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.
Showing posts with label Ramones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramones. Show all posts
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Friday, 29 October 2010
These days, it's all about the Ramones
I've discovered that one of the joys of issuing a short story challenge is that you get introduced to new writers and new blogs. Jeff Chon over at Chonsense has written a brilliant short called PET SEMATARY. Check out some of the stories and poems he has linked to on his blog. I loved STAY PUT.
And the lovely Rob Kitchin puts a whole new spin on things as he actually references the Ramones in his story DEATH OF ME. Great stuff.
I'll put a full list up on Monday and post stories people without blogs have sent me. Thanks all, for playing, I'm loving reading the stories :o)
In the meantime, since I'm not yet up to posting normal Scottish crime fiction news - and I've got carried away and written three Ramones stories - rather than post them all on Monday, here's a stupid one (really stupid), based on something I've done before (ie, it's cheating, but it fitted nicely with the title).
ZERO ZERO UFO - by me
She was a three-eyed, dome-headed beauty from the planet Bolgan and I knew she was trouble. When she walked into my office that day I was sitting with one foot up on the scratched desk top, one resting on the upturned waste-paper basket, and the third tapping gently on the floor to the sounds of the Ramones - an ancient old time punk band from the planet Earth.
The bright red glow from the two Zogian suns outside the window of my office shone through the window, causing my visitor to narrow all her eyes and squint at me in that slightly accusatory way that the Bolgans have. At that moment, the famous old adage, 'Never get involved with a three-eyed, dome-headed Bolgan beauty' passed fleetingly through my brain. I wish it had stopped for a while, pulled up a brain cell, and rested its weary feet. They say hindsight's a wonderful thing. At least, they do on the planet Mirmar where they have eyes in the backs of their pointy little heads.
Anyway, when she walked into my office I was taking a pull on the bottle of Grogon juice that I keep there to while away time on the slack days. Unfortunately, this year has been 842 slack days long. You'd think as the only PI on the planet Zog, I would be inundated with work. But no. When they sent me down to Earth to live among the pasty faced ignorant humans for a while to pick my future career path, I should have remembered that there's no crime on Zog, and focused instead on nuclear physics. In popular Earth culture classes, when all my fellow Zogians were sniggering uncontrollably over episodes of Star Trek, I was devouring the works of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers. I took up smoking, learned how to knit, insisted on being called Lord Peter, and bought a fedora. I should have bought two, since I have 2 heads, but, hey, I'm killing time by knitting myself another one from baby blue wool.
"Aratsafar Zabalagorian?" said the beauty. "Private Investigator?"
"Thatsh me shweetheart." I said through several almost immobile lips, with the slight lisp I'd cultivated (did I mention culture classes also included Humphrey Bogart films?)
I took another swig of Grogon juice and winced as it burned its fiery way down my throats. "But this stuff," I waved the glass at her, "is almost as much of a mouthful as my name. So I've changed it. My name I mean."
On my return from planet Earth, battered and well-thumbed paperbacks in hand (well, they would have been well-thumbed if I'd had thumbs, but, of course, being a Zogian, I don't), I'd decided to change my name - call myself something more in keeping with my heroic ideal of the rumpled PI with an eye for the dames, a cynical swagger, and a trusty .38 special.
"So?" she said. "What do I call you?"
"The name's Marple. But you can call me Miss."
The End (mercifully)
I'm so, so sorry, dear reader. And if you want to hear the song, it's here:
And the lovely Rob Kitchin puts a whole new spin on things as he actually references the Ramones in his story DEATH OF ME. Great stuff.
I'll put a full list up on Monday and post stories people without blogs have sent me. Thanks all, for playing, I'm loving reading the stories :o)
In the meantime, since I'm not yet up to posting normal Scottish crime fiction news - and I've got carried away and written three Ramones stories - rather than post them all on Monday, here's a stupid one (really stupid), based on something I've done before (ie, it's cheating, but it fitted nicely with the title).
ZERO ZERO UFO - by me
She was a three-eyed, dome-headed beauty from the planet Bolgan and I knew she was trouble. When she walked into my office that day I was sitting with one foot up on the scratched desk top, one resting on the upturned waste-paper basket, and the third tapping gently on the floor to the sounds of the Ramones - an ancient old time punk band from the planet Earth.
The bright red glow from the two Zogian suns outside the window of my office shone through the window, causing my visitor to narrow all her eyes and squint at me in that slightly accusatory way that the Bolgans have. At that moment, the famous old adage, 'Never get involved with a three-eyed, dome-headed Bolgan beauty' passed fleetingly through my brain. I wish it had stopped for a while, pulled up a brain cell, and rested its weary feet. They say hindsight's a wonderful thing. At least, they do on the planet Mirmar where they have eyes in the backs of their pointy little heads.
Anyway, when she walked into my office I was taking a pull on the bottle of Grogon juice that I keep there to while away time on the slack days. Unfortunately, this year has been 842 slack days long. You'd think as the only PI on the planet Zog, I would be inundated with work. But no. When they sent me down to Earth to live among the pasty faced ignorant humans for a while to pick my future career path, I should have remembered that there's no crime on Zog, and focused instead on nuclear physics. In popular Earth culture classes, when all my fellow Zogians were sniggering uncontrollably over episodes of Star Trek, I was devouring the works of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers. I took up smoking, learned how to knit, insisted on being called Lord Peter, and bought a fedora. I should have bought two, since I have 2 heads, but, hey, I'm killing time by knitting myself another one from baby blue wool.
"Aratsafar Zabalagorian?" said the beauty. "Private Investigator?"
"Thatsh me shweetheart." I said through several almost immobile lips, with the slight lisp I'd cultivated (did I mention culture classes also included Humphrey Bogart films?)
I took another swig of Grogon juice and winced as it burned its fiery way down my throats. "But this stuff," I waved the glass at her, "is almost as much of a mouthful as my name. So I've changed it. My name I mean."
On my return from planet Earth, battered and well-thumbed paperbacks in hand (well, they would have been well-thumbed if I'd had thumbs, but, of course, being a Zogian, I don't), I'd decided to change my name - call myself something more in keeping with my heroic ideal of the rumpled PI with an eye for the dames, a cynical swagger, and a trusty .38 special.
"So?" she said. "What do I call you?"
"The name's Marple. But you can call me Miss."
The End (mercifully)
I'm so, so sorry, dear reader. And if you want to hear the song, it's here:
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Shorts, More Shorts, Sickness and Scott Phillips
Another couple of Ramones stories are up:
M J Nicholls with a dark and chilling take on BEAT ON THE BRAT - brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Rosemarie Keenan's witty and clever I WANNA BE YOUR BOYFRIEND.
And I've received a couple via e-mail which I will post here on 1st November, including one from my Dad (oh dear, oh dear).
I've been very remiss in telling you about DISCOUNT NOIR - a short story project I was honoured to be involved in, edited by Patti Abbott and Steve Weddle. There are some great stories in the collection. Here's the description and the full list of writers involved:
If you thought standing in line at your local warehouse store was murder, then you haven't been to Megamart. These flash fiction tales of superstore madness and mayhem will make you think twice the next time you hear "clean up on aisle 13."
This anthology contains works by: Patricia Abbott, Sophie Littlefield, Kieran Shea, Chad Eagleton, Ed Gorman, Cormac Brown, Fleur Bradley, Alan Griffiths, Laura Benedict, Garnett Elliot, Eric Beetner, Jack Bates, Bill Crider, Loren Eaton, John DuMond, John McFetridge, Toni McGee Causey, Jeff Vande Zande, James Reasoner, Kyle Minor, Randy Rohn, Todd Mason, Byron Quertermous, Sandra Scoppettone, Stephen D. Rogers, Steve Weddle, Evan Lewis, Daniel B. O'Shea, Sandra Seamans, Albert Tucher, Donna Moore, John Weagly, Keith Rawson, Gerald So, Dave Zeltserman, Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen, Jay Stringer, Anne Frasier, Kathleen A. Ryan, Eric Peterson, Chris Grabenstein and J.T. Ellison.
And you can buy it from the lovely people at Untreed Reads (editor Jay Hartman deserves a pay rise, a promotion, and a stand-up comedy gig) by clicking on the wee banner thingy below, if I've done it right.
And you can buy it for the Kindle from Amazon here.
While I've been off ill (now officially upgraded to pneumonia for those keeping track of the Amazing Ever-Changing Diagnosis), I've not been able to read (aaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhh!) so I've been catching up on my TV viewing, watching series 2 and 3 of THE WIRE. Brilliant stuff. And I'm hoping that series 4 and 5 will be dropping through my letter box today. When I am fit to read again, I already have my first book lined up - RUT, by the wonderful Scott Phillips. I've been waiting far too long for a new one from Mr Phillips - I've been a big fan since reading THE ICE HARVEST, and his historical novel COTTONWOOD (which is like Little Whore House On The Prairie) is one of my very favourite books of all time. Not only does RUT look brilliant, but it's published by the Concord Free Press - a revolution in publishing. They give books away for free. Yep, totally free. All they ask is that you make a donation to charity of some description (and record it at their website) and, once you've finished it, you give the book to someone else. Hopefully, they will also make a donation. A totally brilliant idea. Which only has one drawback for me...I have to give away a Scott Phillips instead of keeping it on my bookshelves to stroke with glee and re-read from time to time. Tough, very tough.
M J Nicholls with a dark and chilling take on BEAT ON THE BRAT - brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Rosemarie Keenan's witty and clever I WANNA BE YOUR BOYFRIEND.
And I've received a couple via e-mail which I will post here on 1st November, including one from my Dad (oh dear, oh dear).
I've been very remiss in telling you about DISCOUNT NOIR - a short story project I was honoured to be involved in, edited by Patti Abbott and Steve Weddle. There are some great stories in the collection. Here's the description and the full list of writers involved:
If you thought standing in line at your local warehouse store was murder, then you haven't been to Megamart. These flash fiction tales of superstore madness and mayhem will make you think twice the next time you hear "clean up on aisle 13."
This anthology contains works by: Patricia Abbott, Sophie Littlefield, Kieran Shea, Chad Eagleton, Ed Gorman, Cormac Brown, Fleur Bradley, Alan Griffiths, Laura Benedict, Garnett Elliot, Eric Beetner, Jack Bates, Bill Crider, Loren Eaton, John DuMond, John McFetridge, Toni McGee Causey, Jeff Vande Zande, James Reasoner, Kyle Minor, Randy Rohn, Todd Mason, Byron Quertermous, Sandra Scoppettone, Stephen D. Rogers, Steve Weddle, Evan Lewis, Daniel B. O'Shea, Sandra Seamans, Albert Tucher, Donna Moore, John Weagly, Keith Rawson, Gerald So, Dave Zeltserman, Dorte Hummelshoj Jakobsen, Jay Stringer, Anne Frasier, Kathleen A. Ryan, Eric Peterson, Chris Grabenstein and J.T. Ellison.
And you can buy it from the lovely people at Untreed Reads (editor Jay Hartman deserves a pay rise, a promotion, and a stand-up comedy gig) by clicking on the wee banner thingy below, if I've done it right.
And you can buy it for the Kindle from Amazon here.
While I've been off ill (now officially upgraded to pneumonia for those keeping track of the Amazing Ever-Changing Diagnosis), I've not been able to read (aaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhh!) so I've been catching up on my TV viewing, watching series 2 and 3 of THE WIRE. Brilliant stuff. And I'm hoping that series 4 and 5 will be dropping through my letter box today. When I am fit to read again, I already have my first book lined up - RUT, by the wonderful Scott Phillips. I've been waiting far too long for a new one from Mr Phillips - I've been a big fan since reading THE ICE HARVEST, and his historical novel COTTONWOOD (which is like Little Whore House On The Prairie) is one of my very favourite books of all time. Not only does RUT look brilliant, but it's published by the Concord Free Press - a revolution in publishing. They give books away for free. Yep, totally free. All they ask is that you make a donation to charity of some description (and record it at their website) and, once you've finished it, you give the book to someone else. Hopefully, they will also make a donation. A totally brilliant idea. Which only has one drawback for me...I have to give away a Scott Phillips instead of keeping it on my bookshelves to stroke with glee and re-read from time to time. Tough, very tough.
Saturday, 23 October 2010
'Reports of my death...' and all that
Dear Reader - apologies for the long hiatus between postings. I was hoping to send lots of fascinating and scintillating reports from my trip to Bouchercon in San Francisco, followed by a few days with my lovely friend Christa Faust and then a trip to Murder By The Book in Houston. However, the best laid plans of mice and Donnas and all that. Instead, I had a trip to Hospital A with suspected meningitis, decided I didn't like that potential diagnosis so came home, only for it to be followed by a swift trip to Hospital B with suspected pneumonia. I decided I wasn't particularly keen on that diagnosis either. However, I stayed in Hospital B until we had parlayed it down to chest infection, some sort of flu, and 5 day migraine from hell, amongst other things. As a result, I missed getting hugs from, and spending quality time with, some of my favourite people. Gutted, moi? Totally. Instead, I spent not-so-quality time in hospital with The Loud Family, Sweary Man, Biscuit Stealing Man and Totally Bonkers Woman.
I am now just about on the mend and back in the land of the blogging. Thanks to everyone who has worried about me, sent me e-mails and tweets and phoned me to see how I am. I apologise if I haven't answered your message, or sounded slightly incoherent on the phone. I will try and catch up over the next couple of days.
My enforced silence has also meant that I have been unable to bully...errrrr...remind you about the Ramones short story thing. But look at this - Douglas Lindsay, genius author of the darkly hilarious Barney Thomson series, has written me a short story! How brilliant is that? Read PINHEAD here. And it's a Barney story, too. Thanks Douglas, I'm beaming with joy here.
And a reminder of the earlier one from the charming Nigel at Sea Minor with MERRY CHRISTMAS (I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT TONIGHT).
The target date was 1st November, but if anyone who has said they are in - or, indeed, anyone who hasn't said anything at all on the matter - would like more time, no problem! And anyone who doesn't have a blog, I would love to post your story here (I already have a great one of those which was delicious fun to read from my dear friend Bobbie, with her first foray into fiction. So, Dad, how's about it?). On 1st November (or thereabouts), I will link to all the stories, and post the others here. And remember, the rules are few, and it would really, really help a girl get better.
Thanks again, all. It might be a few days before I can get back to proper news postings, but I'll be around to read comments and e-mails now.
I am now just about on the mend and back in the land of the blogging. Thanks to everyone who has worried about me, sent me e-mails and tweets and phoned me to see how I am. I apologise if I haven't answered your message, or sounded slightly incoherent on the phone. I will try and catch up over the next couple of days.
My enforced silence has also meant that I have been unable to bully...errrrr...remind you about the Ramones short story thing. But look at this - Douglas Lindsay, genius author of the darkly hilarious Barney Thomson series, has written me a short story! How brilliant is that? Read PINHEAD here. And it's a Barney story, too. Thanks Douglas, I'm beaming with joy here.
And a reminder of the earlier one from the charming Nigel at Sea Minor with MERRY CHRISTMAS (I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT TONIGHT).
The target date was 1st November, but if anyone who has said they are in - or, indeed, anyone who hasn't said anything at all on the matter - would like more time, no problem! And anyone who doesn't have a blog, I would love to post your story here (I already have a great one of those which was delicious fun to read from my dear friend Bobbie, with her first foray into fiction. So, Dad, how's about it?). On 1st November (or thereabouts), I will link to all the stories, and post the others here. And remember, the rules are few, and it would really, really help a girl get better.
Thanks again, all. It might be a few days before I can get back to proper news postings, but I'll be around to read comments and e-mails now.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Ramones, Raith and Reviews
Look! We have our first Ramones entry from the lovely Nigel at Sea Minor. Marvellous stuff. Happy birthday, me. Cheers Nigel.
The New Zealand Herald reviews Kate Atkinson's STARTED EALY TOOK MY DOG. And Dorte reviews M C Beaton's AGATHA RAISIN AND THE QUICHE OF DEATH.
Alexander McCall Smith doesn't half get about.
A couple of great interviews. One with with Ray Banks at The Crime of it All, and one with Karen Campbell at the marvellously named High Heels and Book Deals.
Stuart MacBride interviewed by Die Deutsche Welle. But don't worry, the interviewer speaks perfect English. Stuart, on the other hand...
While Val McDermid was unveiling things at Raith Rovers on Saturday, I was sitting in the stands watching Motherwell beat St Mirren. Nobody asked me to unveil anything. Not even a pie and bovril.
Susan Hill in The Spectator on social media.
And finally, just in case you've never seen the Awkward Family Photos site...
The New Zealand Herald reviews Kate Atkinson's STARTED EALY TOOK MY DOG. And Dorte reviews M C Beaton's AGATHA RAISIN AND THE QUICHE OF DEATH.
Alexander McCall Smith doesn't half get about.
A couple of great interviews. One with with Ray Banks at The Crime of it All, and one with Karen Campbell at the marvellously named High Heels and Book Deals.
Stuart MacBride interviewed by Die Deutsche Welle. But don't worry, the interviewer speaks perfect English. Stuart, on the other hand...
While Val McDermid was unveiling things at Raith Rovers on Saturday, I was sitting in the stands watching Motherwell beat St Mirren. Nobody asked me to unveil anything. Not even a pie and bovril.
Susan Hill in The Spectator on social media.
And finally, just in case you've never seen the Awkward Family Photos site...
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Hydrophobia, Haircuts and Haunted Houses
The Independent reviews Val McDermid's TRICK OF THE DARK. And Val's on The Book Show's Off The Shelf. And here are her top 10 Oxford novels.
Stephen Fry will play Mycroft Holmes in Sherlock Holmes 2.
A very varied range of Alexander McCall Smith related items. Middletown, Ohio, is having a Botswana weekend and there will be an exhibit about Alexander McCall Smith's books. The man himself, meanwhile, was at the Goteborg Book Fair, and will be at the Boston Public Library on October 25th. He's also taking part in World Rabies Day, and congratulations are in order as he receives an award in Botswana.
The always funny Douglas Lindsay on when haircuts go bad.
Ian Rankin, Iain Banks and Quintin Jardine at the Lennoxlove Book Festival in November. And a reminder of the event at the Portobello Book Festival with Ian Rankin, Allan Guthrie, Doug Johnstone, Alice Thompson and Caroline Dunford.
The lovely Caro Ramsay talks about her diploma in forensic science, osteopathy, and living in a haunted house.
BookGeeks reviews M C Beaton's SNOBBERY WITH VIOLENCE, while at the other end of the spectrum the marvellously named Cinema Fromage looks at Denise Mina's graphic novel A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY.
And thanks to all for your comments and e-mails on the Ramones story blogathon - I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone's stories! I've already seen one and it's a cracker.
Stephen Fry will play Mycroft Holmes in Sherlock Holmes 2.
A very varied range of Alexander McCall Smith related items. Middletown, Ohio, is having a Botswana weekend and there will be an exhibit about Alexander McCall Smith's books. The man himself, meanwhile, was at the Goteborg Book Fair, and will be at the Boston Public Library on October 25th. He's also taking part in World Rabies Day, and congratulations are in order as he receives an award in Botswana.
The always funny Douglas Lindsay on when haircuts go bad.
Ian Rankin, Iain Banks and Quintin Jardine at the Lennoxlove Book Festival in November. And a reminder of the event at the Portobello Book Festival with Ian Rankin, Allan Guthrie, Doug Johnstone, Alice Thompson and Caroline Dunford.
The lovely Caro Ramsay talks about her diploma in forensic science, osteopathy, and living in a haunted house.
BookGeeks reviews M C Beaton's SNOBBERY WITH VIOLENCE, while at the other end of the spectrum the marvellously named Cinema Fromage looks at Denise Mina's graphic novel A SICKNESS IN THE FAMILY.
And thanks to all for your comments and e-mails on the Ramones story blogathon - I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone's stories! I've already seen one and it's a cracker.
Monday, 27 September 2010
"Blurred Vision and Dirty Thoughts"
The alternative title to this post is 'It's My Birthday And I'll Suggest A Ramones Themed Anthology If I Want To' but it doesn't quite trip off the tongue so I thought I'd go with the quote from the Ramones' 'Somebody Put Something In My Drink'.
So, since it is my birthday, who fancies writing a story using a Ramones song title as the title for the story? The story doesn't need to be based on the song, it just needs to use the title.
So how about it? Anyone in? I suggest:
1. Stories should be under 750 words, to reflect the fact that Ramones songs were really, really short.
2. Stories posted on your blog on 1st November (or thereabouts) and I'll put links to them all here. If you don't have a blog, I would be thrilled to post them here for you.
3. There needs to be a crime in it, but it can be as petty as you like.
For non-Ramones fans - what about 53rd and 3rd with its tale of a male prostitute:
"Then I took out my razor blade
Then I did what God forbade"
Or Blitzkrieg Bop's "Shoot'em in the back now"
And the rich implications of Teenage Lobotomy's:
"Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum" (which just have to be some of the finest lyrics ever!)
And then of course there's I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement, You're Gonna Kill That Girl, You Should Have Never Opened That Door, Born to Die in Berlin, Cabbies on Crack, Heidi is a Headcase, Too Tough To Die...lots of delicious inspiration there.
Here are 183 song titles (complete with lyrics).
Leave me a comment if you're in, or send me an e-mail. I'll post regular reminders. Anyone fancy it? Please don't say it's just me, it's my birthday and I will cry.
In other crime related birthday news, amongst other things I got Donald Westlake's MEMORY, published by Hard Case Crime (I also got the new Grinderman CD as we're going to see them tomorrow - (woohoo!) and a quad bike experience. Yesssssssssssss)
Update - I am so stupid - I meant 1st November, not 1st October. That would be cruel - expecting people to write a story in 4 days! Whoops, sorry :o)
So, since it is my birthday, who fancies writing a story using a Ramones song title as the title for the story? The story doesn't need to be based on the song, it just needs to use the title.
So how about it? Anyone in? I suggest:
1. Stories should be under 750 words, to reflect the fact that Ramones songs were really, really short.
2. Stories posted on your blog on 1st November (or thereabouts) and I'll put links to them all here. If you don't have a blog, I would be thrilled to post them here for you.
3. There needs to be a crime in it, but it can be as petty as you like.
For non-Ramones fans - what about 53rd and 3rd with its tale of a male prostitute:
"Then I took out my razor blade
Then I did what God forbade"
Or Blitzkrieg Bop's "Shoot'em in the back now"
And the rich implications of Teenage Lobotomy's:
"Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum" (which just have to be some of the finest lyrics ever!)
And then of course there's I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement, You're Gonna Kill That Girl, You Should Have Never Opened That Door, Born to Die in Berlin, Cabbies on Crack, Heidi is a Headcase, Too Tough To Die...lots of delicious inspiration there.
Here are 183 song titles (complete with lyrics).
Leave me a comment if you're in, or send me an e-mail. I'll post regular reminders. Anyone fancy it? Please don't say it's just me, it's my birthday and I will cry.
In other crime related birthday news, amongst other things I got Donald Westlake's MEMORY, published by Hard Case Crime (I also got the new Grinderman CD as we're going to see them tomorrow - (woohoo!) and a quad bike experience. Yesssssssssssss)
Update - I am so stupid - I meant 1st November, not 1st October. That would be cruel - expecting people to write a story in 4 days! Whoops, sorry :o)
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Born To Die In Berlin
Well, tomorrow I'm off to Berlin for a week or so (note to burglars: there will be someone home, so don't bother). I will either post while I'm away, or I won't. Is that helpful? Probably not.
Isn't it brilliant that there seems to be a Ramones song title to fit all eventualities (I'm serious about that Ramones themed anthology by the way. I might just have to do it myself).
Anyway, here's to crime...
BBC Radio 4's Front Row is asking various authors to play a game of Consequences, with brilliant results.
Noir Journal looks at Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels.
If You Can Read This blog reviews Catriona McPherson's AFTER THE ARMISTICE BALL, while Learning To Read enjoyed Christopher Brookmyre's A TALE ETCHED IN BLOOD AND HARD BLACK PENCIL.
And a couple of reviews for Kate Atkinson - first of all The Northern Echo reviews STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG, and Insert Clever Title Here finds reading EMOTIONALLY WEIRD to be 'pure joy'.
West Lothian events for Christopher Brookmyre, Karen Campbell and Ken McClure.
An interview with Val McDermid in The Scotsman.
And finally, she's not Scottish, but she's my good pal - if you like dark (and often warped) short stories, check out my lovely mate Julie Lewthwaite's blog - Gone Bad.
Tschuss, meine Lieblinge, bis bald.
Isn't it brilliant that there seems to be a Ramones song title to fit all eventualities (I'm serious about that Ramones themed anthology by the way. I might just have to do it myself).
Anyway, here's to crime...
BBC Radio 4's Front Row is asking various authors to play a game of Consequences, with brilliant results.
Noir Journal looks at Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels.
If You Can Read This blog reviews Catriona McPherson's AFTER THE ARMISTICE BALL, while Learning To Read enjoyed Christopher Brookmyre's A TALE ETCHED IN BLOOD AND HARD BLACK PENCIL.
And a couple of reviews for Kate Atkinson - first of all The Northern Echo reviews STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG, and Insert Clever Title Here finds reading EMOTIONALLY WEIRD to be 'pure joy'.
West Lothian events for Christopher Brookmyre, Karen Campbell and Ken McClure.
An interview with Val McDermid in The Scotsman.
And finally, she's not Scottish, but she's my good pal - if you like dark (and often warped) short stories, check out my lovely mate Julie Lewthwaite's blog - Gone Bad.
Tschuss, meine Lieblinge, bis bald.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
"Slugs and snails are after me..."
The contemporary Sherlock Holmes drama 'Sherlock' , written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, will have its first airing on July 25th with the first episode A Study In Pink.
A video interview with Ian Rankin from Sky Arts.
Nicholas Royle at the Independent really enjoyed Alice Thompson's THE EXISTENTIAL DETECTIVE. And a nice review for Caro Ramsay's DARK WATER.
Karen Campbell recently attended a Library Garden Party. What a lovely idea - I would love to have been there.
No crime fiction at the Inverness Book Festival? Booooooo. So head on over to the Galway Arts Festival.
And, finally, a rather excellent post from Alistair Braidwood at Scots Whay Hae! about punk rock and short stories. And that reminds me that I still haven't given up on my hope that someone will come out with an anthology of short stories inspired by Ramones songs. Anyone? So many possibilities. What about 53rd and 3rd with its tale of a male prostitute:
"Then I took out my razor blade
Then I did what God forbade"
Or Blitzkrieg Bop's "Shoot'em in the back now"
And the rich implications of Teenage Lobotomy's:
"Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum" (which just have to be some of the finest lyrics ever!)
And then of course there's I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement, You're Gonna Kill That Girl, You Should Have Never Opened That Door, Born to Die in Berlin, Cabbies on Crack, Heidi is a Headcase, Too Tough To Die...lots of delicious inspiration there.
A video interview with Ian Rankin from Sky Arts.
Nicholas Royle at the Independent really enjoyed Alice Thompson's THE EXISTENTIAL DETECTIVE. And a nice review for Caro Ramsay's DARK WATER.
Karen Campbell recently attended a Library Garden Party. What a lovely idea - I would love to have been there.
No crime fiction at the Inverness Book Festival? Booooooo. So head on over to the Galway Arts Festival.
And, finally, a rather excellent post from Alistair Braidwood at Scots Whay Hae! about punk rock and short stories. And that reminds me that I still haven't given up on my hope that someone will come out with an anthology of short stories inspired by Ramones songs. Anyone? So many possibilities. What about 53rd and 3rd with its tale of a male prostitute:
"Then I took out my razor blade
Then I did what God forbade"
Or Blitzkrieg Bop's "Shoot'em in the back now"
And the rich implications of Teenage Lobotomy's:
"Now I guess I'll have to tell 'em
That I got no cerebellum" (which just have to be some of the finest lyrics ever!)
And then of course there's I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Basement, You're Gonna Kill That Girl, You Should Have Never Opened That Door, Born to Die in Berlin, Cabbies on Crack, Heidi is a Headcase, Too Tough To Die...lots of delicious inspiration there.
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