The new book

It is drizzling. The house is empty, the road outside quiet. It’s just as the book said it would be, … More

Excuses

‘Was it good?’ the book says. ‘Was what good?’ ‘What you’ve been up to,’ the book says. ‘When?’ ‘You know … More

The terrible poem starts with an idea. The terrible poem knows it is the best thing that has been written. … More

‘Making Poetry Happen is a fundamental resource for all English teachers for the way if collates both thinking about … More

Ordinary morning sounds from outside drift into the room where I am working. Birdsong. A car being parked. The noise … More

‘You looked, didn’t you?’ the book says. ‘What?’ I say. ‘Before you started this.’ ‘What?’ ‘At your stats. You couldn’t … More

‘What are you waiting for?’ the book says. ‘I’m not ready,’ I say. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘I’m not ready. … More

The book does not know I have left the house without it. Though it is sunny and warm I have … More

I am having a clear out. I am putting my notebooks, drafts and scraps of paper into a box file. … More

Nothing much is happening. The book has gone out for the evening, leaving me alone, with, well, just me. I … More

‘I love this time of year. Easter, the Masters. My birthday.’ ‘Does that mean we can expect the traditional order … More

The book is already seated at the desk when I enter my office. Papers and books are strewn over every surface. … More

‘I’m going away for a bit.’ ‘Can I come?’ says the book. ‘I was hoping to leave you at home,’ … More

I wrote a book with my coat I wrote with the coat of my childhood and I wrote with … More

I am minding my own business, gazing out of the window, when the book appears. It looks as though it … More

‘I think we’re done,’ the book says. ‘Are you leaving?’ ‘I think so, yes.’ ‘So you’re going then?’ ‘Yes. I … More

‘Have you thought about acting?’ ‘I’m sorry?’ ‘Acting. You’re good enough. Bit of training and you’d be away.’ ‘What?’ ‘Or … More

I am watching a particularly bleak episode of Wallander when the book pops its head round the door. It stands … More