Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
For fifty plus springtides the middle Sunday in March afforded my siblings (Ian, Helen) and me opportunity to bestow a well-earned thank you to our much-loved mum (Maggie). A warm, funny, caring, and loving parent who, along with our equally admirable father, ensured our fledgling years were awash with encouragement, positivity, laughter, and security. The... Continue Reading →
After abandoning a novel project whose storyline was not flowing as desired, I recently wrote about sitting at a writing crossroads. My decision to postpone the work taken despite spending hundreds of hours constructing the piece. As revealed in the last narrative, a decision which has not left me overly downhearted. After all, I am... Continue Reading →
I’m back on the road when writing today’s blog. Incidentally, when alluding to ‘writing on the road’ yours truly means penning this missive away from my apartment. Clearly, am not referring to creating this prose at the wheel of my moving car, or that I am sitting in the fast lane of the M1 motorway... Continue Reading →
Saturday saw me journey north from West Yorkshire to my boyhood town of Gateshead, where I left to seek my fortune in 1987. This odyssey to attend a gig at Glasshouse International Music Centre (GIMC), formerly known as the Sage. Footnote – I never earned much of a fortune, but spending the last 37 years... Continue Reading →
Seeking inspiration for today’s writing group submission I wandered a lane taking me to a time where I wore a younger man’s clothes. Well, to be more accurate, when I wore a young boy’s clothes… That reminds me, I need to return those clothes to the young boy; after all, I have had them for... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I started penning a submission for an upcoming writing group meeting. A yarn which, although having potential as a short story, for various reasons I am not going to complete. The prompt topic for next Wednesday’s tale was cinema. Initial thoughts leading to me begin writing a story about a small local movie theatre.... Continue Reading →
I am back in my old writing ground of a White Rose Shopping Centre café in Leeds. The retail outlet, which my partner Sarah colourfully dubs the ‘Shite Rose’, surprisingly busy for a Monday morning. Although today’s heavy rain is probably contributing towards the unexpected aisle congestion. Sarah has many nicknames for retail outlets, including... Continue Reading →
Of late, I have taken on a few more doggy day care duties for my partner Sarah. This following her daughter Katelan and fella Simon’s departure from her home. Packing in my part-time job affording me opportunity to undertake this labour of love. Let me start by saying I have absolutely no issue with keeping... Continue Reading →
Today's literary offering is a submission I read for a bi-weekly writing group I attend in the village of Spofforth, North Yorkshire. For those who don't know where Spofforth is, it is on the outskirts of Wetherby. If you don't know where Wetherby is and really want to know, bloody Google it!... Chuffing hell, I... Continue Reading →