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Sibling Carers – Unsung Heroes of Life

This week is known as ‘carers week’. These are the people who dedicate their everyday lives to ensure the most vulnerable receive a decent, independent life.

Some of these people choose to work in an industry which is grossly underpaid and often unappreciated. Some of those people are adults looking after their aged or sick parents. Some of these people are children looking after their…

For many families living with or alongside Duchenne, there is one inevitable yet traumatic event that everyone has to face but are afraid to acknowledge. I am of course talking about the age limitation Duchenne provides on a person’s life. Knowing someone will die as a younger man is not an easy thing to have to face up to. Growing up it often felt like the Grim Reaper was hovering over my…

It appears to be a day you either love or loath as a parent. World Book Day. A day to celebrate a love of literature and to encourage our mini-humans to get reading.

Unfortunately, this is another day which has been consumed by commercialism. Advertisements appear weeks before selling costumes for as little has £10 an outfit. £10!! That is ridiculous for something they will only wear once. I…

I think it is funny how, sometimes, a small gesture can have such an enormous impact. This weekend was the Annual International Conference for a charity called Action Duchenne. It is a charity which, supports those dealing or living with a condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, as well as helping to fund research to finding a cure. Until a few months ago I had never heard of them but when…

*NEW BLOG* Discussing the recent hiatus around the new #FantasticBeasts trailer #Nagini #HarryPotter #Blogger #Blog #Writer

*SPOILERS RE: FANTASTIC BEASTS RECENT TRAILERS AND HARRY POTTER SERIES*

3 days ago the third and final trailer appeared for the upcoming Fantastic Beasts film. I, like many other Potterheads was very excited to see it. And boy, did it deliver……but not necessarily in the way I think Warner Bros and JK Rowling would have liked.

I am talking, of course about NAGINI. That beloved pet of old Voldy is…

*NEW BLOG* My Heartache - When the Writing is on Hold #Blogger #writer #depression #mentalhealth #creativity

The problem with having a creative mind is the need to extract whatever imaginative nonsense you have within your head. Sometimes, this can be easier said then done. Unfortunately, I have not written anything for months. My characters and plots have sat dormant whilst I take a break from it all. I miss writing. But it is hard work. Sometimes it is too hard and I cannot allow myself to get drawn…

*NEW BLOG* Discussing my love for Book Club! #blog #blogger #writer #bookclub #reading #books #reader

On the first Thursday of every month, I get to do one of my favourite things – Visit a friends home, drink copious amounts of wine and (perhaps briefly) discuss a book we have all chosen to read. People all over the country do it but we all call it the same thing – Book Club. The stereotypical image of half a dozen similarly aged women getting pissed and discussing literature is not 100% far from…

*NEW BLOG* Blogger Recognition Award. Thank you @HeyPSBarbosa for the nominating me! #Blog #Blogger #Writer #Support

Being a writer can often feel like an isolating one. Sitting in a room on your own with only your thoughts to keep you company. The wonderful thing about blogging though, is you get to engage with all sorts of people. Some of them may not even blog on the same subject as you but that does not always matter. So, thank you http://www.psbarbosa.com/blog for nominating me. You appear to have a…

*NEW BLOG* A self-indulgent look at my favourite films of all time. What would make your list of favourite films?

Everyone who has ever watched more than a handful of films will be able to pick their favourites. If you become a successful critic or a popular figure working within the creative industry, then some people may be susceptible to your suggestions when discussing your favourite creative works. Unfortunately, I do not work in the creative industry and hold no grand status of any description. I do…

*NEW BLOG* A confession confirming my hardest challenge with writing.

Like many other writers, I have a notepad joined to my hip. In it contains all my scribbles, notes and ideas for any potential story I think I may have. I have spent weeks purely writing in my notepad, creating plot lines and toning my ideas. Character’s appearances and behaviours are all thoroughly thought through before attempting to write anything substantial. Once I finally have a well…

Let’s start with a Trivia question. There is a popular list in existence of the Top-100 Must-Reads. Out of all the named titles, how many have you read? My answer is 15. Nearly all of these were the children titles included in the list. At first, I felt a little embarrassed due to not having heard of many of the titles or all of the writers. As someone who is proclaiming to be a keen writer, I…

The Joy of the World of Make-Believe

There is no better form of escapism, in my opinion, then getting yourself delved into a good book. To transform your entire surroundings by simply exploring the unknown abilities of your imagination, is something that I think is grossly under-appreciated. Like everyone, I was encouraged to read as a youngster and have never stopped since. As a child, I would regularly have 2 or 3 books on the go…

My Fantasy Novel – A Real Labour of Love

The other night I could not sleep. This is possibly the rarest occurrence in history, for me. Yes, it was hot but I had no real worries or reason to have issues sleeping.. Whilst I allowed myself to aimlessly daydream into a world of nothingness, I suddenly imagined a world of colours, wizards, war and bitterness. It was not just any world. It was the fantasy world I had created. Out of nowhere…

I have a dilemma. Last night we watched the latest instalment of the Underworld series. It was a good film. It had a big budget, good actors and a storyline that followed on from the previous one. So, what is my issue? Well, for starters this must be the 5th film in this particular series. If you had told me they would stretch the story over 5 films, I would have said you were mad! The original…

Diversity in Hollywood – The Sticking Block

There is a lot of discussion at the moment, around the lack of diversity in many films and TV shows. There are people all over the place trying to argue why there is not better diversity in our stories. I think, the answer is down to more than just some rich-tycoon big-wig calling all the shots about who is and is not cast in a particular show. I think the answer to better diversity, first starts…

A Defence for The Cursed Child

***CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM THE ENTIRE HARRY POTTER SERIES INC. THE CURSED CHILD*** A couple of months ago, I finally read Harry Potter’s stage play The Cursed Child. Since it’s release, I have read an awful lot of criticism about this play. Having now read the play, I feel I can now provide my opinion on both the play itself and the reaction that has swarmed around it. The Plot At the end of Harry…

Story of the Year goes to….2016!!

2016 has been an eventful year. If Dr.Who arrived back in January with his TARDIS and informed us of what would happen, I think even his second heart would not help him survive the abuse he would receive.  So much has happened, in fact, I think it should be a contender for Story of the Year. No single author can retrieve a prize as, unlike other great literary works, this story was achieved…