Category Archives: Writing

To write you have to think. So this is the thing I did before writing about writing.

Simon Callow Shines At Portsmouth’s New Theatre Royal, 7th Feb 2012

One of the leading actors of his generation, Simon Callow has had a long and fruitful relationship with Charles Dickens, as his audience at The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth discovered, on 7th February 2012 – the 200th anniversary of Dickens’s … Continue reading

Posted in Banana Republic, Inspirations, Writing | Leave a comment

Charles Dickens: A Ball In Commemoration Of His Birth, Where It All Began, 6th February 2012

On a cold night on 6th February 1812, Mrs Elizabeth Dickens, heavy with child, attended a Naval ball, accompanied by her husband, John, at the Old Beneficial School building, Portsea. Not far from the high walls of the thriving dockyard, … Continue reading

Posted in Banana Republic, Inspirations, Writing | Leave a comment

Elaine Steel – The Life of the Literary Agent, Portsmouth Writer’s Hub February 1st 2012

On an icy night, through which numerous semi-clad students were wandering along Guildhall Walk, a group of 20 or so writers arrived at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth to hear literary agent Elaine Steel talk about the job of being … Continue reading

Posted in Writing | 2 Comments

The After-Effect of Paul McKenna – and Relearning Skills

The strange thing about having Paul McKenna hypnotise me to get me writing again was that my creative power was out of control. I had this unregulated emotion to write, which over the last 4 years I have been honing … Continue reading

Posted in Inspirations, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

And The Next Version Of The Cover For The Tourist – by Matt Wingett

Well, now I am a little tired of all the re-designs I’ve made for this cover, so this is going to be the last one. Having had to replicate a series of effects I had done on an earlier image, … Continue reading

Posted in Banana Republic, Inspirations, Writing | Leave a comment

A slightly changed cover for The Tourist – Portsmouth Gothic story

So friend of mine, David Saunderson of The Spooky Isles, suggested that the cover for The Tourist needs to be darker and more atmospheric.  So this is what I’ve done with the image. You are welcome to let me know … Continue reading

Posted in Banana Republic, Inspirations, Writing | Leave a comment

A Cover for The Tourist – A Portsmouth Horror Story

Below you’ll find the provisional front cover of my latest e-book – The Tourist. This is a freebie that I’m giving away, and is a ghost story set around Portchester Castle. I found the engraving in a pile of pictures … Continue reading

Posted in Banana Republic, Inspirations, Uncategorized, Writing | Leave a comment

A New Southsea Gothic Story – First Draft

Below is the first draft of the opening to a story provisionally entitled “The Snow Witch” I am writing.  Will let youknow how it goes! The Snow Witch The musician blows in one winter night, as the weather is at … Continue reading

Posted in Banana Republic, Writing | Leave a comment

The Arts Council – Your Local Artistic Banker? – Portsmouth Writer Hub January 11th 2012

On Wednesday January 11th, Portsmouth Writer Hub at The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth was visited by John Prebble, from the Arts Council South East, to talk about that “strange, confusing beast” (as one writer put it) – Arts Council Funding . … Continue reading

Posted in Writing | 4 Comments

Matt Wingett In Interview With The English Sisters

So, today I had an interview with Violetta and Jutka Zuggo, aka the English Sisters – a pair of charming women who use their hypnosis and NLP skills to teach English, and are passionate hypno-babes. It was great fun, with … Continue reading

Posted in Banana Republic, Writing | 2 Comments