I'm back

It's been a hard few months for me with a lot of personal issues going in my life. They are not over but it's time to start the writing game again. The nights are starting to draw in and there's a distinct nip in the air of an evening so the laptop is out, the ideas are there, now just need to get something down and written.

Thanks for your support - keep coming back.

Chris

Dark Poetry - just drops out of the 20,000 - a sad day

Sadly recent sales haven't been great - I haven't done much promo I must admit. So it's now at 20,111 in Lulu chart. Never mind - must keep on with the other projects!

VRWG March Meeting

Another packed meeting - I lost count at 24 attendees! I think the time is fast approaching for a second mid-month meetign to take off.

Marian gave us an interesting exercise. First liners from books. Aim was to continue the story from the first line. Of course there was the inevitable trying to guess what book the first line came from. I'm not sure if any of us got any of them!

Bob's started yet another book!

Anyway here's a weird picture to inspire your writing!

VRWG February meeting

A good turn out despite the cold weather. This month's meeting was a week later than usual due to the atrocious weather last week.

Deb shared her dilemma over the free print on demand publishing of her novel. Does it really count if it's POD and not been through a publisher's editing process? A few different opinions here. Personally, I think it all counts if it's a method of getting your work out on the street! (other opinions are available!).

Congratulations to Tonia who has had a poem published in Orbis magazine. She advises that we might consider sticking to our guns when it comes to editorial input. I think she feels a little disappointed at losing some of her voice in the poem. Nevertheless congratulations again!

Polly set us an exercise with a loose Valentine's theme that involved a 60-year old photograph and started "Today....". Some great variations and some real wrist-slitting morbidity was produced in the next ten minutes!

Good mixed bag of readings tonight - Bob has finished yet another novel!

Welcome to the new members and do keep coming back!

Here's some wise words from Stephen King.....

Follow this blog more easily!

I know (I think) that there are a few people out there who regularly take a few mins to look at this blog (please keep doing so!) - it's now even easier to do by clicking on the Follow This Blog link at the top right of this page. Keep watching and do leave comments, good or bad!

VRWG Feb meeting hit by snow!

Yep it's been a bit snowy today so we've all decided it would be best to stay at home by the fire and do some writing there instead (oh really?).

Well I suggested that the two+ hours freed up by the flurry of the white stuff could be used for some productive output. So I put my own words into action and have continued on production of my non-fiction CW exercise book. I'm trying to do 20-30 minutes a day on it and it is starting (just) to take some sort of shape. Still expect it to be a few months yet thought before the real editing starts!

Anyway here's a picture of a bird that visited the garden this morning for some seed!

VRWG AGM

Well last night was the first AGM of the VRWG held at the Blue Cap.

We managed to get a quorum (just) and worked our way through the agenda without there being any fights, tantrums or pen throwing.

Bob did the hard work putting it all together.

The Exec committe stood down and got re-voted back in again (funny how there weren't any other people desperate to stand - especially for Treasurer!)

After the AGM we had a Management meeting to discuss some group "stuff". We all agreed we'd had a reasonably busy year and were looking forward to the 09 events coming up.

VRWG January Meeting

Well it was a cold one by anyone's standards and despite the emails coming thick and fast in the afternoon bowing out there were still ten brave souls who weren't put off by a bit of frost!

I gave everyone the task of creating 10 New Year "Un"Resolutions - things we won't be doing. Some were very amusing.

Welcome to two new members John and Les. Les gave a duet reading with Lorraine that certainly kept us all amused and intrigued and we hope to hear more from them next time.

Thought we might have ended early but with Paul's autobiographical exploits and Roger's reading we went the whole hog to 9:30. Here's hoping the weather is a bit better next month.

Well here's a turn up for the books - the wonders of Google search

I did a quick search for myself today (as you do!) and amazingly my blog was quoted on a very intersting site called My Poo is not as Dark as it Usually is!

Now I don't know if that's meant as a comment about the blog in general or whether they have random blogs highlighted on their site.

In case you have the need to make a similar statement you can see the site at:

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellmix360/My-poo-is-not-as-dark-as-it-usually-is

it's actually quite interesting!

Another year starts - so what happened last year then?

Well I didn't get published as such in 2008 anyway!

I did enter some competitions -which I didn't win.

I did go on some creative writing days - which were good fun and very inspiring.

I did do one stand up open mike slot at VRWG Winter Words - which was also good fun.

I did do more writing - but not enough.

I didn't finish my sitcom project - but plan to do so soon.

I did start more walking which gives good writing thinking time.

So for the coming year, a bit of a change - this blog is now going to be specifically writing related only. My walking exploits are now transferred to another blog http://chamonix2009.blogspot.com/ which will be used to follow the exploits of getting ready for the Alps walk in the summer. Please do visit it to see what I'm up to.

I toyed with the idea of changing the blog template for 2009 but I quite like the green so I'm going to leave it alone except of course for the small adjustment in the title to 2009.

Hope everyone who reads this gets something from it and please feel free to pass comment in the coming year.

Happy writing in 2009!

Writing inspiration in the Peak District

Fantastic morning out walking today with Martin. The weather at home was cold and foggy and quite miserable. As soon as we got the other side of the Peaks to Buxton, the fog cleared and it was magnificent sunshine!

Great 3 hour walk around and up Shining Tor starting from the car park at Errwood Reservoir in the Goyt Valley.

Fabulous sunshine, some wild grouse and some fantastic icicle formations (see the pics).

Afterwards lunch at the Rose and Crown near Wincle (it was dead - only us there!).

And did the morning inspire me to write? Absolutely! Cleared the head and made me start to plan the upcoming year.

Lots of pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/ShiningTorGoytValleyNrBuxton?feat=directlink

VRWG Xmas Dinner 2008

Well the Bluecap came up with quite a decent meal and just as we were tucking in to the coffee and mince pies we found out there was a quiz in the pub! We split into three teams and pretty much all of us did rubbish - despite various efforts to cheat! Still it added to the fun atmosphere.



Despite my having had a works Xmas lunch on the same day I did manage to get through my three courses!

Hope everyone has a good holiday and Christmas - pictures of the night at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/VRWGXmasDinner?feat=directlink

VRWG Writing Workshops 2009

Vale Royal Writers Group – Writing Workshops 2009

With assistance from a grant from the Vale Royal Arts Council, VRWG will be running a series of writing workshops in 2009 with professional tutors covering a range of topics related to prose writing.

So whether you’re a novelist, short story writer, non-fiction writer there’s going to be something to improve and inspire your writing talent.

First workshop on Saturday morning 7th March at the Salt Museum, Northwich.

Presenter will be Stephen May, tutor at Arvon, author of “Tag” and “Teach Yourself
Creative Writing” and creator of storylines on Emmerdale.

Topic to be confirmed – expected to cover a general writing topic.

Cost to be confirmed – expected < £12.00. Places limited.

For more information or to book a place contact goughchris@hotmail.com or bob.barker@btinternet.com or http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/vrwg/

To check out Stephen’s work see his website www.stephen-may.com

VRWG Winter Words - great success!!

Fantastic night last night. Over 50 writers enjoyed the VRWG Winter Words fest at the Blue Cap.

Many of the VRWG members shared their wise and witty winter dittys alongside the guest poets and story tellers.

Raised over £50 for GOES charity.

Won a signed copy of "Long Way Down" - Ewan MacGregor and Co. in the raffle (great TV series).

Yours Truly performed a new piece "Best Xmas Ever" and brought out one of my favourites from Dark Tales - Xmas Comes Early.

Lots of pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8VpPKoxq46EUEPCohYTobQ

VRWG December Meeting

Another busy meeting. Paul gave us an exercise about an inept guy named Danny who's sad story we had to either continue or chnge his luck. In my story he died!
More new people came today - 2008 has been an incredible year of growth with lots of new members joining and becoming a real part of the writing "family".

More talk of the workshops in the new year. Opportunities for he Salt Museum as a location and several potential presenters.

Also confirmation that all is ready for the Winter's Words next week - for those that don't know, we're putting on an evening of story telling and poetry next Tuesday 9th Dec at the Bluecap pub in Sandiway. Do try to get there - starts 7:30ish - bring your own story for the open mike slots.

Some good reading tonight - people working on real novels!

Xmas dinner on 18th at Bluecap again.

Next meeting is first Monday in Jan.

See more at the VRWG link on the right.

Where have you been Mr Gough?

Yes I've even had complaints about my absence! Don't know what's been wrong with me the last month but just couldn't seem to put my fingers on the keyboard to get something down. Haven't sold anything on ebay. Haven't sold any books. Haven't got anything published- in fact had two rejections! Haven't even had any walking exploits this month.

A whole month it's pretty bad - but I'm back and there's lots of news to catch up on so check out the new exciting posts. Keep those comments coming else I won't know you're out there and I'll think I'm talking to myself (again!)

VRWG St Deniol's Writing Day - Nov 08

T'was one of the foggiest days of the year so far this year, and one of the coldest when the brave boys and girls of the VRWG hit St Deniol's library in Hawarden for a day of writing frolics.

Fourteen souls took to the lecture room on Saturday morning not all daunted by the five sessions of writing planned out for the day.

Polly kicked us off with music,some fruity bits and a sneaky smell of a bag in a mysterious black box! An exercise designed to get us to think about using our senses in our writing, and it did!

Mark gave us inspiration by prompting us to script an apology from a politician. Bob's had us rolling in stitches and we are trying to persuade him to perform it at the upcoming Winter Words event.

Lunch gave us opportunity for a wander round the library and the grounds and to sit in peace just reading the paper.

Bob kicked off the afternoon with a slightly more formal structure letting us look at stories from the point of the protagonist's journey and then buildign out from that - very interesting, I got the plan for a ew novel down!

Bill brought us back down to earth with dialogue tennis. Working in pairs to write realistic dialogue against a scenario set by him. Fine when both parties had the same scenario - but I'm sure you can imagine the hilarity when the scenes were mixed up!

Christine finished us off (not quite literally) with inspiration from a piucture of Gladstone's bag - we had to think of six items we'd put in it. One of my favourite sessions - wrote a poem in this session which I think has legs.

Come 5pm the writing hand was aching and the brain was buzzing but a great day was had by all and we all want to go back and do it all again next year.

More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/VRWGStDeniolSDay291108#

VRWG Meeting November 2008

A very busy meeting this month. Organisation for the upcoming poems and prose night next month and a name is still needed!

Also talk of the St Deniol writing day at the end of the month.

As usual some good reading.

Return to Ludd's Church (a long time past!)

I remember visiting Ludd's Church when I was at school. It's an open cave in the Peak District near to the Roaches. Something to do with the Reformation and having to go to Mass in secret (history was never my strong point!). You can go to http://www.bosleyco.org.uk/Ludds(~1.htm

to read the legend of the church.

Anyway, I went there again last Saturday with Martin and the two Marks for a morning walk. Got a bit rainy half way round but that made the pub lunch taste that much better. The atmosphere in the church was damp and a bit spooky especially if you stayed there alone for a few minutes. Gave me a couple of new ideas for a short story (see there is always a link to writing!).

Also wandered by Hanging Rock and you can see the Roaches from the lower path. We parked at Wincle and had lunch at the Ship - well recommeded baguettes! (and beer).

Lots of pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/WincleLuddSChurchWalking251008#

and some nice tourists have actually made a video and put it on Youtube so here it is http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JrDZM8Ar45M

I'm on Live For The Outdoors website!

A few months ago you might recall I sent off a perfect moment to Country Walking magazine (prize was a pair of socks!), well I didn't win any socks but they have put my entry on the website.

Follow the link to see it:

http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/Community-Landing/Media/Media-Gallery-Detail/?mediaItemId=11503

Dark Tales climbing high!

Now up to 16,935 - thanks for all your support!

Writing Business Cards - for that professional look!

I've had some business cards made as my writing calling card. I used one of these "free" services off the internet. It wasn't quite free but it was only £3.80 for 250 cards so that's not bad really. I used http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/ there are lots of templates to choose from. Makes me smile every time I hand one out!!!

Dark Poetry breaks 20,000!!!!!!!!!

In fact it's broken 18,000 as well. I needed to buy a few more as Borders have taken some copies. Now looking to 15,000 as the next target. Just need to keep selling them (oh is that all Mr Gough?!)

Dark Poetry Dark Tales - now available from Borders!

Yes, Borders at Cheshire Oaks have taken my book on a sale or return basis. If you're in there please buy a copy and then they will keep taking more!

Baslow walking - but where's Nigel?

Yesterday I took the weary writing brain out for a windy blow in the Peak District with some of the usual suspects. Martin planned a circular walk around the Baslow area (nr Bakewell), across Curbar Edge and back again along the River Derwent.

Martin, Steve and I set off in the morning with the aim to meet Mark C at lunchtime half way round.

Of course, Nigel was supposed to be there as well, but as he looked out from his warm duvet that morning (35 miles from the walk area) he noticed two drops of rain fall within a few minutes of one another and realised that there was going to be such a torrential pour down that he'd better stay at home, so he did! Needless to say that is going to be brought up on many occasions in times to come!

Pretty decent walk and a bit Mr Kipling windy along the Edge itself. We also decided to ignore the warnings of "some excessive boggy areas there be this way" and made the pleasant discovery that my boots were in fact seriously waterproof (thankfully).

The old knees gave me some gip again but as it wasn't as far or as steep as the Lakes walk a few weeks ago, I got through the pain (ibruprofen helped also!).

We didn't really get lost either - after the Lakes there was more than a hint of caution (paranoia) in making sure the path was the right one (and if it felt wrong we checked it again - and again!). Took the satnav out of the car and although there are no walker's map on it at least we were able to check our position - and it worked!

Here's a tip - if you buy a camelback waterpack for your rucsac, make sure you wash it and rinse it through lots of times before taking it out on the hills - the plastic taste is absolutely disgusting!!!

Lots of pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/BaslowWalking41008#

I've bought a satnav!

I finally cracked. Last week I went to Cardiff and despite having all the route instructions and local road maps I still managed not to find the Cardiff International Arena! You'd have thought it would have been shown on those lovely brown tourist hotspot signposts, but no, it wasn't. Took me an hour of messing about ! So, on the way out I stopped in Halfords and picked up a Garmin.

Now, those of you who hav ebought my book will know that there is a short story in there about a SatNav unit. I really hope I don't end up like the poor chap in that story! Read it yourself to see why I resisted for so long.

Making the most of the sun!

Caught some of the rays yesterday by sitting in the garden (first time I've actually done this in the whole of 2008!) and read some more of Stephen King's On Writing book - I'd highly recommend it for all writers as it cuts through a lot of the educational guff around writing and just encourages you to get on with it.

So I better had!

Dark Tales still climbing!

Now at 21,162! So close to the 20,000!

Happy Birthday Martin - great golfing morning!

It's been almost two years since I picked up a golf club (in Dublin in fact on a Boy's Weekend), so it was with some trepidation that I accepted an invite to play today to celebrate Martin's 46th birthday.

My old clubs have been wrapped up away in the loft for years now and I know when I put them away they needed cleaning and the shafts had gone rusty so who knows what they would have been like now! Anyway Argos had a sale on and I got a full set for a bargain price!

Dragged the old golf shoes out of the wardrobe (they were still in the box - worn once and the receipt said 28-8-91, before even my daughters were born!), found some balls and a glove and headed off. And a very civilised affair it was too. Coffee, cake, biscuits, cheese, pork pie, crackers, wine and port were quaffed at various stopping points around the course and I found that I played a lot better after the port!

Fantastic morning and the fleece was off after a few holes, could have done with suntan lotion really!

What was the tally? Squared it with Martin and lost 50p to Mike, got one oozle, lost three balls, found three balls, but lost my bloomin' sunglasses!

Lovely action I'm sure you will agree!

More photos (including Martin's special bunker shots!) at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/GolfOnMartinSBirthday#5248122958096824322

Dark Poetry, Dark Tales hits new heights - literally!

Dark Poetry has had it's first recital at altitude! My mate (?) Martin bought a copy a couple of weeks ago and took it with him to our Lakes weekend. At lunchtime half way up a mountain, he dragged it out of his rucsac and gave a rendition of the Xmas Comes Early poem!

Here he is with Mark clearly both enjoying the quality of the work!