Friday, August 13, 2010

The Writing Game (A Treat)

I have previously mentioned “A Life Twice Tasted” the blog of British Author Wendy Robertson. Wendy’s blog is one of my favourites, she posts thoughtful pieces about her writing, her life and dare I say, the occasional ramble.

Anyway, back in April Wendy ventured into a new field – radio broadcasting. Wendy is hosting a monthly program on Bishop FM, a community radio station not all that far from where she lives in County Durham in the UK.

The topic of Wendy’s program? As you might guess – books and writing.

Now, I live half way around the world from County Durham, so listening to the broadcast was of course impossible. That is where modern technology comes in, a podcast of the first program was posted within a few days of the episode going to air.

I listened to the first episode, ‘Starting Points in Writing’. It was lovely to hear Wendy’s voice and the material was very interesting. A month later and I waited impatiently for the second episode. Alas, Bishop FM is a small operation mainly staffed by volunteers and they ran into some technical problems – no podcast was forthcoming :-(

Now though, everything is rosy; three more episodes have recently been posted:

Episode 2 – Crime writing,
Episode 3 – Writing for Children, and
Episode 4 – Storytellers and writing groups

As you can see the topics are varied enough to interest writers (and readers) of many genres.
I have immensely enjoyed the episodes I have heard. I am particularly looking forward to an upcoming episode where Wendy will talk to another blogger friend of mine Kathleen Jones.

For those of you who are interested the site for the podcasts is: http://blogs.bishopfm.com/thewritinggame/

Check it out, I think you will enjoy it!


Now because I find it almost impossible to post without including a piccie or two:

Abandoned railway trestle bridge, Stony Creek Victoria.
A Kookaburra.
This guy has very ruffled feathers because it was really windy as I took this shot.
He/she may look quite familiar to non Aussies. Kookaburras are in fact the largest Kingfisher species in the world.
Rather than diving for fish, they perch on trees in the bush and swoop down on lizards and snakes. Some would argue that they do us a favour, but I have a soft spot for reptiles.

13 comments:

Wendy R said...

Dear Al
How very lovely to be on your blog alongside the Kookaburra. The radio show has been a bit of a rocky road but it's getting smoother. Best part is actually talking to the writers. Next month it's the very oddly charismatic Terry Deary whose books I know sell very well in Aus. Then the lovely Kathleen.
Oh, and don't you think one of the great pleasures of blogging is being able to ramble now and then ...?
wx

Susan Fields said...

Thanks for the link - it sounds like a great program! And your piccies are lovely, as always. :)

Old Kitty said...

I think Kookaburras are the least of the reptiles' worries in this day and age - these creatures have been dancing the dance since long before today! And as for those who say that these gorgeous birdies are doing "them a favour"?? Please don't drag these creatures down to your level of ignorant thinking!

Ok, sorry, rant over but I can't bear it when people say stuff like that - as if animals were put on this planet solely for the benefit of humans. How arrogant!

Sorry, I'm ranting again!

Moving swiftly on to more aesthetic things...!! Thank you for the podcast links! I always tell myself to listen to radio and/or audio books more - so guess these are a good a start as any!!

Time for my medication and yoga meditation! LOL!

take care
x

Jayne said...

There's something so lovely to think of you over your side of the world waiting eagerly for the next chapters from County Durham. :)

Thanks for highlighting Wendy's radio show, it sounds very interesting and thanks to the wonder of technology I will have a listen over the weekend!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the link to Wendy's blog and info. regarding the radio broadcasts. I might even be able to tune in to the station from here.

Love that trestle bridge!

Al said...

Hi Wendy,
Kookaburras are very charismatic, and fascinating creatures. For example: they cooperate in groups to bring up their young.
I have certainly enjoyed your efforts with the show. I can see what you mean about talking to the writers, they have some fascinating ideas and viewpoints.
I am looking forward to your upcoming shows. In particular, as I said, your talk with Kathleen.
I agree with you, rambling is indeed one of the greatest pleasures in blogging. To say what one thinks and to share is fantastic.

Hi Susan,
You are most welcome. I have enjoyed the program so it is only fair to pass it on.

Hi Jennifer,
Actually (and unfortunately) you are quite right. Kookaburras are a major predator of snakes, but that is natural so OK. However, snake species are on the decline around the world, even here in Oz which is arguably a reptile paradise. Like the worldwide decline of frogs it is a bit of a mystery, but is presumably a combination of factors like habitat loss, climate change and pollution.

Your rant is absolutely acceptable. I should have said a bit more to indicate I don’t think that way about reptiles at all (you might remember from my ‘lies’ a while ago, I spent good chunk of life in a house with snakes).
By the way Kookaburras are not native to Western Australia, they were introduced there by early settlers from the east coast (where they are native) in attempt to “control” snakes. People are frightened of snakes, so that sort of thinking comes from a fear response.
You are most welcome to the link. Maybe listening to the podcast will help you relax too :-)

Hi Jayne,
It is nice, and definitely one of the real benefits of technology.
I hope you enjoy Wendy’s show as much as I have.

Hi Christine,
Of course you are only a stones throw away :-)
(Sorry everybody, a reference to a conversation I was having with Christine.)
I love the bridge too, it is so spindly that it is hard to imagine it could support the weight of a laden train. The sad thing is it is part of one of the all too common closed railway lines.

Anne Gallagher said...

Thanks for the links. I can't get the podcasts but I did link to her web-site.

LOVE the train station. And the kookabura. Can I borrow him? We have snakes under my shed. I don't want him to kill them, just relocate them.

And yes, do the character sketches, or interviews. It's great fun.

Carolyn V. said...

Wow! Those sound like great podcasts! I will have to check them out.

The pictures are awesome, but I like reptiles too. I had no idea kookaburras ate reptiles.

Lisa said...

Thanks for bringing this to our attention! Can't wait to listen while I'm...wait, I don't think I want to be doing anything else while I'm listening so I can pay attention!

Unknown said...

Great pics! Never seen a Kookaburra--never been to Australia either, maybe someday!

ps: thanks for visiting my blog.

Theresa Milstein said...

I'll have to check out Wendy's podcast.

That's a fantastic looking bridge. My son loves the word kookaburra. I'll have to show him the picture.

JournoMich said...

Thanks for the writer/podcast links! And I love the kookaburra pic!

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Amanda said...

Oh that's what they look like! I always remember that old song "kookaburra sits on an old gum tree" la la la don't remember the rest. :)