Saturday 6 February, 2021
This piece is a record of the “Toast to the Lassies” address I gave to the Mackintosh Choir Zoom Burns Supper on Wednesday 3 February 2021.
It is offered as a ‘written’ version in a PDF which is a slightly expanded version of the ‘spoken’ version included as an MP3 file.
This address was confected from a variety of Wikipedia entries and yes, I am able to say I am regular supporter of Wikipedia which, with all its many faults, is a wonderful resource.
Wednesday 13 January, 2021
This was written for a Writers’ Circus challenge in October 2020.
The topic was “a tenth birthday story”.
It is a bit odd but I hope gives a reasonably accurate insight into the lives of those who are born to a live of ease and those who serve them.
Is there such a thing as a life of ease? Perhaps a story for another day.
Wednesday 13 January, 2021
This is a story written for our grandson Ethan (7) and Drew (5) who are both gifted young artists.
Ethan has recently made a start on is own story writing career which you can find here by searching for
Spy Fox or clicking on Updates and scrolling down.
The story was developed with the boys, as explained in the preface.
Suitable as a read to for younger children of as a self-reader for P£3 and upwards.
Wednesday 13 January, 2021
This tale arose from an Writers’ Circus challenge to write about “her heart leapt into her throat/mouth”.
A work of fiction, the main character is loosely based on our local lollipop lady, a true stalwart in our community.
Those of you who live near me will quickly identify characteristics of the main FICTIONAL character and
FICTIONAL location of the main action.
I particularly wanted to be sure this wonderful lady got her place in my archive as she is one of my most
loyal readers.
Wednesday 13 January, 2021
This little confection is based on a series of events which happened to friends shortly after they
moved to live in a luxury flat.
Yes, I confess: as written it is an exaggeration of the original but I hope it might make you smile
over morning coffee.
Wednesday 13 January, 2021
This is a Christmas story of a kind, an off-beat take on the Twelve Days of Christmas, the challenge
set for our December meeting of Writers’ Circus.
It recounts the lives of two odd, lonely people.
For Glasgow readers, there are many familiar references.
Give it a go, you never know, you might get into it!
Wednesday 18 November, 2020
Our grandson Ethan is in primary 3 and was asked to write a story about a spy, as an exercise in
creative writing.
Here is his story, complete with his own illustrations.
About a year ago, Ethan got the reading bug and has become a voracious reader.
At school a few weeks before this story, he began a project about The Vikings.
When the topic was first introduced, Ethan was already well informed. Invited to tell the class what he knew about The Vikings, he launched into a ‘lecture’ which prompted his teacher to say,
“Well, if anyone needs to know anything about The Vikings, just ask Ethan”.
Thank you Ethan for giving me permission to publish your story on my website.
Wednesday 18 November, 2020
I have fond memories of living in Pollokshaws, in our single-end.
Here is a tale which conflates a few different memories all true.
Wednesday 18 November, 2020
Our newset grandson, Isaac Rory Bonthron, is to be known to be know as Zac.
In October we visited Abingdon (near Oxford) to enjoy his company.
Here is an account, and a first glimpse at Zac’s personality.
Wednesday 10 June, 2020
During twelve weeks to early June 2020, I penned this story, tapping away about four hours per session, most days, a lockdown hobby, if you like.
It starts in May 2021 and follows a particular day in the life of Malcolm Fraser-Scott.
The story then carries forward to reveal the consequences of his life and those around him as lockdown continues.
I have experimented with a first person style of writing and ask you to persist until it becomes familiar.
The story is offered UNEDITED and thus the errors of grammar, spelling and logic leaps are entirely down to me. I have left line numbers visible, should you wish to offer corrections or comments.
This decision to publish unedited was taken for two reasons.
Firstly, this particular lockdown story with it forward looking time frames will have a limited shelf life, I hope!
Secondly, I am certain sure my Editor, my dear friend Kareth, would reject outright some of the darker sexual encounters described. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Skip past them if they offend.
So, with these caveats, I offer you this novella. At around 44,000 words, it is a longer read.