Drawing, painting, writing: they've been the constants throughout my life. In between, I've squeezed in two husbands, five children, a dozen homes and nine jobs, including editorship of three magazines - which takes me back to my main obsessions.
In the past decade I've written fourteen books (eleven novels for children and adults, two short story collections and a manual on writing fiction). You can find all of them on Amazon.
I love teaching and sharing whatever I've learned with others, and over the past twenty years I've taught both painting techniques and creative writing.
Before lockdown I also led two writing groups. We met monthly to share both our writing problems and our successes. I sorely missed my fellow writers, and I'm pleased to say I've restarted two groups.
If you're a writer, a would-be writer, or just love reading, please keep in touch via this blog and send me your comments and queries.
Hi Joy, I subscribe to Writing Magazine and I would like to congratulate you on your winning story, 'All of us here'. I thought it was brilliant. Also, I have just finished reading 'The mystery of Craven Manor' to my son, Philip, who has severe autism and learning disabilities. He is 31, but we read books in the 9 - 13 category. Safe reading and excellent vocabulary at that level. We loved the book, and agree with Matt that it was worth it !
ReplyDeleteBest regards
Mike Hands (I write as Michael Braccia - web link below)
My main current project is co-writing a light drama serial called 'Leeford Village' with author Jon Markes. It is being serialised by Midlands newspaper Express and Star on their web site and I have been asked to read the episodes on local radio. I am also trying to publish my debut fiction novel 'Vision of another life', a paranormal mystery.
www.michaelbraccia.co.uk
Thank you, Mike. Good luck with your novel!
ReplyDeleteHaving read about your writing groups, I wondered if you had ever seen Alan Ayckbourn's play "Improbable Fiction". The first act consists of the various members of a creative writing group describing their very different projects and their progress, or lack thereof, since the previous week's meeting. The second act is - well, different. I won't say any more, except that it is a fine play.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the most poignant moment in the first act was when one of the writers, defending her total lack of progress, confided that her book, while in her head, was perfect. She feared that any attempt to commit it to paper would fatally compromise it.
Hi Andy
DeleteI love Alan Aykbourn's plays. I have two books containing seven of his earlier ones, and was even prompted to write a three-act play which I directed here in Chiseldon with a Drama Group called CADS (now defunct). I haven't seen or read Improbable Fiction but I'll check it out. Thank you.
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