Author: Alan Addison

Before graduating in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh in 1995, I worked as a master joiner/carpenter. Following graduation from university, I studied for a post-graduate diploma in Community Education and worked as a literacy tutor in Community Learning and Development. I have gained education awards and published an academic paper on the use of Scots language in family literacy work. I have produced teachers' notes for the Scottish Book Trust. My first work of fiction, Justified Sinner, was completed in 2016. Since then I have published three more novels in the JP Associate series.

Love v Arrogance

If this lockdown has proved anything to me it is that love abounds in many ways in the UK and I have witnessed and experienced this first hand on my doorstep, on TV and social media.
It has also shown me however that arrogance remains, even in these dire times, and those in that category are as dangerous as ever. One arrogant step can and may lead to the destruction of our society and the death of thousands of people.
Now that is blind arrogance in my book.

As it Happens

Tried phoning friends and family from the wee garden tonight, but they all complained they couldnae hear me for the noise.
It’s Pavarotti and it outdoes all others.
What has he taught me this far, that I should listen more carefully.

Working for Josh

Is no easy job, but here I am with only three chapters to go. That moment when those pesky, persistent characters do not let one rest and continually pull one’s mind off all other subjects, other than food.
So all being well, those chapters should be written next week and then it’s the long process of editing and proofing, that red pen moment!!!
ARE YOU LISTENING EDITOR?

Just Listening

Sitting in a wee square of garden listening to the sound of the birds reminds me of last spring. I ended up wie a flegling seagull, which I suspect might have come tae grief via old fox on the wall. At the minute, I’ve a blackbird singing like Pavarotti fae the top of some tree, or other.
To the tale. Last spring a magpie was attacked by its ain kind and it too ended up in my wee space. It looked worse than me on my worst night out. And like the grey mare Meg in Tam o Shanter, had lost its tail.
Well yesterday a magpie landed on my feeder, and it didnae have a tail.

Montalbano

Watching an episode of Montalbano, my favourite detective, last night, it dawned on me that food plays as much of an important role in the stories as it does in my novels. Their preference of course is pasta where my characters prefer a sausage roll or occassion Scotch pie.
Interesting I thought.

Mind and Body Question 2

“My mind is all over the place, I can’t sleep, I worry constantly, I no longer see the good in anything. I used to be such a positive person but now, I truly feel as if I am going OUT OF MY MIND!”

“Do you really believe that, that there is nothing left?”

“Yes, I do!”

“What about your heart? You have a heart. Put your hand to your chest. Feel it beating. You are not merely alive, that precious thing you hold in your hand drives you, INSTINCTIVELY! And it feeds on love, on kindness, on giving and receiving. There is a world in need. STAND UP! And get that mind in order. You are in charge now!”

Mind and Body Question

When one locks down the body, the mind, in all its fickle nature, is released.
That thing we hardly need to consider, well for much of the time anyway, steps from behind the confines of busyness and buying, of bickering and blundering, puts its hands on the bars and looks down.
It listens as we take guesses on the future and make our promises, our New Times resolutions.
And we so desperately want it back in beside us, where it belongs. “We think therefore we are”.
Tie down the body, and the mind goes for its specified 24 hour a day exercise, 2 metres apart.