In which the Author gives a creative writing class…

The third in the ongoing monthly series of creative writing classes here in SW France will take place on Saturday

24 May, at Nogaro in the département of the Gers.

The full-day course will be on the subject of ‘writing the plot’ and is aimed at all writers and novelists, whether

you’re just starting out or have almost finished your novel.

We have people coming from the neighbouring départements of the Landes and Haute-Garonne, as well as from

various other parts of the Gers/Gascony. There are still a few places available.

The details: 10am-4pm with a break for lunch. The fee is €20. To book or to enquire further send me a message

via the electric internet on geoffholder1@mac.com.

I’ve just finished a vampire novel, where you can solve all kinds of plot problems with a bit of biting and

bloodsucking: I’m conscious, however, that this may not entirely work for writers of chicklit or police procedurals,

so I’ll have to rein myself in. Oh well.

WRITING CLASS 3

In which the Author writes a vampire novel…

After writing dozens of non-fiction books on mysteries, witchcraft, zombies, ghosts, poltergeists, murders,

bodysnatching and other gleeful subjects, I’ve finally finished my first novel.

It’s a vampire novel, which will perhaps surprise no one given my genre tastes, but in addition to featuring serial

killers, explosions, bodily naughtiness, and jokes about Jimi Hendrix, it is also an alternative history.

Basically, I’m attempting to do nothing less than replace the current standard vampire mythology with an entirely

new one based around evolutionary biology and cutting-edge archaeological thinking.

I know, modesty has always been one of my greater faults.

Now that the novel is finished, the real hard work begins: trying to find a publisher or agent. Despite having written 31 non-fiction books, when it comes to getting a first novel published I’m back on the starting block.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

In which the Author gives a writing class in SW France…

WRITING CLASS 2.1Calling all hopeful novelists living within a reasonable distance of the Gers, SW France (so  that means you,

Landes, Haute-Garonne, Lot-et-Garonne and Haute-Pyrénées). On Saturday 12th April I’ve giving another full-day writing class. The previous class was a blast – thanks to all those who came – and by popular demand the next

class will focus on writing fiction, specifically, creating memorable characters.

We’ll be looking at character physique, names, motivation, personality and what I like to call character

archaeology – the effect of the past on the present.

All are welcome, no matter your level or experience of writing fiction.

The class will be in Nogaro, Gers, from 10am-4pm. Cost is only €20. Many of the students from the previous class have already signed up.

To book, email me at geoffholder1@mac.com or call 05 62 09 81 19.

In which the Author has a bodysnatching review on the Spooky Isles site…

That fine institution the Spooky Isles website has just upped a nice review of my book

Scottish Bodysnatchers: A Gazetteer, scribed by Fortean writer Mandy Jane Steel Collins. You can indulge your

eyeballs at the Spooky Isles site here, while the book can be reached here, and I’ve a video trailer here.

Scottish Bodysnatchers came out a couple of years ago so perhaps it’s worth a brief recap. It aims to provide a

comprehensive guide to every physical remnant of the bodysnatching era in Scotland, from mortsafes and

morthouses to watch towers and other protection devices. It tells you where to find these relics (whether in

graveyards, churches or museums), and what to look for. Many of the sites are obscure, hidden, long-forgotten or have not previously been written about. Yes, the fieldwork research was fun…

In addition, there are anecdotes and news stories from the bodysnatching era, some of which may be early

versions of urban legends. Burke and Hare of course make an appearance, but bear in mind that they were serial killers, not bodysnatchers, their murders being driven by greed for the cash being offered for fresh corpses.

Scottish Bodysnatchers - A Gazetteer

The book covers not only the well-trodden bodysnatching paths of Edinburgh and Glasgow, but sites across the

country, from Aberdeenshire and the Highlands to the Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, Perthshire, Fife, Dundee and

Stirling. Given that there really isn’t any similar book out there, a number of readers have written to me describing how useful the book is for those interested in hunting out bodysnatching sites in their area – “well-thumbed” is a

typical comment. “An invaluable reference work” was another.

Happy to be of service, fellow bodysnatching fans. And remember to wash the dirt from your hands before

handling food…

In which the Author gives a Writing Course in France…

On Saturday 8th March I’m giving a full-day writing course in Nogaro, a town in the southwestern French

department of the Gers, in the Midi-Pyrenees Region. It’s aimed at English-speakers who want to write either

fiction (novels, short stories) or non-fiction. The cost is €20. If you live in SW France and you see yourself writing a novel or a work of non-fiction, this is for you.

Here’s the details:

The day will cover: Being a writer – writing fiction – writing non-fiction – tips towards publication

       **No previous writing experience necessary**

The course will be in English only.

                             Venue: Communauté de Communes du Bas-Armagnac,

77 Rue Nationale, NOGARO (behind the Tourist Office).

10am-4pm. Fee: 20€

Places are limited – please book early. Free parking nearby. Tea & coffee provided. Wheelchair accessible. Cafés and boulangeries nearby for lunch.

To book, please call 06 48 00 03 06/05 62 09 81 19 or email geoffholder1@mac.com.

In which the Author rants about French driving in The Local…

Like many ex-pats living in France, I am often amazed at the inattentive and selfish driving seen on the roads on a daily basis. I’ve now focused my road rage into a snarky article for the English-language publication

The Local in France. My own version of Le Highway Code for the French  – everything from how to run a

wheelchair user off the road to a philosophical digression on the invisibility of zebra crossings, complete with a

Napoleonic subtext – can be found here.

The Local

 

Thanks to Ben McPartland of The Local.