Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Sunlight sneaks through an adjacent window, kissing the upper petals of the white orchid adorning the features dusty sill. On a nearby kitchen table perches a middle-aged man, laptop afore him. Erratic of mood, he scans his immediate indoor landscape. Blue eyes darting between a full-size sculpture of a horse’s head, a three-dimensional hanging scooter... Continue Reading →
I am a man of simple tastes. Give me sight of a beguiling smile, visions of a ‘Six bottles of wine for the price of Five’ sale sign, or the sound of a woman saying, “Ok, Gary, I’ll rescind my restraining order application!” and I’m in clover. For most of my adult life I barely procured... Continue Reading →
Yesterday witnessed the birthday of one GJ Strachan from Wakefield parish. A low-key day celebration wise seeing the hirsute mischief maker attend an online writing group, embark on a shopping centre visit, along with an afternoon at the park with his beau, her grandson and dog. My evening at home was quiet, watching YouTube clips... Continue Reading →
Afternoon on the last Tuesday of March 2024 – Two intrepid brothers set off in a campervan into the unknown. Forecasts of cold temperatures and unforgiving precipitation not deterring the latter-day Scott and Shackleton from embarking on their voyage north. And why would upcoming intemperate weather dent their fortitude; after all, they had a furry... Continue Reading →
Yesterday evening, a bohemian vegetarian café in Harrogate saw my inaugural attempt at reading my prose in an open mic night. This literary virginity lost when orating a 1000-word narrative parodying my wedding ceremony, in 1988. As I have shared some of the unreliable memories beforehand via blog, not a 100% new monologue. However, following... Continue Reading →
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 →