BBC, The Castle and The Future
When I was camping on Arran, power was precious and I used my mp3/radio with care (a solar panel and Scotland can be a hit-and-miss mix) . One of the things I listened to regularly was the Fred MacAullay show on BBC radio, so I was thrilled to be interviewed by him on Wednesday. As far as I can tell, the slot went well - I enjoyed it anyway. I'm a little out of the technological loop at the moment (using a public library in Edinburgh) but will post the recording when I can.
Being in Edinburgh is amazing. I spent all of Friday in the castle - an important part of the setting for Dreamwords. It really is an awesome place and I hope I can do it justice in the book. Over the years, being from the 'other side' (Glasgow) I've enjoyed the capital city with the knowledge that we Westies are far superior. Hmm. Now, sitting in Princes St. Gardens or on Calton Hill, Salisbury Crags or Arthur's Seat, writing and immersing myself in the world that is Edinburgh, I have a whole new appreciation for the place. Just don't tell anyone from Edinburgh that I've said that!
Now that I'm due to move on I've decided to try a little experiment. Just being here has generated a whole new dimension to the novel and I have got to squeeze every drop from the experience that I can. So, I am going to get the city under my skin. I'm going to see it in the rain, feel the wind, the cold, bask in the sun, see the city lights at four in the morning. I'm going to understand the place - good and bad - as much as any outsider can. One of the great things about Edinburgh is that there are hills right inside the city. OK, they're only a few hundred feet high, but that's fine. I understand hills. To get the pulse of this amazing place, I am going to live here for a while; sleeping rough, bivouac wherever I can, to keep me connected 24/7. One of the fun things about Dreamwords is that I get to look into the future. I get to deconstruct the city and rebuild it as it might be in the year 2999. Getting to know the place in this way, I hope will help me visualize the dream and make it real for others.
At my age, you'd think I'd know better, but if I'm to do the best job I can and take the reader with me on this adventure, then I have to give it a shot. Wish me luck!
Being in Edinburgh is amazing. I spent all of Friday in the castle - an important part of the setting for Dreamwords. It really is an awesome place and I hope I can do it justice in the book. Over the years, being from the 'other side' (Glasgow) I've enjoyed the capital city with the knowledge that we Westies are far superior. Hmm. Now, sitting in Princes St. Gardens or on Calton Hill, Salisbury Crags or Arthur's Seat, writing and immersing myself in the world that is Edinburgh, I have a whole new appreciation for the place. Just don't tell anyone from Edinburgh that I've said that!
Now that I'm due to move on I've decided to try a little experiment. Just being here has generated a whole new dimension to the novel and I have got to squeeze every drop from the experience that I can. So, I am going to get the city under my skin. I'm going to see it in the rain, feel the wind, the cold, bask in the sun, see the city lights at four in the morning. I'm going to understand the place - good and bad - as much as any outsider can. One of the great things about Edinburgh is that there are hills right inside the city. OK, they're only a few hundred feet high, but that's fine. I understand hills. To get the pulse of this amazing place, I am going to live here for a while; sleeping rough, bivouac wherever I can, to keep me connected 24/7. One of the fun things about Dreamwords is that I get to look into the future. I get to deconstruct the city and rebuild it as it might be in the year 2999. Getting to know the place in this way, I hope will help me visualize the dream and make it real for others.
At my age, you'd think I'd know better, but if I'm to do the best job I can and take the reader with me on this adventure, then I have to give it a shot. Wish me luck!
posted by Paul Story at 9:09 AM
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