Uncategorized
-
Blue Eyes and the Secret – A Novella
Coming soon on Kindle Blue Eyes and the Secret. A novella – Venture into the heart of the Algarve with Blue Eyes, a Balinese-spirited feral cat, as she uncovers ancient secrets and fights to protect her home on Monte Agudo. In a land where olive groves meet modern orange farms and water is scarce, Blue Eyes speaks with plant devas and heeds the whispers of the earth. When a devastating threat emerges in the form of disappearing trees, poisoned lands, and a foretold prophecy of end times, Blue Eyes must embark on a transformative journey. Guided by the wisdom of Ceres of Old and aided by a motley crew of animal…
-
The Story Arc Workshop Friday 27 June – 10:00am
Hello writers,Thanks for coming to the last five writing sessions, during which we have examined different genres, form, and structure. We will meet again to write on Friday, 27 June, at 10:00 a.m. (Note the time change.) This is the last writing session of six planned workshops. After this session, the group has agreed to meet once a month. Contact me for more information and directions to Casa Alexandra, near Santo Estevão. sue@suehall.net The topic on the 27th is Story Arcs. We will look at practical examples, such as Barbara Kingsolver’s Poisonwood Bible, which has a strong and impactful story arc. You are invited to consider your writing, create a…
-
Community Garden and Mobility Plan Update
Yesterday, 13 April I was blessed (I am not sure that is the right word) but anyway it was a gift, to be able to go to visit Community Gardens in Spain. I will do a separate blog post and add more photos and write about the trip tomorrow. But for now the important message is about the CEAT Community garden. The regulations consultation finishes tomorrow. It has been an impossibily short consultation period. I hope the Camara extends the period. This is the message I received from Ecotopia Activa Association today. “As mentioned on the bus, Monday (15/04) is the deadline for participation in the Public Consultation of the…
-
Water, Water, not everywhere
It is raining so I am writing. Jim made a spreadsheet of our water bills yesterday and we talked about what we could do to reduce our consumption, which includes encouraging people who visit to use less water. Tavira Verde is switching off our second water meter on April 10. From June 1st through to the end of September we cannot use house water for the garden and we will potentially have no garden water as our bore hole is dry. Tavira Verde – website – Drought message Tavira MC has a limited statement about climate change on its website. It needs to be updated to reflect the drought situation.…
-
California 2019 – Maybe our last long trip?
In 2017, Jim and I started talking about a trip to California. My ageing hippy consciousness kept telling me to go and visit the places I grew up in films and books. I also now have a couple of dear American friends, one of whom lived in California and helped with ideas for the trip. I don’t know why I didn’t write much as the journey progressed. Somewhat saturated, I guess it has taken time to reflect on the colours and stories. We visited friends along the way, a couple I only know from Facebook and a kind ex-Jehovah’s Witness who invited us into their home in Tucson. The visit…
-
Sri Lanka – Galle Fort Literary Festival begins
An evening of culture, featuring an extravaganza of dance and movement opened the Galle Fort Literary Festival in Sri Lanka. Guests sat in front of an iridescent red stage, while a crowd of onlookers stood behind newly erected barriers as an orchestra played music. Dressed in traditional costumes performers from the army, airforce and navy, became acrobats, fire eaters, swans, and peacocks. The presenters thanked the main sponsor Fairway Holdings and also the founder of the festival Geoffrey Dobbs, along with the Minister for Law and Order who sent a representative to the two-hour show. The last event included numerous costumed acrobats and the appearance of a “constructed” elephant. After…
-
Dialogue workshop – Tavira Library, 1st February
Dialogue, I have been thinking about dialogue. Words spoken by imaginary characters have filled my head for two weeks. My cold and cough have blocked some of the voices, but today, the dialogue between two characters is a source of amusement. Josie Whistler, old hippy, owner of a festival food van has a lot to say. She talks to her dead mother. She talks to her dead sister. Her daughter wants Josie committed. I am aware Josie’s voice started during a writing prompt in ‘week one” of the Algarve writing workshops.
-
February and wanting to grow
I wonder if anyone else is getting that urge? That urge to sow seeds? Some of us who love pottering and growing fruit and vegetables are just about to see the pay off of scanning seed catalogues and poking soil. Does anyone else go round in circles with an inner dialogue, at this time of the year? I know I have to sow seeds. I know I have plenty of small plants. I know I have land and improved soil. I know some seeds and plants should be in the ground. But where would be best? Is it too soon to put out fledgling courgettes? Will they be too cold…
-
Waking up this blog – by telling stories
I have been neglecting this blog, which I think on reflection is a bit of a mistake. I have spent the summer of 2014 reading, writing, recording and taking photos, which is a luxury not offered to many. Not all of my writing is appropriate for the readers of this blog. But the books and some of the adventures may appeal, so with your understanding and possible patience, I will share a few books and tell a few stories and try to make some connections. It is raining heavily, so what better day to start writing a blog post. Just before it clouded over and someone’s god sanctioned the clouds to spread a grey gloom, a…
-
Cleaning up my notebook after Paraty
We are now in Rio, in Santa Teresa in the Bianca guest house which overlooks Sugar Loaf mountain. From my window I can see the cable car going from one side of the mountain to another mountain. Having seen the plumbing and the electricity cables hanging precariously all over Brazil, I wonder how that cable line is maintained, never mind I want to go to the top. Brazil certainly has some problems, but its difficult to notice or even focus on them when you look at Brazil through books/ literature, the landscape and music. This post is a bit of a scrapbook of quotes and photos I did not…
