It was one of those “tick off the bucket list” moments.
My husband, my mother in law and I enjoy watching the UK reality TV programme “ The Great Pottery Throwdown”. This show features a group of around 10 potters who battle it out each week, producing various clay products, one potter is dismissed at the end of each week, and eventually the grand winner is proclaimed. Each week so many beautiful pieces are lovingly crafted, each week the head judge has tears in his eyes as he exclaims how exquisite and beautiful the items are and occasionally there’s an odd dud and mishap too. Each week, my husband and mother in law and I exclaim how wonderful to be able to craft such beautiful pottery.
So, on the first day of May this year….which happened to be a very warm 25°C … my husband, my mother in law and I turned up at The Essex Pottery Studio, near Halstead in Essex. Being complete clay novices, we booked a 2 hour lesson on the potters wheel. The Essex Pottery Studio offers lessons to complete novices, and the price includes materials and the firing of the finished products.
Facing the wall in the studios were three potters wheels, ready and waiting. Our lovely teacher showed us first what to do with a demonstration on how to operate the pedal, how to wet the wheel base, how to throw a lump of clay onto the wheel, how to stick the clay onto the base by lovingly caressing it, how to put our fingers into the clay to make an opening whilst spinning the wheel, how to then pinch the edges to gently grow the pot, how to smooth the sides with a sponge not dissimilar to a make up sponge, how to gradually stop the wheel, and finally how to use wire to scrap the finished pot off the wheel and onto the board ready for firing. Easy peasy. She made it look easy.
We were ready to attempt two bowls ourselves. We had to take off our watches and rings, put on aprons and settle ourselves down onto the little stools perched next to the wheels. We were ready to make our masterpieces.
And that’s when the fun and games began. In order to get the clay to stick and to mould the wheel and the clay need to be constantly wet and the wheel needs to be spinning fast. Also you need to squat quite low on your stool with your elbows on your knees. It was extremely difficult to (a) remember not to have your elbows in the air – the pot flops (b) and to keep the speed up as the wet clay tended to fly off the wheel. Unfortunately to slow down the wheel you needed to press the pedal with your heel; pressing with your toes sped the wheel up…and taking your foot off the pedal did nothing at all. After rescuing the clay after sliding off the wheel a couple of times, we soon managed to start making pots.
We were ready to make our pot openings. Putting our middle finger and index finger together we pushed through the top of our little clay moulds and then very slowly we pinched the sides so they grew upwards. And voilà, our bowls were born. Unfortunately, my mother in law has arthritic fingers, so her pot opening wasn’t round as she had hoped and ended up making a plate instead!
Time for round 2. This time I made a flower pot 😊 No, it wasn’t my intention – my fingers just happened to protrude too far into my clay that I made a hole. Nevertheless I carried on. I must say that our second attempts were a lot better than our first. My husband created the best pots out of the three of us and seemed to have less mishaps than us girls!
I was so glad we wore aprons as by the end of the session we were covered in clay! We picked all the pots for firing…. and we haven’t yet picked them up for painting 😳 It was such a wonderful, fun afternoon and a great experience too. It was much harder than it looks to do so we have even more respect for those TV potters whose pots unfortunately turn wonky or don’t actually look like they were supposed to look, because we now know it is difficult to keep control of the wheel.
If you are looking for a fun activity to do then I would definitely recommend having lessons on a potters wheel!
Apart from the pottery lessons, The Essex Pottery Studio is a great place to pop in to visit – it is a ceramics & art studio so there are plenty of exquisite pottery and artwork for sale. There is a small tea room but unfortunately it wasn’t open when we visited. The studios have other activities such as PaintYour Own Pottery, Clay Hand Building and Glass Fusing workshops. They also host private parties, both adults and children, for birthdays, hen parties, business bonding etc. The Pottery Wheel lessons are for available for absolute beginners – 1 or 2 hours and price includes clay and firing. The potters wheel is also available to be used outside of lessons but the only stipulation is that the clay used is purchased from them. The Essex Pottery Studio is open 7 days a week, 10.00 – 16.00. For more details : https://essexpotterystudio.co.uk
This isn’t a sponsored post. We bought the lessons actually as a birthday gift for my mother in law and husband and I decided to tag along! We enjoyed ourselves so much, I thought it was worth giving The Essex Pottery Studio a shout out on the blog.
This week I’m reviewing a range of foot creams supplied by Dr Judith Anders for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.
THE BRAND
Dr Anders Professional Footcare Range was founded by podiatrist Dr Judith Anders. It is a results-driven skincare brand specifically for feet. Dr Anders has been a podiatrist for over 20 years, and she wanted to produce products that combine medical grade efficacy but also keep that luxury skincare feeling. The products are available via Amazon and selected professional clinics, and there are links to Amazon via her shop on her website, https://FeelYourFeet.com . Her website is a foot health community dedicated to all things footcare – her blogposts are interesting and informative – well worth a read !
For pinning later
THE PRODUCTS
The products I am reviewing are the Intensive Rescue Balm, Nourishing Daily Therapy, Conditioning Nail Treatment. The products have been made to target common foot concerns such as dry & cracked heels, rough skin, nail health and so on. The products have all been formulated in the UK using natural ingredients that are free from harmful toxic chemicals , are suitable for all skin types, including people with diabetes. This is great news for me – I wanted crack free heels so as I can don my sling backs; I have dry eczema patches on the tops of my feet which often makes my skin feel tight and scaly; and my toe nails are a tad on the hard side. I was really looking forward to trying out these products!
The ingredients used in the products include:
Coconut Oil – moisturiser, anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, anti bacterial & hydrating
Grapeseed Oil – rich in beta carotene and vitamins C,D & E. Essential nutrients to nourish skin and nails.
Tamanu Oil – anti -inflammatory, anti microbial, anti oxidant
Thuja – anti viral & antifungal properties to help prevent against viral and fungal infections
INTENSIVE RESCUE BALM
A non greasy cream formula that dries to a really silky finish, leaving the skin really hydrated. The cream contains 10% urea to break down hardened skin and eliminate cracks and fissures. The cream is enriched with a blend of opus oil, colloidal oat ,vitamin E and thuja.
This is pure luxury in a jar. I used the cream primarily on the tops of my feet to help ease my eczema and it did the trick . My feet no longer feel “tight” at tops and I took it on holiday with me where I used the cream to soothe my feet after I had exposed them to the sun too.
NOURISHING DAILY THERAPY
This is a velvety lightweight oil spray that has the unique ability to be sprayable at any angle, so you really don’t need to be a contortionist to use this! The spray nourishes and restores dry skin – not surprising really when you consider that this spray is a unique blend of coconut and tamanu oils, known to hydrate. This was perhaps my favourite item – each night I have liberally sprayed my feet, top and bottom and heels. It is very cooling after being on my feet all day at work, it’s softening and has a delightful subtle smell. Funnily enough although it contains coconut oil it doesn’t smell of coconuts. It is a little oilier than a dry oil spray but it doesn’t take long to absorb – I would suggest using the product last thing before jumping into bed, especially if you don’t have carpeted floors. I didn’t cover my feet with bed socks, too warm for that, but I was pleased to discover that the oil didn’t rub off onto my sheets.
CONDITIONING NAIL TREATMENT
This is a brush on cream that you “paint” onto clean, dry nails. The cream is quick to absorb and easy to apply. The formula contains sodium thiosulphate which helps to combat hardness, as well as a blend of castor, grapeseed and sunflower oils . The treatment strengthens nails, and conditions and improves brittleness. With regular use, the treatment strengthens nails will improve the appearance of the nails, reduce thickness and make them softer and easier to manage. I cannot give an accurate review on this product because I have not used it regularly yet but, if the results are like the other two creams I have tried daily for a while, I have no doubt it would work like a dream.
MY CONCLUSION
I am extremely impressed and grateful that I have had a chance to use these products. They have certainly worked a treat on my feet. I have used other foot gels and creams before but Dr Anders cream and spray are definitely a cut above those I’ve tried before. Price wise, they cost around £12 each – slightly more than similar supermarket products – but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy Dr Anders. My feet feel soft, silky and are currently eczema free and to me, they are worth every penny. Especially the spray. I love that spray! 10/10
My thanks to Dr Judith Anders for the products to review
This week my guest on the blog is Francis Keith Robins, a mathematical genius . Admittedly his interest in fashion is practically non existent but he has just written a book called “The Fourth Coming – How God Mathematics Can Put The World To Rights” and I was intrigued by his ideas. And I have never met a mathematical genius before. And fortunately he was gallant enough to be interviewed by me….so, welcome …😀
Hello. My name is Francis Keith Robins, known as Keith. Age 79, single and born in Birkenhead – I am mathematical and philosophical genius, although not being very clever as it is due to my hypersensitivity and hyperactive mind that I rejected, as a youngster, information relating to the outside world and I devised a thinking strategy which everyone can employ. Thus, my consciousness and subconsciousness came in line on becoming an adult i.e. not adulterated e.g. with perceptions.
Maths genius – devised a mathematical model for any system or experience
Philosophical genius – solved consciousness which is, per New Scientist, one of the greatest mysteries of science or philosophy e.g. recognise that the world that surround us can be represented by a set of knowledge i.e. mathematically. I also devised an objective thinking strategy which is the way the mind should operate – which philosophers said was not possible.
What made you decide to write your book “The Fourth Coming – How God Mathematics Can Put The World To Right”?
The idea started when I left work. A psychiatrist analysed the way I thought and found it different from normal and suggested I contact a university. I was signed off mentally ill to promote my mission i.e. change the way people thought. God initially both helped me and also sent encouraging signals. The Fourth Coming relates to the conclusion that Jesus would come three times as my mission is to save the world using God Word i.e. mathematics.
Your book introduces the approach to reshaping our thought processes through mathematics and the idea of solving the world’s problems using a form of mathematics known as God Mathematics. Could you give us a quick example of a world problem & how it could potentially be solved by using this approach?
I have devised a mathematical model of 15 classes of knowledge plus using set thinking to gather all knowledge for a given experience of system. It is difficult to give a quick example but I will try – one of the 15 classes of knowledge that represents any experience, is the associated mistakes and precautions. These models, I envisage, would be shared nationally and internationally so this would deter people learning by making mistaking e.g. climate prevent measures with set thinking [One could ask whether you have a complete set i.e. you have identified all members- which makes it a powerful thinking tool]
Solar panel – sets
(a) set of elements that make up the subject e.g. screws, plates etc.
(b) ‘classify’ a climate prevention measure ‘expand’ wind turbines seagrass, harness moving water e.g. waterfall
(c) set of buildings with X characteristics which can have solar panels
(d) set of places where solar panels can be installed – on water, on land, on buildings etc.
plus best practised would be shared to make the world a better place.
These mathematical models could be used instead of debates as it is a more efficient way of gathering knowledge.
When someone says “Mathematics” to me I have visions of sums; so what exactly is God Mathematics?
I conclude God is a mathematical being as evidenced with set framework of Period Table, fractal design of physical features, pattern of DNA, the mathematical way the mind should operate, etc. The mathematics principles does not involved numbers. Instead it is based on the definition of a set i.e. a group of objects with specific characteristics, which is fundamental in maths and languages natural mathematical properties e.g. you can be represented by a set of knowledge – feet ‘classify’ a physical feature, ‘expand’ eyes etc. This classification can be raised to include all knowledge associated with you. Hence everyone can be represented by a unique set of information. People often wrongly apply set thinking when they have a bad experience e.g. with a policeman – they conclude all police are bad.
What exactly triggered your lightbulb moment that made you realise your life and the world’s problems in general, was indeed possible to be solved through following mathematical principles?
When I created a mathematical model of any system or experience.
Is there a significant reason why this approach is known as “God” mathematics? Are there religious elements to the approach?
Background: I am not religious. In fact, as a youngster I attended Sunday school and one day I came home and told my mother I could not keep the rules of church and so would it be alright if I just consider the effects of my decisions. Mother replied that is all that God would want. It is known as ‘God’ mathematics because God is a mathematical being. He designed us in His image i.e. using their brains as simple mathematical machine. I conclude that God introduced religion because people were not using their brains in the way He intend, objectively v subjectively
Growing up, did you always want a “mathematical” based career or did you want to pursue a completely different direction?
I remember as an infant in a pram asking my mother what the numbers of the houses were. I took and gained A level Chemistry [school prize] and mathematics. I took and gained a mathematical degree even though my mathematics A level was worse. Numbers followed me to work when I was an external auditor. I have not read a book from cover to cover due to my hyperactive mind.
In your book, you mention that to maximise the potential of this new order, we need to change what children are taught in preparation for adulthood. Could you give an example?
Children should be taught an objective thinking strategy i.e. not creating perceptions, instead allowingthings to go over their head, e.g. having a general view of the NHS when a complete audit is required to establish the truth and the information is not needed. They should concentrate on living their life in a bubble, i.e. without the troubles of the world resting on their shoulders. They would also be taught set thinking plus mathematical models to represent the outside world [others, socialisation, common errors, potty training, importance of have a routine etc.]
Is your book “The Fourth Coming – How God Mathematics Can Put The World To Rights” available to purchase worldwide?
As the book can be obtained through Amazon the book is available worldwide. The publishers Austin Macauley publishers can deliver worldwide.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
Nothing special
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?
Lidl, Asda.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
None – do not change for fashion – do not see any reason for changing regularly
Boots or Shoes?
None
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc
Picture the scene: you are getting ready for bed and you are taking off your clothes – where do they land? On the floor in a heap 😳? On a chair as they are not dirty & can be worn again? Or do you take the time and put them back in your wardrobe or into the laundry basket? My guest this week is Jon Thurling, founder of Floordrobe – the perfect solution to clothes on the chair syndrome! Welcome to the blog, Jon…
Hello!I’m Jon Thurling the founder of Floordrobe®. I’m South African, born in Johannesburg and moved to the UK almost two years ago. I’ve been around a bit though; spent a couple of years in Amsterdam. So, I guess you could say that Floordrobe® came about through my experience living in different, great but cramped cities. Beyond that, I say I’m relatively “normal” if that’s a word; work, eat, sleep, play. I’m kind of happy with this lifestyle. I enjoy having a beer on the weekend and attacking Monday morning in the same vein.
What inspired the setting up of your company, Floordrobe?
It was really the problem that led to a solution which led to a product which then led to a business. When I first moved to London, my girlfriend, at the time, and I didn’t have space to put our worn-but-clean clothes and so, one slow day working from home, I thought, “you know what, I can make something that solves this problem.” An early version of the Floordrobe® was produced and then I thought, “hey, maybe other people would be interested in this!” And from then on, we had a little business.
The Floordrobe® is indeed a stylish way to de clutter and organise your semi clean clothes instead of dumping your clothes on a chair or floor! What’s the Floordrobe® dimensions? And is it easy to assemble?
The Floordrobe® stands 160 cm tall, and 45cm wide. It is dead easy to assemble (and purposefully designed to be so). I have assembled a few in my time and, now have a running record of how fast I can assemble it. I’m currently at 2m 34 seconds.
The Floordrobe® is made of durable acacia wood & recyclable materials. Is the Floordrobe® only available in the wood/metal set up or are there other colours available?
Yes, currently it is only available in high quality Acacia wood and black powder coat steel. As I said, the business just evolved and so now we are looking into different types. I think there is a whole range that can be explored. Different colours are definitely an option (we are thinking a dusty white painted one would be nice) and we are also thinking about different designs with some free-standing units, smaller more compact units. There is a lot going on!
What are the benefits of using acacia wood?
The main benefits of the Acacia are twofold. First, it is sustainably harvested in Vietnam. We are ensuring that the Floordrobe®’s we make are made from sustainable sources. Wood is only a sustainable resource insofar as you harvest it sustainably. Secondly, it looks and feels great. As opposed to a plywood cupboard, the wood of the Floordrobe® is going to be visible in your bedroom all the time and so you want something that is high quality and easy on the eye, something you are proud of purchasing, and we feel Floordrobe®’sAcacia wood accomplishes this.
As your HQ is based in the UK, are your products available to purchase internationally?
Yes, so our products are available throughout the UK and in the US. We offer affordable 48-hourdelivery to all customers in the UK. For the US, we are currently shipping from our distribution centre in Bristol, UK. This means that delivery times are longer and it is a little more expensive. We are looking into creating a supply chain in the US that will help us bring the price point down for our US customers.
The Floordrobe® is manufactured in Vietnam, although stored and despatched from Bristol. Why did you pick Vietnam specifically for manufacturing the Floordrobe?
We chose Vietnam half with the heart and half with the head. From the heart, I had travelled a bit of Vietnam as a student and thoroughly enjoyed the people, the culture and the food and so when I was looking for a place to manufacture the Floordrobe® Vietnam was high on the list. It just so happened that Vietnam has a world class furniture manufacturing industry and so, voila, Vietnam itwas. And I can say, it has been a great experience so far. Working with our Vietnamese partners has been a pleasure.
Have you got any other new furniture ideas in the pipeline to add to the Floordrobe?
Right now, we are focused on the worn but clean clothes problem. As I said, I think there is still so much to do in the space. We really dream of Floordrobe® becoming a household name. But, as an entrepreneur, I am always scheming. A thought we had the other day was something that holds the lid of your pot when you open it to stir. I never know where to put the lid. It’s hot and wet and so the counter doesn’t feel right yet that’s where it goes. I suggested this to my friend and he thought I should call it Sous Chef, which I thought was a great name although its probably taken. Also no dibs on the idea, if one of your readers wants to run with it, then they should reach out!
Growing up, had you always inspired to be a furniture designer or did your aspirations lay elsewhere?
No, I would be lying if I said I aspired to be a furniture designer. I would have to say I aspired to be a sportsman. And to be honest, at the moment, I don’t really think of myself as a furniture designer but more of a creator. That’s the part of the business I really enjoy, creating, sampling, testing and releasing products and seeing how customers react to the product. It’s an amazing feeling to see someone’s reaction to something you thought of.
Although you are based in the UK, you have visited Vietnam. What 5 must see places or experiences would you recommend a tourist visit or do whilst in Vietnam?
Oh man, that’s a good question. So, a few things, the trip from North (Hanoi) to South (Ho Chi Minh) is epic and I would suggest that to everybody. We unfortunately had to cut our trip a little short and couldn’t do the full trip but I will go back and do every stop on that trip. To get more definitive, top three highlights were the following. Hạ Long Bay blew me away. I completely underestimated the natural beauty of the place. It will stay with me forever. Next, I would say the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh was really powerful. I am a bit of a history nut and so spent hours in it. It was really interesting to see the perspective of the Vietnam war from the Vietnamese. Next, the Mekong Delta and doing the Vietnamese war tunnels was also a great experience. I am a tall guy so going through some of the tiny tunnels for only 5 minutes was truly an experience. Lastly, just crossing the road is an experience! It is one of those places where the scooters and bikes just pass you and you are the one you mustn’t hesitate. You need to put your head down and walk!
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I am a uniform kind of man to be honest. In the week, I have a pair of jeans and a pair of chinos, along with 5 Shirts and so I wear one a day with either my Chelsea boots in winter or sneakers in the summer (or maybe shorts if we are feeling a bit spicy). And of course, half my shirts go onto my Floordrobe® which is in use all the time!
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites? (Apart from your own!)
Ah great question, I would even say that while I think ours is good, I look to others and think that is a great store. I’ve just bought a pair of sunglassfrom Messy Weekend and that was a great experience. I also love the name. Next to that I am actually a big Huel person. I love the product, the brand, the website. It is a product I use so often and have such a good experience with that I hope one day people will look at their Floordrobe® in the same way.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I know its right at the end of the season, but this winter I really missed out on a long black or brown trench coat. I need something that is a bit formal, but sleek and warm. But now we are in spring so that ship has probably sailed until next winter.
Boots or Shoes?
I’m more of a shoes person hey. Although saying that, I wore my Chelsea boots almost every day this winter! No, I say shoes because I am a shorts guy and so when I wear my shorts (which is whenever he sun is up), I’ll probably be putting on my sneakers, Birkenstocks or flip flops. With these shoes, especially, my sneakers I feel comfortable yet active (which is a nice way to walk around London).
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Floordrobe
I’m privileged this week to interview on the blog the reclusive writer, Opëshum, who lives in rural Wyoming. Her award winning science fiction stories are pure joy to read and “Beyond The Father” is just the first book of an eight part series. Here’s a quick summary of “Beyond The Father”:
BOOK SUMMARY
“Beyond the Father” sets the scene for the 8-book Sci-Fi Epic “gods on Trial: The Series™,” delving into life’s determination to transcend all limitation.
A uniquely different world to explore… Set on the planet Xżyber, citizens of the Sub-Median Region, imperfectly reborn into metal, oppress those who are organic. Elsewhere, in the Central Kingdom, religion supports royalty’s brutal domination of the lowest class.
Rife with mounting tension… War over scarce resources is coming, revolution within each region is brewing, and none know of the eccentric god who created them. This being watches, has fascinating conversations with his often-wiser companion, occasionally learns, and rarely intervenes.
A struggle for survival and existence… The many levels and threads of struggle distract nearly all from a far greater threat. Meanwhile, the young Prince Anglid’s vision quest into the unexplored Area X may ultimately change everything. However, just when you think you know the direction of the story, the author has yet another surprise.
THE INTERVIEW
A big warm welcome to the blog, Opëshum…. Please introduce yourself 😊
I am Opëshum. And I will ask you to forgive me for my unwillingness to be seen. It is due to the fact that my appearance is likened more to an extraterrestrial than to what you would consider human. I therefore prefer to dwell in the background as the world embraces the many characters I have had the good fortune to bring to the the world. They are both an extension of me and also entities of their own.
I am an avid nature lover, and deeply appreciate being near the mountains and the ocean, whether the skies are stormy or calm. In essence, it is nature that inspires me.
“Beyond The Father ” is the first in the series of 8 books : a multi award winning story of man versus machine, rich versus poor; and an erratic God that created and may destroy everything. What inspired the book series?
It’s a fair question, and I will provide you an honest answer. As I noted in Book 1 of the series, that I dedicated that work to the inhabitants of Xżyber, where the story takes place. This book series is the result of a conversation I am having with them, whereby they help me to channel the and capture the details of their journey. I am honored to have been selected to represent them.
The characters of Prince Anglid, Queen Eveline, King Thio & Anya, for example,are your characters based on observations of people you’ve come across in the past, places and incidents you’ve experienced ? Who was the hardest character to portray? And, the easiest?
The prince, princess, King and Queen are unlike anyone I have consciously met in my life. In that way they are a breath of unexpected wind —of fresh air.
I think that King Thio is by far the hardest because he is so complex, with many layers that sometimes contradict themselves. I am still discovering him.
Were there any aspects of writing your book series that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected?
I was surprised to learn that I was not in charge of the story. The characters have been forthright and earnest about how they want to be represented, and at times they don’t always agree with the way I may start or even develop a chapter. They are helpful in achieving to guide the story as much as I am. I have been surprised that it has required a partnership between myself and each of the characters in order to successfully complete each character.
I came across an old recording of an interview the BBC had with author Enid Blyton recently, where Enid explained that she did no preparation before writing her books. She just sat at her typewriter and typed the stories as they flowed from her mind. I hear you are a modern day “Enid” – that you wrote the entire book in the “Notes” app on your iPhone! Why did you decide to use the Notes app as opposed to more conventional methods? Wasn’t you afraid of deleting or losing your work?
What a delight to be associated with such a prolific author! I would say that in reality, the iPhone is always going to be my tool of choice. It is light, efficient, and allows me to write wherever I am. For writers who experience the characters in their books tapping on their shoulders for attention, the iPhone may be the right tool for them as well, given the fact that it allows one to create a writing space wherever they are.
Have you always wanted to have a career as an author or did you have other aspirations?
I have always been a writer, and although I once fancied the idea of being a filmmaker, it ultimately comes back to writing for me.
Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors?
I was a language and literature major in college, and was influenced by the world’s most famous Russian, German, and Central American writers in history. Pushkin, Goethe, Dostoevsky and Ernesto Cardenal had a profound influence on how I express myself work. Interestingly, I am not a bookworm.
Is “Beyond The Father” available to purchase worldwide?
Yes, and it is most accessible through Amazon Kindle.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
A large whimsical hat, sun dress made of bamboo or cotton when it’s warm, and sandals or a nice pair of soft leather boots…all while being veiled.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?
I love thrift stores, actually. The smell of old fabrics evokes a sense of history.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I am in search of a great pair of hiking boots for my next trip to Iceland.
Boots or Shoes?
I would have to say both, because it depends upon the mood of the day.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc
It has been an honour to chat to you Opëshum, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. Thanks also to Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing for the review copy of “Beyond The Father”
All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Opëshum.
I’m so pleased to be part of Aine Greaney’s “Trespassers & Other Stories” book tour. All the stories have an Ireland/America connection and so it’s not surprising to hear that the author, Aine Greaney, is an Irish native now living in the Boston area. I loved all the stories in the book so I am also pleased to welcome Aine onto the blog…but first, here’s a quick book summary.
BOOK SUMMARY
From coastal Massachusetts to rural Ireland, the characters in Trespassers struggle to reconcile past and present, place and displacement, loss and hope.
A woman travels from her Massachusetts home to her native Irish village to care for her estranged and sick father. Back in her childhood home, she comes face-to-face with previously unspoken losses.
A wealthy couple travels to Cape Cod to spend their 52nd summer on the wife’s ancestral estate. On their private beach above Nantucket Sound, the husband must confront the realities of their long marriage and its social-class tensions.
An Irish immigrant takes her American-born teen to a raucous Boston house party. At that party, the teenager discovers that her mother had lied about her child’s birth father—a lie that will permanently divide the mother and daughter.
Hello. I’m Áine Greaney and I live here in Massachusetts, USA. I’m originally from the west of Ireland. I started writing while settling into and adapting to life here. In the U.S., I also went back to college for a master’s degree. When my first short story was published in a U.S. journal, I really thought they had sent the letter to the wrong person or address!
Who or what inspired you to write your collection of short stories of “Trespassers & Other Stories”?
About half of the stories had been written and published as stand-alone pieces. The other half, still sitting in my computer, needed to be edited and cleaned up. One day, when I did a big read-through, I saw a recurring theme of place and displacement or of women living in misfit places.
“Trespassers & Other Stories ” is a collection of short stories based on Ireland/America connection! The characters are quite a varied bunch – my favourite story was the American born girl who went to a raucous party with her Irish born mum (and accidentally finds out the identity of her birth father) I did feel sorry for her!!
Did you base a lot of the characters on you and people you’ve met in life?
Thank you. And what a great question, Linda! I don’t think I can base any one character on a real-life person. Though once, when I went on a holiday to Barbados, I did actually meet a person who inspired the character in the story, “A Fine Lady Guest.” But of course, I made that fictional character much more arrogant and tone deaf than her real-life counterpart. For the other stories, I think certain human traits are mushed together to create the characters.
Which short story did you enjoy writing about the most?
I did enjoy writing your favourite story, “That Night,” about the girl who realizes her mother has lied about her birth father. Though in later drafts, I had to ramp up the tension and the conflict for a better story. Like you, I also really liked that teenage character.
Which character was the hardest to portray?
I found the character in “What We Remember” hard to write. Don’t get me wrong. I really wanted to write that story. But while she is quite snooty and full of herself, she is also a sad character. She has more self-delusion and loneliness than she ever wants to admit to. As we see at story’s end, her posh Dublin job or house or her family wealth cannot protect her from that loneliness.
Were there any aspects of writing the stories that surprised you, pleasantly or otherwise?
For those previously published stories, I was surprised by how much I had over-written them. By extension, I was surprised that publishers of those literary magazines hadn’t thought they were over-written, too. I think this is about the passage of time and changing trends. Over the years, we change as writers and as readers. Recently, I saw some research that says we all have less appetite now for reading longer, “flowerier” or overblown prose.
If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future collection of short stories in, where would you go and why?
Oh, my. This is another great question. I think I would like to go to Kenya or Nigeria. I’m not sure why, but those are places I’ve always wanted to visit. Closer to home, I would love to go back to Portugal. I’ve been there twice (three if you count a trip to the Azores, too), to both seaside and city, and just felt really comfortable there.
Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?
I was about eight when I discovered my first Enid Blyton children’s book. Blyton was a UK-based author who, back then, was really popular. I’ve been an avid reader ever since, and go back and forth between actual books and Kindle. I still prefer the real book in my hand, but a Kindle book is great for when you’re stuck on a bus or a plane. I mostly read fiction, but often veer off into memoir. A few of my favourite fiction authors are Penelope Lively, Nicole Dennis Benn, Maggie O’ Farrell, Zadie Smith, Caryl Phillips and others.
Is “Trespasser & Other Stories” available to purchase worldwide?
Yes. I believe so. At least, I just saw it up on that giant online bookshop (begins with an “A” (smile).
Growing up had you always wanted to be a writer or teacher or did you have other career aspirations?
Another lovely and thoughtful question! Being a child reader and a lover of libraries, I did fantasize about being a writer. At age 17, I went to university to be a primary-school teacher in Ireland. But I discovered that wasn’t the career for me. Then, years later in America, I was invited to lead an adult writing workshop and immediately loved it. So I’m still writing and teaching writing for community groups. I also work as a writer for a healthcare non-profit—which I also enjoy a lot.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
For my day job and for my virtual writing classes, I work from a home office. Sothere are mornings when I’m delighted that the Zoom camera only captures a *certain* amount of the outfit! But mostly, I’m in comfortable jeans, a colourful shirt and, if it’s cold, a cardigan or jacket.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
One of the few positives of our worldwide pandemic is that we have taught ourselves to live with less. Since switching to a work-from-home office, I have cut way, way back on any shopping. All that said, a vintage find in charity or vintage shop always brings a thrill.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
Summer stuff! The last three summers here in coastal Massachusetts have been hot, hot, hot.
Boots or Shoes?
I’m a big, big walker. I also belong to a women’s hiking group. So definitely runners or sneakers and I keep a pair of hikers right in my car. If I’m going out, I like to wear my black, ankle-length boots.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc
Great chatting to a fellow Enid Blyton fan! 😊 Thank you for the review copy of your book “Trespassers & Other Stories” and for having me join you on your book tour!
Linda x
All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Aine Greaney; the Aer Lingus aeroplane photo was taken by Linda Hobden
This week isn’t about cats despite my photo accompanying the post however, I do think having a cat on your office work desk might help to decrease anxiety and stress in the work environment! Hey, what do I know?! Someone who would know is my guest this week, Becky Westwood,who is an organisational psychologist. Becky has a particular interest in anxiety : how it manifests in the workplace, how it can impact work life, and the horrors of giving and receiving feedback at work. Becky has done a lot of thorough research & her book, “Can I Offer You Something? Expert Ways To Unpack The Horrors Of Organisational Feedback “ shows a refreshing approach and is a definitive guide to conquering anxieties surrounding giving and receiving feedback. Without further ado, let’s welcome Becky onto the blog … Hi Becky 👋
Hi, I’m Becky an organisational psychologist, coach, avid Lego fan and more recently author. As an organisational psychologist with over 17 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of training and coaching individuals across diverse industries in the UK, US, and Europe. I learned very early in my career that working hard and having fun are not mutually exclusive, and my love of Lego reminds me that at heart, I’m still a big kid!
My journey began with in-house training roles in retail and aerospace, leading me to establish my own consultancy in 2016, where I developed a specialisation in supporting individuals with social anxiety. Since 2021, I’ve been part of the Monkey Puzzle Training and Consultancy team, where I wear multiple hats as an organisational psychologist, coach, trainer, and Chief Experience Officer.
I have a particular interest in anxiety and how it manifests in the workplace, including its impact on burnout, feedback, and psychological safety. I’ve recently concluded two research projects exploring the relationship between anxiety and feedback in organizations, and I love sharing those findings, helping clients translate them into practical strategies for themselves and their teams. I’m also passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces and championing diversity. This commitment extends to my involvement with UK charities, including Diversity Role Models, where I serve as an LGBTQ+ role model, supporting young people.
What made you decide to launch your book “Can I Offer You Something? Expert Ways To Overcome The Horrors Of Organisational Feedback”?
When you hear the word feedback – what happens to you? Do you feel excited or do you feal dread? It turns out that most people feel the same.
So, I decided to launch ‘Can I Offer You Something’ because I realized that feedback, something meant to be constructive, has become a major source of anxiety for virtually everyone in the workplace. It’s not just a concern for those with diagnosed anxiety, but a universal experience that hinders our natural desire to contribute and grow. Through my research, it became clear that the process of giving and receiving feedback has become overly complicated and processed, stripping away the human connection. We’ve created this environment where both the giver and the receiver often share similar anxieties, yet we treat them as separate entities. My book aims to simplify this process, offering practical, holistic strategies to demystify feedback and turn it back into a collaborative, empowering tool, rather than a source of dread. It’s about restoring the human element to a process that should be about growth and connection.
About 10 years ago, I went to a job interview for a job I was qualified to do although it had been a long time since I had been office based. The interview itself went ok, but I later learned I hadn’t got the job. However they asked me to get back in touch if I wanted feedback. This was the first time I had come across a company offering feedback, I was unsure whether I wanted to hear the feedback, but nevertheless, I did contact them. The feedback they gave me was so inspirational that I followed their advice, and it led me to pursue a totally different career, that I am still really enjoying. Why do you think feedback is looked upon with such dread?
In today’s world of work most people feel individually connected to what they do, work is no longer something that you just show up and get on with. For many it has become entangled in their identity. Exchanging feedback can end up feeling incredibly personal. The highs are encouraging and motivating, the lows can feel confronting and judgemental. When someone hears “that could have gone better” what they often feel is that “you could be better”. It’s usually this feeling that recipients of feedback dread and it’s the reaction to this feeling that providers of feedback fear. This all leads to lots of anxiety, frustration crossed wires and missed opportunities.
In your example, it sounds like everyone faced feedback head on, with purpose and that lead to great outcomes. This is what I hope everyone’s experience with feedback becomes.
What tips do you suggest to help someone who may be anxious or dreading receiving organisational feedback?
My top three tips would be:
1. Don’t wait for feedback to find you; instead take control by working out what your professional goals and aspirations are, what things you would like to change or develop and go out and actively seek perspectives that will help you achieve the changes you want.
2. Recognise you have a choice; if it’s truly feedback you have a choice about how you use it. (if you don’t have a choice then what someone is giving you is a direction or instruction not feedback). Once you receive feedback take the time to consider what you have heard and then decide if you want to action it, get clarity on it or put it to one side.
3. Stay grounded; learning some grounding techniques can help you stay in the conversation rather than getting overwhelmed by anxiety or emotion. You could explore breathing techniques or ways to stay present. These don’t only work in feedback situations!
What main tip(s) do you suggest to someone who has to prepare organisational feedback about another person?
My top three tips for providers would be:
1. Get the recipients feedback recipe; most people have preferences for how they like to receive feedback, for example in writing vs in person, privately or publicly or in advance so they can reflect or ‘live’. When we prepare feedback, we tend to do it with our own preferences in mind, but that might not work for the recipient. Get their recipe ahead of time and you’re likely to have more positive impact with your feedback.
2. Conversation not a monologue; Feedback is an exchange not a transaction, give space to hear the recipient, let them ask questions for clarity and share their perspectives on what they are hearing. Most people in my research want and welcome feedback, they just don’t want it ‘done to them’.
3. Think about the environment; environments that suggest formality can add extra anxiety to the feedback exchange. Think about what you want to say and then what are your options for example could you do a walking meeting, could you go to a less formal meeting room if your organisation has one. The environment we are in can have a big effect on how both the provider and recipient feel.
Being an organisational psychologist, what is it about your job that you enjoy or gives you the most satisfaction? The downside?
I enjoy many things about my job, I find humans fascinating and I feel incredibly fortunate that I get to work with such diverse people and organisations, as they pursue their goals.
One of the key things that’s gives me satisfaction is seeing the people I work with do things that they once thought they couldn’t. That could be watching them deliver a presentation, improving their mental health, working more sustainably or changing unhelpful habits. I find it very rewarding and a privilege that I get to walk alongside people as they go on these journeys.
Growing up, did you always want to be a psychologist, or did you want to pursue a career in a completely different direction?
When I was in my early teens, I actually wanted to be a barrister – I think there is something about human behaviour that I have always found interesting. Then in my late teens and early 20s I started coaching school basketball and found a passion for coaching. At this stage I thought I would pursue a career in sports psychology and coaching but never imagined some years later that I would be an organisational psychologist and now author.
What are the common problems/symptoms that social anxiety can create in the workplace and what do you suggest they should try to alleviate the anxiety?
Social anxiety in an organisational setting can manifest in various ways, significantly impacting both individual performance, perception and overall workplace dynamics.
Individuals with social anxiety often experience intense fear of being judged or evaluated by others. This can make performance reviews, presentations, and even casual interactions like lunch highly stressful. This fear can lead to avoidance of situations where they might be evaluated, limiting their opportunities for growth and advancement. One of the other challenges is the miss perception this behaviour can then create in others, I might start to make meaning of why Dave or Katrina don’t come to that meeting, “overreact” or “get defensive” in that review etc and I might then start to do their thinking for them. Meaning I might discount them for that opportunity, I might stop inviting them or giving them feedback assuming they don’t want it.
It’s first important to recognise that anxiety is a normal human response to perceived or real threat, so there is nothing “wrong” with someone if they experience anxiety. I would encourage people who feel able to, to talk to their managers or colleagues about their anxiety and figure out ways they can navigate organisational life and even practice some of the things they find that activate their anxiety.
If people don’t want to talk to colleagues about it, I think it can be really helpful to work out what activates your anxiety, what real or imagined threats you are perceiving and then what resources you have to support you in dealing with them.
For Pinning Later
Is your book “Can I Offer You Something? Expert Ways To Unpack The Horrors Of Organisational Feedback” available to purchase worldwide?
Yes, Can I Offer You Something is available worldwide in print, eBook and audio book. Here are some of the Amazon worldwide links.
In the US it’s also available in Barnes and Noble and other local book retailers globally.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I’d typically be found wearing a nice pair of jeans, a blouse or top and cardigan and 99 times out of 100 with converse on my feet. It’s important for me to be comfortable when I work and be authentic in how I show up, for me my clothes and shoes are a part of that authenticity.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?
I spend most of my spare time playing instruments, baking or building Lego so I love browsing sites that sell guitars and ukuleles, the Lego store and sites where I can learn new recipes.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I’d like to expand my converse collection, and I have my eye on a lovely pair of forest green low tops.
Boots or Shoes?
I would say shoes, I find shoes (and trainers) offer more variety for me in terms of design and colour. I also find them generally more comfortable to wear, although in the winter you will find me in a nice pair of brown lace up boots.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/Facebook etc
I’m so pleased to be able to share with you a “feel good” book that I read recently – “The Bald Monkey” by Dickon Levinge. This is a comical novel about a group of friends who meet up at their local pub, The Bald Monkey. The author, Dickon Levinge, used to work in Hollywood as a screenwriter but currently lives on a canal boat in London. You can tell that the author has a connection with London – the friends and the pub in the novel are spot on! ( As a Londoner myself, it is a plus point that the storyline is authentic!) Before I welcome Dickon onto the blog, here’s a quick summary of “The Bald Monkey” 🙈 🙉 🙊 …
BOOK SUMMARY
Seven years after losing his wife Henry still grieves. Her body was never recovered and Henry, a photographer who lives in the idealised snapshots of his past, stubbornly maintains she’s just missing. Now his estranged sister-in-law, Marion, re-enters his life to finally have her sister declared legally dead.
Local gallery owner Sonia ‘Groucho’ K discovers who was responsible for the tragedy. Wounded by a recent betrayal she sees an opportunity for vengeance-by-proxy. She leads Henry and ‘Dizzy’ Des, a former convict with a kind heart but a hair-trigger temper, on an elaborate mission to disappear the culprit.
The trio conspire in their regular watering hole, The Bald Monkey, and their plan becomes increasingly absurd. Meanwhile, Henry rekindles his once close friendship with Marion, the only remotely level-headed member of the ensemble, and she sets out to bring him back from the brink of disaster.
THE INTERVIEW
Welcome to the blog Dickon! 👋 Please introduce yourself 😊
I describe myself on my website as an author, photographer and boater. That said, my background is firmly based in the film industry. I trained in LA in the 90s before directing short films. I then started writing scripts and spent the better part of two decades as a screenwriter.
Who or what inspired you to write “The Bald Monkey”?
Story-wise, I love to start with an off-the-wall, absurd, often shocking and hopefully humorous event that changes the lives of the main players. I won’t give away what that is in The Bald Monkey, but I think it ticks all the boxes. It came from a newspaper article I read about people disappearing during floods in Singapore in exactly the same fashion which, as I read it, gave me that wonderful ‘ah-ha!’ moment all writers live for.
The Bald Monkey ” is a humorous story about a group of friends and The Bald Monkey, the pub that they drink in. The characters are quite a lovable bunch – widower Henry, local gallery owner Sonia, “Dizzy” Des and sensible Marion. I had a fondest for poor Henry! Did you base a lot of your characters on you and people you’ve met in life? Which character did you enjoy writing about the most? Which character was the hardest?
A pub is a great setting for a story, just because you can have so many people from different walks of life coming, going and interacting. For the characters, I tend to draw some inspiration from my own life experiences. Henry is a photographer who revisits his memories by developing prints from his old black and white negatives. I spent many of my schooldays snapping photographs and then avoiding various mandatory activities by escaping to the darkroom. I’m also an avid people-watcher and notebook scribbler. Sonia ‘Groucho’ K’s physical description is entirely based on someone I briefly saw outside South Kensington Tube Station. Arabella, Henry’s departed wife, was the hardest because, although she’s hugely important, she doesn’t get much page time and is only seen in flashback through other people’s eyes.
Were there any aspects of writing the novel that surprised you, pleasantly or otherwise?
Coming from a screenwriting background, one thing I hadn’t anticipated was how challenging it would be to utilise all of the human senses. With a script you’re limited to sight and sound. At first it was quite difficult (particularly, for some reason, describing smells) but once embraced it became great fun. Being able to get into characters’ heads was also a wonderful experience.
For pinning later
If you could visit any country/place in the world, to base a future novel in, where would you go and why?
I often think about writing a novel about Los Angeles, just because I lived there for so long and it’s a city I would like to revisit for a prolonged period. I’d also love to have a crack at a New York story – although that’s probably because I see it as London’s sister city and I’m afraid I can be quite London-centric. Venice also fascinates me, in no small part because so much life there takes place on the water. One of my favourite non-fiction books is Jan Morris’s Venice.
Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?
Novelists from my youth, such as John Irving and Martin Amis, still influence me. Amis’s Money and London Fields were particularly inspiring. That said, as a reader my favourite genre is Science-Fiction. I only discovered Iain M Banks’s Culture series after he died and devoured it over six weeks. I grew up reading a lot of William Gibson, Harry Harrison, Philip K Dick and, of course, Douglas Adams – because, when push comes to shove, humour is everything. Lately, I’ve been working my way through Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series, which is mindbogglingly imaginative. At the moment I’m reading Joseph O’Connor’s historical novel Star Of The Sea, which drew me in within a paragraph.
Kindle or books? For me, it’s paper books all the way. I’ve never owned a Kindle.
Is “The Bald Monkey” available to purchase worldwide?
It is, I’m happy to say, available worldwide through all the usual outlets.
Growing up had you always wanted to be an author or did you have other career aspirations?
My first love, in terms of storytelling, was cinema and I wanted to be a film director. From there I really fell into screenwriting because my scripts gained more attention than my short films. I’ve had a long and circuitous journey towards becoming a novelist. And it’s been full of stories and fascinating characters, so I wouldn’t have it any other way. One of the greatest thing about being a writer is that no experience is ever a waste of time. Everything is story fodder.
After living in LA and Dublin, you now live on a canal boat in the waterways of London, called “The Good Ship Junie”. Great boat name – is there a story behind the name?
She’s named after my mother’s godmother, Junie, who always wanted to christen a ship. She’d passed away by the time I moved on board, so we thought this would be the next best thing.
What are the good points to living on a canal boat? Downside?
For me the best part of life on board is that I get to call so many places my home. A month ago I was living in Little Venice and Westbourne Park, hanging out in the West End and Notting Hill. At the time of writing I’m in leafy Ealing, waking every morning to the dawn chorus. A month from now I’ll be cruising up the Grand Union Canal to spend time in various towns and villages, such as Rickmansworth and Kings Langley. All places I love and, after 13 years on board, know well.
The downside would, I suppose, be the lack of space. Junie’s only 50ft long and 7ft wide. So, there’s not much room for a library or a darkroom. I was just saying to someone the other day that another thing I miss is having a record player but, apart from the storage issues, when the boat moves around I suspect I’d end up with a lot of scratched vinyl.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I’m a person who finds something I like and then sticks with it. For instance, I’ve been wearing Levi 501s for most of my life. I’ve always had a leather jacket and also a good Harris tweed. Waistcoats are a favourite of mine, and always with a watch chain.
I recently discovered a vintage market on Brick lane (and I suspect I’m the last person in London do to so) which I can’t wait to get back to. For clothes, I much prefer going into a proper shop than buying online. You get to see more choice and, more importantly, try things on. There is an online retailer I’ve recently discovered which has caused me a certain amount of excitement – but you’ll have to wait for Question 14 for that reveal.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
Once again, the answer is in Question 14. Nearly there!
Question 14. Boots or Shoes? ( & Why?)
It’s all about the boots, all about the boots, all about the boots! Specifically, cowboy boots. I got my first pair in my early teens from the superbly named R Soles on Kings Road. My favourite pair are my Tony Lama’s which I got in Palm Desert in 1990 – actually, they were a birthday present from my boat’s namesake, Junie. I still wear them on a regular basis and have no idea how many times they’ve been resoled. Which is why I was thrilled to recently discover that Boot Barn, one of my most visited shops during my LA days, are now also online and ship internationally. If there’s one thing the Americans have an edge on, it’s cowboy boots. A new pair from Boot Barn is almost sure to be my next online fashion purchase!
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc
Fabulous to chat to you, Dickon ….I love it that you’re a boots fan! 😍My thanks goes to Dickon for the review copy of The Bald Monkey (& also to Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing. All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Dickon Levinge – Pinterest photo is by Linda Hobden.
This week I have musician Ross Merrin on the blog. Ross has just published his debut novel, “How Beats The Original Heart”, the first book in his planned trilogy “Moments of Tiny Violence”. And it’s an absolute smasher ! Here’s a quick summary about How Beats The Original Heart , before I chat to Ross about music, his writing and his love of shoes…
BOOK SUMMARY
In the flare of the flames a life-force flickers. Why did Kick Vivid, singer in The Fifth Season, touring a post-religious world, agree to find the boy? And why does the omnipotent Universal Services pursue him so relentlessly when its dominance of the modern world is already almost total? Kick can find the truth at the heart of almost any situation – but this is different in a way even he can’t define. So much – everything perhaps – is within easy reach; pleasure, resources, the future…souls. And while Universal Services are selling life after death, not everyone is buying. There is laughter to be had, after all, in any life led and especially within the touring family. Kick promised to find the boy. He doesn’t know why. Universal Services do. It might be the flames that throw dancing shadows over everything around – or, maybe, simply nothing is as it seems. They say your life flashes before your eyes when you are about to die. When there’s nothing left to believe in, what do you believe in?
THE INTERVIEW
Hi Ross and welcome to the blog 👋
Hey there, my name is Ross Merrin and I am the author of ‘How Beats the Original Heart’, part of a trilogy entitled ‘Moments of Tiny Violence’.
Despite previous stints in nightclub management, charity co-ordination and corporate development, I have been a professional musician, solely, since 2002.
I am also the Director of Deaf Fret Management Limited, a company dedicated to developing creative talent which includes singer-songwriters, filmmakers, poets and performers.
“How Beats The Original Heart” is your debut novel, and the first book of “Moments of Tiny Violence” trilogy – a story of musician Kick Vivid and his rock group, The Fifth Season, who are on tour in an alternative world. Who or what inspired you to write “How Beats The Original Heart”?
I think this is a big question and it allows me to really put together the thinking behind the book.
The fact that I am a musician allowed me to talk within that frame of reference but the things I really wanted to address in the book were on a grander scale – at least that was the intention!
I had been thinking for a long time about the nature of existence and how faith and belief – or lack of it – fit into a modern, perhaps more secular, world and I wanted to put a character through their paces in these terms.
Creating a tour environment in a world that has no religion gave me the perfect vehicle to carry the narrative of my main character as he matured, encountered good and bad people and circumstances and forged his own belief system.
I was curious to explore the possibilities of what you might believe in when there’s nothing left to believe in, as such, and, as much as anything else, it was the curiosity of how I might react that made it such a compelling tale for me to tell.
For Pinning Later
You are a musician & guitar player yourself – so are your characters based on observations of people you’ve come across in the past and incidents you’ve experienced ? Who were the hardest characters to portray?
Strangely, none of the characters are based on real people or any situations based on real events but I imagine anyone reading it with experience of a band situation would recognise personalities, traits and so on.
For example, Zip Furious, the guitarist, teases Riot Malign, the drummer because that’s what guitarists do to drummers for the most part. Drummers get it in the neck and are usually of the personality type that can take it – and give as good as they get.
(A good drummer is gold dust and genuinely holds it all together…just don’t tell them!)
Most of the characters were fairly easy to write in the band scenario simply because I have experience of it, but I also need each character to play their part in the constituting the complete band. Kick Vivid, our main character (thank you for loving his name by the way!), relies on each of his fellow band members for a different function, each providing something unique to the whole that is the band.
It was a real consideration to have their personalities fit their role as a musician but also provide an existential element in the roles they played in Kick’s learning.
The Road Crew, on the other hand, were just plain fun to write and, in a book that was trying to deal with big subjects, allowed me ongoing light-hearted relief from the bigger subjects!
Were there any aspects of writing your novel that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected ?
I was taken by surprise by a character called Bubon who I had originally intended to be in the book for a paragraph or so, but he just took on a life of his own and my pen just kept moving.
I had plotted the book very carefully but he just took over, so I ran with it.
There was one scene that was very difficult to write and that was the scene when the band stop at the inn in the early part of the tour. There is a very complicated thing happening at the inn which I felt really committed to conveying as a way of demonstrating who Kick was and how a simple action has the potential to make a huge difference – it’s not a scene without significance but it was still being tightened and tidied up on the eve of publication and, hopefully, I straightened it enough to make it coherent!
Hypothetically speaking, if “How Beats The Original Heart” was made into a film, who would you love to see portraying the characters, especially Kick Vivid (love that name!)?
Ah, now I’m going to get all evasive on you Linda!
Who would I get to play Kick Vivid?
Okay, so I figure each reader might have an image of Kick in their head and I don’t really want to disrupt the freedom of those images, but I do want to answer your question with the attention it deserves.
I have thought about this a lot and wondered the same – and even in my own mind, Kick is a little vague.
I think he would need to be a composite of any actors who could portray vulnerability, trustworthiness, competence, likeability, a profound stage- and natural charisma and the confidence to carry it without losing any approachable qualities.
I see him, physically, as quite tall, slim, a little shaggy but glamorous, obviously attractive but not a chiselled cliché.
There, I’ve tried to answer but not coloured anyone’s own image – have I done enough!?
How about I promise that, should they make it into a film, I come back and tell you who I chose?
I would be very curious as to who YOU would choose to be honest?
Me? Oh, I would choose an actor Jason Momoa !! 😜 ….. Although “How Beats The Original Heart” is based in an alternative world, is your fictional town/urban area inspired by any city/town/area in the “real” world? If so, what was it about this place or places that ignited your imagination and got the creative juices flowing?
Many of the settings in the book are inspired by environments of been in. Despite it being an alternative world, I have placed real settings into it.
I used to fish all the time when I was younger – much less so now but it was profoundly formative and much of the book as set in or around water.
Given the nature of the subjects I was trying to explore, water, being the giver of life, was a key character in the book as much as the humans themselves and there are several places in Scotland that, with tiny adjustments, I essentially described as I remember them.
I’ve been very lucky in that I have dived in some extraordinary parts of the world and the dive scenes I described are rooted very deeply in personal experiences and actual dive sites.
Every time I am in places as such as these, I take a moment to marvel at it – and salute my good fortune at being able to experience them.
The Nowhere People was also based on personal experience of a place but I am not saying where for fear of upsetting someone!
Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?
I’m not a huge bookworm – I can go through periods of my life not picking up a book but that’s mostly because something is coming out of my head at that point (like a book plot or a song) and there’s no room for something to go in at the same time!
If it’s like this, I tend to read autobiographies if anything – I have read dozens – because I have no plot to remember and I can read it more ‘in the moment’ as such.
Other times, I pile through novels at a significant rate and it has to be a real book rather than on a screen by the way.
I really like humour and imagination so enjoy David Mitchell and am currently reading ‘Number 9 Dream’.
Iain Banks ticks a lot of my boxes, interestingly especially in one that was a little unlikely, ‘A Song of Stone’, which is beautifully written but quite strange.
I loved Matthew Branton’s ‘The Love Parade’ and an especial favourite is Claire North’s ‘Touch’ which is just an incredible piece of writing. She’s brilliant generally.
‘Shantaram’ (Gregory David Roberts) and ‘Kill Your Friends’ (John Niven) would come with me to a desert island too.
Is “How Beats The Original World” available to purchase worldwide?
‘How Beats the Original Heart’ is available to buy worldwide – it is available through Amazon and I know that they deliver orders to Europe but friends in Mexico have had to settle for downloads so I think the Atlantic is a deciding factor in some way.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
Now you’re asking!
I have a wardrobe full of clothes…that I never wear! I am sure I am not alone in that but I work mostly from home so convenience tends to come into the decision-making each day.
Having said that, you will never find me in my ‘pyjamas’ as it were – getting dressed to go out is a big part of my mental approach to the day. I don’t feel anything like as alert if I am not dressed properly.
I do have some great clothes – I am a big fan of charity shops and I live in an area where they are brimming with interesting things so they provide the staple in my wardrobe.
I can get into the habit of laying out my clothes the night before and dressing up a little but I tend to fall out of it if I have a big recording session to do in my studio, say, and comfort and practicality becomes the order of things.
Smart jeans, long-sleeved tops and good trainers get through many days but it’s hard to beat a good suit and polished shoes for feeling like you can take on the world effectively.
I’ve got an immaculate red suit that I bought in a charity shop for £20 just to give you an idea!
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?j
As I mentioned, I love charity shops for clothes – some people don’t care for them and really want only new clothes but I often find clearly unworn, unwanted gifts that have been handed in to charity shops as well as interesting and unique second-hand items so I can find little to complain about!
I run a home studio almost exclusively with eBay and Amazon purchases – I loved to support local guitar shops but they have all closed or gone online so it is just the way of things and, unlike how it might have been even10 years ago, there is less to go wrong with distance purchasing if you know the item you are after.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
I am an absolute sucker for shoes – I’ve been known to buy them for the hell of it.
As for clothes, well, going back to that comment about suits – I have a couple but as I get older, my taste changes a little and I think 2025 is going to see me exploring options in that area.
Boots or Shoes?
In winter, boots – in summer, shoes.
There’s nothing complicated in my choices here, simply pragmaticism – a good pair of boots keep my feet drier in winter on the sunny isle that is Britain!
When it comes to shoes, I am going to spend 2025 wearing those shoes I have already bought and not yet worn before I get any more…promise.
Conversely, in summer, it’s a treat to enjoy greater flexibility and fresh air around your ankles in the way that shoes allow.
I am a big James Bond fan, and so it was so good to read a fantastic spy thriller with elements of James Bond – namely the exotic locations, evil villains, handsome secret agent, gorgeous ladies… and a lot more. I read book 3 of The Thomas Bell series:”Kitto Katsu: Mischief Island” by Richard Gill. And I am thrilled to have Richard Gill on the blog! But first, here’s a quick summary of Kitto Katsu: Mischief Island.
BOOK SUMMARY
The Thomas Bell series: ‘Sex, drugs and murder – James Bond on acid’
Thomas Bell works for an ultra-secret branch of British Military Intelligence, MIX. In his third mission, a missing shipment of cocaine and a botched Interpol arrest at Schiphol airport almost scupper Bell’s objective – an elusive narco-kingpin in a world on the brink of war.
A spy thriller series that takes things further.The action barely lets-up as the body count rises. Drugs, debauchery and violence are an integral part of the world of Thomas Bell.
An exciting story that takes place against the background of real-world events that are happening today – the rise of Chinese power, both economic and military, and the response by the West.
Thomas Bell’s third mission sees him performing a series of routine hits in Europe beforeheading to the Far East to carry out an assignment from which he may never return. He must take down the elusive narco-kingpin whose organisation monopolises the production and distribution of synthetic hallucinogens, including fentanyl, across South East Asia.
The corpse count grows as Bell bludgeons opposition aside to achieve his objectives, all set against a backdrop of the US Navy 7th Fleet Carrier Group plying its way past the northern tip of Taiwan in transit to the Philippines, CIA dirty tricks, a J-Pop girl band with a Svengali manager and a wealthy sugar-mummy who enables Bell to hide in plain sight while kicking ass.
Warning: Contains graphic adult only content.
THE INTERVIEW
Hi Richard, welcome to the blog 👋. Please introduce yourself 😊
Hello. I’m Richard. I’m a qualified accountant (FCCA) who has worked in commerce and industry as what people would describe as a ‘Systems Accountant’. This means dealing with the implementation and running of big accounting systems. I am also an advanced computer programmer who is skilled in writing software using the Microsoft .NET programming language of VB.NET in conjunction with database storge in the form of Microsoft SQL Server. I run a small software company and consultancy, so I am effectively self-employed. This is what you might call my day job.It also doesn’t mean that I can’t find time to produce some fiction output. From the age of sixteen I always wanted to be a writer but had no idea how to progress my ambition. The advent of the Internet changed everything and I have now published three novels – (1) Paloma Azul (2) Lebensrune (3) Kitto Katsu.
I was always passionate about movies, graphic novels and cartoon stories. To this end I undertook to go on courses and research dramaturgy, filmography and novel writing techniques – the idea being to deliver high-octane entertainment in a fat-free, cinematic style.
The Thomas Bell franchise is like Ian Fleming’s James Bond – i.e. Goldfinger/ Thunderball/Dr No / Moonraker etc. My books in this series can all be read independently of each other, however if they are read in sequence then keen, observant readers with notice that some characters make a reappearance from an earlier book to a later one.
My writing style is to employing excellent written English and crackling dialogue. I am able to produce the movie screenplay from the prose novel. I am currently trying to broaden awareness of my writing output.
The background story of Thomas Bell (the main protagonist and the James Bond-type character) is that he works for a totally fictional division of British Military Intelligence called MIX (i.e. not MI5 or MI6). The cover for the MIX division and their office building in Shoreditch in London is that they are a firm of city accountants and auditors called ‘Charles Carrington and Co.’ and their management consultancy arm called ‘Cyventure’. I rigged it this way because I am an accountant myself – a subject which I am able to talk about with authority.
I see the Thomas Bell franchise distributed and marketed as the following channels:-
[1a] Prose novel – eBook [1b] Prose novel – Paperback [1c] Prose novel – Audio book [2a] Graphic novel [2b] Comic book reels [3] Video game [4] TV box set movie/ series [4] Hollywood movie
“Kitto Katsu : Mischief Island” is the 3rd book in the series of 3 books of the Thomas Bell Series. The others are: (1) Paloma Azul and (2) Lebensrune – What inspired the book series? Are they stand alone books or best read in numerical order?
My books in this series can all be read independently of each other, however if they are read in sequence then keen, observant readers with notice that some characters make a reappearance from an earlier book to a later one. I went on a business trip to Germany to shut down some overseas subsidiary companies. While at a loose end in the Holiday Inn in Monchengladbach I came up with the Thomas Bell concept. I was inspired to come up with a new James Bond which would cut it in the 21st Century. Ian Fleming inspired me to get to it.
Photo by Linda Hobden
I’m intrigued – what does “Kitto Katsu” mean?
Kit Kat in Japanese is pronounced “kitto katto” which actually sounds very similar to the Japanese phrase “kitto katsu”, which translates to “you will surely win”. The word “kitto” in Japanese means “surely or absolutely”, and the word “katsu” means “bound to win”.
Due to Kit Kats closeness in sound to this popular phrase, the brand become synonymously associated with good luck. Japanese parents would often gift Kit Kats to their children before a big test or exam as a good luck charm, telling them that they will surely win and do well on their exams. Nestle has said that they often see their sales spike in January, when the Japanese college entrance exams are held. And most of the time, when students receive these Kit Kats, they aren’t to be eaten, but rather to have as an amulet for a successful exam period.
Kit Kat, as a brand, definitely took advantage of this lucky coincidence hopped on this trend themselves, with their “Lucky Charm” advertising campaign winning the Asian Brand Marketing Effectiveness Award in 2005. In 2009, Nestle launched a campaign with the Japan Post, where they sold special Kit Kat packages that had a space to affix a stamp and write a message of encouragement to their friends and families that could be mailed from 20,000 post offices across Japan. This campaign was so successful that the promotional packages were sold out in a month. This campaign also won them the Media Grand Prix in the 2010 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.
My favourite character is, of course, Thomas Bell and in Book 3, I also love Jana Cazenove and Miku Kenji 😊Are your characters based on observations of people you’ve come across in the past and incidents you’ve experienced ? Who were the hardest characters to portray?
Leo Tolstoy is quoted as saying that all the characters in the novel are YOU. I.e. thin slices of (as a fiction author) my persona/ ego/ personality traits. As a man I have to try to think like a woman – interesting that! However I do read the press and magazines widely and I am always on the look-out for content which I know belongs in one of my books. Example: If you must know…Jana Hocking who has regular articles published in the Daily Mail exerted some influence over me with regard to the character of Jana Cazenove.
Were there any aspects of writing your book series that surprised you, either by being harder or easier to write about than you expected?
I work to a structured layout to tell a story:- Target number of words = 80,000. Act1 + Act2 + Act Setup + Playout + Resolution The book’s overall structure is related to the character of the main protagonist . I know that some writers struggle with (a) Writer’s block (b) Endings. I don’t have a problem with those issues because I am privileged to have full command of the English language and its rich vocabulary at my disposal.
Hypothetically speaking, if Kitto Katsu: Mischief Island, was made into a film, who do you think would make a great Thomas Bell? What about some of the other characters?
Thomas Bell (age about 25) – How about a young Brad Pitt or Jacob Elordi? The other characters – I’m not too sure at this stage
Have you always wanted to have a career in writing or did you have other aspirations?
From the age of sixteen I always wanted to be a writer but had no idea how to progress my ambition. The advent of the Internet changed everything and I have now published three novels – (1) Paloma Azul (2) Lebensrune (3) Kitto Katsu.
I was always passionate about movies, graphic novels and cartoon stories. To this end I undertook to go on courses and research dramaturgy, filmography and novel writing techniques – the idea being to deliver high-octane entertainment in a fat-free, cinematic style.
In the meantime, as time and life passes by, I got sucked into the world of accountancy and earned a good living out of it. However, I never forgot my true calling and I am lucky enough (and determined enough) to make it happen. I’m not that guy standing at a bar in a pub with his mates saying – ‘…of course, I’ve got a great idea for a thriller novel…’
Photo by Linda Hobden
Are you a bookworm? What is your favourite genre and/or authors? Kindle or actual book?
I do like thrillers; I’m currently reading ‘Hurdy Gurdy’ by Christopher Wilson about a young pupil monk coping with the onslaught of the black death – superbly written. I prefer hard copy. I also prefer it where the author honours his/her side of the contract which means that I (the reader) will suspend disbelief and keep reading provided that you (the author) entertain me in a fully engaging and immersive experience. I consider it a failure on my part if I haven’t got a vice-like grip of the reader from the very first sentence. Two of my favourite fiction-writer mantras (there are a few!)… Writer’s mantra#1: ‘Only trouble is interesting’ Writer’s mantra#2: ‘Dialogue is NOT conversation’
My three novels are published by me on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) as (1) EBook and (2) Paperback.
Paloma Azul * Lebensrune * Kitto Katsu”
Availability: Worldwide Audiobooks are in the pipeline Graphic novels and Comic book reels are in the pipeline A fourth novel in the series is in progress
One final note on availability…My novels do include adult content! A warning to this effect is printed on the copyright page.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?,
Nike T-shirts and caps. Polo shirts Jeans – Black to traditional Levis Zip-up comfortable jackets Discreet, understated trainers
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
For building work/ DIY – Wickes and Screwfix are definitely up there.
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
A new leather jacket is on the cards. Other than that, quality linen shirts and jackets. Cotton or linen trousers. For skiwear, for me it has to be North Face and Helly Hanson thermal vests and long johns. When I’m out skiing I always take a set of rockclimbing-grade ‘inner gloves’ that I can wear inside my normal ski gloves. A neck snood has its place as well.
Boots or Shoes?
Whereas I may have worn cowboy boots years ago, the only boots I would wear these days are my own ski boots which are manufactured by Salomon SAS based in Annecy,France. For ski resort/ heavy walking shoes I use rugged CAT shoes. For normal day-to-day use, I tend to wear deck shoes in various colours with a preference for Timberland, Orca Bay or Sebago. When on the golf course, Footjoy produce the best golf shoe.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc
So fun to chat to you Richard ! I loved the fast pace of your book and am reading the other two books to catch up!!! 😊Many thanks to Richard for the copy of Kitto Katsu : Mischief Island for reviewing. Thanks also to Ben Cameron of Cameron Publicity & Marketing.
Linda x
All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Richard Gill ( apart from the Kit Kat photo which was by Linda Hobden).
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