engage with the reader emotionally and for children’s writing there has to be a sense of satisfaction at the end. I like the fact that Mortlock is a complete standalone story. Hopefully, the reader is left wanting more but knowing where all the strands ended.

Have you always wanted to write for children?

I write for myself, or the child within. I suspect that my profession has guided me to writing for children or moulded my tastes towards children’s literature. I do love children’s literature. There’s no pretension. Children want a good story, well told.

What were your favourite books from childhood? Any you’d recommend fans of Mortlock read?

I didn’t really read before the age of eleven or twelve but my teenage years were a blur of HP Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe, Ghost stories of all kinds as well as a whole library of fantasy books. I would say read anything, there’s so much choice these days. You can type a book into a search engine and find a dozen similar titles.

‘Jonathan Mayhew’ is going to be entered into the OED and you can pick its definition: What does it say?

A well-meaning furry creature who can never make a decision.

What’s next for you?

Next up is The Demon Collector, a gruesome tale of one Edgy Taylor, a boy who becomes embroiled in the intrigues and adventures of the Royal Society of Daemonologie. He travels, hunting for demons, collecting them, little knowing that he carries a secret of his own. One that will threaten his very life and the future of Heaven, Hell and Earth.

Blimey, I can’t wait to read that myself!

Anything you’d like to add?

I’m innocent and thank you for having me.

Jon blogs here.

This Post is For Rhoda and Katherine

Rhoda and Katherine - When I made the draw for the A Razor Wrapped in Silk competition I pulled out your names. But before I can get the books to you I need your addresses. Please email me here.

If I've not heard from you by the end of business tomorrow I'll pull out two more names. So, come on folks - get cracking! You've won books!

(And if any of you know Rhoda or Katherine, could you give them a little nudge for me please...)

A Lovely Letter

A big thank you to Ben Walker, who's sent me this ace letter. Thank you, Ben! 

(And how cool's the picture he did of the Roman?)

Winners!

So, I put all the (26) entries onto a piece of paper

and then I got the scissors out

I put the entries into this tin (pleased I'd finally found a use for it)

And then

FINALLY

After giving the tin a shake and a stir...

I, with my eyes tightly closed, reached inside and pulled out five winners.

Congratulations to: Katherine, Jo, Rhoda, Aliya Whiteley and Dot Seven who all win a copy of A Razor Wrapped in Silk.

If you let me know your addresses (either by DMing me on Twitter or by emailing me here) then I shall pass them on to Roger.

I Will Smash You

I received my copy of I Will Smash You a couple of days ago and I've watched it twice already. It is wonderful and extraordinary. And there's something about it that's resonated in me, something that's truly affecting.

So why? What is it?

Well, it's 50 minute short film by the ever brilliant Michael Kimball and Luca Dipierro. Twenty people tell a story about an object from their lives and then they smash it up.A girl destroys an effigy of her mean teacher, a woman smashes up her car because it's cursed. A man's procrastination is crushed under a block of cement. Someone else destroys an office environment.

It's a strange film, extraordinary, funny, entertaining and hugely affecting. The one thing that stood out for me was how much anger or frustration people (not just in the film) seem to carry around with them. And it's startling to see this, and you really do, once they begin to smash up the objects associated with whatever anger or frustration they've been carrying around inside them - it's right there, in front of you, on the screen. Those involved seem to have such a release. It seems to be therapy of sorts and one that seems to work.

I think the most interesting and affecting of all the smashings is this guy, who wants to destroy his grandfather's favourite hymn.





There's more info and trailers and things here. Have a look. Buy a copy. I'd recommend it highly; curious, sad, angry, strange and funny - it's brilliant. And certainly one of the most original films you're likely to see. I loved it.

I'm musing now on what object I'd most like to smash. There may be more than one.

***

And, as an aside, I interviewed Michael about his utterly brilliant novel, Dear Everybody here.

And I started another of his novels, How Much of Us There Was, yesterday and it's shaping up to be just as good.

The Comp Will Close at 5pm

The comp (below) will close at 5pm today -- so if you'd like to be in with a chance of winning a copy of  A Razor Wrapped in Silk then you'd best be, reasonably, quick about it. To enter, just leave a comment.