Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
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 →
Confronted with a topic prompt of 'colour' for this literary piece, two different storylines sprung to mind. Those options, waxing lyrical about newly sprung colour from spring’s dawning, or, alternately, relaying tales of the colourful language frequently utilised by my Ossett beau Sarah. After a period of contemplation, I decided that although daffs, crocuses and... 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 →
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 →