Anyway is an adverb. I am not fond of adverbs. My first drafts are peppered with them until I go back over the text and score most of them out. I like the sentence to have made an impact without the insertion of an amplifier although there are exceptions. ‘Anyway’ is different. Anyway is often pregnant [...]
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ANYWAY
While I am drafting a blog about the adverb 'anyway' and its specific, repetitive and pregnant use in my consulting room, John is sifting through his archives to find a new series of portraits for me to upload. In contrast to the poignant examples that 'anyway' recurs in those conversation, I am not fond of [...]
Unpredictable and Anyway
These two words, an adjective and adverb, are important to me for different reasons. Whether I am reading or writing I value the unpredictable. I am relieved that some reviews of my book 'If I Chance to Talk a Little Wild' have referred to its unpredictable nature. Just now I wrote the word 'nature' without [...]
The colour of happiness
My littlest grandchild Bell asked what is the colour of happiness? I can never escape the thrill of joy that the first sight of blossom inspires in me. It happened when I took Dido for a walk this morning and saw this fledgling tree in our street.
‘If I Chance to Talk a Little’ Wild and the influence of RD Laing photographed by John Haynes
In my new book, If I Chance to Talk a Little Wild I explain that it was my reading of Laing's The Divided Self that led me to give up my fledgling career as an actor at the Royal Court Theatre and begin a journey to becoming a psychoanalyst. Albeit, after the rigorous journey to [...]
Where are we going to my fair maid …When the centre cannot hold
RIDING WITH DEATH BASQUIAT 1988 I know this year. I know it for what it has been, I almost feel safe in the eves of the year. There have been many things I have not liked about its beams but its ravage has not yet robbed me of my health or my EU citizenship. The [...]
When the mind loses fear
Walking Dido our Vizsla in Regent's Park every morning is as essential a ritual to her as going to the loo is after breakfast. Dido is a gentle beast and minds her own business unless another dog crosses into her space when she threatens feral. Albeit, her bark is worse than her bite. She does [...]
