May 2015

May 18, 2015

Wellbeing Web Magazine

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Janet Holt and Helen Parker together wrote an amazing book about Janet’s earlier life experiences, titled, ‘The Stranger In My Life’. As a relatively inexperienced reviewer, I remember reading large chunks of this book and being mesmerised. I sat in the dark as the gloaming grew deeper and read from the screen until I was chilled through; though I deliberately did not read the ending. Instead, I promised myself that I would read the whole story when it was finally published, as I had no doubt it would be.

Janet and Helen have remained firm friends ever since. Janet recently read my book, liked it, and then very kindly invited me to contribute to Wellbeing Web Magazine. My article appeared on 3 May 2015.

I’m very pleased that it has produced an amazing response on FB. I am indebted to Janet Holt and Helen Parker for inviting me to contribute to it. Because of the numbers of people who liked and shared it, I am able to offer three copies of my book, Trapped. The winners have been notified.

Waterhouse 'Gather Ye Rosebuds' 1909
Waterhouse ‘Gather Ye Rosebuds’ 1909

I sincerely hope that Wellbeing Web Magazine goes from strength to strength. I shall be following its progress and reading its articles with interest. As regular readers of what I write will know, wellbeing is a subject very close to my heart.

Thank you for reading!

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May 18, 2015

Ten Things You Never Knew about Cerebral Palsy

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Ten Things You Never Knew about Cerebral Palsy (or Were Too Embarrassed to Ask)

When I started writing this article, I was thinking, ‘What do I know about CP? I’m just a woman who tries to ignore that side of things and get on with life.’ I always have been, and I maintain that a gentle, light ignorance of ones weaknesses is probably as good a way as any to get the best from life, which often feels fickle, even in our happiest moments. But the more I wrote, the more I found myself remembering details and ideas. I found lots to write about.

Being disabled has made me rather more introverted than is perhaps best, so actually raising my head and noticing that others are often interested and keen to learn more about CP and about disability in general, is a great way to widen my perspective. And I am so pleased if I can add humour to a subject that many people shy away from, feeling unsure and awkward. Life is variable and not really awkward, but because we are wary of being explicit, misunderstandings crop up all over the place. I try to write these out, so that I can more easily learn to accept my failings, without falling into the trap of hating myself.

One of the annoying things about CP is that it is as variable as we are. One of the wonderful things about CP is that it is as variable as we are….. which can make it difficult to explain.

Miranda - by John William Waterhouse
Miranda – by John William Waterhouse

 

For giving me the opportunity to explain, I am indebted to Lucy Walton-Lange, Editor at FemaleFirst who has published my blog post ‘Ten Things You Never Knew about Cerebral Palsy (or Were Too Embarrassed To Ask)’  on 13th May. Thank you, Lucy!

If you have any questions or comments, please do add them at FemaleFirst, or contact me.

Thanks for reading

 

 

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May 12, 2015

Writing the radio play of the book

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I’ve written the book, so I thought that writing the radio play of the book would be straightforward. In a typical response that would make Eddie laugh, I discover that it is, and it isn’t. It is about events and scenarios that have been thoroughly rehearsed; and it isn’t like anything I’ve done before.

Adolf Holzel - Der Liebesbrief
Adolf Holzel – Der Liebesbrief

My attempts at research suggest that conventions around How to Write a Radio Play of a Book are flexible, and as variable as the people who write them. Though clear presentation is obviously important, to help those who will be called upon to breathe life into words at the mike, it is the less obvious aspects of dramatic reconstruction that are more difficult, especially as I rarely venture into writing plays: editing three scenes into one to add impact; being flexible with timelines so that the story unfolds interestingly; adding dialogue that you remember, which is necessary for continuity in an aural medium but which you would not need to include in a book, where pictures are built differently; and pace, which dictates that although dialogue is obviously key, it should be illuminating and to the point….

It is tiring, this venture, but I seem to be collecting my own set of conventions, all of which help to make the process smoother and more enjoyable. I am remembering, reflecting and learning all the time, and in the process I hope my writing improves. Only time will tell.

Thanks for reading

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May 5, 2015

What Writing Means to Me

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Recently, I have been reflecting on what writing means to me, and whether my time is well spent. I mean, seriously, what is it all about? Why have I put myself through five of the most difficult, emotionally draining and – let’s face it – financially unrewarding years of my life? If I was an outsider, considering pros and cons, on the surface, I would conclude that Fran Macilvey is peculiarly driven: driven to work all-nighters while her family sleeps; driven to continue with the next project, the next hope, despite setbacks, illness and puzzlement from those more sober and grounded citizens of my acquaintance who really would prefer that I would apply my energies to a proper, reasonable, sensible and obvious job. Why, for goodness’ sake, must I always be different?

Because I am, is all. I make that sound nonchalant, easy to say. But if my life has taught me anything, it is the total futility of trying to keep up with other ‘ordinary’ people who have ‘ordinary’ jobs. I’ve tried that – really, I have – and it has only led to heartbreak and loss of a different kind.

In the old days, the pain was about not belonging, never fitting in, and never really understanding what was going on; I had that sinking feeling which made it plain that I never would understand, no matter how hard I might try. Nowadays, though there have been a few disappointments and false starts, I am more certain that I understand the basics and will continue to make progress. On my present path, every difficulty lends itself to a purpose, for a reason. It is easier to notice the ways in which unexpected outcomes serve a longer-term goal.

And above all, I write so that I may share my experiences with others. I can write, and so I should. I can explain, and so I do, in the hope that those who may read my pieces know that I understand something of their loneliness, their anger, even their desolation. It is not unusual to have these feelings, it is not peculiar or suspicious. They are just part of life.

Gradually, writing had revealed that our ‘bad’ experiences often complement the ‘good’, making our lives a tapestry which, when we look back at it, hopefully fills us with gratitude and optimism. That is how I see myself making the best of life’s knots, at any rate.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

 

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