A challenge (LentBlog1)

I am not sure how this is going to turn out. It was something somebody said in response to my … More

Deck shoes and other enthusiasms

I am delighted to be publishing Deck Shoes, a book of enthusiasms, influences and memoir, with Impress Books, next year. … More

After what feels like a very long wait since the publication of Riddance in 2012, I am delighted to be publishing … More

‘Do you mind if I ask you a question?’ the book says. ‘Why are you wearing my slippers?’ I say. … More

‘You don’t sound very ambitious,’ the book says. ‘And good morning to you, too!’ I say. ‘I mean,’ the book … More

‘What do you want?’ says the book. ‘Who’s asking?’ I say. ‘Me,’ says the book. ‘I am asking.’ ‘What do … More

I am lying on the bed staring at the ceiling, detoxing from the day, as I do. ‘You all right?’ … More

The book is looking at me from across the room. It is dressed smartly, but not to impress. It looks … More

S … More

Listening to the wonderful array of speakers at the Foyle Young Poets symposium on Monday, I tried to think back … More

My first reader was a man called Fergus. A friend of a flatmate at university, I never got to … More

Here is a story about a recent failure of mine. It all started with an idea, which I knew, just … More

’Anything else?’ the book says. ’What do you mean?’ ’That you want to tell me?’ There is a long silence, … More

‘What else are you not telling me?’ says the book. ‘Nothing,’ I say. The book rolls its eyes, gives a … More

I was having a coffee with a new writer friend the other day. Not having known each other for … More

There’s a problem with that title, isn’t there? While I have not been completely silent (fifteen blog posts at most? … More

I was having a coffee with a new writer friend the other day. Not having known each other for very … More

For a number of reasons –too much grief in my life, too sedentary, too much television, too out … More