Athelstone

The BBC documentary gives the false impression (without actually saying so) that the moment that transmission broke off was the end of the Solomon Browne. That makes for an emotional moment in the programme, but was not the case, since it was seen afterwards. For what it’s worth, I believe that it suffered another violent impact with the Union…[Read more]

Truly terrifying conditions. I am sorry it was such a sad end for so many people.

Very well-told tale, Richard. Thank you.

Superb blog tinged with tragedy, and, as always told with clarity and sympathy. For all the improvements in hardware and technology, RNLI operations can still be phenomenally dangerous. Operating in those conditions, that close to shore… Reading the account reminded me of The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger (great book, but don’t bother with…[Read more]

Interesting. I think sometimes, ‘It’s not quite there yet’ can sound like an apology, when it’s actually the admittance of a mature (by which I mean you know yourself and your writing) author, who realises that something created in such a short space of time needs more work. I’ve done it myself!

But of course it takes time to build that…[Read more]

Excellent, Richard.

That should be IT didn’t disappoint!

Logged into the Den and saw that you’d written another of your fascinating blogs, Richard, so I went and made myself a cup of tea and settled down for a good read. I didn’t disappoint. Fascinating story and I must confess to having damp eyes at the end. You’ve got a real knack of telling these tales in an interesting and moving way. Thanks Jane

Phillippa: that sounds a very good attitude to develop,thanks.

Such an interesting thread, Sandra.

I think the most helpful advice I read on this theme was the point that it is not my job to judge whether my work is good or bad. Who am I to say whether someone else’s mind will or won’t be blown? That’s up to them.

My job as author is to write the damn piece to the very best of my ability, and then to put it…[Read more]

I realised that, when in the habit of being ready and willing to apologise, I was giving myself an excuses to fail.
Joining groups such as the Cloud, partaking in story challenges – stretching myself so as not to embarrass myself, judging my work against the very varied submissions of others, and trusting that my peers will give it the respect t…[Read more]

You have to blow your own trumpet, no-one is going to blow it for you.

Interesting. If I’m asking people for feedback and it’s the first time for us both, I try to signal that I know the piece of work isn’t perfect/finished and that I am genuinely hoping to be told what doesn’t work. Is that self-deprecating? I don’t think so. But I wouldn’t express doubts in a cover letter because it does beg the question as to why…[Read more]

Thanks, Giselle. You’d do well to duck.

I love this thread!

Richard, wow, brilliant writing. That disjointedness works so well.

Whenever I have to write violence I think of Silence of the Lambs, when you really don’t see/read that much, but the tension is huge. Lots of small suggestions can build on our inner fears.

Janeshuff, so happy that you’ve found the solution! Now, all you…[Read more]

The Book of Death

I’ve waited a long time to claim this one; lurking in shadows at each sniff of her foetid breath, or a glimpse that would transpire to be a rag in a tree. One day she would err, I knew it. Until now though, the loathsome hag had remained one move ahead, vanishing into the night before I reached the aftermath of her latest c…[Read more]