2018-03-27 12:31
The Posy Ring, the first novel in a planned series called The Annals of Flowerfield, is due for publication by Saraband on 12th April. Here's what it's all about! When antiques sel… Read More
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Catherine Czerkawska Blog
wordarts.blogspot.com
A blog about writing, reading, publishing and the day to day life of a mid-list writer.
2018-02-24 12:12
End of ShiftFor a part of Scotland that is the birthplace of Scotland's greatest poet, as well as the other 'two Roberts' - artists Colquhoun and MacBryde - we do seem to treat our… Read More
2018-02-02 19:02
This week, with Valentine's Day fast approaching, I'm writing about an old wooden coat hanger - the one in the picture above. It dates from the late 1940s, and it has, as you can see, the le… Read More
2018-01-17 18:21
Sex Pest?Over the past few days, some of our newspapers have been touting the notion that Robert Burns was a 'sex pest'. Quite apart from the stunning lack of historical perspective displaye… Read More
2018-01-14 15:09
Detail from embroidered dress.Like most people, I miss my late mum and dad at Christmas almost more than any other time of year. And I've been thinking about my mum a lot recently beca… Read More
2018-01-04 13:29
Loving and liking.As most aspiring novelists will know, the rejection letter from a publisher or agent will often include the statement 'I liked your book, but I didn't fall in love with it… Read More
2017-12-05 16:45
A tiny silver and enamel mirror - a rare survival.I might fit in more than one antique this month. After all, Christmas is a time when this old house really comes into its own and it's nice… Read More
2017-11-01 20:31
My genuine antique 'B Squire' piano.Because my new novel, The Posy Ring, due to be published by the ever excellent Saraband in 2018, involves antique dealing, among other things - I tho… Read More
2017-10-09 14:09
My fictional island of GarveAnyone who has read and enjoyed The Curiosity Cabinet and, like me, loves small Scottish islands, might be interested to hear that I've spent the… Read More
2017-09-30 19:15
The other day, I had one of those insights that I think it might be worth sharing for the benefit of anyone embarking on writing a piece of fiction for the first time. (I hate that word 'bud… Read More
2017-09-08 13:43
Ken O'Hara as Rab, The Price of a Fish Supper, Ayr Gaiety.This week, my play The Price of a Fish Supper finally had an Ayrshire production, with Ken O'Hara as Rab, and Isi Nimmo directing: t… Read More
2017-07-18 12:41
At Brow Well on the Solway, you walk to the very edge of the land and almost tumble into a mass of thrift, clumps of pink flowers fringing the shore, like some wild garden. They face the… Read More
2017-07-10 15:28
In the Curiosity Cabinet, I created a fictional Scottish island called Garve. In writing The Posy Ring, the first of a new series with the same setting, I've deliberately set out to find out… Read More
2017-07-09 13:27
I've been neglecting my blog again, mainly because I've been working on a new novel, called The Posy Ring. It's a spin off novel to The Curiosity Cabinet, set on the same fictional Scottish… Read More
2017-06-20 13:10
Paul's Himalayan Musk in full bloomI've decided to try to write a weekly post about gardening, as well as everything else, since every time I put something about our cottage garden on Facebo… Read More
2017-06-07 19:45
One of my most enjoyable events of last year - Grantown.This is a topic that crops up with great regularity on social media and various other forums when writers and artists discuss the ways… Read More
2017-05-30 15:25
Jura from GighaOne of the most inspirational places for my fiction and non fiction throughout my writing life has been and remains the tiny Isle of Gigha, off the Kintyre Peninsula - the mos… Read More
2017-05-13 15:10
When I'm not writing, at the moment, I'm spending a lot of time in the garden. Still, the weeds are growing too fast for me to keep up to them, the ground elder in particular, which was seem… Read More
2017-05-09 13:40
Right at the bottom of our cottage garden, here in the Scottish lowlands, is a very old apple tree, that a friend identified as Golden Noble - a very old variety of apple that is somewhere b… Read More
2017-04-20 13:29
It always gives me a bit of a kick to see novels with my name on the cover in a book shop. It's the kind of thing you dream of, not just when you're starting out (although you do, of course!… Read More
2017-04-11 20:34
AmelanchierSome years ago I visited a friend who had a beautiful, elegant, delicate tree in her garden (we sat under it in the summer sun and drank gin and tonic!) I asked her what it was an… Read More
2017-03-13 15:51
The Curiosity Cabinet has now been published by Saraband and is available in all sorts of places, including good bookshops like Waterstones, either in stock or to order, online and, of cours… Read More
2017-02-25 15:44
Sometimes it's easier to see how you might do something by looking at a familiar example. So just for fun, I wrote a brief but detailed synopsis of Pride and Prejudice, a novel I love. For a… Read More
2017-02-21 11:38
Are you budding or blooming? I realised recently how few new writers, or even not-so-new writers (I hate that overused word 'budding'. People have started using 'emergent' but I'm not s… Read More
2017-02-03 14:29
Last week, somebody contacted me to ask if I had any questions about the Jewel, to prompt book group discussions. I was very glad she had done so, because it's something I had originally tho… Read More
2017-01-25 00:30
There was a lad was born in Kyle, But whatna day o' whatna style, I doubt it's hardly worth the while To be sae nice wi Robin. Robin was a rovin' boy, &hell…Read More
2017-01-16 15:47
The Cottar's Saturday NightLast week, I was asked to give a talk to the excellent Ayr Writers' Club about researching and writing historical fiction. It strikes me that quite a lot of other… Read More
2017-01-12 01:30
Quartz with Liam BrennanI used to be a playwright.Over the past decade or so, however, I've slowly but surely moved from writing plays to writing fiction, mostly historical fiction, with the… Read More
2017-01-09 20:24
Ballantrae BeachThere are days when I realise just how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful country - even in the middle of winter. There was one such day just before new year. Our son had… Read More
2017-01-08 14:12
Ayrshire sunriseWe have had some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets I've ever seen, this year. It does your heart good to see them. Which is perhaps just as well, since the news else… Read More
2017-01-06 19:07
Writers who are just starting out sometimes ask me about the process of writing. There are so many advice blogs and books and websites out there that you don't really need another one. But j… Read More
2017-01-05 20:54
My nana, Mr Tubby Bear, myself and Frisky the cat.Today, I found myself reading a piece in the Guardian about a somewhat curmudgeonly bookseller in North Yorkshire, who charges people to bro… Read More
2017-01-04 23:38
Here's a last look at the Christmas decorations before they are taken down. It has to be before Twelfth Night because it's unlucky to leave them up any longer. We always have a real tree, al… Read More
2017-01-03 23:23
And here they are, side by side, all ready for some Burns Night inspiration, especially those 'replies from the lassies' that some of us have to do from time to time.Actually, this year, I'm… Read More
2017-01-02 15:25
When I was researching and writing The Jewel, my new novel about Jean Armour, the wife of Robert Burns, I soon realised that there were a number of poems and songs that seem to have been eit… Read More
2017-01-01 16:58
New Year's Day, here in this little village, dawned clear and cold and sunny. Not that I saw the actual dawn, because we joined a group of friends young and old, just along the road, to cele… Read More
2016-12-09 16:09
The days are very short here in Scotland at this time of year, but we comfort ourselves with the thought that in another couple of weeks they'll start to get longer. And by the end of Januar… Read More
2016-12-07 14:37
Anyone who knows me well, will know that I'm a big Poldark fan. But at least one of the reasons I watched it so avidly, is that it was perfect inspiration when I was writing the Jewel. The p… Read More
2016-12-06 13:22
Back when I was researching my novel The Jewel, about the life of Robert Burns's wife, Jean Armour, I became aware that there were many poems and songs that had obviously been written with J… Read More
2016-12-01 15:39
Some of the current collectionToday, a friend on Facebook posted about the way many notebooks are more expensive than actual printed books. She's right, of course. They are. But I still buy… Read More
2016-11-27 18:59
Book Fair at the Carrick Lodge Hotel,organised by the ever excellent Ayr Writers. This year, I've been snowed under with book events, and I've loved every minute of it, loved talking ab… Read More
2016-11-15 11:41
Of all the feedback I've had about The Jewel - and people have said and written some very nice things about it, which is a great relief, because when you send your baby out into the world, y… Read More
2016-11-08 15:28
It's national November novel writing month again. I'm not really taking part, even though I do have a new novel to write - well, actually, I have three - and I'll certainly be hustling to ge… Read More
2016-11-06 20:21
Last night we had our annual village bonfire and fireworks display. It's always well attended - especially since every year there seem to be fewer of the big municipal displays in the… Read More
2016-11-03 18:51
I'm on the cusp of starting a new novel, and it's always a strange feeling. I know what I'm going to write and have even worked on the first few chapters. I've done the research, done the pl… Read More
2016-11-01 15:08
Just back from a flying visit to our beloved Isle of Gigha. I'd been asked to do a book event about The Jewel for the Tarbert (Loch Fyne) Book Festival which meant that we were so close that… Read More
2016-10-11 09:42
As usual, I'm talking with my hands!Last month, I was invited to speak about my new novel, The Jewel, to a group in Grantown on Spey. To my shame, I'd never been to Grantown before but it's… Read More
2016-10-06 09:48
Me and the alien.Happy National Poetry Day!Years ago, I wrote more poetry than anything else. Did readings in Edinburgh and various other places. Even had a couple of collections published… Read More
2016-09-22 10:05
Last week, I did three book events in quick succession, all of them enjoyable. But the first one, in Grantown on Spey, organised by the wonderful Marjory Marshall of the Bookmark, a splendid… Read More
2016-09-09 10:35
The author, back in the fifties. I look quite clean. We have been without a shower for three weeks and counting. (Mega building work in the bathroom) It has taken me right back to the f… Read More
2016-09-08 14:47
I have a couple of new projects on the go, one of them at least involving plenty of research and plenty of writing.Truth to tell, I can't wait. I'm at that stage of enchantment where I'm liv… Read More
2016-08-03 13:54
The Secret Commonwealth, my last stage play. Many years ago, when I first started out on this switchback of a writing career, I made the decision to try out all kinds of things to see w… Read More
2016-07-26 10:11
Yesterday was the day on which, in 1796, Robert Burns was buried in Dumfries, in a simple grave in St Michael's churchyard. The big, ostentatious monument only came later. The funeral was fa… Read More
2016-07-10 14:28
Armour's the jewel for me of them all.Somewhere in my new novel about the life and times of Robert Burns's wife Jean Armour, there's a reference to the practice of 'drizzling' and 'drizzlers… Read More
2016-07-04 14:35
Sorry for the rather long silence between posts, but there's been an awful lot going on here in the UK. Wish there wasn't. Glad I'm in Scotland.Foxglove and fuchsia at Keill.Anyway - my old/… Read More
2016-06-20 19:29
A room with a view.I'm at an age where - although not even considering retiring - I've been looking back and taking stock of my career so far, wondering how and why I got here, what I'… Read More
2016-06-04 14:47
Last night was our annual village 'Car Treasure Hunt'. We've been doing these on and off for years. In fact it's a testament to the relative peacefulness of Ayrshire's roads, that they are s… Read More
2016-05-22 19:00
Burns House Museum, MauchlineI've been musing on the notion of the poetic muse. I did a bit of thinking about muses in The Jewel, given that Burns is on record as describing his wife, Jean… Read More
2016-05-19 14:11
Research material.Last week was a whirl of train travel and book events for me: the Boswell Book Festival, followed by Blackwell's in Edinburgh followed by Waterstones in Argyle Street, on a… Read More
2016-05-10 09:32
In among various conversations about The Jewel, Jean and Robert Burns, over the past few months, both with individuals and with groups, I’ve realised that three misapprehensions about… Read More
2016-04-09 15:46
I listened to the Archers back in the fifties, hearing the familiar signature tune as I lay in my bed as a very little girl, waiting for sleep. And then, when I was old enough to understand… Read More
2016-03-26 21:28
I'm reblogging this from my March post for Authors Electric, with whom I've been blogging for some years now. Sadly, it'll be my last-but-one post for them. I've loved my time blogging with… Read More
2016-03-19 18:53
There has already been some interest in the Physic Garden from various book and reading groups, which is very encouraging for me. I do feel that it might be a good read for a book group in t… Read More
2016-03-19 18:53
Cover image courtesy of Glasgow MuseumsThe Physic Garden is, it seems, already 'out there' in paperback. At least that's what some friends and Amazon are telling me (and even sending me pict… Read More
2016-03-19 18:53
Cover by Alison BellIf you haven't read the Curiosity Cabinet (and although it has definitely been my best selling novel to date I know there are quite a lot of people out there who haven't!… Read More
2016-03-19 18:53
Coming back to theatre with a bang: WormwoodNovelist (and friend) Gillian Philip wrote an excellent piece on editors and editing for the winter edition of the Society of Authors in Scotland… Read More
2016-02-20 15:42
This post was so popular on Authors Electric earlier this week that I thought it would be worthwhile reblogging here, on my own blog, for anyone who might have missed it.Many years ago, I wa… Read More
2016-02-14 11:04
Top Withens, mum just visible on the right.Valentine's Day seems appropriate for this post about Wuthering Heights, my favourite novel of all time. But is it really a love story? Or an explo… Read More
2016-01-19 19:36
Among Jean Armour's possessions, was a cookery book: the Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy, by Hannah Glasse, first published in London in 1747. We don't know how much Jean used this book… Read More
2016-01-01 12:18
Wot, no Vodafone?I've been thinking about nominations for the company offering us the very worst customer service of 2015, but it's no contest, really. Saga were in the running when th… Read More
2015-12-18 13:34
There's a meme doing the rounds on Facebook at the moment about making a writer happy by writing a review. Actually, that should read a 'good review', shouldn't it? I think most of us would… Read More
2015-11-20 16:20
When I find an author I love, I’m a binge reader. I’m reading my sixteenth or seventeenth Phil Rickman novel at the moment. I’ve lost count. I began with the Merr… Read More
2015-10-19 12:23
So many reference books ...As usual, I'm reblogging my latest post for Authors Electric here on my own blog, for anyone who might be interested. This time it's about the process, the joys &n&hell…Read More
2015-10-15 14:54
The Physic Garden is on special offer on Amazon at the moment - 99p for the eBook, and I'm not at all sure how long that is going to go on! It could go back to full price any moment, so if y… Read More
2015-09-23 20:41
Been spending a lot of time with this lady!There has been a great deal in the news recently about something called ‘aphantasia’ or the inability to conjure up images inside your… Read More
2015-09-16 17:14
The Cottar's Saturday Night, Faed.The other night, I woke up in the early hours of the morning, from a slightly restless sleep, to hear my husband - he had just been to the loo - coming back… Read More
2015-08-29 15:15
The occasional old shawl like this gorgeous Cantonese shawlFor some years now, I’ve been running another business on the side, supplementing my writing income by buying and selling ant… Read More
2015-08-09 14:36
The Society of Authors will NOT do this to you! I’ve blogged about agents before, but it seems worth revisiting, since things seem to have moved on in the intervening period. I&rs&hell…Read More
2015-07-21 12:08
I'm reblogging this from Authors Electric today, because it's a significant anniversary - the day Robert Burns died, in the house at Mill Hole Brae, in Dumfries.I can’t think of anythi… Read More
2015-07-02 16:57
Jean by John Moir, Rozelle House GalleriesI'm deep into a new novel about the life and times of Jean Armour, Robert Burns's wife, so my blog posts may be few and far between for the next few… Read More
2015-06-13 10:40
Beautiful cover art by Alison BellThis is the time of year in Scotland, still more or less spring, but with summer fast approaching, that I invariably find myself thinking about the beautifu… Read More
2015-05-25 18:14
Pretty much everything's on Pinterest.I blogged about my passion for Pinterest for Authors Electric this month - and since it elicited quite a big response I thought it worth reblogging here… Read More
2015-05-20 10:54
Today, that's 20th May, the Physic Garden is on Amazon on a Kindle Daily Deal, for one day only, so if you haven't read it and you're fond of historical fiction, you can give it a go for 99p… Read More
2015-05-12 10:10
I've spent at least some of the last month or so (in between working away at the Jean Armour novel) revising a novel called Orange Blossom Love in a fairly drastic way. When I first began th… Read More
2015-04-30 10:56
broodingly handsome ...I reckon there's a whole PhD thesis - or several - to be written about the obsession of so many women of all ages with the BBC's recent excellent adaptation of Poldark… Read More
2015-04-20 17:12
Inmates of an Industrial School I'm reblogging this from a recent post for Authors Electric. It seems worthwhile extending the discussion a bit. I’ve just revised my novel&nb&hell…Read More
2015-04-14 18:13
Cover art by Scottish artist Alison BellThis is just a small update about Bird of Passage - because I'll be writing some more about the background to the novel next week. I've done some mino… Read More
2015-04-03 21:09
I don't know how this had escaped my attention until this week - but it had: Robert Burns's incomparable response to a critic who had complained that his poetry contained 'obscure langu… Read More
2015-03-30 21:59
From 1st April (and no, this isn't an April Fool's trick, honestly!) The Curiosity Cabinet will be on special offer at a reduced price for three days. (Here in the USA) Although it's in that… Read More
2015-03-23 22:59
I'm reblogging this from my recent Authors Electric contribution since I got a kick from writing it - and I hope you might enjoy reading it.I wrote this play about Burns for Glasgow's O… Read More
2015-03-16 17:57
Jean by John Moir, courtesy of South Ayrshire CouncilIt happened a few months ago and it came quite out of the blue. I had never seen this picture on the left before. Then it popped up onlin… Read More
2015-03-03 13:33
Family of very elderly bearsSome people reading this might not know that, wearing my other hat, I buy and sell antique textiles - partly because the contribution to our family income is esse… Read More
2015-02-24 23:05
Jean's brooch25th February is Jean Armour's birthday. Not only that, but it's the 250th anniversary of Jean Armour's birthday - so why does nobody seem to have noticed but me?Ah well… Read More
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