My father’s library

  2 MY FATHER’S LIBRARY   Some of the novels in my father’s library illustrate the ravages of time. I came into these books at the end of the last century, when my dad passed away, and carefully preserved on my shelves…

The Organ Recital

By Peter Cunningham © 1     I crossed the invisible bar at the dead of night as a ship silently crosses a meridian on its way to a port called Rigor Mortis. Well, to be truthful, it wasn’t quite like that. In fact,…

Season 1 Chapter 10
ENDINGS

THE STORY SO FAR   This evening I’m on the edge of my chair. It’s ridiculous. I’ve become far too engrossed in Evelyn’s domestic life at a time when I’m meant to be simply giving her tips on how to write fiction. Months…

Season 1 Chapter 9
CHRISTMAS COMPLICATIONS

THE STORY SO FAR By my calculations, this is my ninth meeting with Evelyn, my neighbour. Back in October when I agreed to try and help her with ambition to become the next Margaret Atwood, I never thought we would get this far. But here we…

Season 1 Chapter 8
I-SAID-HE-SAID-SHE-SAID

THE STORY SO FAR I’ve been meeting my neighbour, Evelyn, for nearly two months now to discuss creative writing. A lot has changed in that time – for Evelyn. When we began she was a lonely widow in need of help. Now she’s much happier…

Season 1 Chapter 7
INBUILT PERVERSITY

THE STORY SO FAR Since the beginning of October I’ve been meeting my neighbour, Evelyn, once every week or ten days, to discuss what happens when you try to write a novel. Evelyn’s husband Bill passed away two years ago, so everyone around…

2019 MY FAVOURITE BOOK

THE WINNER! PICKED IN A DRAW LAST NIGHT OVER MUCH MULLED WINE: THE ART OF DYING BY AMBROSE PARRY SUBMITTED BY @TertuliaBooks CONGRATULATIONS!   THESE WERE THE ENTRIES The prize: hardback copy of The Trout by Peter Cunningham (Arcade…

Season 1 Chapter 6
HALF TERM CELEBRATION

THE STORY SO FAR I’m pushing the boat out this evening to mark the fact that Evelyn and I have been meeting since late September and are still on speaking terms. She says she wants to write a novel and would like my advice. In order to help…

Season 1 Chapter 5
SOMETHING ELUSIVE

THE STORY SO FAR A couple of months ago, when we were all still clinging to the dying embers of summer, my neighbour, Evelyn, asked me if I would talk to her about what happens when one sits down to write writes a novel. I agreed. Maybe I…

Season 1 Chapter 4
PEOPLE

THE STORY SO FAR Ever since she told me she wants to write a novel my neighbour, Evelyn, has been coming over here once a week and I’ve been trying to make helpful suggestions. My family has now begun to refer to me as ‘the professor’. An…

Season 1 Chapter 3
MICK HERRON JOINS THE CONVERSATION

THE STORY SO FAR My neighbour Evelyn wants to write fiction and despite my misgivings I’ve agreed to help her. We’re meeting in my house once very week or ten days, in the evenings. I’m keeping a record of these encounters, and publishing…

Season 1 Chapter 2
ENGAGE WITH THE PAGE

THE STORY SO FAR Our neighbour Evelyn has asked for my help in writing a novel. She tells me she can be the next Margaret Atwood. I’ve agreed to help, despite grave misgivings. To be honest, I’m dreading the next step. I’m…

CREATIVE WRITING
Season 1 Chapter 1

One evening about a month ago I had a visit from Evelyn, our neighbour. She’s a delightful, energetic lady in her late forties who is well known in the area for her amazing, secret recipes.