Wow. That view. Soo inspiring! Not.

Wow. That view. Soo inspiring! Not.

I live by the sea, in a hut perched above mature native woodland. It is spring. Just now the woods are a sumptuous blend of purple bluebells, wild white garlic, and delicate spring leaves of every shade of green against a wash of blues. In winter the sea glitters through naked trees, the pools of silver light on gunmetal water a gasp of delight.

I’m sitting at my desk, trying to wriggle myself…

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Who holds the pen?

Who holds the pen?

I’m often asked about the building of character in Call Billy. Are they modelled on real people – people I know? I have to say, no. No-ish. There are good reasons for this. I grew up in a family hushed by violence. I was orphaned at twelve, none of it was easy. I have strong opinions and reactions to the people who shaped me. When I find myself slipping under their skin, rather than into the mind…

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New website for Call Billy and Short Cuts

New website for Call Billy and Short Cuts

Hello

It’s been a crazy nine months trying to get Call Billy and Short Cuts published and I’ve neglected writing posts of any kind.

Finally, next week, they will both be available to buy. The e-book and paperback versions are available from Amazon (and all the other e-retailers), but as well as Amazon, you can buy the paperback versions from my new website (built by Steve:) sammccoll.co.uk. And I…

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Badgers to cull Britain's Tories

Badgers to cull Britain’s Tories

I realise this topic has gone off the boil, but I came across it the other days and thought it worthy of a post. 

A systematic cull of Britain’s Tory population looks set to go ahead after senior badgers brushed aside objections from scientists and conservationists. Badgers have been arguing for years that the cull is necessary to protect Britain’s dairy farms from diseases like xenophobia and a…

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Salt Cuts in Winter

Salt Cuts in Winter

Back then, there was snow in winter, in the eighties – loads of it and that Christmas holidays the cobbled streets of the colonies were packed hard. Despite the weather many residents rode bikes to get around and the tyres cut dark salt gashes through the glassy pavements.

I lived at number 23 Bell Place with my brother, Adam, and my parents.  I say Adam, because technically he lived with us, but…

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Salt cuts in winter

Salt cuts in winter

  Back then, there was snow in winter, in the eighties – loads of it and that Christmas holidays the cobbled streets of the colonies were packed hard. Despite the weather many residents rode bikes to get around and the tyres cut dark salt gashes through the glassy pavements.

I lived at number 23 Bell Place with my brother, Adam, and my parents.  I say Adam, because technically he lived with us,…

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Salt cuts in Winter

Salt cuts in Winter

Back then, there was snow in winter, in the eighties – loads of it and that Christmas holidays the cobbled streets of the colonies were packed hard. Despite the weather many residents rode bikes to get around and the tyres cut dark salt gashes through the glassy pavements.

I lived at number 23 Bell Place with my brother, Adam, and my parents.  I say Adam, because technically he lived with us, but…

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Salt cuts in winter

Salt cuts in winter

Back then, there was snow in winter, in the eighties – loads of it and that Christmas holidays the cobbled streets of the colonies were packed hard. Despite the weather many residents rode bikes to get around and the tyres cut dark salt gashes through the glassy pavements.

I lived at number 23 Bell Place with my brother, Adam, and my parents.  I say Adam, because technically he lived with us, but…

View On WordPress

Salt Cuts in Winter

Salt Cuts in Winter

  Back then, there was snow in winter, in the eighties – loads of it and that Christmas holidays the cobbled streets of the colonies were packed hard. Despite the weather many residents rode bikes to get around and the tyres cut dark salt gashes through the glassy pavements.

I lived at number 23 Bell Place with my brother, Adam, and my parents.  I say Adam, because technically he lived with us,…

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Black Mountain

  It is 2016. I am an old man now and have returned, after thirty-one years, to what is left of my grandfather’s house in the foothills of the Himalayas, near Lord Krishna’s birth place.

I am sitting on a moss-covered stone slab that would have formed part of the grand stair before the house was gutted by fire and abandoned. There is much shade, many trees have grown where there were once rooms,…

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Black mountain

It is 2016. I am an old man now and have returned, after thirty-one years, to what is left of my grandfather’s house in the foothills of the Himalayas, near Lord Krishna’s birth place.

I am sitting on a moss-covered stone slab that would have formed part of the grand stair before the house was gutted by fire and abandoned. There is much shade, many trees have grown where there were once rooms,…

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Black mountain

  It is 2016. I am an old man now and have returned, after thirty-one years, to what is left of my grandfather’s house in the foothills of the Himalayas, near Lord Krishna’s birth place.

I am sitting on a moss-covered stone slab that would have formed part of the grand stair before the house was gutted by fire and abandoned. There is much shade, many trees have grown where there were once rooms,…

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Anyone for golf?

‘Tell me, Ross.’ The head teacher said as he deliberately and very slowly squinted down the barrel of a pencil. ‘Is there a reason for this sudden deterioration in your behaviour? I’m afraid I haven’t been able to discuss this, this latest distraction with Mr Hyslop due to him taking a few days leave, so it looks like we’ll have to muddle through – just the two of us.’

  Aiming the wretched…

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The Headteacher

  ‘Tell me, Ross.’ The head teacher said as he deliberately and very slowly squinted down the barrel of a pencil. ‘Is there a reason for this sudden deterioration in your behaviour? I’m afraid I haven’t been able to discuss this, this latest distraction with Mr Hyslop due to him taking a few days leave, so it looks like we’ll have to muddle through – just the two of us.’ Aiming the wretched…

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Yes, sir

‘Tell me, Ross.’ The head teacher said as he deliberately and very slowly squinted down the barrel of a pencil. ‘Is there a reason for this sudden deterioration in your behaviour? I’m afraid I haven’t been able to discuss this, this latest abstraction with Mr Hyslop due to him taking a few days leave, so it looks like we’ll have to muddle through – just the two of us.’ Aiming the wretched pencil…

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Test

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