The one thing I really really miss is writing about novels, poetry and prose; analysing them and writing comment about them. Does that make me sad? well yes it does at least in the sense of sorry I don't get so much opportunity these days, if not in the sense of 'what a geek!' So.... I have decided to analyse and critique various novels and things on this blog.
My own favourites are the novels of the nineteenth century, but I have analysed a lot more besides with my various students over the years, but that is all. I don't get the chance to write about them. If anyone has any suggestions about what they would like to see, then please feel free to bring them up. In the meantime, I will start re-reading my favourite books and let you have some literary criticism on them. (Can one say that, oh well I suppose it's too late, as I already have!)
My first novel will be Sense and Sensibility, the lovely story of Elinor and her, slightly crazy, sister Marianne who both look for love, find it and treat it, and indeed, are treated by it, in very different ways. Marianne who is wild and passionate is finally, and nearly fatally, tamed by a horrendous illness that sees her personality changed. Her wild love for an unsuitable young man, who deceives her in the worst possible way, gives way to a far more sensible and mature love for an older man. My question here is, is youth bad for love? Do the characters have to experience wild and, blatant disregard for society, before they can sensibly settle into a married life which society finds acceptable?
Find out in my next blog when I will give my viewpoint on the whole matter of Austen's kind of love.
Pauline
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Not written a thing!
It's that time of year when the students are pulling me all ways, not literally you understand! The last two weeks of cramming for the Os and A levels has started. I'm indulging in lots of literary activity, but sadly it's not my own. Still after this period is over, I should be in a position to continue the novel and take up with Barbara, Agnes and Euphame once more.
I have to say though it was lovely to be asked to help with an essay on Jane Eyre this morning and, similarly, to revisit Sense and Sensibility with an A level student last week. It felt like a sort of 'coming home', how sad is that? It really was going back to my comfort zone (odd given that before 2001, I would have run a mile from analysing and writing about any of this 'stuff'). It also made me realise just how much I had actually learned at university, particularly during my Master's degree. See... not at all wasted!
Still the ideas for the continuing story of the witch trials are flying around my head. This will be boosted by a trip to Edinburgh and Haddington in about two weeks, when I hope to complete the research and fill in some gaps. (Note to self; when writing a historical novel, next time choose somewhere a little closer to home!)
There we are, watch this space for more updates on the trials. I now have blogger on my iphone, if only I could get it to work!
I have to say though it was lovely to be asked to help with an essay on Jane Eyre this morning and, similarly, to revisit Sense and Sensibility with an A level student last week. It felt like a sort of 'coming home', how sad is that? It really was going back to my comfort zone (odd given that before 2001, I would have run a mile from analysing and writing about any of this 'stuff'). It also made me realise just how much I had actually learned at university, particularly during my Master's degree. See... not at all wasted!
Still the ideas for the continuing story of the witch trials are flying around my head. This will be boosted by a trip to Edinburgh and Haddington in about two weeks, when I hope to complete the research and fill in some gaps. (Note to self; when writing a historical novel, next time choose somewhere a little closer to home!)
There we are, watch this space for more updates on the trials. I now have blogger on my iphone, if only I could get it to work!
Thursday, 3 May 2012
recommended read
Further to my comments on 'The Gallows Curse' recently, I would like to recommend another stonking read to you.
I've not read a Martina Cole novel before, but when he left, my eldest nephew left a novel of hers on the shelf. It's sat there looking at me for some time, and beckoning; yes I do believe that some books do beckon to one. Well, it beckoned long enough and eventually I picked it up. WOW! amazing book, the story just feels so real, as though one is part of the nightmare. The Grantley Ripper wreaks havoc in the sleepy town of Grantley, attacking, raping and murdering innocent women, who, in his warped mind, are all whores.
It's a fairly graphic book, but, and this really does not sound right, it was highly enjoyable. Of course there is the inevitable, and highly unlikely, love story running through it, but this does not detract from the full horror of the 'Ripper's' reign of terror.
I'm going to try another Cole novel at some point in the future, so look back to see what I recommend next time.
For those of you wanting an update on the my own novel, well I have to confess that progress has been slow. Unfortunately, I have to earn a living of sorts which restricts the amount of time I can actually spend writing to the degree that I've really not written very much recently. Having several jobs is very time consuming and rather inconvenient. Never mind the novel is still there, and I will work on it in depth as soon as I am able.
thanks for reading
Pauline
I've not read a Martina Cole novel before, but when he left, my eldest nephew left a novel of hers on the shelf. It's sat there looking at me for some time, and beckoning; yes I do believe that some books do beckon to one. Well, it beckoned long enough and eventually I picked it up. WOW! amazing book, the story just feels so real, as though one is part of the nightmare. The Grantley Ripper wreaks havoc in the sleepy town of Grantley, attacking, raping and murdering innocent women, who, in his warped mind, are all whores.
It's a fairly graphic book, but, and this really does not sound right, it was highly enjoyable. Of course there is the inevitable, and highly unlikely, love story running through it, but this does not detract from the full horror of the 'Ripper's' reign of terror.
I'm going to try another Cole novel at some point in the future, so look back to see what I recommend next time.
For those of you wanting an update on the my own novel, well I have to confess that progress has been slow. Unfortunately, I have to earn a living of sorts which restricts the amount of time I can actually spend writing to the degree that I've really not written very much recently. Having several jobs is very time consuming and rather inconvenient. Never mind the novel is still there, and I will work on it in depth as soon as I am able.
thanks for reading
Pauline
Writing Lines
Following a recent blog by my husband's cousin, who is currently writing a play, I thought I would join in this interesting new way to blog one's work.
Go to page 77 of your novel, or work in progress, go to line seven then copy and paste the next seven lines into your blog. ~Then tag seven new writers. I don't know if this is cheating or not, but I'm using the same seven writers as cousin Lyndsey. so here goes.
The Uninspired Chronicles
The Write Transition
Tommy Scouse
Norfolk Novelist
Go to page 77 of your novel, or work in progress, go to line seven then copy and paste the next seven lines into your blog. ~Then tag seven new writers. I don't know if this is cheating or not, but I'm using the same seven writers as cousin Lyndsey. so here goes.
Agnes raised her head; her jaw jutting
in defiance. ‘My lord, I did not seek
destruction of David Seton, it is he who seeks destruction of Mistress
MacCalzean and of my lord Bothwell,’ for a moment her eyes lit up as she vented
her venom for Seton. Rising painfully
from her seat she raised her voice as much as she could; she almost spat at
Huntly, ‘it is he who seeks destruction of me,’ she hissed through gritted teeth
then sank back down as though the effort had drained her of her last vestage of
energy. The people in the courtroom
gasped collectively and the caterwauling recommenced.
hope you enjoy
The Write Transition
Tommy Scouse
Norfolk Novelist
Oh I think I've used more than seven, well I do words not figures, so please let me off!
Monday, 9 April 2012
to the typewriter once more
well, ok to the computer then, but you get the picture. I haven't been on here for a short while, I've been trying to make a living whilst also attempting to write my book. It's not easy, basically I have to try and make money to live, don't we all, whilst also allowing my artistic flare (who's she kidding? Ed.) to thrive. I write my book in my head every night, but getting it down onto paper is rather harder. Still, my husband's cousin has inspired me to keep at it. At some point I will get it finished, and submit it to an agent. so much so that I am 'champing' at the bit to get going again, but given that it's Easter I will procrastinate a short while longer.
Why? I hear you ask, well, Mr G is here too, and we spend so little time together as a rule that I don't think it's fair to spend eight hours in my room writing, when he wants to go walking or cycling etc. so I will get on, probably early in the morning.
I also realised that there is currently not enough about religion in my current draft (lots of currents) of course one has to realise that back in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries religion was extremely important to all, that is why the idea of the devil and witchcraft was so abhorrent to them.
By the way, if you like all things witchy and gruesome, try Karen Maitland's underrated book 'The Gallow's Curse', it's gory, but it's an unputtdownable read.
best
Pauline
Why? I hear you ask, well, Mr G is here too, and we spend so little time together as a rule that I don't think it's fair to spend eight hours in my room writing, when he wants to go walking or cycling etc. so I will get on, probably early in the morning.
I also realised that there is currently not enough about religion in my current draft (lots of currents) of course one has to realise that back in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries religion was extremely important to all, that is why the idea of the devil and witchcraft was so abhorrent to them.
By the way, if you like all things witchy and gruesome, try Karen Maitland's underrated book 'The Gallow's Curse', it's gory, but it's an unputtdownable read.
best
Pauline
Thursday, 29 March 2012
no time for blogging
I haven't managed to blog for a while, largely because I've been so busy trying to make a living. Sadly that living, for the present time, is not coming from writing. However, I am determined to continue with my romance novel,.... ok it's a Mills and Boon, but it's still writing, and I continue to write where possible on my main novel. None of this is helped by the fact that my laptop went splat in the most spectacular fashion, which limits my time writing considerably.
Writing in notebooks does not particularly appeal to me, particularly considering that one then has to type up the notes onto my pc, this leads to inevitable changes in the plot line. annoying, although uni experience taught me that often these changes are very worthwhile and never wasted, so I hope that's the case with both books.
I am currently following my husband's cousin's blog about her own writing experiences which is very interesting, particularly given that she is experiencing similar things to myself. Surprising? well probably not, but the life of a person who writes can be particularly isolating, so in a way it's nice to know you're not alone after all.
So onwards and upwards as they say (who are they? I've often wondered, and tend to think that 'they' are a board of people who solemnly sit around a large oak table discussing what next to 'say').
I will post again soon honest, I promise and will update with further progress.
for now.
Pauline
Writing in notebooks does not particularly appeal to me, particularly considering that one then has to type up the notes onto my pc, this leads to inevitable changes in the plot line. annoying, although uni experience taught me that often these changes are very worthwhile and never wasted, so I hope that's the case with both books.
I am currently following my husband's cousin's blog about her own writing experiences which is very interesting, particularly given that she is experiencing similar things to myself. Surprising? well probably not, but the life of a person who writes can be particularly isolating, so in a way it's nice to know you're not alone after all.
So onwards and upwards as they say (who are they? I've often wondered, and tend to think that 'they' are a board of people who solemnly sit around a large oak table discussing what next to 'say').
I will post again soon honest, I promise and will update with further progress.
for now.
Pauline
Friday, 29 July 2011
The problems researching a historical novel
When I did my Master's degree in Victorian Literature and Culture, we were taught how to research properly and accurately. However, for the most part this research took place in the library at Reading university. Great!, .... but... really, everything is laid on for you, researching in the 'real world' is a vastly different experience.
One thing that has helped me tremendously is that I did undertook some original research at Bethlam Hospital in Kent. Handling documents, some of which were over a century old, was an incredible experience. Hospital staff carefully documented every patient's problems and idiosyncracies all by hand, even to the degree where they recorded conversations and quotations from the patients themselves.
The difference with researching the novel is that the reseach material is based in Edinburgh! Not the easiest of places to get to if you need something in a hurry, given that I am based in Hampshire! However, it's amazing how the curators of the museum, and the library staff are so willing to give information and chat about 'their' subject. It also fascinates me how one thread can so easily lead to another, and how one finds oneself travelling to remote little areas in order to visit a church or piece of ground which once housed the great and the (perhaps) good of Scotland's erstwhle leaders. It's also so important to get a feel for the landscape and how it may have looked some four hundred years ago.
My last visit to Edinburgh was fantastic, and having researched this novel now for some four years, I really knew what I wanted to get from it. I made the most of every last detail, from the way the roads lay leading away from Holyrood, to the details of Mary, Queen of Scots dark and dingy bed chamber. Researching properly takes time and energy, and great thought. It also takes a bit of guts to be cheeky and ask people questions, it's surprising just how accommodating they are, and how grateful I am to them for their input. It's been an incredible, if frustrating, journey so far, but hopefully now I can put the research together to create a truly readable, interesting and informative novel.
I'll keep you posted!
Pauline
One thing that has helped me tremendously is that I did undertook some original research at Bethlam Hospital in Kent. Handling documents, some of which were over a century old, was an incredible experience. Hospital staff carefully documented every patient's problems and idiosyncracies all by hand, even to the degree where they recorded conversations and quotations from the patients themselves.
The difference with researching the novel is that the reseach material is based in Edinburgh! Not the easiest of places to get to if you need something in a hurry, given that I am based in Hampshire! However, it's amazing how the curators of the museum, and the library staff are so willing to give information and chat about 'their' subject. It also fascinates me how one thread can so easily lead to another, and how one finds oneself travelling to remote little areas in order to visit a church or piece of ground which once housed the great and the (perhaps) good of Scotland's erstwhle leaders. It's also so important to get a feel for the landscape and how it may have looked some four hundred years ago.
My last visit to Edinburgh was fantastic, and having researched this novel now for some four years, I really knew what I wanted to get from it. I made the most of every last detail, from the way the roads lay leading away from Holyrood, to the details of Mary, Queen of Scots dark and dingy bed chamber. Researching properly takes time and energy, and great thought. It also takes a bit of guts to be cheeky and ask people questions, it's surprising just how accommodating they are, and how grateful I am to them for their input. It's been an incredible, if frustrating, journey so far, but hopefully now I can put the research together to create a truly readable, interesting and informative novel.
I'll keep you posted!
Pauline
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