Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Yesterday evening I attended an Open Mic evening at a chic Harrogate eatery. To clarify, an Open Mic night isn't attending a event to be entertained by a candid fellow called Michael... Unless, of course, the amateur turn is a forthright chap called Michael... In which case, you are attending an Open Mic evening presented... Continue Reading →
This morning, as I tentatively peeled back door 10 of a homemade advent calendar gifted by my partner Sarah, yours truly was greeted by the word ‘Bollocks’. Her mischievous cardboard festive trinket bearing 24 curse words, each carefully chosen from my beau’s vast swearing vocabulary. These off-colour greetings hidden behind numbered doors haphazardly carved on... Continue Reading →
Yuletide preparations continue apace in chez Strachan. With nineteen more sleeps until St Nick breaks into my apartment with an immunity afforded from his benevolence, my pre-yuletide plans are well placed. Gifts are purchased, and arrangements to distribute the presents have been made. Additionally, a kind invite from friends to celebrate Christmas Day with them mean I’m... 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 →
If you do not follow my regular self-indulgent (although sometimes insightful) postings on social media, you will not know I recently had my first sale from my Etsy store 'GaryCatures'. An online retail outlet peddling copies of original caricatures I started drawing in COVID lockdown. These cartoon depictions an amalgam of stars from the movies,... Continue Reading →
This morning, as I am off work this week, yours truly made a cameo appearance at the Next Chapter writing group meeting which I’ve been unable to attend since cutting short my retirement. My submission for the workshop, where the topic hook was ‘fireworks’, is below. A spoof ‘horrible history’ biographical vignette relating to Guy... Continue Reading →
Earlier in the week, while mingling with attendees at a friend’s funeral in Gateshead, an old mate commented he'd noticed I'd not been as prolific with my blog writing lately. I responded the situation a consequence of taking up of a part-time job role; meaning opportunities to pen my unreliable prose had diminished markedly. The... Continue Reading →
Yesterday witnessed the celebration of All Hallows' Evening in numerous countries across the globe. A time of fancy dress, imaginatively sculptured pumpkins and hyper kids not sleeping after eating six bags of Haribo gummy bears, four lollipops and eighteen sherbet dips. Blimey, I’m showing my age there. I'm not even sure you can still purchase sherbet dips.... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, as a writing workshop exercise, we were encouraged to escribe via the medium of sensory awareness. The remit to produce fictional prose relaying our experiences after being placed in an induced coma. This state affording use of all your senses apart from sight and speech. So, in a nutshell, the literary challenge was to... Continue Reading →