What does the P stand for?
Well, for the past 40 odd years it has unquestionably been Peter but I've discovered a new name which suits me down to the ground, so with Stúfur's permission I'm adopting his other name as my...
View ArticleCandlemas
I've been thinking again over the last few days about the seasons.It is accepted by the majority of people that summer begins at the Summer Solstice, autumn at the Autumnal Equinox, winter at the...
View ArticleBook reviews
One of the things that has been hardest for me as a new author has been getting a print review. Of course I'm pleased to have been reviewed on-line and would welcome many more, but its certainly good...
View ArticleBlog address
I've just updated the blog to my own, much shorter, web address: www.gruffling.infoNo point in putting in a hyperlink - you are already here!Unfortunately it does not have the same security level as...
View ArticleThe names of the kingdoms
Very early on in the process of writing the book I got it into my head to deconstruct the names of the various kingdoms, sub-kingdoms, regions, etc. that the characters know and move through. With...
View ArticleKindle edition now out!
I am happy to announce that The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff is now available in a Kindle edition:United KingdomUSAI am waiting for details of the e-Pub version - keep your eyes peeled!
View ArticleFacebook page update
Just a quick post to say that the Facebook page for the Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff can now be reached here. The link is facebook.com/Grufflings.
View ArticleA new episode?
I think I have got through The Other Project now and random thoughts of a sequel to the Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff are being jotted down with a working title of The Revenge of the Grufflings....
View ArticleInside The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff
One benefit of The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff being published on Kindle & E-book is that it is now possible to view the beginning of the book on Amazon and elsewhere.What you will see is...
View ArticleThe Library
Some time ago I published a list of books on this blog. All of the books shared a common theme: historical settings which can be described as Anglo-Saxon, separated by defining them in terms of blocks...
View ArticleA peep inside
It is now also possible to view the beginning of the book through the publisher's website: hereOf course, you can do the same wherever the book is available in Kindle or e-book format, even if you...
View ArticleThe Historical Setting: 7th century Northumbria
I'm still not exactly sure why I wanted to set The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff in the Early Middle Ages, but I know that I was drawn to stories of the period. I started writing the story in...
View ArticleBlog tidy-up
I have created a new page on this blog which brings together the posts that relate to the book. You can find all of this information here. I have deleted the older posts that this information is...
View ArticleCandlemas (again)
Steve Ashley sings a "Candlemas Carol" which begins:"Oh, Candlemas beware old manThe wind gale and the storm,For if you think that winter's deadIt's barely been born,And if you think that the spring...
View ArticleThe other project
I have referred to it elsewhere on this blog as "the other project." Well, if you are interested in finding more about it, I have uploaded it onto Authonomy where it is free to view in its unedited...
View ArticleTrolls
I really felt that my trolls had to be something both like and unlike humans. They have an earthy, stony quality, but they are not made of stone. They look quite human in their body proportions and...
View ArticleTweet! Tweet!
Well, my publisher keeps pestering advising me to have a higher profile, so I have joined Twitter. This is actually the second time I have done this, but although I can now see my old account, it won't...
View ArticleHal-an-Tol!
Hal an tol, jolly rumble-oh!We've been up long before the day-oh!To welcome in the summerTo welcome in the May-oh!For summer is icumen inAnd winter's gone away-oh!Here we stand, as the sun rises on the...
View ArticleA little bit of self-promotion
I've just joined The Independent Author Network. You can see my page at http://t.co/a6S3T87xC3 It would seem that in order to succeed as an author, you have to spend more time trawling the internet for...
View ArticleSighs: an exhalation of breath or a sign of emotional turmoil?
[Sigh]"What's the matter?""Nothing, why?" "Ah, well, you just gave a big sigh, that's all." I don't know how many of you are familiar with that little scenario, but I get it all of the time from my...
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Midsummer
Well, that's half of the summer gone, we are at the mid point, so now we can look forward to the nights closing in, the days getting shorter.Remember the Words of House Stark ...You have to admire...
View ArticlePaper book availability.
Well, I guess it was inevitable in the current book market that my little book should founder a little in the sea of literature, which is becoming a scene with almost as many contributors as there are...
View ArticleGoodreads Author
I have at last re-established the fact that I am the author of The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff. I was listed as the author for quite a while, but I think when Amazon bought it up, they must...
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Views across Northumberland
In the Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff I have often dwelt on views, particularly of distant hills. When I have thought about the boys next steps, there has always been one hill in view on their...
View ArticleSetting: The Perilous Realm
"Don't you see yon bonny, bonny roadThat lies across the ferny brae?That is the road to fair Elf-landWhere thou and I this night maun gae"Thomas the Rhymer, traditional.Having introduced trolls and...
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