‘I have a confession’ I said when I met Tracy Going properly this week after a brief, fortuitous meeting at the Franschhoek Literary Festival recently. ‘I haven’t read your book. I opened it at Exclusives and couldn’t get past the Prologue.’ ‘Oh no! Why? That’s not a good sign. Was it that bad?’ she said,… Continue reading Book Review: Brutal Legacy by Tracy Going – the illumination of truths
The Artscape Theatre in Cape Town is where Jazzart, a contemporary dance NPO, will be celebrating the graduation of the first class that has been training for the last 3 years. These performers are all young and agile and passionate about the dance. The multi-award winning contemporary dance theater company, Jazzart, will host a memorable send-off for its… Continue reading Win a Ticket! Jazzart presents Archives at the Baxter Theatre
With less than twenty four hours at my disposal this time at my annual literary feast – the 2018 Franschhoek Literary Festival - I hung around briefly in the EB pop up book section in the Town Hall, to scan the new lists of books. One day, when I own my book shop (in my dreams) I won’t… Continue reading Highlights of the Franschhoek Literary Festival
It was while sitting in an exquisite salon of the Casa Labia in Muizenberg on Saturday morning, listening to a lecture on the life of Chopin by my musical mentor and inspirer of the classics, Elizabeth Handley, that the thought struck: just as we still listen to the genius of Chopin, down at the very tip of Africa, 170… Continue reading an extraordinary evening of music. a tale in pics.
about the fisherman and the businessman. Various origins and sources are cited as to the origins of this story and there are one or two variations. Here is the one I found which accorded most with the one I remembered, written supposedly by Paulo Coelho though I don’t recall that he was the original author: http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2015/09/04/the-fisherman-and-the-businessman/ There was once… Continue reading And then there’s that wonderful story…
The Perlemoen Trail. One unconsciously enjoyable aspect about walking along the coast close to the sea with a group of women is that one never seems to tire of it or certainly I never did. The rhythm of the breaking waves and the accompany soft mist it breathes into the air every few seconds is like a heart that… Continue reading Better than a walk in the park. A walk on the beach.
I told you there’s no such thing as the quiet country life,’ says my husband. ‘You are delusional. ‘You think you’re just gonna hang out there and sit by the river and write books? There’s no such thing. Life is work.’ My husband is usually right. He’s pretty smart. But that’s not one of the… Continue reading ducking and diving in Stanford
When I turned 21, my mum gave me a choice: a trip away with her and her new husband or a 21st birthday party. Guess which I took? Actually, as luck would have it, I was in for a party both ways as, while I wedged my way down the passage between the seats of the… Continue reading Why a life of Opulence is a good idea
I confess. I had little idea what to expect at last night’s LIRA concert at Kirstenbosch. Often, no expectations mean fewer disappointments but disappointed I certainly could NOT have been. In fact, I was blown away by the warm, wholesome, happy vibe that LIRA inspired at her concert, dressed in jeans and a long, beautifully… Continue reading Delightful LIRA at Kirstenbosch Sunset Concert
Writers are tricksters. We are taught that the headline or the first line must hook the reader. If the reader doesn’t care about your first words, you’re history. Kaput. No-one cares what you have to say next. You’ve only got about 15 seconds to catch your reader. I get this though don’t always adhere to… Continue reading how to let go and why to hold on…
(...and some I have)
For bloggers who aspire to inspire
...books, film, pretty things, mind matters, travel, tastes and more!
Melissa Fagan – Freelance non-fiction editor
An Archive of Curious Facts for the Curious
Learn to Live
''Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.'' Benjamin Franklin
It's about life, love, living, food, health, relationships, parenthood..
From the desk of Kevin Leathem
Tales from the mouth of a wolf
writer & author
incorporating 'The Puck Stops Here'
Celebrating South African Women in the Arts
Questions, doubts and my search for answers
Cape Town-based writer & editor
(...and some I have)
For bloggers who aspire to inspire
...books, film, pretty things, mind matters, travel, tastes and more!
Melissa Fagan – Freelance non-fiction editor
An Archive of Curious Facts for the Curious
Learn to Live
''Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.'' Benjamin Franklin
