Whilst Ross Stewart and Elliot Embleton will rightly get the plaudits from Saturday’s League One Play Off Final, the real unsung hero was ‘John The Driver’. … More Crashes and Ashes – My Wembley Tale
Whisper it, but there might just be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel for Sunderland fans. … More Chink of Light
As has become tradition, here is my review of last year. A – Arvon. My week long residential writing course gave me a new insight into how to finish my novel. B – Burying Reggie. The working title for novel number five. C – Cultural Development Fellowship. I was awarded one. Thanks Sunderland Culture. D … More My A-Z of 2019
I’m off to the dentist this morning and there’s an impending feeling of doom. Not that I’m scared of drills or needles or any of that stuff, it’s the lecture about not flossing I’m not looking forward to. I’m not afraid, it’s an inconvenience and a potential humiliation and I could do without it. I … More Sunderland in the dentist’s chair.
My train’s at half nine so I’m getting the Metro at eight, just in case. I set my alarm for six this morning, in fact I set two alarms, just in case. I was wide awake at half five so there was no need for alarms anyway. If you hadn’t already guessed, I’m off to … More Won’t Be Home For Tea
My A-Z of 2018 (The Highlights) A – Amazon Review – This review of Troll Life is possibly the best I’ve ever received. B – Bros – After the screaming stops. Surprising TV hit of the year. C – Crossing The Tees – I don’t enter writing competitions often so surprised to find myself ‘Highly … More My A-Z of 2018 (The Highlights)
In my previous blog I discussed some of the awful mistakes I made with book covers in the early days so it is no surprise that when I came to publish my second novel, Idle Threats, I decided that I needed some help. The dilemma that every self-publisher will face is knowing when and where … More Judge a book by its cover. (Part two) Making improvements.
In the past year I have guided you on how to behave in the pub and at your Christmas party. I’ve taught you how to avoid embarassing faux pas on public transport and how to become a mildly less annoying cyclist. I’ve given valuable advice on how to make the perfect Full English and even let … More What does the future hold?
I’ve already covered my highlights of 2016 but I’m a miserable bugger so you couldn’t expect me to let such a year pass by without commenting on those things that weren’t quite so good. My A-Z lowlights of 2016 A – Austerity Al. A necessary evil to sustain my career as a writer but I’ve … More My A-Z of 2016 (The lowlights)
Childhood in the eighties was fun for Peter Wood but nothing lasts forever. Running away seemed like his only option; as did his return fifteen years later. Will his old friends forgive him for going? Will his enemies forgive him for coming back? Will Pete win back the life he thought he had lost or … More Leg It
Alan Parkinson 