Sunday 26th August, 2007

A slow week this week, as I catch up on some reading, instead of being lost in my own world(s). However, there are some updates for the Writing: My Projects section. Including:

  • A redrafted version of St James Infirmary Blues, and thank you for the critiques. Further comments are always welcome and may result in further editing.
  • A new short short, the current version of Distractions, again comments welcome.

There are a few other minor changes about the site, but nothing that will be hugely noticeable.

Sunday 8th July, 2007

It’s been a writing week, this week. I’m two-thirds of the way through the first draft of White Heart, now, and am starting to gather myself to go through Longest Night for the next draft. On site, I’ve added another e-zine to my Writing: E-Zines, Magazines & Publishers, Future Fire [External Link]. I’ve changed my samples, so that they are now web-pages as well as pdfs (check under My Projects). I’ve also put up my latest “completed” attempt. This is a dark little story I currently call St James Infirmary Blues. It’s pretty dark, but (blessedly) short, being flash fiction.

You may also notice that it’s named after a song, which is not that unusual in my short track record. Anyway, the real St James Infirmary Blues is a strange piece. It’s one of a family of songs, including Streets of Laredo, that are descended from The Unfortunate Rake, which is thought to be a man lamenting his approaching end from siphilis. Some people suggest that the Rake himself is a descendant of a leper sufferer who was treated in the hospital where St James’ Palace currently stands. This all, of course, appeals to my twisted sense of humour.

A good starting point for looking this all up is the Wikipedia page [External Link]. And for the song itself, I recommend any recording of Louis Armstrong, the White Stripes and also the Jools Holland and Tom Jones version. It’ll give you a good idea of the range of styles that has been used. And they also happen to be my favourite versions, of course.

And to end this week’s note: I promise I have never done anything like the main character of the story. Nor is it something I intend to try.