Author: Writing The Long Way Around

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It’s never what you know, but who you know

Writing The Long Way Around

I’m not so good with children. I’m never sure what to say to them and they seem to feel the same way about me. We tend to  circle each other nervously – always polite – but really each of us is looking for the quickest way out of the room. Imagine my surprise and delight to discover that naming David Bishop as one of my tutors and mentors gave me instant street cred with a five-year old. How could this be possible? Nina and the Neurons. Having put the TV in the showflat on for the young child of the couple who are … Continue reading It’s never what you know, but who you know

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Morag Edward

Writing The Long Way Around

I was introduced to Morag Edward briefly at the Book Festival when I was dashing to get a bottle of water before the Geoff Dyer event. Chris Scott, literary paparazzo was holding court and collared me mid-dash. I didn’t get a chance to speak to Morag or find out what she does, but I came across her blog via Twitter and love, love, love her sketches; especially this one of the feet. Continue reading Morag Edward

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Book Cheat

Writing The Long Way Around

One of the fringe benefits of the MA course has been the discovery of new writers, and not just those who sat next to me in class. Roberto Bolaño, Italo Calvino, James Robertson, David Foster Wallace, John Burnside and Junot Diaz to name a few have all been an absolute joy to meet. The down side to these new friends is their sheer number. For the first time in my life I have more than one book on the go at the same time: 17 to be precise. This has never happened to me before. I may be flighty, even flaky on occasion, but if … Continue reading Book Cheat

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AL Kennedy at the Book Festival

Writing The Long Way Around

I took copious notes at the AL Kennedy event, but to be honest, I was a little drunk and can’t make any sense of them. I had arrived early at Charlotte Square and smuggled in a bottle of wine, my intention to find a quiet corner to read and relax. I found an abandoned church pew outside the RBS Main Theatre where Alison was scheduled to appear and settled down. Pews, whether they are inside a church or outside at a book festival are most uncomfortable. I was about to move to a rather lovely wooden table and chair ensemble under some trees – I do like a … Continue reading AL Kennedy at the Book Festival