See Jayne’s Skellett’s wonderful display currently at Bournemouth Library. Weaving it Real brings together ideas around identity through the work of local writers (including me!). There is a huge wall display, images and biographies lining the staircase and bookcases with mounted work. Here are a couple of photographs:
There is also a table of prompts to help get you started with your own ideas. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a look.
In preparation for a time when I might be asked to give book talks, interviews, masterclasses and the rest, I decided to improve my public speaking skills. I was inspired to do this following a recent workshop I delivered for the Dorset Writers’ Network as part of the in the mood programme offered at Dorchester Library. Also at the event were members from the Casterbridge Speakers who did a very good pitch and encouraged me to attend one of their sessions. A couple of months later, I’m now a member of the group and promoting this to you!
The group is part of Toastmaster International based in America and meetings are run along very strict lines. In the past, this would have put me off joining, but I can see the benefit of having a very structured agenda now that I’m used to it.
So, do you wish you could lose the nerves, capture attention and inspire your audience? Join Casterbridge Speakers to find out more! Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at the Wessex Royale Hotel in High West Street Dorchester, from 7.15pm – 9.30pm. If you’d like more information about the group, click here. For further information about other groups around the country take a look at the Toastmasters website and click on the ‘find a club’ tab.
Happy public speaking!
Now in my second year of MPhil studies in creative writing, I face each residency with less trepidation. Last weekend was extremely positive. My creative writing supervisor, Stephen Knight, gave an analogy to the present state of my manuscript. Like a self-assembly chair, all I need to do is tighten it with an allen key. Feedback from my peers includes praise for the sex scenes (very worried about those) and agreement that the structure works (alternating narratives including the viewpoint of the main character as a ten-year-old and at 23). Phrases like ‘page-turner’ were even used!
So, with this encouragement, I press on.
The Dorset Writers’ Network is celebrating the 100th year of Thomas Hardy by offering a competition. Please submit a piece of flash fiction, up to 300 words, based upon The Ghosts of Max Gate.
Thomas Hardy designed and lived in Max Gate, situated on the outskirts of Dorchester, from 1885 until his death in 1928. At the time of construction, Hardy was unaware that Max Gate was situated in the middle of a neolithic stone circle and a Romano-British cemetery.
In his study at the house, Hardy wrote Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge and much of his poetry. During the latter years of his marriage to Emma Gifford, when she became uncomfortable with the irreligious nature of his work, Hardy arranged for the attic rooms to be extended. This provided a refuge for Emma who became more and more reclusive.
Max Gate is part of the National Trust and open to the public. Please click here for further information.
With the setting of the house in mind, please complete your story about the Ghosts of Max Gate, and send your entry to:
DWN, Corner Cottage, Bridge Street, Bourton, Dorset SP8 5BA
All entries must be received by 31 October 2013
Entry fees are: £4 for one story, £7 for two stories, £10 for three stories. Please make cheques payable to Dorset Writers’ Network.
Shortlisted writers are invited to read their work at the centenary event Celebrating Hardy’s Dorset, Thursday 14 November, 4:30-700, at Max Gate.
The competition will be judged by Peter Cooper and Alistair Chisholm
The County Show has been celebrating the countryside and all things Dorset since 1841. These days there’s a focus on family entertainment, showcasing agriculture and shopping but the old traditions of a county show remain, including the competitions. There are 1,000 competitions to enter and although we didn’t spend much time looking at the livestock, the homecraft and horticultural tents are endlessly fascinating.
With the rise in popularity of television shows such as The Great British Bake Off, the competition for the best of baking is considerable. Criteria for entry is strict sometimes identifying the required size, shape and ingredients, others offering the chance to use your own recipe. One category I continue to find perplexing is:
I wonder what Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood would make of that!
Unfortunately, for all the delights of Victoria Sandwiches, Swiss rolls and flapjacks, they were displayed inside plastic bags and not the best circumstances to photograph, so I can’t show you any of the entries. However, I can share with you the following:
THREE CARROTS, stump rooted, tops trimmed to approx 76mm
PAIR OF MARROWS (any size)
These had my husband anticipating an entry for 2014.
Some of the other categories, however, had me in stitches. For example, THE LONGEST RUNNER BEAN of reasonable quality. I’m not sure that would be worth eating. And then there were the monster entries, the largest pumpkin and the heaviest marrow:
After all the excitement there was one last treasure. An opportunity to stroke the loveliest of rabbits and meet the proud new owner.
During a long journey yesterday I listened to ‘When God was a Rabbit’ by Sarah Winman. The family saga was brilliantly read by Emilia Fox but the story was predictable in places. Rabbits at the show and one in a novel – that must be enough rabbits for one week.
Having enjoyed the Edinburgh Fringe and International Book Festival last year, I booked again for a return visit in 2013. Had I known in advance what would be in store for me during the intervening period, I would have reserved a week under a sunshade. However, having galvanised a bit of energy, I made it to Charlotte Square most mornings for the 10 at 10 session which featured a short reading from a visiting author. One of the treats included the opening pages from the The Universe versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extense. This is a debut novel that is included in Richard and Judy’s Summer Book Club. The story is told in the distinctive voice of seventeen year old Alex and revolves around an unusual friendship with Mr Peterson, an American, pot-smoking widower. You can read more about the book in a Guardian review here.
Further highlights included another debut novelist, Courtney Collins talking about her book The Burial, a story inspired by the life of Jessie Hickman a twentieth century Australian horse rustler. I also got to touch base with Ronald Frame talking about his latest novel Havisham.
In terms of the Fringe, we caught a few comedy shows including Rachel Parrish whose singing/comedy act had me in stitches (the performer is tagged as the Glee-Club chick gone wrong).
When we returned to Dorset, the plants in the garden decided to put on a welcome home display
Begonia
Dahlias
Yucca
Just when I thought I had to return to the office for three more days of work after taking leave next week, I discovered that I’m actually owed some days. As a result, my last day of employment with the County Council will be Friday and I’m madly trying to get everything done ready for a holiday in Edinburgh starting on Saturday. We’re flying from Southampton and taking hand luggage only, so decanting liquids has been the order of the day. Fortunately, the flat that we’re staying at in Stockbridge provides shampoo and shower gel, so it’s only face creams that I need to worry about.
I’ve packed a couple of paperbacks including The Coward’s Tale by Vanessa Gebbie and The Polish Boxer (which was recommended by Sarah Bower) and you can read a review here. I’ve downloaded two audiobooks to my ipod: Catch 22 and The Unbearable Lightness of Being. So when I’m not attending sessions at the Book Festival or the Fringe I’ll have plenty to keep my busy.
Have a good week.
This time last year I was offered the post of Service Manager for a teaching team working with Dorset County Council. Now my colleagues, who are all on teachers’ pay and conditions have finished and I’m left with no-one to manage. It’s not too bad – I am allowed to work from home during the summer and the end is in sight. I’ll receive my final salary and redundancy package on 30 August. With the end to a new position only one year after starting, it makes the anniversary something of a bitter-sweet event. Bitter owing to the end of a career in local government that I’ve loved and sweet due to the new beginnings it provides. I’ve secured part-time work with an educational charity to start in September and I’ve the MPhil in Writing to begin in October, so things are looking positive. A new start and studies that may lead to a new career.
My wedding anniversary falls in August but we’re long past the point of celebrating with cards and gifts. Indeed, this year we’ll be travelling to Edinburgh for a family holiday with our teenage children. I’ve visited the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh International Book Festival previously and enjoyed my time so much, I decided to return again with my family. I have tickets for a couple of events at the Book Festival including a session offered by Ronald Frame. He was a tutor at an Arvon course I attended in 2011 and he’s been wonderfully supportive of my writing. So it’ll be a pleasure to see him again, especially as he’ll be talking about his most recent book, Havisham (read a review here) which imagines the life of Catherine before she appears in Great Expectations. It’s well worth reading.
The anniversary that I’ve most enjoyed of late came at the weekend. We we unexpectedly offered tickets to attend the Anniversary Paralympics where Hannah Cockroft and David Weir won their races and Richard Whitehead amazed the crowds on his golden blades. The wonderful achievements of the athletes from 2012 was certainly an event worth celebrating.
Which anniversaries do you celebrate?
Here is my son seated in a popular restaurant chain recently opened in Dorchester’s Brewery Square. So, where did we eat last weekend? Look at the decor, look at the furniture. There are chairs where usually there are benches! There are cushions! There is no need to eat at a communal table. For me, something of the Wagamama experience is lost in this Dorset-ised version of the restaurant. Instead, next time we eat out, we may try another chain.
The days of hankering for a decent pizza are over with the arrival of:
If neither of those suit, you could always try:
Or when all else fails, there’s always:
I hardly know what to do with all this choice! Any one fancy fish and chips?
Anyone who has visited me in Dorchester, is likely to be familiar with this walk. It’s one that we take regularly owing to the proximity to our house. Only a little way down the hill lies the River Frome, the starting point for a circular walk.
We walk along the path, with the river on one side and water meadow on the other. Currently the farmer is busy making hay (probably silage is a better description).
Further along we come to the Blue Bridge, a landmark that can be seen from our bedroom window, and suitably assigned a plaque. Over on the river bank, children fish for tiddlers.
Walking through the fields we meet the animals: cows taking to the shade and sheep freshly sheared.
Where the path turns we head back towards the town and make a little detour.
We browse the old and the refurbished. We’re not quite sure what to make of this chair. I think it might be a rocket to reach outer space but in disguise.
Then there’s a strange looking duck swimming back towards our house. (At least this one has not found a home in our pond).
We walk by the allotments and admire the produce.
Only a little way further and we’re back at home.
Anyone fancy a walk through the fields?
the writer is a lonely hunter 
