A few updates of my recent activity in this strange world of writing:
I was invited to WORDS the Marlow Literary Festival to be interview by Celia Sadeq on writing novels. A good conversation but a shame the audience was so small – even for well known writers ! – but it’s always worth saying YES to every opportunity is it not.
At WORDS I completely forgot to mention my upcoming novel THE MAN AND THE MAP(I blame stage fright !) So let me tell you about it now: THE MAN AND THE MAP is all about the young man, Richard of Haldingham, who, in the 13th century, designed and drew the oldest map of the world in existence – quite a treasure it is too. You will find the original Mappa Mundi in a glass case in Hereford Cathedral- do visit it !
How did it come to reside in Hereford Cathedral when Richard started his work in Lincoln Cathedral ? You will have to read THE MAN AND THE MAP when it comes out in July ish. THE MAN AND THE MAP is a work of faction – part fact, part fiction, for how many of us have any idea about what went on in the 13th century ? Register your interest right now by emailing me on info@barngalleries.com and I will let you know just as soon sit is published and available for sale. It is a new departure for me to write about the 13th century and about a young man ‘finding himself’ – both aspects of THE MAN AND THE MAP demanded lots of research !! I do love research. Oh and why write about the Mappa Mundi and its journey to Hereford Cathedral ? I was dragged along as a small girl to view it( along with the Chained Library) in Hereford Cathedral as I grew up in Hereford. I have remembered it ever since as well as treasuring books having learnt from a young age that we have not always had the good fortune to have books in our lives. You treasure books too – or you would not be here on my website now would you.
Oh and I was runner up with a poem, The Photograph, that I wrote for the Chiltern Arts Festival. Here it is- and it’s certain proof that you’ve got to be in it to win it. Keep on going !
THE PHOTOGRAPH.
They say
a photograph can comfort absence.
Not for me.
They say
it helps with pain,
that you’re still here.
Oh no you’re not.
No photograph
can fill this emptiness
or meet my eyes across a room
There are no arms to wrap around me now
to comfort me in times of stress
to ease my pain.
Only that photograph
that wretched thing
that is no use to me.
So tear it up they say.
Yes,I might do just that
burn it to ash
a last goodbye
the way you said goodbye to me.
END.
BYEE, FRANÇOISE MONTGOMERY