After years of wondering whether I could write something that I wouldn't be embarrassed to share, I've decided that life is too short to live with what ifs and given it a go. I hope that what I share isn't too awful and, if it is, that you're kind enough to overlook it's shortcomings and try to find the good bits, if there are any. I like stories with characters, with people I can feel are real, with flaws and hidden depths, with a life outside of what's contained on the page. If anyone ever reads any of the stuff I post, then I'd hope I managed to convey a little of what I like to read myself, the idea that these are people who just happened to wander onto the page for a bit, progress a story they happened to be in and then went out, into the real world, and continued with the rest of their lives. If I was candid, it worries me sometimes how easily I hear their voices. Apologies to anyone who manages to plough through some of my stuff, I know it's too long, that it takes ages to get to the good bits, but I like to give these people space: hopefully, it's like good foreplay in that it makes the final pay off all the more satisfying.
I'm interested in simple things really: why people feel they can't allow themselves to be happy, the odd comedy of relationships, the things we never admit to ourselves, the pressures of social norms.
I'd welcome any and all feedback on whatever I post: I do try and respond to everyone who is kind enough to offer comments, so drop me a note if you enjoyed any of it, or didn't: all feedback is a gift after all.
Interests Reading good books and the occasional bit of trash; politics; cooking overly ambitious food that never quite works as well as I'd imagined; I love drawing although I'm always dissatisfied with the results; games (board and computer) and, of course, the pub with friends.
Favorite Books Lord of the Rings; the Master and Margarita; Gravity's Rainbow; V for Vendetta; Hyperion; Player of Games; A Scanner Darkly; What Ho, Jeeves; The Long Goodbye.
Favorite Authors Iain M Banks; Thomas Pynchon; Alan Moore; Raymond Chandler.
Fortunes Told, Secrets Revealed At The Midsummer Fair
It had been Kelly’s idea to visit the fair. She’d been chasing Ben all summer and his band had got a booking to play the beer tent, doing their covers set for the drunks. She was desperate to go, having spent the summer trying to catch his eye every Frida...
