January 13, 2016

SNP Disabled Members Conference, Glasgow, 30th January 2016

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SNP Disabled Members Conference, Glasgow, 30th January 2016.

On 30th January, I am attending the first ever SNP Conference for party members with disabilities, which is being held at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow. I’m so pleased to see the SNP taking the lead on this, and I sincerely hope all the other Parties sit up and take notice. I am going with my wonderful husband, (who is a member of many years standing, unlike his green-stick wife); and I am so excited to be spending the day with him in such a setting, knowing that he has faithfully supported and successfully advocated for the rights of disabled people for many years.

Yellow rose 2

I am co-presenting a warm-up session with the wonderful Michael McEwan, journalist extraordinaire.

I’m looking forward to a fantastic day, meeting friends, campaigners and decision-makers from all walks of life and parts of the country. I am very grateful to the organisers, in particular Jamie Szykoviak and Peter Murrell for offering such a valuable opportunity to us all.

There are a few places available, if you would like to attend what promises to be a wonderful day. You can find more information about the day at this link

 

 

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December 21, 2015

Plans for 2016

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I love the busy spell before the Festive break.  Thinking about work projects that I would like to progress in the New Year, I have been outlining ideas and plans for 2016, so that they can take root while I have time to reflect on them over the holidays.

Hermann Fenner-Behmer - 'What to write?'
Hermann Fenner-Behmer – ‘What to write?’

I have a lot of exciting projects coming up.  The radio play of Trapped is now largely finished.  Though it perhaps needs a bit of tweaking, most of the work has been done.  I hope that any future work with it will be collaborative – I would love to work with a producer, say, who has great ideas to add to the script.  In the past, the attachment I have felt for ‘finished’ projects means that I have found it difficult to let them out into the world to fly – no longer!

As well as the radio play of Trapped I have begun an outline for a theatre production. It continues to astonish me how different are the book, the radio play, and the stage adaptation, almost as if I am writing about three different women.

Chic lit and women’s literature features in 2016. I will be progressing, outlining and submitting several full length works (up to about 75,000 words). Early in the New Year The Seduction of Susan Scott is my first offering, followed by Lisa Somerville, which may become a series of books around the main character. Then, there is Pip, a more serious story about a woman in a difficult relationship who has a child she adores. All these projects, as well as blogging and networking, are sure to keep me busy and entertained.

I am planning to attend the London Book Fair (12 – 14 April 2016) and the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. I shall be taking my work with me.

Thanks to all my friends and supporters for adding such joy and companionship to a very busy year. I am looking forward to starting work again in January. Meantime, I wish you all a wonderful Festive Season.

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December 15, 2015

Please post a review for Christmas

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I would be so happy if anyone who has read Trapped and who has not yet posted a review, would do so. Any review, of any complexion. I have got over the obsessive checking of ratings, comments and tables, but all reviews help to promote and to raise my profile, and I am grateful for each and every comment (Yes, even the less than flattering ones!). People pay attention to reviews, and it helps to increase our readership and credibility.

Paul Delaroche - Portrait of Son, Joseph Carle
Paul Delaroche – Portrait of Son, Joseph Carle

I enjoy posting reviews on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and on Goodreads. If you could tell me how to post reviews on Barnes & Noble and on Waterstones and Blackwell’s websites, I would be grateful. There are also all the other book marketing sites, such as the Book Depository, Lovereading, The Book People. I have recently signed up to a number of these – my password list is ridiculously long – but they are fun, keep me up to date with publishing trends and offer lots of ideas for presents, at any time of year.

 

'Girl Reading' Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot
‘Girl Reading’ Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot

 

Writing continues apace, with several projects that will tide me over nicely to the New Year. Thanks for all your help this year, for your company and for all your encouragement. If there is ever any way I can repay any of the multitude of favours that I have been blessed with, I hope you will let me know!

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November 5, 2015

Carol Graham interviews Fran Macilvey

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Carol Graham interviews Fran Macilvey

Carol Graham

This evening, I received word that my guest radio appearance on Carol Graham’s Radio Show, ‘Never Ever Give Up Hope’ has gone live.  I am so excited to share it with you here.  You can also find it on Apple i-tunes and catch it as a Stitcher podcast.  Carol is a seasoned radio talk show host, who, having overcome her own hurdles and adversities (which she writes about in her book ‘Battered Hope’) now hosts her own radio show in which she showcases stories and life experiences of people who have overcome challenges, to find new meaning and purpose in their lives.

I am so honoured to feature, and to be part of Carol’s success story.  Carol’s questions are engaging and perceptive, and she knows how to make interviews relaxing and such great fun.  It is also because of Carol’s interest in my story that I have finally discovered Skype, acquired a headset and am developing the delightful habit of listening to fab music as I work, which is both enjoyable and energising.

Carol is a great friend to me, and I hope you will all share, enjoy, review and rate these downloads, and invite your friends to do likewise.

Thanks for reading.

Fran Macilvey

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October 25, 2015

The Psychopath Code by Pieter Hintjens

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The Psychopath Code by Pieter Hintjens

This book may well prove controversial. Packed full of practical examples and observations, I wonder exactly what the author has had to endure to come up with a volume about psychopathy and how to survive it. The author is relentless and thorough, and has produced a book that makes depressing reading, at times. But far more importantly, he develops several convincing theses – which work well for me – to explain not only what psychopathy is, but why, in evolutionary terms, it exists: Using a basic ‘predator and prey’ model, it is easier to see what we can do if we are in any kind of relationship with any kind of psychopath.

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The author explains in detail the mechanisms we can use to help us notice those whom we might consider psychopaths, and, more crucially, enables those whose lives have been blasted by them, to find ways into recovery. The question that those who live with abusers are often asked is, ‘Why don’t you just leave?’ but, as the author makes clear, you cannot ‘just leave’ if you take with you an entire catalogue of negative beliefs (‘It must have been something I did’) and negative patterns that you have learned to accept in close relationships overshadowed by psychopathy.

I have read Hintjens’ book twice, each time finding things to reflect and learn from. The examples he cites are convincing, the explanations he offers are well thought out, and his solutions for the re-discovery of our personal power are strong and helpful. He does not claim to have all the answers, but he has enough of them, even in such a controversial field, that I can ponder, reflect, and make up my own mind. And if I do meet a psychopath – it turns out, I have not met very many – I can understand what makes them tick without becoming embroiled in fruitless personal introspection about what I could have done differently. I love having the power at my fingertips to observe and become more aware, without worrying that there was something I could have done better, something I should have understood. When things go wrong, it is tempting to blame ourselves: ‘If only I had been more…or less…’ The Psychopath Code’ makes it clear that the best we can do is wise up, move on, and learn from our mistakes.

You don’t have to agree with all its ideas to find this volume beneficial. The basic themes are all there, and leave us room to develop our own views and insights. That in itself is very empowering. Thank you, for a most useful volume which tells me, in relatively few words, not only how to spot psychopathic behaviour, but what I can do if it fixes its laser beam on me.

‘Colours of Happiness’ 3″ by Camdiluv ♥ from Concepción, CHILE
‘Colours of Happiness’ 3″ by Camdiluv ♥ from Concepción, CHILE

 

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October 7, 2015

Transitions

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Transitions

Authonomy, the HarperCollins on-line community has closed, and I now know how lucky I have been, to be part of that. The friendships and companionship I found there have been incalculably valuable, the humour and shared solidarity irreplaceable and, for me, uniquely rewarding: With the best will in the world, hubby cannot console me when I am working away in the dead of night, on yet another scheme and hope. Across the airwaves I have found genuine understanding, love and empathy that has fuelled my hopes and kept them alive.

If I am ever invited to speak about my experiences of writing, I favour a very lose, informal beginning, something like, ‘If anyone had told me ten years ago, what I might expect to encounter when setting out on the writer’s journey, I would have run screaming in the opposite direction and not stopped until I had reached rural Italy!’ It is often just as well that we don’t know what’ ahead, and that life proceeds, one step at a time.

I wonder at my fear of authority, for example, that has often left me mute and desperate (yes, rather like the old joke of the boy at the public toilet holding a bent penny in his hand) while others have appeared to surge easily forward. Now I know two things. First, other people are just as fearful and as brave as me; and Second, that life will not fall apart if I ask for what I would like. Indeed, if I am fearless, I may find Life falling together rather well. I just have to locate the courage to ask simple questions, and proceed gracefully from there. Me? Graceful? I can be, apparently, just as we all can. Other people don’t make such a fuss, is all.

I am also deeply saddened at the death of one of my favourite authors, Judith Williamson, a long-standing and much valued member of Authonomy. I just finished reading her first novel, ‘The Mark’ written under her pen-name JL Fontaine. Numerous heartfelt tributes on Facebook and elsewhere testify to the deep love and esteem in which Judith was held.

I was so relieved to have found Judith’s book, and pleased to have become re-acquainted with writing which I can recommend unreservedly, for being empathic, careful and extremely thoughtfully set down. What a pity that Fontaine’s first offering, ‘Stonebird’ (about which there are still a few cache memory references to be found on the Web) has not been published. Now, there would be a project worthy of completion.

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September 24, 2015

Finding a Way Through

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Finding a way through.

I’m finding life challenging at the moment. Wondering how to manage, it seems to me that the tried and tested methods are the best, and I’ve written about these a lot. I use my writing to help inform my beliefs about Life, the Universe, and what to do when surprises crop up.

I’ve had a few surprises lately: News about my father that makes me grieve; a new old friend in the mix, bringing back memories from decades ago; unexpected delays over a whole host of small and not so important details. Through these concerns, the threads of life weave continuously. Meals need to be prepared, food bought and laundry dried….thank God for the small anchors of domesticity. They drive me bonkers, at times, but they also give me something to do when my brain goes off the deep end, into memories filled with dark eddies and painful compromises.

I wish I had had more courage, and talked more honestly of what mattered to me. If I had cultivated honesty instead of silence, I might be better at dealing truthfully with what matters to me now. My father, whom I love so much and without being able to express it well, is going to be passing on soon. My husband deserves to hear more about what is troubling me, but suitable words seem to be on sabbatical.

Vermeer,_Johannes_-_Woman_reading_a_letter_-_ca__1662-1663

My first tool for coping is to surrender. A quote in my IN box lately came via Ingrid Bergmann, who said, ‘Happiness is good health and a bad memory’ and I am relieved to hear it. I enjoy the reminder that the past may be real, but is not as real as the shadows beneath the trees I can see over the road. And in the midst of life’s unexpected challenges, it is anyway easier not to think about our preoccupations. Somehow, that makes them bigger and more looming. As they get bigger, they cast a wider shadow over the rest of life.

The next tool is notice how far I have come. Not to dismiss the compromises and the dignified silence, but to see these as the best I could manage, at the time.

And finally, keep eating. Oatcakes at three am, with a cup of barley coffee, are remarkably sustaining, and remind me that small acts of love are just as important as big ones.

Thanks for reading. I may not post blogs for a while, and hope you will bear with me. Please do keep in touch.

'When you think everything is someone else’s fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.'
‘When you think everything is someone else’s fault, you will suffer a lot. When you realize that everything springs only from yourself, you will learn both peace and joy.’ The Dalai Lama

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September 14, 2015

Disability Now Podcast

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I guest on ‘Disability Now’s September Podcast

Ian Macrae, commissioning editor of ‘Disability Now’ invited me to take part in ‘DN’s September podcast, so last Tuesday I headed off to London on the early train. Hubby – bless him! – insisted I travel first class, though the delicious and generously supplied drinks and food did nothing to ward off the chill of a seat near the rear carriage entrance. After days of sunshine, it was unusually overcast, and I was grateful for my woollen jacket.

The time passed quickly, though, and we soon got into Kings Cross, where I had a delicious lunch at one of the food stops. In the cavernous station, after stopping to admire the tourist crowd around Platform 9 3/4, I bought far too much food, and had to leave a lot of it, as I did not want to be falling asleep in front of the microphone during the afternoon recording. A short trip in a taxi took me to the RNIB recording studio in Camden, where we all met up: Ian Macrae, Commissioning Editor of ‘Disability Now’ who invited me along for the day; Zara Todd, Richard Butchins and Paul Carter. We had a lovely get-together, and the whole time passed so quickly. As we shared our experiences, once again I am reminded of how much we all have in common.

Getting in to Edinburgh late the same evening, the train station was so quiet after the friendly bustle of London.

Three Roses

 

 

Sincere thanks to Ian, to Zara, Richard and Paul, for such a wonderful time. I hope we meet again.

 

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August 28, 2015

My Edinburgh Festival Fringe Date

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My Edinburgh Festival Fringe Date

We had a great time last night.

All dressed up, my daughter appeared through the front door in time to advise me to keep my jacket unbuttoned. (Not this jacket, a pink one).

Scottish writer Fran Macilvey, pictured in her home city of Edinburgh. Rights: Non-exclusive licence. This photograph may be used for publicity in editorial or advertising in connection with publications by the author in all territories, without limit of time. No third-party sales, syndication or archiving permitted.
Scottish writer Fran Macilvey,  pictured in her home city of Edinburgh.

‘You are aiming for smart casual, right?’ I was grateful for her advice, and for confirmation that I passed muster, as I flew up and down the stairs, waiting for the cab. (Getting into town in my own car, in the evening in the midst of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Frenzy, is not to be contemplated.) Aware they are much in demand, taxis whizz in and out of the city centre like maniacs, like bears hoping to catch the autumn salmon migration from the river, before the quietness of September and the pre-Christmas austerity of October.

However, I digress.

The staff at the Venue helpfully said I was early, and then – joy of joys – my sister came, to keep me company, she said, and to help, and to be there. Given that she would be home late, I was especially touched by her generosity. Martha has always been so kind, and often in ways that I feel I don’t deserve. So, anyway, she and another Quaker friend visiting from Canada, went up to our event space and sat quietly for fifteen minutes. The room was set out with two long rows of chairs facing the windows. Aware of my mother’s urging to caution, I was quite prepared to speak to a select group of two, when the organiser came and mumbled something about letting the crowd in now, maybe?

Oh, are there others? Yes, and they had been waiting patiently to be admitted at seven. Every seat set out for the purpose was taken, that I could see. Blinking in delighted astonishment, I bade them welcome and thought, ‘OK girl, do your thing…’ so I read a few excerpts, and then we had a most – most – interesting and wide ranging discussion.

One of the most useful questions, was, ‘So, what should I do, if someone falls over and I want to help them?’ I answered something like, ‘If you would like to help, do so from your heart…and if you are rebuffed, (which you might be, remembering how embarrassed and sore I used to feel when I fell) don’t take it personally.’

This morning, I realise, it is easier than that. If someone falls over, don’t ask, ‘Are you all right?’ (Which I have done too….it trips off the tongue with almost no thought.) Instead, ask, ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ Then see what happens.

Thank you so much to Venue 40, the Quaker Meeting House, for making our evening such a success. Without the support, faith and friendship of our Quaker community, I would still be sitting in the armchair under the window, wondering what to do with my life.

Bless you all, and thanks for reading.

'Thank You' by Moeez, July 2014
‘Thank You’ by Moeez, July 2014

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August 21, 2015

Fran Macilvey at the Edinburgh Fringe

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‘Fran Macilvey at the Edinburgh Fringe’

Dear Friends

I have a date at the Edinburgh Fringe and I would be delighted if you could join me.

 

Scottish writer Fran Macilvey, pictured in her home city of Edinburgh. Rights: Non-exclusive licence. This photograph may be used for publicity in editorial or advertising in connection with publications by the author in all territories, without limit of time. No third-party sales, syndication or archiving permitted.
Scottish writer Fran Macilvey

Next week, I am going to be appearing at the Quaker Meeting House, (Venue 40) which you can find tucked away high about the city at 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, in the heart of Festival Fringe Country.

On Thursday 27th August from 7 – 8 pm, I will be reading excerpts from my book, Trapped, and then enjoying a question and answer session. You can ask me anything!

Free Book Givaway

Here is the link to my show on the Festival Fringe Website where you can find out more and buy tickets. You can also call the Quaker Meeting House (Venue 40) ticket booking line on (0131) 220 6109.

I am really looking forward to an enjoyable evening among friends. If you cannot be there, I know that when we are meant to meet, we shall.

Bless you for your kindness and friendship.

A rose
                                      A rose

 

 

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