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Small World Syndrome – Introducing Helen Matthews – Part 1

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Image Credits:  Many thanks to Helen Matthews for supplying author and book cover images. Other photos created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.

Most of us have experienced small world syndrome when you re-meet someone you haven’t met for ages or discover the person who is sitting next to you at the cafe (now possible but suitably distanced of course!) went to the same primary school you did thirty odd years ago.

Recently this has happened again to me.

I first met Helen Matthews, novelist and short story writer, at the Hursley Park Book Fair as her table was near mine and we got chatting.

I’ve also met her at the Winchester Writers’ Festival. And now I’ve re-met her thanks to a Twitter group – #writingchat. This is on every Wednesday night between 8 and 9 pm where writers get together online and chat about a range of topics. We also share experiences and tips (including sometimes on what not to do). It is a friendly place to “hang out” and I always learn something useful from the discussions. (And it is wonderful being able to share with other writers the frustrations as well as the joys of the writing life).

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 124)

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No Church on Christmas Day; fears for 1967; a wretched rabbit; a new washing machine; unaccustomed boredom; thank goodness for Mrs Hillier; an adorable bundle; a party in Bushey; a new bicycle; a driving test passed; a long session of tiddlywinks, and an anniversary.

It is Christmas Eve, 1966.  The Brenan family arrives at The Ridge for the festivities and, Julian and I, the two older grandchildren, Gran writes, “…came, bringing their little half-sister, Fiona, and Julian took them, Katherine and Fiona, to the Lake before lunch”.

Christmas Day at The Ridge passes as usual, with presents passed out round the tree after breakfast, preparation and enjoyment of the dinner (no doubt with the traditional Woodpecker cider), and enjoyment of the grandchildren’s antics.  Tradition, though, is broken uncomfortably for the first time since Gran began her journal, twenty years earlier, Gran writing of the day: “…I was sorry not to be able to start it by going to Church.  With an invalid and the family to look after I just could not get away”.

A Christmas Day tradition at The Ridge – and just about the only alcohol ever consumed there.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 124)

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 92)

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Discomfort and Badgers; a Cousin visits; standing for the Queen; the challenge of thistles; ashamed of depression – but painting helps; a holiday is long overdue; Marsh Tit and Hamster observations; Jane in Edinburgh; standing for Vaughan-Williams, and “Man should not trespass”.

“This evening”, Gran writes on a dry St Swithun’s Day, July 15th 1958, “brought today’s main interest, for, after working at Fowler’s this afternoon I went up to Bassett to have tea with Mrs Eagle, with whom I was going to watch Badgers at Lordswood… for I had yet to see my first Badger.” [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 92)

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Story Analysis – Why Bother?

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Does it seem like an odd thing to do for a writer to regularly analyze stories? Does it take the joy out of reading? I suspect many an English Literature student, at whatever level, may well say yes to that, but I feel that would be a shame. It certainly isn’t the point of analysis. [Read more…] about Story Analysis – Why Bother?

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The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Ben Williams

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Since I was very young Blackadder has been my favourite comedy show. The antics of the various members of the Blackadder family throughout history is one of Britain’s best loved comedies and for good reason.

The latest Chameleon Theatre production brought to life the show’s most beloved series – Blackadder Goes Forth, which sees Captain Edmund Blackadder desperate to escape the trenches of World War One. [Read more…] about The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Ben Williams

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Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 64)

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One that got away; enjoying Barry’s and Julian’s company before they leave the district; quiet reflections in Compton Church; goodbye Mary Robinson; news of a tragedy; another wedding, and a hedgehog knocks over a milk bottle.

Jane encourages Gran, dogged this day and regularly at fortnightly intervals, by her debilitating headaches, to accompany her on a walk along the Itchen, downstream from Brambridge, on the evening of August 16th 1954.  Few people are about, apart from a lone fisherman and a single dog-walker. A Kingfisher flashes past, and a family of Mute Swans is on the water.  Gran and Jane observe the fisherman, whom they saw: [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 64)

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The Benefits of a Good Writing Conference

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Image Credit:  A very big thank you to Geoff Parkes for kind permission to use some of his photos from the recent Swanwick Writers’ Summer School.

Why should writers get to a good writing conference if they can and not just the once?

The obvious benefits are learning new skills, how to improve those you already have, or both, from a wide range of speakers. You literally tap their knowledge and experience and apply it to your own writing. If you need to know more about editing, you go and listen to top tips from an editor working widely in the industry etc. [Read more…] about The Benefits of a Good Writing Conference

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Authors Reach Update – Allison Symes with Richard Hardie

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One of the problems facing writers with books out there is how to promote your books. A lot depends on what budgets you have (and on the time you’re willing to commit to this. Marketing work gobbles up a lot of time and this shouldn’t be underestimated).

With self-publishing being so more readily accessible and acceptable, how does an individual author make themselves heard? Sometimes the answer is to be part of a larger group of writers. What happens here is that the writers “cross-pollinate” the other authors in their group in terms of publicity and the end result is you reach more people than if you were going it alone. The Book Fair held in Chandler’s Ford last year is a good example of writers being able to hold an event at all because there were several of us involved. [Read more…] about Authors Reach Update – Allison Symes with Richard Hardie

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The Frustrations of Publishing

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There are few authors who don’t know about the frustration of getting their work out there. Also, even fewer make their living “just” via their books (as regular surveys by the Society of Authors make depressingly clear).

George Orwell made a significant amount of his living via book reviewing. The benefits of his creations passing into the English language as shorthand, sadly, were not realised by him directly. I’ll be returning to my 101 Things to Put into Room 101 (which is loosely based on his creation of Room 101 in 1984) in a few weeks’ time. You don’t want all my moans at once! [Read more…] about The Frustrations of Publishing

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Review: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chameleon Theatre Chandler’s Ford – January 2018

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By Geoff Dodsworth

I should begin by explaining that the regular contributors who normally write these articles were unavailable on this occasion and consequently we were asked if we would write the review ourselves. I volunteered as I had had no involvement in this Pantomime, apart from watching it as a member of the Front of House Staff for the last three performances so hopefully my review will be objective. I have also attempted to follow the style of the previous articles which has been to describe rather than criticise. [Read more…] about Review: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chameleon Theatre Chandler’s Ford – January 2018

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Hunting Out a Career in Crime Fiction – Allison Symes interviews Val Penny

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I met Val Penny at the same Swanwick Summer Writers’ School as when I met Jennifer C Wilson, who I interviewed last year over her paranormal historic fiction.

Val saw one lost looking author (me!) wondering which way to turn out of Derby Railway Station to find the coach to go to Swanwick and promptly took me under her wing! [Read more…] about Hunting Out a Career in Crime Fiction – Allison Symes interviews Val Penny

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The Poetic Life: Sharing the Muse – Sandra Gordon

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Last week’s interview into the poetic life with successful local poet, Sandra Gordon, showed her sharing her thoughts about poetry and naming some of her favourite modern and classic poets.

I loved discovering the Poetry Foundation website as I researched some of those Sandra named.  I hope to make great use of this given the site gives biographies of poets and shares samples of their works. It could be a great place to go to if you wanted to read more of a poet’s work but weren’t sure where to begin.  The Poetry Society website is also full of useful information. [Read more…] about The Poetic Life: Sharing the Muse – Sandra Gordon

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The Poetic Life: Interview with Sandra Gordon, Part 1

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Sandra Gordon, near neighbour and local poet, has recently performed some of her poetry at the New Forest Folk Festival as part of the Lines and Squares Poets.

She has also received the exciting news her work will be published in The North magazine in July. [Read more…] about The Poetic Life: Interview with Sandra Gordon, Part 1

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Interview: Jacci Gooding – The Writing Life

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Further to my interview with Jacci Gooding last week which focused on her adventures in self publishing, this post now looks at Jacci’s writing life.

She also reveals what she looks for in a good story as she prepares to launch her own short story collection, A Collection of Unsettling Short Stories.  The anthology will be available as an ebook, as a paperback and in audio formats. [Read more…] about Interview: Jacci Gooding – The Writing Life

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Interview: Jacci Gooding – Adventures in Self Publishing

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One of the things I love about writing for Chandler’s Ford Today has been the chance to interview fellow authors, to share news from the publishing world and so on.

Today I talk to Jacci Gooding, who I met at the Winchester Writers’ Festival. As well as learning a great deal from talks at conferences like this one, the other big joy has been making friends with other writers and knowing you are not alone out there. Mike Sedgwick touched on this theme recently with his post about the Secret Lives of Chandler’s Ford anthology. [Read more…] about Interview: Jacci Gooding – Adventures in Self Publishing

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Review of Aladdin by Chameleon Theatre Company

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My husband and I went to see Aladdin, by Nigel Holmes, performed by the Chameleon Theatre Company at Ritchie Memorial Hall last Saturday.

I bumped into my neighbours at the hall. “How many are you here?” I asked.

“15!” [Read more…] about Review of Aladdin by Chameleon Theatre Company

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Top 10 Reasons to Love Books

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I have loved books, especially fiction, since I was very young.

My mother taught me how to read but was told off for it by teachers when I started school because she hadn’t done it in the correct way. I think these days she’d probably be given a medal. Mind, with all the issues in the news recently, I sometimes wonder how any of us of a certain age ever made it through the 1970s! [Read more…] about Top 10 Reasons to Love Books

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Author, Publisher, Reader – A Golden Thread

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It is said that everyone has a book in them. Some will write one and a few will even publish.

Publishing is changing fast but the constant among the changes is preservation of the magical golden thread that connects the imagination of the writer to the mind of the reader. [Read more…] about Author, Publisher, Reader – A Golden Thread

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Build a Community We Are Proud of: Fryern Funtasia 4th May 2015

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Hundreds of people indulged in a great day at the fourth Fryern Funtasia this afternoon at Fryern Recreation Ground.

Fryern Funtasia is a community-led event organised by local volunteers and local businesses, with support from Chandler’s Ford Parish Council.

Fryern Funtasia is a fusion of village fete with funfair atmosphere: [Read more…] about Build a Community We Are Proud of: Fryern Funtasia 4th May 2015

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Review: Fawlty Towers by Chameleon Theatre Company

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Wednesday was the first showing of the Chameleon Theatre Company’s Fawlty Towers.

I got to see it on Tuesday night at a free “press screening” and a special night to entertain the elderly from our local nursing homes in Chandler’s Ford.

Here is my review of the show. [Read more…] about Review: Fawlty Towers by Chameleon Theatre Company

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