Gerry Thompson introduces his book, the illustrated diary of a year in the wild garden, and reads some extracts, on the occasion of Winter Solstice 2024. Elves, pixies and other special beings were present
The ancient Celtic concept of thresholds in time and place
THE BETWIXT AND BETWEEN: a Celtic glimpse
”This is a time that is not a time
In a place that is not a place
On a day that is not a day,
Between the worlds, and beyond….”
Why is the Celtic festivals of Beltane (April 30th) and Samhain or Hallowe’en (Oct 31st) traditionally associated with spirits entering our world, and with potential for divining the future?
What were the medieval royalty of Europe up to when they went out at dawn on the first day of May, to roll around naked in the morning dew in a most undignified manner? Continue reading “The ancient Celtic concept of thresholds in time and place”
Wishing Things Were Different… Or Loving What Is?
An experiment in getting life to work better
Gerry Maguire Thompson
Here’s something I’ve been thinking about recently: what would happen if I spent more time on loving what’s happening and less time wishing things were different? The thought has arisen from my meditation practice and prompted a good deal of investigative reflection.
Continue reading “Wishing Things Were Different… Or Loving What Is?”
The life of our beloved dog, Rosa
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SPANIEL ROSA
Here’s a little home movie about the life and adventures of our much loved spaniel Rosa, who lived with us for 16 years. We’d love to hear from anyone who has memories of her.
You can read more about Rosa’s life and how it sadly came to an end – in these blogs on the Medium platform:
When Your Much Loved Dog is Dying
When Your Much Loved Dog is Dying (Again)
Why do we love to hear birdsong?
recording of a nightingale singing, recorded by the author:
Why does birdsong sound so beautiful to us?
Everyone loves to listen to birdsong, but have you ever wondered why? Continue reading “Why do we love to hear birdsong?”
Get started on your book
Step one:
Once you’ve decided that you’re going to write a book, orientation of the content is vital. Ask yourself these questions: What is it about? What can you in particular bring to the subject matter? What distinguishes it from other books in the same area? Who will get value from reading it? How can you speak to these people?
Step two:
Next you can get down to planning. Think about the shape of the book: how would the content naturally break down into sections? Can you summarise the content of each chapter? What would be the best order to arrange these chapters? Does your planned order have a logical sequence, taking the reader on a journey?
Step three:
Then you get on and start writing the first material. Discipline is needed for writing; ideally, set aside a regular chunk of time each week and stick to it. You don’t have to get finished copy down in the first go – make notes or a very rough draft to start with, and edit it later. Many people think “I just can’t write; I’m not a writer” If you feel this kind of blockage, just think to yourself, “How would I explain this particular idea if I was directly speaking to another person?” and just write that down, or record it on an app for later transcription. Develop the habit of putting yourself in the position of a listener who doesn’t know this subject matter: what would you need to tell them in order to grasp what you’re explaining? If you really can’t fit it into your busy schedule, or feel it’s beyond you, editorial consultants are available to help.
Step four:
In the old days, you had to find a commercial publisher who wanted to publish your book; that’s still the holy grail of getting a book out, but publishers are now highly averse to risk and want authors who have huge public profiles. Fortunately that’s no longer the only way. It’s easy to publish your own book, and Amazon make it even easier, promoting your title if you publish through them. Print-on-demand means that an expensive print run isn’t needed. E-books are also popular these days and are even less expensive to get out in the market place.
So think about it: what’s the book you have inside you? What’s the book you’ve always wanted to write? Then go for it!
get in touch
Why not have a free chat about how I can help? Contact me here
Book writing: the problems
Writing your book: the problems you might be experiencing while trying to get on with it
Peter Cook, when told by a dinner companion that he was writing a book, said “Neither am I.” – it’s clever and funny…and it expresses a very common situation. Is that the book-writing situation you’re in?
Many things can get in the way of writing your book. Here are just a few:
- too busy
- time flying by
- not sure how to start
- lack of confidence in writing ability
- perfectionism: writing bits then throwing them all away
- not making it a high enough priority
- lack of clarity and direction
- too ambitious scale of project
- pessimism about chances of success
- worry about difficulty in getting published
I’m here to help
Sparrow-hawk: accidental rescue story
I’ve un-deliberately rescued a bird from death by sparrow-hawk. It’s not policy or anything. Continue reading “Sparrow-hawk: accidental rescue story”
Annoying Things People Say
Annoying things people say…all the time
I’m a linguistic specialist; my specialism is identifying how wrongly people express themselves noticing when people do things wrong, and getting annoyed at it. I am very good at my job. Why can’t people simply use language correctly? Continue reading “Annoying Things People Say”
Heavy negative trips your parents laid on you
I was sitting in a cafe In Brighton the other day, drinking a skinny decaff soy latte and pondering on the nature of existence, when I suddenly realised why things go so terribly wrong in our lives. It’s because of all those heavy negative trips that our parents lay on us when we’re young… Do these words ring any bells?.“You’ll poke your eye out with that stick!”…“We’re not made of money, you know”…“Don’t expect too much, then you won’t be disappointed.” This stuff can shape your whole outlook on life. HNTs, I call them. Thanks, Mum and Dad; I know you meant well. Continue reading “Heavy negative trips your parents laid on you”
Create an instant wild pond
How to create a natural wild pond in two days – that’s good to look at too!
DAY 1
step 1
buy a prefabricated pond liner plus native plants for in the pond and around it
How I Survived the New Age
Do you remember when New-Agey stuff was all the rage? I remember it all right. I had the time of my life – but it was weird. Continue reading “How I Survived the New Age”
Annoying Archetypes #1: The Annoyingly False-modest Cook
“Yah well it’s a very simple dish, I just threw it together, you just take three small poussins that have been fed on organic Zechuan pine kernels and marmite, and marinate them overnight in a coulis of fermented blueberries with a good dollop of vintage Indonesian rum, then while that’s on the go you Continue reading “Annoying Archetypes #1: The Annoyingly False-modest Cook”
Secret Jam: a tale of rural intrigue
This is how it began.
Every Tuesday morning, I travel to the delightful Sussex village of Ditchling for yoga class; I’m the only man among thirty delightful Ditchling ladies. At the end of class, another delightful group of Ditchling ladies takes over the space for a choir rehearsal. As part of this activity they make wonderful cakes, chutneys and jams, and sell these to one another to raise funds for the choir. I purchased a jar of this home made jam from a delightful choir lady at the produce table, and brought it home; it was the most delicious jam I had ever tasted. Continue reading “Secret Jam: a tale of rural intrigue”
Let’s be less suspicious!
From today, let’s together create a better, less suspicious world. A world where the ability of stereotypical personality types to change lightbulbs is not forever being questioned. Where folks open the door when someone knocks instead of always always asking ‘who’s there?’ Where a chicken can cross the damn road without her motives being thrown into doubt!. Let’s do it!! Now!!!
The Parable of Eu and Ue: a Cautionary Tale of Friendship and Belief
Two young boys named Ue and Eu once lived in the same small rural village. Ue and Eu were the best of friends; they did everything together. They went to school together, they played together in the fields, they got up to mischief together. They were inseparable. Continue reading “The Parable of Eu and Ue: a Cautionary Tale of Friendship and Belief”
Guest blog on Elsewhere Journal
Esteemed magazine “Elsewhere Journal” is carrying a blog with extracts from my book-in-progress “Wilding the Urban Garden.
reasons to be cheerful
Reasons to be cheerful, Part 1:
- we’re still alive
Our wildlife garden
How to Create an Amazing Urban Wildlife Garden
– what we’ve learned in 15 years
Gerry Thompson
In 2002 we moved our family home from Brighton UK to a nearby town. The reason? – we didn’t have a garden. Our new home had two gardens, neither very large. The rear would be the domain of our lively cocker spaniel Rosa, and the front space would be for …wildlife!
Now, 16 years later, that front patch is a wildlife paradise – a veritable jungle among many houses with more sterile gardens or hard-standings for their cars. So what better than having wild nature right where you live? Continue reading “Our wildlife garden”
Euro-English: where is it going?
The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as “Euro-English”. Continue reading “Euro-English: where is it going?”