Oh the narcism. As part of the writers’ collective 26, I’m working with the V&A on a project about british childhood since 1948. Part of my role is to run the project blog, on which I’ve been publishing interviews with other writers. Yesterday I got to interview… me. You can read the results here.
Author Archives: neilsbaker
Dark Angels in Spain
I’ve just come back from a writing workshop in Spain. This was the “advanced” version of the Dark Angels course I took in Scotland last November. When I came home from Scotland, I wrote a long blog post about what I’d learned there. So, what did I learn in Spain? It’s hard to say. Dark […]
Bespoke stories, written on the spot
A simple question can take you to some very interesting places.I had my second outing as a writer in residence yesterday. This time I was in Oxford Street Books, Whitstable, writing stories inspired by whoever came into the shop. To make life more difficult, I decided to try and write these stories – brief flash […]
Stories from the festival writing shed
Sometimes it’s worth making a plan, if only for the fun of ripping it up I spent a lot of time thinking about how I would spend my time as a “writer in residence” at the Lounge on the Farm music festival. I experimented beforehand with new technologies. I spent ages downloading apps and trying […]
In my tent, I reside
I’ve wanted to be a writer in residence for ages. Next weekend I finally get my chance, though not in the circumstances I imagined. What I had in mind, I think, was an august yet innovative institution – maybe a university or an arts organisation, a theatre. I would have a comfy office, a grand […]
Why I love my typewriter
I am writing the first draft of this blog post on my new typewriter. It is a Brother AX-100. Later, when I write the second draft on my very lovely MacBook Pro, I will add a photo of my typewriter, and perhaps some links to some information about it, and where I bought it. But […]
A tapestry, a story
This tapestry has hung on the wall at my in-laws’ house for at least the twenty years that I’ve known them. But it was only last weekend that I had a close look at it. My daughter and I sat in their kitchen and tried to decode the story that it tells. We struggled. It […]
Writing that inspires
Things have been a bit quiet here lately. I’ve been investing all of my blogging time in 26 Treasures of Childhood, part of a project I’m working on with the Victoria & Albert Museum. But it’s a public holiday here in England today, so I have a little bit of spare time. Here’s a short […]
The joy of knowing positive people
A good blog post is supposed to have a clear focus, a single point. But I’d just like to ramble on for a bit about what a wonderful week I’ve had. On Wednesday, I was off to the Museum of Childhood in London to help kick start an exciting new writing project, 26 Treasures of […]
Writer, grow a beard
Every writer should grow a beard (females excluded, I suppose). That is what I conclude from a seven-month journey into the world of facial hair. I stopped shaving at a music festival last August. My Dad grew a beard when he was my age, as did my father-in-law. I’d always felt I’d try it one […]
How to be a successful writer (and how to fail)
I went for a haircut yesterday. I seem to have arrived at the point in life where I have a Stylist. I’m not sure if that is a consequence of age or income. Her name is Louise. She likes the fact that I’m a writer and a “creative”; it’s what we talk about as she […]
Learning how to write, all over again
Our household has gone a bit China mad lately. For the two youngest children, China is their school topic this term. They have been drawing dragons, writing about the artist Ai Weiwei, making kites, and such like. I’ve been involved, too. Alongside its China topic, their primary school is trying to get its children more […]
Apple, Siri and Found Poems
I was reading today about the Siri app on iPhone 4s. Basically, you can ask your phone a question, or give it a task to do, and it will understand what you mean and respond. It recognises natural language instructions, and apparently does a rather good job of it. Googling around for information about how […]
Rubbish writing makes a connection
I’ve spent a lot of time editing other people’s short stories this week. It’s not something I’ve done before and I’ve learnt a lot from the process. I’m part of Throw Away Lines, an inspired project from 26, the organisation that celebrates creative business writing. Andy Hayes is the evil genius behind the venture. He’s […]
Dark Angels: What I learned in Scotland
I’ve earned a living as a business writer for over twenty years and written fiction for almost eight. But throughout that time, a dividing wall has kept my “corporate” writing separate from my “creative” work. The former pays the bills, the latter nourishes the soul, and never the twain shall meet. That used to be […]
A performance with a touch of menace
This week’s reading at the Komedia went well. “You had the audience in the palm of your hand,” one of the organisers said. That was reassuring, as I couldn’t tell how the audience was responding. The stage lighting was blinding; once up there I couldn’t see anything. Look at the stripe of intense light across […]
Back on stage at the Komedia
I’m reading again at the lovely Komedia theatre in Brighton on October 2, part of Story Studio‘s Feast and Fetish evening. My story comes under the “feast” half of the theme, in case you were wondering. I had a brilliant time reading at Komedia earlier in the year. Hope this one goes as well.
A bit of rejection can do you good
Here’s another piece of good news I want to mention. I’ve finally had a story accepted by Metazen, the international literary magazine based in Canada. I say finally because they’ve rejected two of my stories so far this year. This is a case of third time lucky. Having a story turned down is never pleasant, […]
Competitive story reading success
Well, I have now taken part in my first ever competitive story reading event, part of the Electric Lantern Festival. The exciting news, for me, is that I came second. I’m rather happy about that. It was an odd experience. I arrived at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, was allocated a number and told where […]
Blimey, it’s my competitive story reading debut
My journey to find new ways of making a fool of myself enters scary territory this coming weekend. I will be taking part in my first competitive story-reading event. On Sunday, I’ll be on stage at the wonderful Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, a participant in “Flash Factor”. The boards that I shall tread This […]