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RichardB replied to the topic Chaos and Catastrophe: Radstock, 1876 in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
There was, of course, no such thing as corporate manslaughter back then. But I did hear that after one Victorian accident (not this one) where the driver was charged with manslaughter, Punch published a cartoon showing a policeman collaring the driver and a director walking away, with the caption ‘Yes, you’ve got one. But you ought to have got…[Read more]
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Squidge replied to the topic Class 1: Writing exercise, Squidge in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoThanks both, especially for the kind words about how I currently write.
I do have very vivid dreams, which are full of this level of detail. Sometimes, they’re full of sensation too, but this one wasn’t – I was simply an observer in this one.
Why did it feel false to write? I think it was because I was consciously trying to make it ‘gorgeous’…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic The truth about – back then in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
I’m not sure. An I remember exercise about a particular relationship would be something of a curiosity I think. I enjoyed writing these short pieces because they helped me remember the taste of the time rather than focusing on every intense flavour.
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Daedalus replied to the topic Chaos and Catastrophe: Radstock, 1876 in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
With such a litany of abysmal systems, irresponsible staff and wayward practices, it’s a wonder that a lot more than fifteen people weren’t killed. Not that that’s any consolation. The people who ran the show ought to have gone to prison for a very long time
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Philippa East replied to the topic Bumbling Round the Citadel in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
Hah hah! Reading back, I think I maybe make it sound worse than it was. Despite all the tears and tantrums, it still felt like a privilege to sit down and create something with my words. I still knew this was what I wanted to do. Plus, I have a lovely agent who I knew would support me. At the time, it was all so new though, such a steep learning…[Read more]
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Class 1 Writing Exercise, Jane in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoThanks both. Very, very much appreciated.
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Class 1: Writing exercise, Squidge in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoI’m glad I don’t have your dreams Squidge. Having read a couple of your books I would say that even if you don’t ‘try’ to write gorgeous, a lot of your writing is. I’ve always loved the way you describe Tilda’s world. I wondered what it was about this that felt different and whether there was anything you learned from it that might spill over into…[Read more]
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Bella. in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoBrilliant, Bella. I hate custard too. It is the only thing I cannot eat. I remember standing over my mum while she wrote a letter to the school saying I didn’t have to eat it.
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Raine. in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoLovely I remember, Raine. So evocative. Reading everybody’s I remembers has really hammered home how much more important little authentic details are that overarching descriptions to bring a scene to life.
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Hilary in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoThat made me cry. Beautiful, Hil.
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Sea in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoAnd spark off similar memories for me!
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Sea in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoLovely, Sea. Amazing how little details conjure up the past.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Chaos and Catastrophe: Radstock, 1876 in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
It’s really hard to believe that somebody could send deliberately ridiculous/obstructive messages like Herbert John when lives were at stake (and I know he was only 18). That said, it’s a level of managerial incompetence and hubris that almost defies belief. Sadly, as the years go by it’s clear that more than cream floats to the top.
Another…[Read more]
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Squidge replied to the topic Class 1 Writing Exercise, Jane in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoDitto. And *hugs* from me, too x
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JaneShuff started the topic Class 1 Writing Exercise, Jane in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoI did the I remember about school. I am just posting because I did it but am feeling pretty rubbish about all things writing at the moment so would prefer no feedback.
I remember being taller than everyone else and fatter and spottier.
I remember the holes in my tights with blobs of nail varnish to stop the ladders growing.
I remember the band of…[Read more] -
Hilary replied to the topic Bumbling Round the Citadel in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
Thanks for sharing this, Philippa. What a journey!
And I would just like to add, for the record, that while Philippa was going through all this, and working (and crying) so hard, she has continued to be ever-generous in giving support and encouragement to others. Much appreciated. -
RichardB started the topic Chaos and Catastrophe: Radstock, 1876 in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
Railway accidents have many causes. Sometimes the fault is with the hardware: the signalling, the track, the trains themselves. More often one or more people make mistakes, through pressure of work, a moment’s lapse of concentration, or sheer negligence. But the Radstock collision of 1876 on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway was, fortunately,…[Read more]
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Squidge replied to the topic Bumbling Round the Citadel in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
Kudos for sticking with it all, Philippa – it sounds like it has really taken a toll over this year.
Looking forward very much to reading it – I am sure that it will be worth every bead of sweat, nibbled fingernail and tear shed.
And if it makes you feel better – Tilda’s just been published and even though we went through all the pages,…[Read more]
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Philippa East replied to the topic Bumbling Round the Citadel in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
Hah hah, yeah! Well, I suppose I could have not bothered reading the page proofs and just left it to the proof reader. But when I asked other authors, they all advised checking myself, saying I would KICK myself down the line if I spotted typos I could have caught! TBH though, I’ll take page proofs over structural edits any day!
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Squidge replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Sea in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 6 months agoLove it! It was Donny Osmond for me, but not for very long. Adam Ant pushed him out!
For I remember, I think we naturally turn to the most impactful memories – the really good or bad or unusual ones. I wonder if we tried to do a specifically ‘good’ version, how different it would be. Or how hard it would be to pick out those kind of memories?
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