NOW THAT I HAVE A MINUTE...

First of all, A big Thanks to all for messages of support.

In reply to Wullie Beck, I have no knowledge of the Shirlie McKie case (other than what was reported in the media) and no connection with any justice campaigns - I've got enough on my plate these days. Again though, your comments are appreciated and yes, I too have confidence in the collctive mindset of true Scots, and grateful I am for that too.

FINANCIAL ADVICE

To all those who think I am Sky News's finacial expert, I must apologise for I am not he. Therefore I am unable to assist in any matters pertaining to the global economy. I am hopeless with money, maybe I should ask the other guy too!!!

About Bloody Time.

by Jeff Randall - 23:02 on 28 August 2010

In the course of the past two years, I have been asked on numerous occasions if I intend putting pen to paper again. Finally I find myself availed of the opportunity to at least get my sorry arse in gear and attempt to do it all over again.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not as simple as it appears. I have been playing with a few ideas and have whittled these down to a manageable two, the first of which I have started (with not much on the output front so far).

The first time around I knew very little about the writing game and that was very much to my advantage but in the intervening period I have tied myself up in the technicalities causing whatever creative juices I produce to evaporate into not very much. So, its now just case of doing what I did 4 years ago all over again. Both projects will be presented as fictions as both stray very much into controversial territory - one in particular has conspiracy theory and natural justice screaming through the thematic seams. The other will be an existential, philosophical journey which sets to challenge two of our societally accepted norms, values and prejudices, questioning, as it does, the ephemeral sense of internalisation and identity, the rights of judgement, the dichotomous and delicate temperament of familiality and its concomitant terminally ignorant bigotry; and the unpredictable, serendipitous nature of love, life and death. True to form, the black heart that beats within this rib cage of mine will infuse the narrative with humour, sarcasm, ascerbic vitriol and an ending to please all-comers.

Never having properly written fiction before I am hopeful that it will afford me greater latitude in terms of contentious output than the tiresomely litigious arena of 'true life' memoirs and that it, in turn, will allow me some room for experimentation and innovation. Studying literature at undergraduate level has had both negative and positive effects on this humble 'laddie fi Leith'. It has cauterised most of my creative spirit as I have had to write in that peculiar academic idiom which, I will freely admit, is truly not my strongest suit. I never did do well under rigid constraints!!! On the positive side though, I am indebted to many of the staff at Uni for introducing me to the likes of James Joyce, Alisdair Gray and others who have constantly pushed the boundaries of accepted forms of writing. It is as a direct result of reading Ulysses, for example, that I am more confident with moulding structure and format. The tale I am working on presently will have, at its core, a basic numerological subtext which will manifest as it unfolds. To do this I have had to juggle tenses and manipulate concepts and then weave them as seamlessly as possible. Apparently, if done correctly, you only notice this kind of technique during a microscopically close-reading or you have to have it highlighted. You see what I mean??? Sounds awfy grandiose but in reality its just fun and games. Sometimes it is apposite for linguistic tricks!!! The hardest part I have found so far is trying to project the voices of various different 'characters'; placing yourself in the minds of other (fictional) people is a daunting task but a challenge that, to use a footballing cliche, "the boy will relish!"

I am very envious of those who write full-time as I have to be passionate about the project and in the right psychological frame of mind, solely focussed with a determined tunnel vision - multi tasking was never one of my major aptitudes. The bottom line is, I am an emotional writer as opposed to a technical craftsman. Am I there? Well there's only one way to find out? So its time to dust down the MS Office, open a window or two and just get on with it. I only hope I'm up to the task. I do not however, have reason to believe that Irvine Welsh, Dan Brown or Stephen King will be suffering too many sleepless nights. Mind you, I'm hardly looking pensively over my shoulders either. What will be will be.

Watch this space (if you're interested!)

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