Welcome to justthoughtsnstuff

I started posting to jtns on 20 February 2010 with just one word, 'Mosaic'. This seemed an appropriate introduction to a blog that would juxtapose fragments of memoir and life-writing. Since 1996, I'd been coming to terms with the consequences of emotional and economic abuse that had begun in childhood, and which, amongst other things, had sought to stifle self-expression. While I'd explored some aspects of my life through fiction and, to a lesser extent, journalism, it was only in 2010 that I felt confident enough to write openly about myself. I believed this was an important part of the healing process. Yet within weeks, the final scenes of my family's fifty-year nightmare started to play themselves out and the purpose of the blog became one of survival through writing. Although some posts are about my family's suffering - most explicitly, Life-Writing Talk, with Reference to Trust: A family story - the majority are about happier subjects (including, Bampton in rural west Oxfordshire, where I live, Oxford, where I work, the seasons and the countryside, walking and cycling) and I hope that these, together with their accompanying photos, are enjoyable and positive. Note: In February 2020, on jtns' tenth birthday, I stopped posting to this blog. It is now a contained work of life-writing about ten years of my life. Frank, 21 February 2020.

New blog: morethoughtsnstuff.com.

Saturday, 4 August 2012

meadowsweet, burnt, exeter summer school, new novel, italian courgettes, argh!, olympic opening ceremony, frank



















Lots of meadowsweet on the verges this year--more than usual, I can't help thinking. The bottom photo was taken last Sunday, the top one, this morning.

The meadowsweet apart, there is a burnt-up feel to the landscape--dessicated cow parsley heads and grass seeds, the oilseed rape and corn ready to harvest.

Enjoying the summer school at Exeter--great students. Also, finished the first chapter of the final version of my third novel yesterday. Still in shock! Will be reading this for the first time next Friday at the Saskatchewan Lecture Theatre, Exeter College, 11.15 am. (I'll also be reading from The Lock and Invisible.)  From the programme: 'All three novels are mostly set in Oxford and Oxfordshire, and reflect his love of the region, which the books celebrate. After the readings he will discuss the limitations and pleasures of writing regional fiction--and blogging about it: www.justthoughtsnstuff.com.'

Went to allotment earlier to pick courgettes. Lots of these--and lots of different Italian varieties. There's also a lot of grass up there--argh!

Loved watching the Olympic opening ceremony on the BBC Sport video player. Hats off to Danny Boyle, of course, but also to the esteemed writer behind the event's storyline, Frank Cottrell Boyce!

Meanwhile, an unexpectedly busy weekend ahead.
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