Devon Book Club discussion
Introduce yourself
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Saying Hello
Hi AllThanks for letting me join.
My name is Phil. I'm a regular guy who resides in the Midlands area. Although I don't live in the West Country, they appear in my books. I've spent considerable time in Devon and Cornwall over the past twenty years or so, visiting places like Dartmoor, Totnes, and much more. I have also read books by West Country authors, trying to promote their works.
I look forward to spending more time here.
Cheers.
Ian wrote: "Tonia wrote: "Susan wrote: "This may be my second hello. I joined this Devon based group in the autumn, having returned to Goodreads after a long absence. I'm an ambivalent joiner of things. I was ..."Ian's reply about dipping in and out of the site and at the length you choose makes sense. Freedom to come and go without any sense of obligation is wht I like.
Mod
Thanks for letting me join.
My name is Phil. I'm a regular guy who resides in the Midlands area. Although I don't live in the West Country, they appear in my books. I've spent considerable..."
Hi Phil - my apologies for not responding sooner - been a mad few weeks and I've not been able to make my usual daily visit to the pages. you are really welcome and I hope y9uo'll enjoy the group
Good Morning My name is Dean I’m thinking of writing a book and I wondered if there was anywhere I could join and meet up fellow authors for advice
Hi Dean, Hopefully someone here can help - whereabouts in the county are you?
Ruth
Ah! Maybe someone else can recommend something nearer but there are good writing groups at Barnstaple library. If you scroll far enough down the link below you'll see there are 3 that meet on the first Saturday of the month. They're all friendly and constructive. Hope you find something that suits!
http://www.devon.gov.uk/events_at_bar...
Mod
Ruth wrote: "Hi Dean,
Hopefully someone here can help - whereabouts in the county are you?
Ruth"
Hi Dean - sorry not to reply sooner but I've been away for a week and am just catching up. I see that Ruth has already directed you to the Barnstaple groups. Let me know if you cant find anything and I'll try to connect you with other writers who may be able to help.
Mod
I pinched this group off another member on Goodreads friends list as I am always looking for avenue that will give more to read inspiration.
Being a busy mum of three I manage a book a ..."
Hi Rosie - you are very welcome
Love the book choices - very varied but great reads. I enjoyed them all too.
You do well to manage a book a week! I hope you will find lots here to inspire you. Check out the currently reading and recommendations threads - loads in there.
Also - if you find time, have a wander around the threads - they don't all show on the page.
Also - if you have Facebook and Twitter join us there
I'm sure you will not be short of books to discover.
Thanks again for joining us and please do post as often as your busy schedule allows
Hi Ian, thank you for your welcome., what a great idea of yours to start this group.I do indeed live in Devon, how lucky I am.
My first book published last year is set in a North Devon village and the one I am working on is the second in this series.
I also published a book of short stories.
I probably shouldn't have said all this on the hello page, it should be on the Author Page, so feel free to edit.
Kind Regards
Glenda
Mod
I do indeed live in Devon, how lucky I am.
My first book published last year is set in a North Devon village and..."
HI Glenda - you are very welcome and it is no problem that you posted this here - you can post further updates on your work in the writers corner section but lovely to get your introduction - especially as you posted it in the right place!
Hello everyone,I live in Exeter and have lived in Devon for the last 22 years. I’m an English teacher currently specialising in A level English Language. The books that I read for work tend to be mostly theoretical/historical, so when I’m home I like to read mostly fiction but do enjoy a more historic setting. One of my favourite books is Times Arrow by Martin Amis but I’m also a big fan of anything by Jeanette Winterson or Angela Carter.
Charlene :-)
Charlene wrote: "*Angela Carter!"Hi Charlene,
And welcome! Angela Carter and Jeanette Winterson are also favourites of mine, although I have not reread anything for quite some years. Only this weekend, I was tempted to reread the AC's (and catch-up with anything I may have missed) because of a very positive review for a biography of Carter. It may be just what I need to get back to some old favourites. I also love Alice Munro, Shirley Hazzard and some Nicola Barker, although most of my reading, now, is either factual, or older works (WWI and WWII), or World Lit. However, I am currently trying to catch up with past Man-Booker winners that I own, but have never read.
Mod
I live in Exeter and have lived in Devon for the last 22 years. I’m an English teacher currently specialising in A level English Language. The books that I read for work tend to be..."
Hi Charlene - apologies for the delay - been a hectic week and I've not had time for my page - shocking I know! You are really welcome and thanks for posting the introduction. Feel free to encourage your students to join us too - it would be great to have more younger readers featured in our group.
Hi everyone, I’m Beth I live and work near Exeter :) I work in the charity sector and love to read in my spare time. My favourite authors are Arundhati Roy & Elif Safak. I also love John Steinbeck. I could talk about/read books all the time so I’m excited to join this group and to get lots of recommendations!
Hi Beth! Arundhati Roy is one of my faves too. Loved God of Small things... not so keen on her second though. Have you read any rohinton mystry? It's such beautiful story telling. A fine Balance is superb!
Jane
Hello everyone!I'm Abbie, a Children's and Families Support Worker currently living in Cornwall. I love Devon, particularly Exeter and Dartmoor, and really wish to live there in the future.
I used to be a Library Assistant for Cornwall libraries for two years, but unfortunately this was only a temporary position. I'm now doing something very different, supporting children and young people with learning disabilities to access the community and develop social and life skills. Although I do enjoy this, I also miss reading and talking about books, hence trying to become more active on goodreads!
As well as working, I'm also studying part-time towards a Masters in Pscyhology, as I would like to combine my interest and undergraduate education in English and writing with psychology. Ideally focusing on the therapeutic and transformational power of reading!
I'm currently doing a diary dissertation project on remembering one's past memories during reading fiction, which is in need of a few volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, just pop me a message :)
I'm currently reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I'm not too far into the book, approximately 80 pages, but I'm really enjoying it! It is not at all what I expected (in a good way).
My favourite author is Virginia Woolf (her writing is just beautiful), and my favourite books are Jane Eyre, East Lynne, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. I prefer fiction from the Victorian and Edwardian era, but I've been reading more popular fiction as of late to counteract the amount of heavy university reading I've had to do!
Hello to Bethany and Abbie. Welcome! Lots of varied tastes in our reading here so hopefully you'll both find interesting points of contact. Btw I love Jane Eyre too, Abbie, plus I'm a fan of Henry James and John le Carré and so many more. Never enough time to get ahead of the TBR list though... :-(
Mod
Hi Bethany - Welcome and thanks for saying hi. Sorry for the delay in replying - been a busy week at work. Great writers. Elif Shafak is one of my favourites - I love her work. Heard her speak at Hay a few years ago - could have listened to her all day. So interesting and clever. Do you have a favourite? I loved the The Bastard of Istanbul and The Forty Rules of Love. AS a matter of interest, who do you work for? I work for DCC in Adult Social Care - any related interest for you?
Mod
I'm Abbie, a Children's and Families Support Worker currently living in Cornwall. I love Devon, particularly Exeter and Dartmoor, and really wish to live there in the future.
I us..."
Hi Abbie - welcome and thanks for saying hi. Really interesting work, as is your dissertation topic - my background is in children's social work (now adult social care). Virginia Woolf's work is remarkable - great choice (as are your others) Do you like Wilkie Collins and Anthony Trollope? - I love their work.
I've heard a number of good reports about Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
Hello to Beth and to Abbie,I'm just about to read 'The God of Small Things', Beth, as part of an attempt to read all the past Man Booker winners that I own, but have never read. No idea why I've never read it - especially when she and her politics are so fine - and now her 'new novel' is winning great acclaim. No Elif Shafak though ... yet! I second Jane's praise of Rohinton Mistry; his 'Fine Balance' is one of my all time 'Greats'.
Abbie, I agree absolutely about Virginia Woolf, especially 'To the Lighthouse' and 'The Waves', tho' her non-fiction feminist works are part of my bed-rock. I'm also fascinated by your studying and research. As an ex-Eng Lit academic, I am a profound believer in reading's power to heal, change and help us grow. I'd be keen to volunteer for your research, if it works time-wise and I prove to be suitable. NB I'm Carole - I used to blog as 'DrMama' and now use it for all bookish things - I'll link to your post above.
Take care, both ... all!
Has anyone encountered this problem?! I am quite an experienced author (12 books, most under another name, and over 100 articles etc) and have nearly finished my third novel about children but I don't see them as 'children's books' per se; in other words I regard them as 'trans-age' books for anyone who interested in children's fertile imaginations. I think we have all been children, many of us have children and grandchildren; and if not, do we not rub up against them from time to time!?
And yet publishers and agents insist on dumping these submissions into a bin marked 'children's books' and it seems impossible to get beyond this prejudice. But, I ask, are ghost stories just for ghosts? Vampire books just for vampires? Crime thrillers just for murderers? I don't think so, why then need children's books be just for children?
That in a nutshell is my current dilemma, and I sure would appreciate any thoughts from you learned and well-read folk here.
Thanks so much for reading this far.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived readership.Sorry for not putting it that succinctly before!!
Hi Beth and AbbieI read Eleanor Oliphant recently on my daughter’s recommendation (she reads even more than me!) and loved it. One of my favourite books!
Your Masters sounds really interesting. Do you know Joanna Traynor? She is a writer (literature and theatre) who then trained as a counsellor and has a social enterprise called Story Jug which is about therapeutic writing. I used to work for a charity supporting Asylum Seekers and she did work with some of our women service users.
I love Virginia Wolff too!
Best wishes
Jo
Mod
Sorry for not putt..."
Hi Richard - so many authors I talk to say the same about either being constrained by a genre label. What you say is so true - a year or two ago, my daughter bought me a copy of a now out of print "children's book"which I loved as a 10 year old. I re-read it 40+ years later and loved it just as much. In fact it transported back all those years and was very moving. Others love to read for example the Harry Potter, Narnia. Winnie The Pooh books - are they written for children? I don't think so
Ian wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived readership.So..."
And consider books like 'Lord of the Flies', 'Animal Farm', the entire Tolkein canon, and Philip Pullman. I wonder if anyone here has read 'A High Wind in Jamaica' by Richard Hughes? - a brilliant and robust "children's book". And Lewis Carroll, a children's author???
Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived readership.I can relate to this totally, Richard. I'm a traditionally published author but last year I self-published a high fantasy based on part of the Norse Volsung Saga. 'The Doomsong Sword' is about Davor, a lazy, tale-telling boy who grows into a very brave young man, of course. I saw it along the lines of a coming-of-age story, but because at the beginning of the story Davor is 12-ish it was assumed to be for children. Then there was the problem of the genre - if it was for y.a. (young adults) the fantasy aspect (a la Tolkein) needed to be more urban and 'gritty'. In the end, I wrote the book I wanted it to be and self-published, and it has got great reviews from adults and younger readers alike. But this genre issue is a nuisance & misleading. If everyone agreed with the 'children's bin' theory 'To Kill a Mocking Bird', 'The God of Small Things', & at least half a dozen of Dickens' novels would have to be thrown in to start with.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...
J.G. wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived readership.I ..."
Ian wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived readership.
So..."
Thanks to Ian and JG for those views which are very interesting and help to strengthen my own. They encourage me to keep on fighting for my 'transage' genre.
The first of my adventures follows the increasingly fraught experiences of the Leigh children 'The children who wouldn't...' : http://getbook.at/TheChildrenWho - who strive to prevent a hotel from being built, and wrecking their special spiritual place, and in so doing get caught up with characters from another world.
The second, as yet unpublished, is set in the Lake District, and follows a search for a horde of dinosaur bones buried when a motorway was constructed. It involves some evil opponents and, as they think, a friendly witch.
Both these narratives are, believe it or not, based on true events.
The one I'm working on now - the third in the trilogy - is set back on the same island as the first but this time in winter. One of their northern enemies stalks them as they get caught up in a search for a rare talisman from the Far East.
They are all quite dark green in character - which is my profession - and get progressively darker psychologically, but I'm not sure why!
Many thanks for reading.
Richard wrote: "J.G. wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived re..."Keep going, Richard. Your novels sound fascinating & you already know it's not easy to succeed (whatever that is in fiction - sales or quality?). Remember how often JK Rowling was rejected: nobody really knows what readers want or what will catch somebody else's imagination until the trend is over. My philosophy is to write what I would like to read & basically hope for the best. 'The Doomsong Sword' had a wobbly start but my cunning plan has worked so far.
J.G. wrote: "Richard wrote: "J.G. wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by ..."Thanks JG, much appreciated. You are quite right of course. With non-fiction work sold through agents and marketed in the mainstream, I never had to think about such things!!! Now that's all changed. My last agent told me I needed a higher degree to break into the American market ("where the money is"), so I spent 5 years gaining a PhD, in which time he dropped me because he wasn't interested in children. In actual fact I discovered he'd discovered celebrity authors like Trevor MacDonald; like I told him, "where the money is eh?" Not appreciated. He has now retired I think. A bit annoying because he'd 'head-hunted' me from another agent.
I will buy The Doomsong Sword, and review it.
Richard wrote: "J.G. wrote: "Richard wrote: "J.G. wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be ca..."Thanks, Richard. Let me know when your books become available and I will gladly buy - love well-thought out, meaningful fantasy & fiction - can't abide trendy urban fantasy, though (!). Are you on Twitter - that helps, if only to connect with like-minded authors? J
Great. Yes on Twitter @DrRichardMeyer - mostly dominated by work on badger conservation, and my painting - though that has been put on hold lately due to badgers and writing.
Ian wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived readership.So..."
As a reader I totally agree, I have found many "children's" books to be better written and much less constrained by literary fashions than adult books. I am a particular fan of the fantasy genre too, another area which often gets dismissed, partly because there is a lot of dross out there, but which has some of the most interesting ideas in it if you know where to look. I recently discovered Susan Cooper, sad that I didn't know her work before, wonderful books.
Ley wrote: "Ian wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived rea..."Ley wrote: "Ian wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived rea..."
Hi Ley, you're right. One of the wonderful freedoms afforded by supposedly writing for children (but in effect for canny adults too) is that children are allowed to say the politically incorrect thing, be less constrained (as you say) and in their so-called innocence get away with speaking truths which would inhibit adults or be unacceptable - marvellous!
The best advice I ever had as a writer of non-fiction was to write for the intelligent 11yr old, and I've tried to do that ever since, with the exception of course of science papers etc.
Ley wrote: "Ian wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the perceived rea..."Sorry to barge into a conversation I have been enjoying following, but I would just like to jump in and say Susan Cooper! totally love her books especially the Dark is Rising sequence. Like wise Jenny Nimmo’s Snow spider trilogy. There are so many great books out there which are called children’s books or young adult but are much much more. I also love Garth Nix, Patrick Ness .... oh the list goes on and on. too many books too little time as they say.
Allie wrote: "Ley wrote: "Ian wrote: "Richard wrote: "I suppose what I'm trying to say is that while most book genres are categorised by subject matter, so-called children's books seem to be categorised by the p..."Not barging in at all Allie! I'm very grateful for your input, and sure I'm not alone. You mention a host of good writers, some of which, I confess, I don't know, but that alone speaks 'volumes' (if you'll allow a poor pun). And you make me think of others too: Rosemary Sutcliff for example, and Rudyard Kipling; Rikki-tikki-tavi is one of my favourite stories of all time, and my children loved Puck of Pook's Hill.
I used read to them incessantly: two or three times a day "Let's have a chapter", and always reckoned that a book which kept them enthralled and, crucially, myself and my wife too, was 'a good book', and there are lots.
Lots of 'children's books' great for adults; lots of adult books great for children. It does rather make a nonsense of the genres publishers give us. Why? Does it just make marketting, indexing and cataloguing easier, perhaps?
Mod
HI Allie - not barging in - just joining the flow. That's what this forum is all about. Interesting to hear your thoughts
Technically speaking, 'children's,' 'young adult' etc should be called 'categories' rather than genres. In his wonderful book 'The Story Grid', editor Shawn Coyne helpfully splits genres up into a 5-leaf clover:
1. Content - eg horror, crime, thriller
2. Structure - archplot, miniplot, antiplot
3. Style - drama, documentary, musical, literary etc
4. Reality - realism, fantasy etc
5. Time - short, medium, long (as in short-story, novella, novel)
Genres are basically as confusing as heck. Science fiction really bugs me, because anything that's about the future in any way gets dumped in here, even if it's a dystopian story with no technology or science at all.
Anyway, story nerds will enjoy Shawn's book. It's hugely useful for fiction writers at all levels of experience.
Thanks Simon, that's really interesting and you've made things more clear. I hate the term 'cross-over' but wonder where they fit in. Do they have a category/genre of their own. In Shawn's scheme, where would 'Lord of the Flies' fit? I have just read a review of an Alan Garner book, in which the reviewer, John Rowe Townsend said in 'The Guardian' "The [book] is not meant only for children or anyone else; it's a novel...". Like they say about music, maybe there are just good books, bad books, and mediocre books?
Appreciate your input Simon.
HIi have just joined this group to connect with other Devon authors and lovers of books. I have always loved words and have just published my first novel https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Mist-Lyn...
would welocme any feedback - sorry i can't make it free on Amazon. look forward to hearing other members news and seeeing what you are all reading and recommending. so pleased to have found this website all good wishes Lynne
Mod
i have just joined this group to connect with other Devon authors and lovers of books. I have always loved words and have just published my first novel https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Mist-Lyn......"
Hi Lynne - glad you found us - you are very welcome. If you take a look at the various topics you will find plenty to interest you I am sure.
I know you are running the London Marathon tomorrow, so good luck with that - hope it isn't too hot for you
Hi, I’ve just joined the book group because I am a keen reader and writer who lives in Devon. My book called Pearls Before Poppies, the history of the Red Cross Pearls was published last month. It tells the story of a remarkable World War One charity appeal and the poignant stories of the women who made it a success. Best wishes, Rachel
Mod
HI Rachel and welcome - it was fantastic to meet you yesterday and so pleased you've joined us. Rachel will be too modest to say so, friends, but her book is a beautiful and moving collection of personal accounts of the people who donated a pearl after the war. This is the story in summary:
One hundred years ago, in February 1918, Lady Northcliffe, wife of the newspaper baron, appealed to the women of Britain and the Empire. She asked them to donate a pearl to the British Red Cross in memory of a life lost or changed forever by the war.
The appeal gained extraordinary momentum and nearly 4,000 pearls flooded in from across the world.
The pearls were made into 30 necklaces, which were auctioned at Christie's - the appeal raised nearly £100,000.
The story of the Red Cross Pearls has been told in Rachel (Trethewey), new book Pearls before Poppies.
Rachel spoke very movingly yesterday at the Stoke Lodge event for World Book Night and I am really looking forward to reading her book.
The Red Cross is now renewing its appeal - you can find out more here https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-invol...##
Hi Rachel and welcome,I read about your book and was fascinated, such a good idea. I was specially interested, as I have read so much about the Northcliffes (mainly him, I admit) and this had not cropped up at all.
Congratulations on the book! It was already on my 'tbr' list, and I hope it is a great success ... as well as spurring people on to support the latest appeal.
Do keep us all informed of your (and it's) progress. Have you started the next book yet??
Best wishes,
Carole (aka 'DrMama' / Gritty-Reads).
Hi Ian, Thank you so much for mentioning my book and the new Red Cross Appeal. There is another strand to the story. We are trying to track down what happened to the 41 pearl necklaces which were auctioned at Christie’s in December 1918. If anyone has any information we would love to hear from them.Best wishes,
Rachel
Hi Carole, It’s so interesting to hear from someone who is interested in the Northcliffes. I find them fascinating. He was such a Machiavellian character but he also did a lot of good as in his war work for the Red Cross. I find Lady Northcliffe even more interesting and while researching Pearls Before Poppies I discovered that she was certainly his match.My next book should be out later this year. It is called Before Wallis and tells the stories of the other loves of the Duke of Windsor before he met Mrs Simpson.
Best Wishes,
Rachel
Mod
That would be an amazing story - presumably Christies have records to begin the search?
Devon Book Club
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re the CW MA at Bath Spa. I think it was good for very many people but, for me, something of a mistake. I had already had an early career as a novelist, with seven novels published by mainstream publishers. I wasn't happy. I can't write the sort of fiction that was favoured by the tutors at the time, on the modules I chose. The bonus, however, was the two excellent friends I made. We still meet up, 14 years on.
Your Exeter experience sounds more fruitful.
All the best with your work - Susan