Gail Aldwin's Blog, page 2

A new experience for 2025

David and I spent a superb week in the French Alps where I learnt to ski. He’d been skiing in his twenties, but I’d never thought it would be something I might enjoy. How wrong could I be? There was so much to like about the experience starting with the joy of being surrounded by snow-covered mountains when the sun shone and the sky was blue. The setting was very uplifting and the weather remained consistently good throughout the week. We stayed half board in a hotel with a view of Mont Blanc and enjoyed excellent buffet meals in the restaurant.

In preparation for skiing, I had completed training to strengthen my legs and was quite confident when I approached the nursery slopes. The taster session provided guidance which I put into practice for stopping and turning. A conveyor belt called a magic carpet took me back to the top of the slope and after several goes I felt prepared for ski lessons. David and I shared an instructor who took us onto a green slope (for beginners) where we learnt to take wide curves and control the movement of the skis. A big priority was to return home injury free, so we weren’t terribly adventurous but I certainly found it exhilarating to get from the top of the slope to the bottom with a little speed.

On the last day, we hadn’t book a lesson so instead took the cable car up to the highest point, Aiguille Rouge, and then chair lifts to other parts of the Les Arcs resort. The final step was a walk along a snow-covered path through the forest.

The week went very quickly and now I’m back at home, trying to establish a routine. Work on my completed manuscript The Upgrade continues as I enter a new round of edits prior to further submissions. Wish me luck!

How life experiences feed into fiction

I am nearly at the end of writing my latest manuscript. Conversation Classes is the story of a diverse group of people who stay at a remote hotel in northern Italy where native English speaking volunteers are matched with business people to improve their oral language skills. Although the Conversation Classes emersion programme has a high success rate at building the participants’ use of spoken English, many of the attendees have very different reasons for enrolling on the course. These are revealed through the chapters of the novel with some intriguing and hilarious results. The story is based on the experience of being a volunteer on one of these courses in Spain (you can read about it here) although I’ve set the novel in a fictional location and the characters and situations are imagined.

While creative writing remains a priority for me, I’ve spread my interests to include singing, learning to read music, running and pilates. These activities cross fertilise to improve my stories while being good for the body and mind. My exercise programme currently includes some ski fit activities. After years of saying I’d never want to ski because I don’t like falling over or being cold, I’ve changed my mind. Something about completing the Caminho Português from Porto to Santiago de Compostela in appalling weather (you can read about it here) has improved my resolve in tacking new physical challenges. In January we’ll be heading to the French Alps for my first experience of skiing.

Reactions from family and friends to this decision have been varied. Some think I’m bonkers to attempt skiing at my age while others envy the choice. Fortunately, I got on well at the ski taster session David and I attended at the weekend. It was only 45 minutes on an artificial slope but I certainly got a sense of what the experience will be like. It’s made me even more excited to join a ski school and develop new skills.

And who knows, perhaps this experience will spark an idea for another novel!

Autumn jobs

I’ve been having a good clear out and was hoping a local museum would accept a donation of artefacts from Papua New Guinea. Here are some of the things I’ve kept in storage since leaving the country in 1984.

kina shell penis gourd bilum bag coins from 1936 sepik mask

Unfortunately, the museum turned down the donation because they wanted items from before independence in 1975. A dealer offered me £3 for each of the coins (I have 13 in total) but I turned him down. An auction house I approached wasn’t interested in this metal picture by Waki Waikali (see below) even though other works by the artist have sold internationally. I still enjoy the image of a highland tribesman in ceremonial dress so I’ll hang onto it for a bit longer. According to the auction house, much artwork from Papua New Guinea has yet to find a market.

I’ve also been sorting out the teaching resources that I once used in schools and when I worked with undergraduates studying creative writing. Most of the paper resources have been recycled but I still need to go through my electronic files. Or should I just leave them on my desktop? Who knows, one day I might use them again.

Photo albums are next to be scrutinised. Back in the days before digital photography, I found a place to display every print. It should be a straightforward task to ditch the not-so-flattering images of family and friends, yet this feels like a challenge. Oh well, with the winter months still ahead, I should be able to complete this task. And don’t get me started on books! I now have a one in, one out policy on physical books to prevent overflowing bookcases and piles. These days, I’m much more likely to consume stories through ebooks or audiobooks and avoid the clutter.

Do you have difficulty getting rid of stuff?

Caminho Português Central

After last year’s walk along some of the Caminho Português da Costa where we covered stretches of the coastal path from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, (I mentioned it here), we were excited to return to Portugal for the more traditional central route. David and I were keen to complete the 250km journey but intended to take it slowly by setting aside three weeks. It just so happened that we were also invited to celebrate a friend’s sixtieth birthday in Lisbon, so that decided the date of travel.

On 16 September we set off from Porto and this coincided with the spread of wild fires that sent a thick layer of smoke over the city and beyond. This resulted in atmospheric photographs including this one taken on the way to San Pedro de Rates.

Following a few days of dry weather, the rain started. We donned our raincoats and made the best of things, stopping for a photo beside this medieval bridge.

We stayed one night in the delightful town of Ponte de Lima where the alburgue (hostel) accommodated sixty people in 3 dormitories. This is the view of the the town from where we stayed.

I’ve always wanted to visit Braga, the third largest city in Portugal. We took a couple of days off and caught a bus there where we found the centre was full of charming facades and flowers.

Rain accompanied us over the border into Spain and for many of the following days.

When we veered off the Caminho Português Central to follow the Varient Espiritual we were unprepared for the torrential rain which turned the medieval paths into waterfalls. These weren’t easy to negotiate while wearing a backpack. We came to realise that a pilgrimage has to have an element of endurance. Each evening we’d check the weather forecast for the following day and the distance we needed to cover. I preferred to get up at dawn and walk for two hours in light rain before the heavier deluge arrived. It made me realise who goal-driven I am, determined to reach our destination. And although walking in the rain is a challenge, I continued to enjoy the freedom of the mind that the journey provided.

The Varient Espiritual begins in Pontevedra and follows a path around the coast where the pretty seaside village of Combarro is situated. We stayed there for a couple of nights and enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner.

At Vilanova de Arousa we caught a boat along the River Ulla to Padrón which is traditionally believed to be the last leg of the journey that brought the remains of the apostle Saint James from Jerusalem to Spain. Obviously we enjoyed a plate of pimientos de Padrón while we were there … and dried our clothes on a radiator in a cosy flat with central heating.

Although the walk from Padrón to Santiago is only 25km we eked this out over two days. During the final stretch, we waded streams with no hope of keeping our boots dry and finally picked up a couple of ponchos. Evidence of our flattering attire can be seen in this photo which was taken upon reaching the cathedral in Santiago.

In spite of the challenges of our journey, we talked about undertaking another camino. We may well try a leg starting from the north of Lisbon with the aim of reaching Porto. Going all the way to Santiago again is less appealing due to the number of other people on the final stages. At Tui, two paths converge and some people start their pilgrimage upon reaching the south of Galicia. Although it was lovely to have company while walking, there were times when the route just felt too busy.

Have you ever thought about walking the camino or have you undertaken one? Do let me know in the comments.

End of the summer

I noticed a distinct nip in the air when I set out for a run at seven o’clock this morning. Crunchy brown leaves are also scattered across the lawn. Although autumn is approaching, I still have holidays to enjoy including a week with my mum, daughter and grandson in St Agnes, Cornwall. We know the area well because David’s family home was situated nearby in Shortlanesend and we enjoyed many visits to the beaches along the north coast. Once back from there, we’re on standby for another trip, this time to Lisbon to attend a sixtieth birthday party and then we’re catching a train to Porto to start the traditional (inland) camino to Santiago de Compostela. We took the coastal path last year which I wrote about here. I have new walking boots and a backpack which I’m determined to keep light.

The writing of my new novel Conversation Classes is continuing at a steady pace. After a recent writing retreat in Lewes with some lovely author friends, I’ve now set my mind to breaking the back of the first draft. I need another 40,000 words and then the real fun begins. I always love the editing and refining process. I’m also continuing to send out my completed manuscript set on an imagined African island. There are no takers as yet but I’ve had some encouraging feedback including these words from a top agent: I was intrigued by the unique setting and prospect of this story. There’s a great attentiveness to the details of the resort and I think you balance it well with the dialogue to build a realistic sense of setting and character. Fingers crossed someone will bite.

In the meantime, a neighbour is holding a housewarming party this afternoon. The garden is set with tables, music is playing and they’ll be Korean dancers and a barbecue later.

What plans do you have for the last of the summer?

Author talk at the WI in Kingston

I am a member of the Women’s Institute (WI) and was delighted to join the Kingston branch to talk about my journey to becoming a published author. Here I am with the audience waiting for my session to be introduced.

Although I planned the talk carefully and rehearsed it twice, I was still nervous. Thankfully, the audience were very kind and receptive… and it turned out to be a lot of fun. There were many questions at the end of my thirty-five minutes of delivery and I was pleased to share my inspiration and approaches to writing with such an interested and responsive group.

The KWI book group will be discussing The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell in August and asked me to devise a few questions. I thought followers of this blog might also be interested so I’ve pasted them below:

What was one thing in the book you liked? Were there parts you would change?How did you enjoy the structure of the novel with its two timelines and different viewpoints?What about the writing style? Did it take you long to get into the book?Which was your favourite character and why?Stephanie’s character shows how it’s possible to overcome barriers in middle age whereas Carolyn never grows up. Some readers find Carolyn unlikable. Do you think her early life experiences explain her behaviour?What did you think of the West Country setting? Did it add to the mood and tone of the story?Did your knowledge of life in the 1970s enhance the reading experience?Were you able to predict the ending? If so, which clues did you pick up along the way? How did this affect your enjoyment of the story?In life, many people remember the same experiences differently. Do you think some of the characters in this story have unreliable memories?What did you think of supporting characters such as Robert and Doug?How did you feel about the relationship between Beth and Mrs Walker? This was included to illustrate the experience of racism in rural areas. Is it different from racism in urban areas?If the novel was made into a film, who would you cast in the leading roles?What do you think happens to the main characters after the novel ends?Were there any scenes that stay in your memory?What did you take away from the novel?

Are there any reading group members amongst my followers at The Writer is a Lonely Hunter? Would you like to share some titles you’ve enjoyed recently? If so, please jot your recommendations in the comments. Thanks!

A summer in Exmouth

We’ve taken the opportunity to spend the next couple of months in Exmouth on the Devon coast. According to Wikipedia, it’s a port town, civil parish and seaside resort situated on the east bank of the mouth of the River Exe 11 miles (18 km) southeast of Exeter. This does sum up the place but I should also mention it has an extensive sandy beach and is located close to other delightful seaside spots such as Budleigh Salterton.

We’re here to clear the flat of my husband’s elderly aunt who’s now in a care home. Her place is situated not far from the beach and so on alternate days, I run along the seafront, get back in time for a quick online pilates session and then settle down to some daily writing with Writers Hour. The new novel is progressing slowly but I find even adding a couple of hundred words keeps the story alive in my mind.

This week we are attending a series of lunchtime concerts as part of the Budleigh Music Festival 2024. On the programme has been Ryan Corbett, who plays a Bugari Spectrum classical piano accordion made in Castelfidardo, Italy. What a remarkable sound! We’ve also attended a session from the Avalon Trio who play piano, cello and violin.

Do you find engaging with other arts stimulates your creative process? I’m crossing my fingers that all this music will have a positive effect on my writing.

Each of Us a Petal

I was invited to review Amanda Huggins‘ latest publication titled Each of Us a Petal which is a stunning collection of stories of and from Japan.

Here’s the blurb:

This collection of short fiction from award-winning author Amanda Huggins takes us on a journey through Japan, from the hustle of city bars to the silence of snow country. The people, culture and complex social mores of this beguiling country have inspired Huggins’ writing ever since she first visited Japan almost twenty years ago.

Whether they are Japanese nationals or foreign tourists, temporary residents or those recalling their time in Japan from a distance, the men and women in these stories are often adrift and searching for a connection. Many are estranged from their normal lives, navigating the unfamiliar while trying to make sense of the human condition, or find themselves restrained by the formalities of traditional culture as they struggle to forge new relationships outside those boundaries. Others are forced to question their perceptions when they find themselves drawn into an unsettling world of shapeshifting deities and the ghosts of the past.

What impresses me most about this collection is Huggins’ ability to enter a very different culture and focus on the similarities that bring us all together. She taps into themes of yearning, loneliness and being on the outside to show these as universal experiences, as well as celebrating love and personal connections. It made me reflect on a family visit to Tokyo in 2010 while on a stopover to Australia. My tall and blonde teenage son was head and shoulders above the crowds at the Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing yet we still melded into the city’s backdrop of quiet gardens.

The collection also reminded me of the 2003 film Lost in Translation where Scarlett Johannson and Bill Murray play characters drawn together amidst the strange and sometimes unsettling experience of high-rise living in Tokyo.

Huggins has a keen eye and focuses on small things in her stories such as a knife or a key or a sparrow’s footprints which all bring a wider meaning to the reader. It is a delightful collection which I highly recommend. Although the book was released by Victorina Press, the publisher has since closed and your only option to purchase a copy is through the author’s blog. Do pop over and grab a copy before they’re all gone!

Incidentally, if your’e interested in purchasing copies of my Victorina Press publications they’re now available from the online shop at bargain prices. Get my coming-of-age debut, The String Games for only £3 or Pandemonium a delightful children’s picture book for only £2.

When friends who lived in Japan visit next week, I’m looking forward to recommending Each of Us a Petal to them.

New addition to the family

I’m delighted to share a photo of our grandson Jude Taylor Bradbury who was born on 22 May 2024 weighing 8lb 10oz. His journey into the world went smoothly and it’s lovely to watch the new parents grow into their roles. We’ve been staying with the family and feel really honoured to have this special time together. One of our responsibilities has been walking Truffle the dog. She’s a very soppy creature but a lot of fun.

Very little No writing has taken place since Jude’s arrival as we’re totally besotted! I’ll have to update you on writing progress in due course.

Workshop at the Bournemouth Writing Festival

It’s less than a week until I’ll be running a workshop at the Bournemouth Writing Festival. I’ll be sharing my experience of winning a publication contract with Bloodhound Books after entering a pitch competition for The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell. The workshop will include tips and hints for anyone wishing to develop skills in online pitching of a manuscript. The event is a new one on the Dorset writing scene and the programme has grown considerable since the inaugural year in 2023. I’m pleased to be delivering on Sunday 28 April 2024 alongside writing friends Paula Harmon and Alice Fowler. Do check out the full programme!