Any fan of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ will know that its eponymous heroine is based on a real person. Alice Liddell was the fourth child in the Liddell family. They were friends with Charles Dodgson AKA Lewis Carroll and it was on a boating trip that he whipped up the tale of Alice and the White... Continue Reading →
I grew up surrounded by fantasy and sci-fi. Maybe that's why it's what I love to write now. Bedtime stories were The Hobbit, Wind in the Willows, Roald Dahl. Daytime video viewing was Star Wars, Willow, Labyrinth and all the Disney films. It's still seen as odd if you're into fantasy and happen to be... Continue Reading →
They say when your senses diminish, other senses become more astute, so your eyes improve if you’re deaf, your ears if you’re blind. I don’t know how truthful that is, but it seems as my body has diminished the strength of my mind has grown. All those books I read are now proving their worth.... Continue Reading →
Without doubt one of the best (and most expensive) places I've ever visited is The Making of Harry Potter Tour at Warner Bros Studios. I've posted about one of my visits before and can utterly recommend it. My other half, who hasn't read the books or seen all of the films, absolutely loved it. He... Continue Reading →
BBC Radio 4 recently broadcast an adaptation of Good Omens, a fantasy book written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett in 1990. Despite being a massive fan of both authors, I've never read the book. That sounds crazy because it is. So I recently borrowed a battered copy from an avid fan who shares my love... Continue Reading →
They called me the Changeling babe, Not quite a girl, not quite right. Through needle eyes I saw other realms and went wild dancing round finger trees. I jumped the Naiad, on a green bowing branch, and sang to the fair behind the fronds. Nay boy could beat me at their games, I would lick... Continue Reading →
I am tired My eyelids heavy My lips are raw My fingers crack. I have gills Not lungs inside me Breath far stretched Held for sea salt. I feel my bones Under this cotton Layers weighted In baby pink. I had tall wings Now cut and taped down Itch paper skin Feathers... Continue Reading →
Eighties fantasy films hold a special place in my heart. There were a lot of classics made at that time with stunning effects, immense sets, sumptuous costumes and extra crowded crowd scenes. In my opinion, it was a golden age. Some may disagree but then they probably weren't raised on Krull, Labyrinth, Willow, The Dark... Continue Reading →
If the darkness has found you, fear not. If it caresses your ears with cold, velvet words, you may listen without tremor. If it clasps and twists your body, you can move with it unbound. If it blackens your vision, close your eyes and make it blacker still. The darkness knows one path, so pull... Continue Reading →
I found these two lovely bookends at a local shop today for the princely sum of £15. I'm thinking of calling them Hedwig & Pigwidgeon even though they aren't the right types of owls - but with books and owls it just seems appropriate.
Wordland 