Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Honk if you're a goose
Early yesterday evening I drove up to the coast at Druridge Bay, which is the most beautiful place, with a wonderful stretch of golden sand that goes on and on and on. To the west of the beach are farmers' fields, countryside and a few villages. I went up there with my dad and we watched the light change as dusk approached, followed by the dark night sky (even at only 5:30pm). Occasionally you'll see a couple of barn owls up that way, but last night we saw enormous flocks of geese come together to make one huge flock that must have comprised several hundred geese all together. They swooped and rose in multiple Vs, honking to each other all the while, like a stadium of football fans who were heading off to the pub in celebration of a win by their team. It was like they were shouting out to each other, 'Come on boys, this way! No, wait, this one's nearer! Hang on, I've heard of this great pub just down there! Way hey! We won! We Won! We Won!' It was an amazing sound, and a awe-inspiring sight. I wish I'd had my camera with me.
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6 comments:
Hi Becky,
I've just read this post and a few others of yours and felt inspired to post a few lines - I hope you don't mind my imposition. The reason I suppose is that I'm quite attracted to inspirational characters who display more than their punching power (perhaps I'm guessing)when it comes to passion and verve for life. Couple that with a love for creative writing/literature and I generally stop what I'm doing (which is usually writing) and take notice, occasionally, though not very often if I'm being completely honest, to invest the time to comment. Perhaps because of late I've seen (as opposed to read)two rather inspirational TV programmes that make me think (one of them anyway) of your current situation and the blight that asthma has upon your life. The first one and quite recently (you might of saw it) was a programme called 'A Boy Called Alex' who had cystic fibrosis and despite stuggling daily with the disease and difficulty with breathing demonstrated a unique spirit for life out of his passion for music - it's well worth a look. The second programme is called 'The Art of Catching Lobsters' which I've been compelled to buy on DVD such is its enormous impact. I won't give too much away but if you have a chance then this is truly a remarkable film. What else can I say...I'd probably be interested to see what you have in the pipeline in terms of your writing and where you think that this is going. It would be nice to hear from you and possibly lend some help if you think I'm able.
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thank you so much for your positive comments on my blog. It can sometimes be difficult to judge if what I'm writing is of interest to others, so the encouragement, and interest you express, is very welcome.
I didn't see either of the programmes you mention, I'm sorry to say, although there has been some discussion about 'A boy called Alex' on the Asthma UK discussion forum. I was sorry to have missed it. The other one, I haven't heard of, but I'd be very interested in seeing. I shall have to look out for it on Amazon.
As for where my blog is going, I'm not entirely sure, but I know that one day I would very much like to write a book, and perhaps this is a precursor to that. In the meantime I'm just enjoying writing it, and very interested in seeing if what I write appeals to a wider audience and what comments I get. In terms of what help you could give me, what kind of help were you thinking of? Let me know.
Thanks again.
Becky.
Hi Becky,
In answer to your question, 'help' is basically regarding your writing, WIP, this that and the other. It's only a suggestion, an offer. Whether I'm qualified to give that help only you can determine for sure.
At the moment I've given myself time off to write so I'm in a very fortunate position to be doing what I really want to do. I completed a 120,000 word novel last October which I wanted to write and I'm 70,000 words in to the next - so I'm quite busy, but still keen to see what other people are doing: how they motivate themselves, how and what they write etc.
It's a well known fact that writing a novel, for example, is a lengthy and draining process, a bit like crossing the Atlantic in a bath tub, I think one writer describe it. Meaning, quite rightly, there's a lot of time for self-doubt. How one offsets that is quite a fundamental question when one comes to decide on writing 'a novel'. So when you do come to write that book of yours the issue of self-doubt and motivation is as crucial as being able to write religiously each day. You won't be able to do one without understanding the other.
Mark
Hello again mark,
Thank you for your kind offer. I may take you up on your offer of help sometime, in the meantime I'm going to take a look at your blog.
I'm impressed with the speed at which you've written your novels. Especially with the second so quickly off the back of the first. Of course, I may be able to answer this question when I've looked at your site, but what are your books about, or aren't you telling yet? Have you got as far as finding a publisher/agent? I'd be interested to hear how things go.
Becky.
Ah, I see, Mark, that I can't read your blog, because you don't have one. Oh well, I'll just have to buy your book when you get it published if I'm to see what you write.
Becky.
Hi Becky,
Here's the synopsis of last years novel, currently acquiring rejections from agents and publishers. However, it's not all doom and gloom as I've had some positive feedback.
Synopsis: Make Me a Promise, Viola
After recently suffering a heart attack, Jeremy O’Hearne is finding that middle-age is the worst stage in life. Unhappily married to Angie, riddled with regret, he begins a relationship with a spicy and opinionated Polish prostitute, Viola. Jeremy realises slowly that she might be his saving grace. Sure that he is dying he will convince her - and pay her - to take a message to a long lost love of his. The legacy he wishes to leave behind is that he knows what love is - he had it once.
Viola has recently been propositioned by a punter who has left his wife and wishes to marry her. Jaded by Fate’s intervention, Jeremy senses the urgency to gain Viola’s promise before she disappears into the happiness being offered her. It consumes him, furthering the belief that the pains he has in his chest daily are those ‘reminder[s] of death’s ever-present proximity’ and how important it is to leave that one thing behind that has underscored his life.
Throughout the narrative both Jeremy and his wife, Angie, revisit the complications of their respective pasts and how life has brought them together to this point in time. Jeremy’s painful childhood in a family levelled by his mother’s mental health problems, his father’s depression, and a violent and alcoholic brother shape his philosophical landscape. Angie meets Jeremy out of comically lacklustre relationship, and possibly the longest engagement ever recorded.
Each interpretation exemplifies over time what happens to a marriage where both parties have little in common and there is no will for meaningful communication; each live out the lie that is their lives and life together in dull acceptance.
Finally, Angie reaches a point where she cannot take any more and decides to follow him one night, sitting outside Viola’s apartment building in the car and attempting to close in upon what remains for her and her future. Inside, Jeremy, makes Viola promise him that she will do what he asks of her. Thus the shifting perspectives of both characters offer two distinctly opposing views of the world as time runs out.
Mark
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