Paul Magrs's Blog, page 10

flowers on our daily walk

More from the Dr Who Paper Puppet Theatre!

Dr Who Paper Puppet Theatre - 'The Daemons'!

Dr Who Paper puppet Theatre: 'The Web Planet'

I just realised that the times in the past week that I've been making these daft things are the only times I've felt happy and relaxed at all. Anyway - here's 'The Web Planet'...!

Dr Who Paper Puppet Theatre: Terror of the Zygons

Dr Who Paper Puppet Theatre: Curse of Peladon!

Dr Who Paper Puppet Theatre: City of Death!

Today, here's 'City of Death' from the Dr Who Paper Puppet Theatre...

An Interview with Sarah Jasmon

An Interview with Sarah Jasmon


Please tell us everything we need to know about your new book!
You Never Told Me is out on March 19th in paperback and ebook. Here’s a quick overview:  

 “A year ago, Charlie’s life seemed to be following a plan: she had a beautiful house, a lovable dog and an upcoming wedding. But she felt trapped. A few months before the big day, ignoring the warnings from her family, she abandoned her life and fled to the other side of the world in a bid for freedom.But when her mother unexpectedly falls ill, Charlie has to cut her trip short. She flies home, but by the time she gets to the hospital, it’s too late.Her mother is gone, but she’s left a mystery behind. Why did she buy a canal boat, and where did the money for it come from? As Charlie attempts to work through her grief and pick up the pieces of her life, she follows the threads of her mother’s secret past – but has she missed her chance to learn the truth?”
How did you get into writing in the first place, and how did you first get published..? Has it been a long and difficult road, or has it been straightforward?
Long, yes! Difficult? I feel I’ve been lucky! I first decided I wanted to write books when I was about 7 but didn’t actually finish one until I was 40. The enabling factor for me was an MA in Creative Writing at MMU (with some excellent tutors, Paul J). My MA novel was picked up by Transworld, thanks to a couple of chance encounters and a big dose of good timing. They signed me up for a two-book deal, for which You Never Told Me is the second. It was fabulous to have that two-book deal because it made me write the second novel. I learned so much from the process, equally as much as I learned writing the first. Let’s hope the third’s a charm; I’m really enjoying writing it so far!
How would you define the genre that your book falls into?
When I was writing The Summer of Secrets, my son (then aged about 12) asked me what my book was about. The best answer I could come up with was, ‘It’s about people.’ (He was typically straightforward in his response: ‘Do I have to read it?’ ‘No, of course not. It would be lovely if you did, but it’s probably not your kind of book at the moment.’ ‘Good, because it sounds really boring.’). It’s contemporary fiction, edging into literary fiction. I like relationship fiction as a grouping as well, and it sometimes gets called Book Club fiction.
Why did you fall in love with this genre in the first place, and which books / authors / series would you recommend?
I’ve always loved gentle reads which take you to the heart of a protagonist or a relationship. Sarah Butler’s new book, Jack and Bet, is a perfect example, following an elderly couple as they reflect on their marriage, and make decisions about the future. It’s so real, and I cared about the characters so much! I’ve just read Carys Bray’s new novel (When the Lights Go Out) as well: she’s another author who creates absolutely immersive worlds, and I was completely lost in this one.
What / who do you read for pleasure?
For absolute relaxation, there’s nothing better than Patricia Wentworth. She was a Golden Age of Crime novelist, along with Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers and Margery Allingham, all of whom I adore. I’ve long loved her ‘Miss Silver’ books (Miss Silver is an elderly ex-governess-turned private-investigator with a steel-trap mind and a passion for fluffy knitting) but have recently come across a vast selection of her other works on Kindle Unlimited. They’re beautifully written, very human and immensely satisfying.
Do you take elements of characters or overheard phrases from people you’ve observed..?
Don’t we all?! I absolutely love overhearing conversations – in real life or on social media – and would always rather piece together a story over time rather than ask for answers outright.
Tell us about the landscape and setting of your books. Are they all set in the same place, more or less..? Where in the world are we, and why should everyone want to go there..?
The Summer of Secrets is set on the banks of the Leeds/Liverpool canal, around about where my own boat is moored. You Never Told Me moves onto the water, as Charlie learns how to manage her new life as a boater whilst uncovering the secrets of her mother’s past. She starts off just outside Macclesfield, travelling down the Macclesfield Canal and the Trent and Mersey. I like having Northern settings, and I love to bring as much of the sense of place to the page as I can. Early reviews of YNTM have all mentioned how much the reader has enjoyed spending time on the canal and finding out about that way of life. I love living on a boat, and it’s been a real pleasure to bring it to life.


What’s the most wonderful thing about being a writer..?
Other writers, for a start! Facebook writer groups are so good for making connections, and the communities within them are the most supportive people in the world. There’s a tremendous sense of belonging. I also love the fact that I’ve achieved my dreams, which sounds very rainbows and unicorns but is nonetheless absolutely true. I began to take writing seriously at a time in my life when big changes were happening with the end of my marriage. Writing has allowed me to become much more myself and, at the same time, create an entirely new career. And being able to say I’m a writer on a boat is one of my favourite things in the world.
And what’s the most challenging thing about the novelist’s life..?
Self-doubt, comparisons with other writers and their achievements (n.b. not worth a second of time, but it sneaks in…), the sporadic money and the wildly uneven returns you get from publishing.
Longhand on actual paper, or straight onto the computer..? How do you write that first draft?
Onto the computer, then lots of scrappy bits of paper as I try to keep track of what’s going on. I also make a lot of notes on my phone when I’m out and about (the best ideas come on dog walks). The book I’m writing at the moment has changed things a bit though. I came up with the idea a couple of years’ ago, so had to keep it on the backburner whilst I finished You Never Told Me. As a result, my subconscious has worked out a huge amount about the characters and their relationships with each other, so I’ve ended up writing family trees and comprehensive character notes.
What is your readership like..? Do you meet them at events, and get letters and email from them?
I love doing events and meeting readers, but my reach at the moment is fairly small. I think it’s fair to say that The Summer of Secrets had a quiet launch into the world, so I don’t hear a lot beyond reviews, really. I’m embracing the role of slow burner, though! The blog tour for You Never Told Me is in full swing at the moment (you can follow it on Twitter, where I’m @sarahontheboat), and it’s a chance to meet lots of wonderful bloggers, who really are the lifeblood of the reading community.
What are you going to write next..? Are you going to be working in the same vein? What can we expect next..?
My next book will follow a splintered family as they meet for the last time at the family home. It’s got elements of those Agatha Christie novels where everyone needs to inherit money and they’re all hiding secrets from each other.
Finally… tell us something surprising about yourself that your readers might not already know..!
I’m passionate about power-lifting! I started doing it last summer, and I try to get to the gym at least once a week to do some lifting. It’s another supportive and friendly community, and nothing like as daunting as it looks. My PBs so far are a 90kg deadlift and 42.5kg squat.

The Dr Who Paper Puppet Theatre!

THE DOCTOR WHO PAPER PUPPET THEATRE
Firstly, this is all down to David Brunt who made me a wonderful paper puppet theatre for my birthday last year, and presented me with it at my party. It was a box of delights, filled with stand-up puppets based on characters and friends. I’m going to nick his ingenious design!
For a while I’ve been dreaming up this project… The Dr Who Paper Puppet Theatre!
All of you at home can print out the characters, and cut very carefully around the blue CSO lines. Then attach each of them to a lolly stick and you’re ready to go. You just need to build a little cardboard theatre, and then add some backdrops.
Here is the first set of things… Characters from a favourite story of mine: ‘The Three Doctors’ from 1973. Here are two painted backdrops, too – Dr Who’s 1973 TARDIS control room, and the interior of arch-baddie Omega’s fabulous Palace of Anti-Matter.
I hope you’ll all print off, cut out, keep and play along…!

An Interview with David Richards

An Interview with David Richards 


Please tell us everything we need to know about your most recent book!

‘Bitches’ is the story of Catherine, the most powerful witch alive.  Her powers are on the fritz so she enlists the help of a local coven to fix her up.
She’s also being hunted by a puritanical witch hunter who believes it is his divine duty to eradicate all witches from the face of the earth.

The main story is interspersed with chapters from Catherine’s long, long life where she has rubbed shoulders with some of history’s great and not so great figures.


What would you define your genre or style as..?  Has it changed as you’ve moved from book to book?

Mostly sci-fi, but I do change genres.  I would class ‘Bitches’ as urban fantasy with a splash of sci-fi.

My first book was about time travel, my next two were about a pair of murderous OAPs, then I wrote about superheroes, and my most recent one was about witches.

The thing that ties them together is that they are all set in the same Northern town, so if I were to define my overall genre it would be ‘Northern fiction’. 



Why do you enjoy working in your genre, and which books / authors / series would you recommend? Who made you want to write the way you do?
I’m obsessed with brassy, no-nonsense, Northern women.  People who speak as they find and have a certain turn of phrase.  I love creating these people and then putting them in outlandish situations.

Victoria Wood and Alan Bennett are definite influences for me.  You are always told to write what you know, and working-class, Northern people are what I know!

Recommendations…  ‘The Stand’ by Stephen King is an all-time favourite.  For a frothy, camp read it would be ‘Little Me’ by Patrick Dennis, and for scurrilous fun, it would be ‘Hollywood Babylon’ by Kenneth Anger.      
What do you read for pleasure? What do you watch – and what would you recommend..?

I enjoy celebrity autobiographies.  My absolute favourite is Lynne Perrie’s ‘Secrets of the Street’.  I’ve read that more times than I care to admit!

Other than the books listed above, I enjoy anything by Robert Rodi, Jackie Collins, Sue Townsend, Richard Laymon.

I will watch almost anything, but my favourite shows have to be a little bit camp.  Recommendations would be Kath & Kim, Galavant, Please Like Me, Let Them Eat Cake (or anything with French, Saunders, or both), Nighty Night, Difficult People, Broad City, Dinnerladies…
I could keep going but I think that’s enough to be getting on with.

Tell us about the landscape and setting of your books. Are they all set in the same place, more or less..? Where in the world are we, and why should everyone want to go there..?
They are all set in Millston; a fictional Northern town that may or may not be ever so loosely based on a real Northern town.

I wouldn’t recommend going there, but if you did you would do well to watch out for witches, superheroes or a pair of old women that don’t suffer fools gladly.


How did you get into writing in the first place, and how did you first get published..?

I had always wanted to write, but other than a few false starts I didn’t complete anything until I had the idea for my first novel.

Everyone always says ‘If I could go back…’ or ‘If I could change the past…’ so I thought that I would write a story where somebody actually gets the chance.  That ended up being my first novel, The ‘Lovely’ Past.
Once I had finished it, I had a few copies printed off to give to people, just to say ‘Look!  I’ve written a book!’

I only ever intended for it to be for close friends and family, but the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and, after a bit of persuasion from my husband, we put it up for sale.
What’s the most wonderful thing about being a writer..?
People enjoying what I write.

I like that I can work to my own schedule and that I can just write when the fancy takes me, but hearing that people have enjoyed my work is definitely the best thing about being a writer.
[image error]


And what’s the most challenging thing about the novelist’s life..?
Not letting things distract you when you sit down to write would be the main thing.  A close second would be coming up with new ideas.  I always worry that I won’t be able to think of something to write about.
What is your readership like..? Do they get in touch with you..?

They do!  My readership is mainly women and gay men.

I’ve had Facebook and Twitter messages from people that have enjoyed my books and I absolutely love it. 
What are you going to write next..?
I’m working on The ‘Lovely’ Old Dears 3.

After the second book, I had said that their story was done but Pam and Jean, the old dears, had other ideas, so they’re getting one more adventure.

After that, I have an idea for a sequel to ‘Bitches’.
Finally… tell us something surprising about yourself that your readers might not already know..!
In the very early 90s, I appeared on a local TV channel, Cable 7, dancing to ‘Vogue’.

I did this three times!