charlie_cochrane: (Hattis)
charlie_cochrane ([personal profile] charlie_cochrane) wrote2011-10-14 12:48 pm
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Newsletter forty three

Well, England are out of the World Cup so I’ve changed my allegiance to France and will be wearing my signed Toulouse shirt (which I got in a charity sports auction) tomorrow. I may not be talking to any of my Welsh friends by 11am BST.

News

I was delighted to be able to have a guest spot at Jadette Paige’s blog, to talk about the Story behind the book. I’ve explained how I came to write the Cambridge fellows series and, most specifically, All Lessons Learned.

The poll for the Christmas story is now closed, the ‘winners’ being Matthew and Rex, in a story inspired by White Christmas. Close on their heels were Alasdair and Toby and Moon River, so I’ll have to produce something for them, too, maybe around Oscar time?
Thank you to everyone who voted, either at the site or direct to me.

Talking of the festive season (yes, I know it’s a way off yet but the shops are bursting with tinsel and Christmas puddings), there’s going to be a bumper bundle of stories coming up from MLR press. Every day from about Thanksgiving through to New Year will see a new, seasonal short story be released. Neil Plakcy, Z A Maxfield, Victor Banis and loads of others, there’s some cracking authors on the list. My story, What you Will (Shakespeare with a hint of Steampunk, would you believe?) comes out on 20th December.

Prologue

They say there’s no fool like an old fool. Now, I don’t count myself as old and back when this tale is set forty was still a pinprick on the far side of the clouds for me, approaching but not yet too close. But I was a fool all right, more fool than any man ought to be who’s flown around the world and back again so often he might as well have just been going from Deptford to Dartford. There was a lad involved. There’s always a lad in the tale, isn’t there, for such as me?

And was there a happy ending? Now that depends on whether you believe what a certain playwright wrote, or whether you want the real story.


Inspiration:

I had this LP in the 70’s (still do, although I rarely play it). Just perfect.

[identity profile] stevie-carroll.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
Shakespeare with a hint of steampunk sounds good to me!

[identity profile] charliecochrane.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 12:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I just hope it works. It's an idea that's been nagging me for years...

[identity profile] darthanne.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
Loved reading about the story behind your boys. Oh goodie, Matthew and Rex. I voted for them :)

Looking forward to reading the new short story. I need more hours in the day *sigh*

[identity profile] charliecochrane.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I promise if I find the extra hours I've been looking for, I'll share them.

[identity profile] kayberrisford.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 07:10 am (UTC)(link)
Great blog - I'm a great fan of diaries and letters, as you know ;) I was reading something from the 1820s the other day and thinking about our chat about how stunningly modern people often sound in these :)

I've never had music or a record inspired writing. Looking forward to your new story very much :D

[identity profile] charliecochrane.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, toots. I have a good pal who has some original Age of Sail letters - one of the biggest thrills to be able to read and touch them...

[identity profile] kayberrisford.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh wow, that's brilliant. I love original documents (and am always surprised by how far back they had pencil! Not sure why...but still ;))

[identity profile] kayberrisford.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, and *hugs* for the rugby. I thought of you :(

[identity profile] kayberrisford.livejournal.com 2011-10-15 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
They were heartbreaking (until I found my ear muffs - *g*)

[identity profile] haldoor.livejournal.com 2011-10-17 07:35 am (UTC)(link)
Is that icon from Tove Jansson? I'm sure it looks like something from Moominland!

PS: I'm also supporting France (yes, me, the non-rugby one) because if they beat the All Blacks in the final I will win the office sweepstake! Pretty dreadful for a Kiwi, I know, but there you have it. Selling out for $100!

[identity profile] charliecochrane.livejournal.com 2011-10-18 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
It is - it's some hattifatners!

I do hope you win your $100...