entertainment – Page 2

Treasure Island Cottage - Braemar — Treasure Island Cottage – Braemar

If you’re wondering why this review is supported by the picture of an old building, it’s quite simple. The picture shows ‘Treasure Island Cottage’, which is situated in the tiny, but beautiful village of Braemar amidst the Scottish Highlands. I had the good fortune to rent the cottage for a week in October 2013. On the front of the building is a plaque, assuring the visitor that the great Robert Louis Stevenson wrote part of the book whilst he lived there.

I first read Treasure Island away back in … 1966,the Football World Cup year when England won the tournament. I was 14 then, and wasn’t interested in English football, which is just as well, because my father would have disowned me. I digress.

If the task of the writer is to suspend belief, and whisk the reader to some other place and time, then RLS has succeeded with this timeless tale of adventure, mutiny, treasure hunting, and summary justice.

Did I read this book again at the age of 60 to see if I could learn anything to aid my writing? No, I read it quite simply, because I remembered I enjoyed it for the escapism and pure entertainment it gave me as a teenager. It provided those same things for me all over again.

The characters are well-drawn, and come to life as the story unfolds. The twists and turns are as good as any modern author could produce, and even if there is no intention to learn anything; I think all writers could learn from reading it – as adults.

There is no problem with the dialect, because the way the characters express themselves becomes part-and-parcel of bringing the tale to life. Sufficient imagery is provided to have the reader believe they are observing the events, but nothing over the top.

It’s a wonderful tale which I would recommend to any who have yet to read it. As much as I tried to make the pleasure of it last, I read it in two days.

I have a yearning now to read ‘Kidnapped’, which I last read all those years ago when I went through my first phase of admiration for Robert Louis Stevenson‘s work.

acrylic - lillies — White Lillies – in acrylic on a 3ft x 2ft box canvas. Oct ‘2012

On the subject of questions – what possible connection am I going to use between my painting of white lillies and this post?

The lillies were real flowers, so by painting them I’ve given them a new lease of life, albeit on a canvas. It took a few weeks but I completed it at the weekend. It was also at the weekend that I completed my time in Retail Management. The connection to the subject of this post is therefore not so much the flowers themselves as much as the painting. It’s about continuation, but with a bit of a change to circumstances.

With effect from Monday, 8th October I started work in the local branch of Ryman, but as a Sales Assistant. I’ve no doubt I’ll occasionally be asked to do more, which I don’t mind, but my new part-time position will be for three days per week. It will provide me with a little financial support and keep me in touch with reality.

Part 1 of this subject suggested there was more than one factor that had motivated me to make the move and reduction in hours. In the first place I wanted more time to write and explore my capabilities. There was also the small matter of travelling for an average of three hours each day – and that’s when the trains were running and on time.

Apart from those things, which may seem trivial to some, I’m only five years away from retirement. I don’t want to look back in five years and wish I’d taken the step earlier. One important factor, which I mentioned previously is that I have the support of my wife.

My debut novel, ‘Ten Days’ is almost ready for publication as an e-book and I have plans to compile another book using a selection of my poetry. I have a second novel underway and I know it will feel better having the luxury of time to pursue my objectives. With regard to the second novel, I feel I’ve learned so much from the first one.

When it comes right down to it I feel I’ve done my bit in the world of work over two separate careers. While I can, I owe it to myself to grasp the opportunity to do what I want to do. If I work hard enough at it, my success will be measured in the entertainment I provide to my readership.

Got to go now, I’ve got some writing to get on with … oh yes, and a new lifestyle.