Five Things Friday… already? Am I too late?!

Is it Friday already?… and I missed a week too!   Maybe it’s not essential every Friday…

Last night I had a wonderful hour-long chat with my Dad…

…don’t do it often enough. Mum and I can talk until the phone battery runs out; and often I grab a quick word with Dad at the end, and he says “Mum can tell me all the news…”

So this week’s Five Things Friday is inspired by him. And the theme is  Writers.

1. My Dad Jeremy Paul is a writer, has always been ever since he left Oxford University after his first year, because he was given a 3 television contract with ATV. He’s just made a fantastic teaser/short promo film for his feature  Sink or Swim which is currently in pre-production; and he’s working on a brilliant children’s book Jones. No striking to protect retirement age for him!

2.  And yesterday, on the phone, he said that I was a writer too – it’s a name I would never have given myself, and while I have have always had unconditional love and support from my parents (and I have never under-estimated the huge privilege of growing up under those conditions!)…it still means so much to have their approval!

3.  Harvey – My nephew is 15 like Harry, and he writes the most amazing poetry and prose. He’s had a tough school life, for various reasons – and has really found his voice. His writing has an extraordinary maturity; hopefully it will be his key…

ME

Solace, seclusion.

Barred cages, locked doors, secret whispers.

Uttered curses, bitter chuckles.

Closing in, wrapping around.

Steel vines casting themselves around my legs.

My mind is lost, I can’t be myself.

I can only be myself, by myself.

And even though I am by myself, I am not me.

“Me” is something different, “me” isn’t something I can grasp.

Stop slipping through my fingers!

I can’t chase you down, I can’t find you, I’m just going to have to wait.

Wait until you blossom on your own.

Wait until you grow large, shoot into the sky.

Wait until you break these steel bonds.

Wait until I can finally breath fresh, clean air.

Wait until I can finally be unravelled, unwrapped.

Torn apart, to be reborn.

Rise from the ashes! Come closer!

I’ve found you!

I finally found you.

4.  Hills – my blog muse! whenever I see a blog alert from Hills, I have to read it immediately – she bears her soul in her writing, writing with such honesty, and yet she writes her tale as a gift to the reader, rather than for herself. This perfect balance of honesty and generosity is what I aspire to! Also of course, her photographs are always a delicious treat!

5. Tonight is the brilliantly conceived Literary dinner in Windsor, organised by my friend Mel Gow.

Mel and I

It sounds fantastic, and I wish I could be there. Just want to wish the event every success tonight!