Thursday, 27 January 2011

All Change On The Western Front

Well, it's all change around these parts. I was made redundant on Tuesday. Scary, but good. I'm going to use it as a way to have a complete change of career (at nearly 50? What am I thinking?!) I'm hoping to go back to university and study for a Masters degree in Community Education and Development (if they'll have me). Anyone have any experience in that field? All hints and tips gratefully welcomed. This is going to seriously curtail my gadding off to conventions and trips to Alaska, but apart from that, I'm looking forward to it!

Do you remember the Ramones Challenge? Well, the mad genius that is Jimmy Callaway - who wrote a great story based on The KKK Took My Baby Away - has only gone and made it into a film, hasn't he? How utterly brilliant is this?

My Dad's recent find, Danielle Ramsay, will be appearing at Dundee Waterstones on Saturday 29th June at 1.30pm.

Ian Rankin: A Scots Hard Man.

Apparently, winter keeps Irvine Welsh writing.

Katie Anderson reviews Kate Atkinson's BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE MUSEUM, Steven Clark enjoys Stuart MacBride's HALFHEAD and Margaret at BooksPlease discovers Joyce Holms' Fizz and Buchanan series.

And now, I am off to Bristol for a weekend of eating, drinking and finalising the programme for Crimefest (which will no doubt involve me beating Adrian about the head as he tries to disrupt my carefully constructed house of cards, and him then plying me with several of his extremely strong cocktails to calm me down). Have a lovely weekend, Dear Reader.
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15 comments:

  1. C. N. Nevets27 January 2011 at 10:43

    Good luck with the transition, and enjoy Bristol!

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  2. Unknown27 January 2011 at 11:03

    You sound good and positive about the enforced change, Our Donna. I hope it works out well for you.

    And I'm sorry I'll miss Crimefest this year but I'll DEFO be there 2012.

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  3. Anonymous27 January 2011 at 11:04

    Donna - I wish you well as you begin another chapter of your life. Trust me; you can do it! I teach people all the time who - erm - aren't 20 anymore. You'll be fine.

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  4. Gerald So27 January 2011 at 11:10

    Good luck, Donna.

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  5. Dorte H27 January 2011 at 11:25

    Good luck with your change of career!

    And have fun in Bristol - but not too much to make a fabulous programme - remember, I´ll be there for the first time!

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  6. Bernadette27 January 2011 at 12:23

    Best of luck with the career change, great attitude you have about it so I'm sure you'll make it work (and just possibly get a few outrageous anecdotes out of your experiences too)

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  7. Karen (Euro Crime)27 January 2011 at 14:35

    I am sorry to hear you've been made redundant (are they mad?) but hopefully you'll be doing something you love (even more :)).

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  8. bookwitch27 January 2011 at 15:18

    You can write more books faster? Please.

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  9. Tim28 January 2011 at 03:08

    Their loss is our gain! You've got the oompf to make a good go of anything you care to turn your hand to. Good luck Donna!

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  10. Unknown28 January 2011 at 05:56

    Condolences and congratulations - I often have fantasies of being pushed to do something else (that I'm otherwise too complacent and scared to do) and you are embracing the opportunity.

    Now party hard in Bristol!

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  11. Janet O'Kane28 January 2011 at 13:06

    Can't believe you're nearly as old as me. I was made redundant out of the blue about 12 years ago and ended up going to Edinburgh Uni, studying literature. It was the best thing ever: in my opinion education is wasted on the young. This truly is the start of a new exciting phase and I'm sure you'll make the most of it.
    In the meantime, I hope you and the others come up with some fun stuff for us to enjoy at Crimefest.

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  12. Anonymous28 January 2011 at 14:16

    It's never too late to change your career. Go for it!

    I have a friend who studied Comm Ed in Dundee. I'll ask her if she has any tips next time I see her.

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  13. Bobbie28 January 2011 at 15:21

    Donna dear, you'll miss your gadding about, but methinks this is a big step towards something you'll enjoy and be so good at! Very best wishes, and as another post said, education is wasted on the younger folks--you'll do great!

    Have fun in Bristol, make another wonderful conference program, and You Rule! :-)
    Bobbie

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  14. Sally29 January 2011 at 08:58

    How exciting for you to be able to start a new career when you're old enough to know what you are interested in and good at doing. Nothing like a push to get you going. Did you say ta-ta and thanks a lot on your way out the door?

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  15. Donna31 January 2011 at 10:37

    C N. Margot, Gerald, Bernadette, Tim, Artful Lawyer, Bobbie, Sally - Thank you all for your lovely comments! I'm rather looking forward to it and excited about doing something new :o)

    Dorte and Janet - I'm glad I shall get to meet you both at Crimefest! Michael - sorry you won't be there. Harrogate, maybe?

    Kare - love even more than pensions? Surely not :o)

    Bookwitch - I will have a few months to write - hoping to get a screenplay finished and the book that I started at least to the half way point :o)

    Helen - that would be lovely - thank you!

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