Great First Lines

Great First Lines

I went to my third meeting of Corsham Writers on Thursday. The theme was first lines. Jeff produced a list of famous novel openings, which we took it in turns to read out. Then everyone commented. I can’t remember what they all were now. I’ve just googled great novel...
Prologues, what’s wrong with them?

Prologues, what’s wrong with them?

One of our friends picked up a copy of Fire and Earth from my stall at our village Christmas fete. She opened it and said, “oh a prologue! The ladies in our reading group don’t like prologues!” The wonderful Frankie Howard always started his TV comedy Up Pompeii with...
Progress with Baby Steps

Progress with Baby Steps

When I got out of bed yesterday, my back went. It’s my own fault, I haven’t been doing my exercises as religiously as I should. I had severe back pain, probably around ten years ago. The timing was terrible, we were on a short break in Salamanca. It’s a wonderful...
Weald, Words, Scullery, and Buttery

Weald, Words, Scullery, and Buttery

Words are now the tools of my trade, so they interest me. Claire and I visited the Weald and Downland Living Museum on Sunday, with our friends Angie and Frank. The museum was fabulous. It was wonderful seeing how people lived in Tudor times. I undertake a lot of...
Can Britain Be Great Again?

Can Britain Be Great Again?

Great Britain is the name for the island that comprises England, Wales, and Scotland. That’s why we used to compete in the Ryder Cup as Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It includes smaller islands such as the Isle of Wight, but not the Channel Islands. Having...