From Royal Danish Ballet to BeaconLit and Waddesdon Manor

Having failed so early in the year to blog more regularly, I’m going to bypass the usual apology and crack on with the mother-of-all updates.

Let’s start with Chiltern Writers, shall we? In January I delivered a practical talk / workshop aimed at helping members and visitors Write for Magazines. I’ve received some great feedback so best of luck to everyone intent on feature writing.

Here’s a list of my published articles since then. Hampshire Life - art forger John Myatt, ASpaceArts of Southampton, Gallery Guide and Ron Moody artist profile. The Lady has run two of my Ashmolean reviews: Andy Warhol and Scenes of last Tokyo. The February edition of Hertfordshire Life published my Valentine’s Day article whilst Landscape magazine featured my article about the restoration of Chinnor Windmill. For Buckinghamshire Life I interviewed German art expert Katrin Henkel, did a round up of National Gardens Scheme in Buckinghamshire, a Mothering Sunday books selection; I interviewed a pest controller, a principal with the Royal Danish Ballet and explored a selection of festivals for the year. Vale Life continues my Creative Vale column with Pirjo Keene and Kathryn Acton’s work explored. And, of course, I continue to write three Neighbourhood News columns for The Bucks Herald as well as my WordPlay column for Thame Out.

I’m currently involved in organising this year’s BeaconLit event and we’re planning an exciting and constructive day to appeal to writers and readers alike. Follow them via @BeaconLit1.

Only recently I had a fabulous time at Waddesdon Manor as a guest on their Press Day. The private view included lots of news and details and it was fascinating mixing with journalists over a scrumptious luncheon in the Manor Restaurant.

My Regular Writing group continues with successes applauded, ongoing projects discussed and a hefty measure of encouragement all round. And it was lovely to meet a writer who contacted me through my website recently. We enjoyed a motivational chat in our local chocolaterie.

Well, time to crack on. There are editors to contact, ideas to brainstorm and features to write.

2016

Not only do I wish you a Happy New Year but one that is equally rewarding and fulfilling. I’ve already begun 2016 as I mean to go on – writing features, exploring new markets and revelling in inspiration. Meanwhile, here’s a quick summary of my articles that hit the presses towards the end of last year.

Country Life: Parchment for Parliament; Landscape: Vicki Brand Upcycling; Buckinghamshire Life: Festive Dining Décor, Pantomime Round Up and 2015 Quiz; Hampshire Life: Romsey Art Group artist profile; Vale Life: Jane Miller; Thame Out: Wordplay column.

This month Tony Clegg is my Hampshire Life artist profile whilst for Buckinghamshire Life I talk to a number of charities in order to encourage everyone to take up volunteering.

February articles have already been submitted and next month’s Ashmolean exhibitions are in the diary. But for now I have half a dozen interviews lined up over the next few days in between which I will also be preparing my Chiltern Writers’ talk about Writing for Magazines.

Finally, whilst colleague and children’s author Nick Halliday is touring various continents for a few months I have taken on distribution of his fabulously successful The Lonely Tree.

Hmm, quite a busy start to the year. Must crack on . . .

November onwards

As the fog lifts and autumn sun brings a spot of warmth to my study, it’s the start of a busy week encompassing interviews with artists, charity workers, gallery owners and garden enthusiasts. How I revel in variety!

Meanwhile, to bring you up to date, here are my latest features which have hit the magazine shelves. Buckinghamshire Life this month includes my 10 Sunday Specials article focussing on venues across the county serving mouthwatering food. In Hertfordshire Life I explore the lovely villages south of St Albans and all they have to offer. At the Titian to Canaletto: Drawing in Venice Ashmolean exhibition I took the opportunity to chat to artist Jenny Saville and include her generous quotes in my review for The Lady.

During a holiday in the New Forest this summer I popped into an art exhibition in Fordingbridge where I fell in love with the unique work of Cliff Brown. Well, of course, I contacted him upon returning home and his interview is my latest artist profile for Hampshire Life magazine.

Last but not least, Writers’ Forum includes my interview with my fabulously successful colleague, Dave Sivers.

Progress on my Lady Margaret Gosworthy-Pringle greetings card range is slow but I promise to keep you informed of progress.

Now, back to today. My December features are all submitted so please excuse me as I put the finishing touches to my January articles and begin February's research. How time flies!

I'm not regular . . .

I’ve begun to realise why I’m not as regular as I should be – blogging wise, that is. Take the last few days, for example. As well as working on next week’s Bucks Herald columns and magazine Christmas features, I’ve attended panto launches, interviewed an artist for a January feature, pitched ideas for next March and am busy brainstorming articles for summer 2016. No wonder I hardly know what date it is.

My explanation aired, here’s a rundown of my recent work. For The Lady I reviewed the Ashmolean’s An Elegant Society exhibition and my artist profiles in Hampshire Life featured Toby Saville and Richard Adams. Hertfordshire Life carried my interview with Netmums’ Cathy Court and features about the Ashwell Show and Hemel Hempstead’s villages. After attending Julie Mayhew’s fabulous book launch I interviewed author Bruce Nixon and this appeared in the October edition of Hertfordshire Life.

Meanwhile, Buckinghamshire Life carried 10 Reasons to Love Winslow and Merry Pig Farm in September while this month’s edition includes 10 Walks of Wonder, the WI Centenary and Hale Valley Vineyard.

A few months back I interviewed the ultra talented Vicki Brand who upcycles wood into fabulously rustic furniture and this feature is in the latest edition of Landscape. And I’ve also just begun a new column – Our Creative Vale – for Vale Life magazine.

I’ve been out and about too, mind, going to another WI Centenary event and Chiltern Writers meetings as well as working on my Lady Margaret Gosworthy-Pringle greetings card range, more of which next time.

Summer Duties

I’m typing more furiously than ever today. Not necessarily because of a flood of ideas, more to do with a drop in temperature – the need to keep my digits warm is more evident than ever.

But let me take a few moments to catch up on what’s been happening. Perhaps most exciting is my first commission for Country Life – an interview with Sir Michael Coleman – has been published whilst I am already preparing another piece, more of which nearer publication time.

Not that I have neglected my regular duties. Buckinghamshire Life includes three features in the July edition: 25 Summer Treats, Green Dragon Eco Farm and an interview with the BBC’s Big Painting Challenge winner, Paul Bell. In the August edition I suggest some fabulous waterside pubs in the county.

Hertfordshire Life includes my top Picnic Locations and Eating Out features in the August issue whilst two more reviews have recently appeared in The Lady: Waddesdon’s Henry Moore: From Paper to Bronze (a short review was also carried in Buckinghamshire Life) and the National Portrait Gallery’s Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon.

My regular artist profile slot in Hampshire Life embraced former cartoonist Toni Goffe in July as well as a number of Hampshire Open Studios artists this month.

I’ve been out and about too with visits to BeaconLit and Winslow Opera - where I enjoyed a front row seat for a beautiful production of La Traviata - not to mention the Ashmolean and yet more interviews.

Let me assure you, however, I have managed to fit in a summer holiday though my family did complain about my constant note taking. Well, when you’re inspired, what else is a writer to do . . .

Sorry I'm late

Phew, sorry I’m late, forgive me. What with holidays and the recently retired, ever present Spousey, it’s a wonder I get any writing done. Still, interruptions aside, my newly invigorated hard drive has been put to use. Let me bring you up to date.

First of all, my Wordplay column now graces the pages of Thame Out providing a fun way of testing your vocabulary. Also, The Lady has published three reviews: Ed Paschke, Saving a Century and Great British Drawings while the delightfully talented Mike Johnson, Karl Rudziak and Louise Briathwaite are my latest artist profile subjects in Hampshire Life.

For Buckinghamshire Life I interviewed four female generations of the same family who provided the perfect example of motherhood, family bonds and the influences they play in local society. This was followed in May with an interview with the lovely Gerlinde Seeley who creates her own cosmetics. In the June edition there’s my Bucks Open Studios feature and an interview with the ultra talented canine enthusiast, Jane Ambler of PhotographMyDog.

Now, what else? Oh yes. Have a look at Cotswold Life website for my review of Love Bites, yet another wonderful exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum. Meanwhile Hertfordshire Life has featured my Father’s Day and Volunteer features.

I have also interviewed several other inspiring talents whom I will detail when those articles are published as well as attendeding the press launch of Jane Bidder’s The Witness before rushing home for my Regular Writing group meeting.

Now I have articles to tweak and Skype interviews to conduct, so please excuse me . . .

From Day Dreaming to Tippet Tying

Tempted as I am to spend my time indulging my favourite pastime – daydreaming – professionalism always wins the day hence I have, once again, been rather productive this past month as I am about to detail. 

My review of the Ashmolean’s Ed Paschke exhibition is included on Cotswold Life’s website and for anyone seeking Mother’s Day gift ideas I suggest you read my article in Buckinghamshire Life for some amazing edible treats. Well, unless you live in Hertfordshire, that is, in which case my 15 Ways to Spoil Mum should similarly inspire you.

My latest artist profile for Hampshire Life features the talented Peter Jarvis who was a delight to interview, a fascinating blend of creativity and methodology. And on the website of the same magazine Lady Margaret Gosworthy-Pringle shares her embroidery goals and social disappointments via her latest blog: Tippet Tying, Wilting Canapés and Performance Poetry. 

Attending last month’s Chiltern Writers meeting, I was entertained by an eclectic mix of creativity at our Manuscript Evening. This month Julie Mayhew will talk about Writing for Radio. Do come along on the 12^th (8pm, Wendover Library Room). It will be good to meet you.