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Working in monochrome

I’ve been experimenting with black and white photography over the past few days. Using a setting on my camera called ‘high-contrast mono’ I’ve achieved some unexpectedly pleasing results.

Wheelbarrows in the walled garden at Croft Castle

It’s also got me thinking about how working in monochrome can translate into writing. We often talk about introducing colour into our work, but what about stripping it away? What about, instead, concentrating on shape, pattern and contrast?

What do other people think?

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Keeping on writing

The time is to keep on writing. Sounds simple. And it is, but the trick is to concentrate on the the doing and not the end game.

This week I’ve completed drafts of three stories which will, in the fullness of time, form part of my Bosch collection. More of that in the months to come.

And today I found inspiration in another wonderful setting, encouragement to mine deep memory, and the company of more of my fellow writers.

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Brechfa Pool, Powys

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An inspiring week

I’ve just got back from a week at Tŷ Newydd, the National Writing Centre of Wales. It’s close to the village of Criccieth in Gwynedd, North Wales, and overlooks Cardigan Bay. Dolphins swim in that bay, maybe mermaids too, for there’s more than a sprinkling of magic in the area. It’s been inspiring writers for many years.

I was one of a group of ten writers there this week. Under the guidance of tutors Francesca Rhydderch and Mavis Cheek, who complemented one another beautifully in their teaching, we ten all found that the words flowed freely in this beautiful setting. Helped not a little by the leaven of laughter – writing may be hard work, but it certainly doesn’t have to be solemn.

I came home with the drafts of two new short stories. As well as the makings of a new writing support network. And we’ve all promised to invite one another to our book launches, in the fullness of time!

 

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The garden at Tŷ Newydd and, in the distance, the sea