I’m delighted to announce my latest book project – “Beer and Biriyani” which is the working title of a book I’m writing with my good friend Jesmin Chowdhury. Jesmin is a wonderful example of how friendships over the internet can blossom and be rewarding (something I’ve experienced many times over). We met several years ago… Read More Beer and Biriyani – a new book project
Just a quick post today to say ‘Happy New Year’ to all my friends, supporters and clients wherever you are in the world. I’m grateful for your love, time, encouragement and – to all you editors, private clients and people who bought my book – your cash! 2014 has not been an easy year, having… Read More Here’s looking forward to a brand new year!
View image | gettyimages.com Well NaNoWriMo is well and truly over and I managed not just the official 50,000 required to confirm you as a winner but very nearly 60,000 in November. So…I’ve got my book; what next? It will come as no surprise to you, if you’re a writer, that ‘what’s next’ is a… Read More After NaNoWriMo: What next?
It began with three knocks. I don’t know much else, just that: it began with three knocks. Then the realisation of something massive beginning to move, laboriously, overhead. Swish…Slowly, from left to right. Swish…right back to left. Swish…again returning to the right; each time feeling a little closer at… Read More 19 – A Life Lived Through Stories: The Pendulum
Keren Wilde was a magnificent specimen of a woman. She exuded power from every pore and everything about her said control. With her incredible power-dressing which was both sexy and professionally formidable. She never wore her flaming red hair up, never tied back to appear stern and strict but instead allowed it to flow freely… Read More 18 – A Life Lived Through Stories: The Head
She was, quite possibly, my first love. She was certainly the first good thing that came into my life as a teenager. Oh, of course, I’d had girlfriends before – a stack of them, if I’m honest but that sounds like boasting, doesn’t it? I’m not really. It might be better to say I was… Read More 17 – A Life Lived Through Stories: Insignificant woman no. 3
Terry Harvey is dead. They’re all saying it. He died last night. “A Car ‘it ‘im,” Matty Murter is delighted to spill the beans, “an’ then another ‘it ‘im again on t’other side o’ road. ‘Is brains were spread everywhere like.” The girls gape and cringe at the thought, pleasing Murter no end. He’s the… Read More 16 – A Life Lived Through Stories: Terry Harvey is Dead
View image | gettyimages.com The Church hall stands empty, dusty, unused except by the very few who crowd into the tiny room on a Sunday after squeezing into a church barely any bigger. Chairs are stacked to one side and it is completely silent bar the occasional squeak and a scuttle from a rat under… Read More 15 – A Life Lived Through Stories: The Circle
I’ve had the privilege of working with Bangladeshis for many years but one thing I never did, until very recently, was actually live with any. This was a special wish I’d harboured for a long time but really didn’t think the opportunity would arise. When it did, I took it with both hands though now,… Read More Day 14 – A Life Lived Through Stories: A Good Match
Daniel Fort looked at the great wrought-iron gates looming in front of him and stared through the bars. He could see them all milling around, some in packs, others alone or in twos. Some had already noticed him and were watching carefully. Once again, Daniel wondered to himself: did he really want to do this?… Read More Day 12 – A Life Lived Through Stories: Daniel in the Den
Write Out Loud 