James Barclay - Journal

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

I was five days in Epinal at the Imaginales festival. It was a tremendous event. Full of colour and played out in a relaxed and informed atmosphere. What I really wanted to bring to the attention of anyone who cares to read, was the way the festival was organised.

This was no geek convention hidden away in a hotel. This was an event staged with financial backing as well as moral support from the city authorities. There was involvment from local schools, restaurants all over the city took festival meal tickets as part payment, adverts and banners were on every street corner.

The result was total inclusivity. The ages of people walking through the doors to wander around the stalls and author desks or attend panels ranged from 6 to 75. The festival was opened by the deputy mayor and she was there every day for an hour or so. I had people buy my books that had never read fantasy before but thought they'd give it a go because the promotion of the festival had sparked an interest. Mothers bought books for sons and daughters and decided they'd read them too.

The model for the festival was not complex. There was a small door charge. 2 euro, I think, which gave you access for that day's events. Thousands turned up. Most to wander the stalls but a good number then listened to panels.

Now I might be being unfair to convention organisers elsewhere, but the impression I get from France is one of acceptance while in the UK at least, we seem to hide ourselves as if we're ashamed of our passion for our genre. If we really want to bring ourselves to the attention of the wider reading population, we have to go out and encourage them to come in. It's fantastic that Worldcon 2005 is taking place in a major exhibition centre but how much support has the city been asked for? I'm sure they're delighted that WorldCon is bringing thousands to the city to spend money and enjoy themselves but are they doing their bit to increase participation among the local populace?

My personal experience of conventions thus far suggests they will do little, having been asked to do little. Please tell me if I'm off beam here because admittedly I do not know the inner mechanics but that's the perception. And as all of us who have ever worked in advertising or marketing know, perceptions, real or imagined, are very important.

So, it's out there... have your say. Perhaps you don't want a sceptic audience coming through the doors. Perhaps you want to know you are among like-minded people. I'd love it because then you can challenge perceptions and maybe change one or two. I feel sometimes we exist in a comfortable cocoon and enjoy the feeling of being a minority that other people 'just don't understand'. I'm sure it makes some within the genre feel somehow that they own a secret that makes them superior.

WorldCon, indeed every convention, is a potential showcase for the genre. Too often they only ever preach to the converted. Let's take on the Epinal model... at least try it out. Let's open the cocoon and spread our wings.

Blimey. That turned into something close to a rant. I feel better now.

posted by James on Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Friday, April 22, 2005

Just a quick note about http://www.storycode.com/.

It's been set up by an old friend of mine, Dave Mutton, in concert with a team of people he's worked with over many years of internet business.

In essence, for readers, it's a way of getting recommendations for books to read. We've all been there. Wondering what to read when we've turned the last page of a really superb book. Well, in StoryCode, you can enter the name of that book and pick up recommendations of other books you might like. Parameters are based on plot, character, atmosphere, age... many things too numerous to mention.

But it needs reader input (no such thing as a free lunch, right?) Readers code the books they have read to build up the database. The more people who code, the more comprehensive the database and the more accurate the recommendations.

Get along and take a look. Doesn't take long to code a book. Support it now and you'll benefit in the long run... And it's a bloody good idea.

posted by James on Friday, April 22, 2005

Friday, April 01, 2005

Well, it finally happened. On a dull and windy day in Portugal, there was no other option but to try something new. Having long harboured a desire to play golf but fearing the threat of obsession, it was time to have a lesson and see what all the fuss was about.

Frankly it was marvellous. I understand how difficult it is even to hit a ball off a tee, let alone in a straight line and in the air with a seven iron. But I also understand how much satisfaction could be derived from playing and improving. I loved topping, missing, slicing and hooking the ball to all parts of the practice range. I even did it right once or twice. Not bad for an hour. Tremendous frustratung entertainment. Suffice to say, I will be back for more. Soon.

Big Apple
Went to New York to celebrate my 40th birthday. A magnificent city on first view. Most gratifying was the fact that the image of Yellow Cabs and their drivers as you see depicted in multiple movies is pretty much entirely accurate. Have no real view on New Yorkers after just a week (the ones we met were fine...) but food, drink, hotels, parks, architecture, sights etc. All to be recommended. Ground Zero a very sobering place. Weird to stand and look over the site of it all. Would be eerie without the traffic to bring some noise. Anyone walking by or visiting could barely find a word to say.

You know that saying: Britain and America, two countries separated by a common language? (or something like that). It's absolutely true. For three days, speaking my brand of English got me frowns and confusion in response. Clare pointed out that typical English prevarication doesn't work - directness was king.

So, eventually, I replaced... 'Yes, thank you, could I please have a glass of dry white wine, cab sauv or something like that, whatever you have really, and a beer, what sort of beers do you have?' with 'Dry white wine. Large glass. Beer. Sam Adams. Please.' Amazing how those expressions cleared. The funny thing is, in any country with a 'foreign' language, we think nothing of adopting an accent and trying to speak as the locals do if we can. In the US, there's this attitude that 'we gave them the language, dammit, the least we can do is demonstrate how to speak it.' And I admit, I do retain that attitude. Trouble is, on the ground, it gets you nowhere. Speaking as locals works like a charm.

But no one will ever convince me to leave the 'u' out of humour, colour etc. Or to sprinkle 'z's around like confetti when an 's' is clearly sufficient. Humbug.

posted by James on Friday, April 01, 2005

Thursday, February 24, 2005

I was at the Orion Author party last night. A fine occasion and a great venue. It was also one of those nights when I met some people I have admired and respected from afar until now. And also a friend who was the victim of a random stabbing crime just before Christmas - Roger Levy, author and dentist. He's a strong and determined character as well as a terrific bloke and it was great to see him around and about.

I spent a little time talking to Michael Palin. Having grown up with Python, Ripping Yarns and much more, it was a little odd to face a man who I have mimicked mercilessly like so many generations of students before me (and since, no doubt). A charming man, too. Just as you would expect having seen any of his travel films. Accessible and modest, easy to talk to. It was a delight and an honour.

More recently, I've really enjoyed the new look Top Gear and its trio of excellent presenters. Another fortunate meeting last night was with Richard Hammond who I spoke to at the party and in the pub afterwards. Again, exactly as lively and entertaining as his presenter persona suggests. Unsympathetic to the jealousies of the rest of us who would love to drive magnificent cars for a living, which is just as it should be. Another determined character with a focused vision of his career path that is to be respected. I wish him every success. It would be well-deserved.

Too many of our celebrities carry the 'do you know who I am?' mentality around with them like a sledgehammer. Meeting a couple of them that don't is most refreshing.

posted by James on Thursday, February 24, 2005

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

It's a strange thing, having delivered the first volume of The Ascendants of Estorea. There's still much to be done on it of course. Editing, copy editing, final proofing etc and blah. But for now, a brief haitus. It's great because I can finally catch up on emails, my website forum, a film script I'm writing with a friend and various other bits 'n' pieces. But there are also those times when I get a pang of guilt and wonder why I'm not staring at one chapter or other of the book just done.

I could begin planning the next one in detail but that seems a trifle premature for whatever reason. It won't stay that way for long, mind you. Time will begin to press very soon.

But until then, I'm trying to enjoy this free time and not always succeeding. Like I say, strange. It's all to do with the book having been part of me for so long. It's not like losing a limb, more like putting something down and not remembering for a while exactly where you left it. If that makes sense.

I love the result, by the way. The story, characters, structure, everything. It will improve more before the print button is pressed but as a submission draft, it is my best yet. Am already having a few thoughts about improving the final chapter...

posted by James on Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

A long time. Thank you, Neill Flux, for pointing it out. I'll probably cry into my beer and bemoan my pressured life when next we meet and you will merely laugh and remind me that compared to you, I live a life far better than that fella Reilly that people are always quoting.

Frankly, when approaching the last few weeks of a novel writing year, things like journals do take a back seat. I should really rename this thing an 'Occasio-nal' or something similar.

At least the book is going supremely well right now. I reached that time a while back when someone turned on the light and suddenly, I could see where I was trying to go. And the characters I was struggling to understand wandered up, put friendly arms around my shoulders and explained to me exactly who they were and what they wanted.

Gawd bless 'em. And people like Neill for keeping me anchored to the real world.

Next entry into the Occasio-nal will be... err.. soon? Or failing that, when I feel like it. Whichever is the sooner.

posted by James on Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

It's always good to try and find the positives in stunningly boring tasks. I'm moving house on Friday and have been facing the mind-numbing work that is packing. As always, it leads to long periods looking at empty boxes and wishing Mary Poppins was on hand to help out filling them up.

But it also forces you to look through everything you've accumulated and bring it or sling it. I've found some great stuff... When I was plenty younger, I owned a couple of synthesisers and a drum machine and used to compose lyrics and (some) music. I found my old folder in a trunk. And you know what? Some of those lyrics aren't bad. A little pompous seeing as I was in an Ultravox phase and dealing more often than not with terribly depressing subjects like loss and death but still, not bad for a spotty herbert.

Far more entertainingly though, I found my two first stabs at long-fiction. One written when I was 13, the other at about 16. The first, 'Troja: Dawn' is notable mainly because of the comment my English teacher, the splendid Stuart Widd, added to the end of it. He noted that he enjoyed the story but that the killing off of a major character half way through was rather a surprise. As readers of The Raven will know, something just stay with you, don't they?

The second, 'What price civilisation?' is a terrifically awful piece of work notable for its derivative nature and its natty hand-drawn cover which I have a feeling is in fact a sketch of Elric's soul-stealing blade. Mind you, it was the fore-runner of my first full length MSS, 'The All-God's Gift' so it stil retains a place in my affections and will always be a source of cheer and comedy.

Found my old paintball gun too, a pump action Line SI Bushmaster... used to be top of the range when I was playing for The Turks back in the late 80s and very early 90s. Utterly obselete now but it brings back fine memories of the characters that were around the game at the time. I'd experiment to see if it worked if I could only remember how to screw the bloody thing together.

Thank heavens I'm a hoarder...

posted by James on Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Wednesday, September 15, 2004

I wrote at the end of August about a crisis of confidence and the examination of the work I'd done on my new book. It was an uncomfortable exercise but, ultimately, has been very valuable.

Not least in my mind has been the benefit of being that bit inward looking, even if only briefly. It's like a sanity check. There you go, writing away and thinking it's all good for the final draft and then you get the alarm, look back and begin to question.

It's been an education. First, it's made me question, critique and improve the overall structure of the novel. Second, it's forced me to examine the characters, how they develop on the page rather than how I imagine them to have done. And third, it's given me enormous fresh impetus. It's like seeing the path after the mist has risen. It's shown me I can achieve what I want and know how to get there.

In short, a little introspection has been a massive benefit. What's that cliche about stepping back to go forward. True in this instance.

posted by James on Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Wednesday, September 08, 2004

Just a quickie (oo err, obviously). I just wanted to publish a note of thanks to all those who have signed up for and are using the new forum on the website. It's been great to swap posts with people, read some very interesting thoughts and get criticism of my work so far. And heavens, it isn't always good criticism. Whatever next?

A bit like this journal, I can't concentrate on it all the time but its value is growing day by day. Many thanks to you all.

posted by James on Wednesday, September 08, 2004

Friday, September 03, 2004

One of the very gratifying things about being an author is the heartfelt emails and messages I receive from readers and fans. Of course by default, I'm unlikely to get too much abuse via website mail so yes, I know it can give a skewed view.

But the fact that people have taken the time to write and say how much they've enjoyed something I've done is very special and frankly, makes the grind (and it occasionally is that) worthwhile. Never more so than this week. Readers of my last post will have gathered that things don't necessarily always go smoothly in the writing process. Indeed on Tuesday, I uncovered more significant problems in my latest work that needed addressing and if I'd had a cat, it would have had a bruised backside from the kick. Not because I don't expect problems but because I didn't see them sooner, or had chosen not to see them until forced.

It was like looking under stone after stone only to see the rot go deeper... The scale of the issues was such that it was going to take me two days to fix them all and this was at a time when I couldn't afford that sort of delay.

So, somewhat despondently, I downloaded email before diving in and found two emails from people who had already read Demonstorm. Both had loved it, both had been with me through the entire series, and had taken every blow and enjoyed every triumph in The Raven experience.

Timely messages indeed, reminding me that the setbacks, the irritations, the frustrations and the low moments are all part of this writer's journey through a novel. And that every single one of them is worth going through. Thank you Jessica and Adrian... your messages were more valuable than you know.

posted by James on Friday, September 03, 2004