My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
In a recent episode of Coronation Street, Cathy proposed marriage to widower Roy Cropper, who was so focused on Carla's post-wedding problems and the need to collect her in his car, that he brushed the would-be bride's pleas to one side. As Cathy moaned to her nephew Alex about what had happened, he tried to console her: …
A few days ago, I began reading a book which didn't immediately grab my attention. Like all readers, I encounter novels which work for me and some which don't. Even among novelists whose work I love, there are books which don't do it for me. Donna Tartt is a great example- I loved The Goldfinch and The …
Continue reading When to stop and when to read on until the bitter end?
I'd just been out with friends to The Star, my local pub, for a very lively evening and we came back home and chose a movie. What better than to settle down and watch 'Third Star'? We were all in the mood for a strong plot, with an actor who always delivers a fine performance, and the film has …
Continue reading Cumberbatch’s ‘Third Star’ left me startled
Last night, for about 45 minutes, Liverpool FC looked like they might just win the Europa League final against Sevilla after a world-class goal by Daniel Sturridge put them ahead. Then, as soon as the second half started, Sevilla came back with a real intention to make the game theirs and scored. The Liverpool players' …
Stephen King famously said 'Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.' He followed William Faulkner in this idea: in order to become the greatest writer you can be, you must get rid of all your self- indulgent passages and your precious, unfeasible characters for …
Continue reading On identifying the darlings and then killing them
So, here I am in the middle of rural Brittany, up a very vibey hill which has legends of elves and korrigans and spirits and all sorts. The wind is moaning and dark clouds hang. Someone has just taken a photo of someone else and they have come out twice on the picture, no gadgets …
Continue reading Up a hill in the middle of nowhere. What would you miss most?
David Mitchell's novel, The Bone Clocks, passed me by last year although several of my writer friends raved about it. But I am on a writer's quest to read even more widely than I used to. Everything is inspiration: popular novels, YA, book club novels, clever writing, predictable writing, and - above all - successful …
That quintessence of dust 