Pippa Roberts's Blog
December 5, 2017
Gill's Blog: Agents
This is an old blog of mine, but I can't see how to post this on the new one. A very useful blog...
Gill's Blog: Agents: Agents seeking submissions A for Authors Take care they have submissions periods and will delete your work without looking at it if yo...
Gill's Blog: Agents: Agents seeking submissions A for Authors Take care they have submissions periods and will delete your work without looking at it if yo...
October 12, 2016
New Blog in Wordpress - (Reminder - October 2016)
I have just noticed that this old blog is still coming up in Google searches. My new blog is at:
https://stargleamblog.wordpress.com/
- and intermediate between the two I had a blog on the Fractal Publishing website. Please feel free to browse. :)
https://stargleamblog.wordpress.com/
- and intermediate between the two I had a blog on the Fractal Publishing website. Please feel free to browse. :)
March 23, 2014
November 14, 2013
Brief update and News of Nomination for Award
Hi everyone,
I have been going through a lot of sadness in my personal life and so have not posted much in recent weeks. Fear not though. Plans are bubbling away beneath the surface, and I have been closely following some interesting scientists, with a view to collaboration. I am collecting a long list of people who definitely want to commission me, but currently don't have the funds. I think that's good. :/
In the realm of achievements: the Hull University project (for which I wrote a children's play and book) is being nominated for the Guardian Excellence in Widening Participation Award. Credit to Mark Lorch, who set the whole project up, advised me on the science, then went into schools and did the experiments with the children.
See you all again soon, I hope.
Pippa :)
I have been going through a lot of sadness in my personal life and so have not posted much in recent weeks. Fear not though. Plans are bubbling away beneath the surface, and I have been closely following some interesting scientists, with a view to collaboration. I am collecting a long list of people who definitely want to commission me, but currently don't have the funds. I think that's good. :/
In the realm of achievements: the Hull University project (for which I wrote a children's play and book) is being nominated for the Guardian Excellence in Widening Participation Award. Credit to Mark Lorch, who set the whole project up, advised me on the science, then went into schools and did the experiments with the children.
See you all again soon, I hope.
Pippa :)
October 6, 2013
Pippa Roberts: About Fabien Oefner - Projects that Bring Together Art and Science
Hi everyone,
I'm sorry that I have been gone for a while. I've been writing - but travelling a lot. I'm now paying Gill to type my scripts and stories, as I've suddenly realised that the brake on my work is actually the amount of time it takes me to type something. (I'm only a self taught typist, and could be much faster.) I also have Pauline, managing my admin, and work is coming in quite steadily. I think I'm the sort of person who works well as part of a team, so these arrangements suit me.
As I'm writing plays and stories with real science in them I am naturally very interested in any other projects that bring together art and science. A new TED talk has been posted today, that brings them together in the most stunning way. Photographer, Fabien Oefner, takes photos of crystals interacting with sound waves; paint mixing with magnetic liquid, and whisky catching fire - though he stops after one demo as he says a lot of people would argue he should be drinking the whisky. He's fun. :D The video is well worth watching. Have a look at:
http://on.ted.com/oefner
Now, I'd better get back to work, or maybe some serious relaxation. I had an incredibly long day yesterday - and the day before (6.30am to 8.30pm) travelling around on public transport, chasing poetry events in little villages and towns. :D) They've been a great couple of days, but I have to admit to being slightly tired!
See you all again soon,
Pippa x
I'm sorry that I have been gone for a while. I've been writing - but travelling a lot. I'm now paying Gill to type my scripts and stories, as I've suddenly realised that the brake on my work is actually the amount of time it takes me to type something. (I'm only a self taught typist, and could be much faster.) I also have Pauline, managing my admin, and work is coming in quite steadily. I think I'm the sort of person who works well as part of a team, so these arrangements suit me.
As I'm writing plays and stories with real science in them I am naturally very interested in any other projects that bring together art and science. A new TED talk has been posted today, that brings them together in the most stunning way. Photographer, Fabien Oefner, takes photos of crystals interacting with sound waves; paint mixing with magnetic liquid, and whisky catching fire - though he stops after one demo as he says a lot of people would argue he should be drinking the whisky. He's fun. :D The video is well worth watching. Have a look at:
http://on.ted.com/oefner
Now, I'd better get back to work, or maybe some serious relaxation. I had an incredibly long day yesterday - and the day before (6.30am to 8.30pm) travelling around on public transport, chasing poetry events in little villages and towns. :D) They've been a great couple of days, but I have to admit to being slightly tired!
See you all again soon,
Pippa x
September 3, 2013
Mark Lorch's Periodic Table - A Map of the Underground for Chemists :)
Hi everyone,
You may have discovered the Guardian's excellent science blogs. They cover all sorts of weird and wonderful subjects. Today the blog post was written by Mark Lorch, the scientist who worked with me on the play and novel, 'Investigation: Haunted House'.
This is the link:
http://www.theguardian.com/science/bl...
It was devised for Mark's son, Sebastian, who is mad on trains - so it is not too complicated or 'clever' - and there is a jargon buster, to explain any difficult vocabulary.
I've tried to upload the image, but failed miserably. Do have a look at it. If there are any students of chemistry reading this - it may even help you to remember relationships and symbols.
Good luck! :)
Pippa
You may have discovered the Guardian's excellent science blogs. They cover all sorts of weird and wonderful subjects. Today the blog post was written by Mark Lorch, the scientist who worked with me on the play and novel, 'Investigation: Haunted House'.
This is the link:
http://www.theguardian.com/science/bl...
It was devised for Mark's son, Sebastian, who is mad on trains - so it is not too complicated or 'clever' - and there is a jargon buster, to explain any difficult vocabulary.
I've tried to upload the image, but failed miserably. Do have a look at it. If there are any students of chemistry reading this - it may even help you to remember relationships and symbols.
Good luck! :)
Pippa
August 30, 2013
Canyon Found Under Greenland Ice Sheet - and thoughts of Robert Peary by Pippa Roberts
Hi everyone,
I have just seen this news from NASA:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ice...
It's interesting that we are still mapping the surface of our planet. I have a particular interest in Greenland and the Polar regions, as I am working on plays set in them, and I have just - virtually - finished the OU course, 'The Frozen Planet', as background for these. (just my TMA - (final paper) - still to go). I've read a huge number of books about Robert Peary's journeys in Greenland, and the exploration of this ice sheet. I wonder what he would have thought of this news? He hoped that Greenland would turn out to be a larger landmass which would allow him to trek straight to the Pole, and he even convinced himself that he could see hills in the distance.
There is so much more to this story that I am dying to tell. Look out for the play, which should be finished some time this year.
August 25, 2013
Pippa Roberts - Another trip to London
Hi everyone,
I think it's time I wrote a new blog post. There is so much to write about that I don't know where to start.
Some of you will know I am a little country mouse, as I spent a lot of my life very disabled, and very poor. This means that most trips are big adventures for me, and I seem to be doing an awful lot of them at present. On Wednesday last week I had another trip to London, to see an accountant who works specially for writers. (Contact me - anyone who wants more information about this). I had landed myself in a bit of a mess because I thought it wasn't worth putting my expenses in my accounts as I was still below the tax threshold - and then I found that it had unexpected repercussions. This made me aware that having the right accountant could help me.
The accountant I saw is used to working with writers, with fluctuating incomes and strange expenses (like theatre visits - which he agreed - were necessary - and tax-deductible - for anyone who is writing for theatre.) He is experienced at helping writers to claim for all the things they should be claiming for, and gave me all sorts of tips.
After our interview I went to find a place to eat, and ended up in Kin, a restaurant in Holborn that serves Asian street food. It looked good from outside, and when I went in my impression was confirmed. It was clean and fresh; casual, but with a vibrant air about it. I had a Thai dish that was delicious - and very reasonably priced, at £7. It was quite a find, as it was hidden away down a little side street. (I always walk miles because I love exploring different places.)
What I didn't know was that a) London buses can take an hour just to go up Oxford St, and b) that they regularly break down. I intended to catch a bus back to Victoria, which I did - allowing, as I thought, plenty of time - and feeling quite confident, as it was the same route I'd been on when I first arrived. I have now been assured by Londoners that buses there regularly do break down, so mine was no exception. We'd been crawling up Oxford St for the best part of an hour when suddenly the doors refused to open at a bus stop. At least I guess this was the problem. Nobody explained anything, or apologised. When the doors did open there was a shout for everyone to get off because the bus was 'now terminating here' - so we all tumbled off, onto the pavement.
I have a disabled pass, so hadn't paid for a ticket, but it was quarter to eight by this time, and my bus home was due to leave Victoria at eight! We were so close that I thought I might be able to walk, but other passengers advised me that I'd be better to hop on another bus which went round the back of the coach station. I did this, but then totally failed to find it. (My visual problem not helping here!) A driver told me that my bus would go from a stop in the street, but then I asked another driver and he said it wouldn't. I was literally running round, up and down streets, almost crying. By the time I got into the bus station, and - after many more problems - found the right bay, it was quarter past eight. To my utter relief my bus - the last one of the night - was still sitting there. I climbed on, and spent the next ten minutes, as we made our way out of London, boring my neighbour silly with chatter about how difficult it had been. In the end she produced her macramee and her ear plugs, and I thought I'd better shut up. :D
What an adventure. I was meant to do a workshop in Oxford the next day, but Nathalie, my daughter was ill with tonsillitus, so I had to cancel, and look after Izey, her three year old, instead. There was someone else to stand in for me with the workshop, so I didn't feel too bad about it.
So now, back in my new flat, almost too tired to move, but it's been a good week.
See you all again soon,
Pippa x
I think it's time I wrote a new blog post. There is so much to write about that I don't know where to start.
Some of you will know I am a little country mouse, as I spent a lot of my life very disabled, and very poor. This means that most trips are big adventures for me, and I seem to be doing an awful lot of them at present. On Wednesday last week I had another trip to London, to see an accountant who works specially for writers. (Contact me - anyone who wants more information about this). I had landed myself in a bit of a mess because I thought it wasn't worth putting my expenses in my accounts as I was still below the tax threshold - and then I found that it had unexpected repercussions. This made me aware that having the right accountant could help me.
The accountant I saw is used to working with writers, with fluctuating incomes and strange expenses (like theatre visits - which he agreed - were necessary - and tax-deductible - for anyone who is writing for theatre.) He is experienced at helping writers to claim for all the things they should be claiming for, and gave me all sorts of tips.
After our interview I went to find a place to eat, and ended up in Kin, a restaurant in Holborn that serves Asian street food. It looked good from outside, and when I went in my impression was confirmed. It was clean and fresh; casual, but with a vibrant air about it. I had a Thai dish that was delicious - and very reasonably priced, at £7. It was quite a find, as it was hidden away down a little side street. (I always walk miles because I love exploring different places.)
What I didn't know was that a) London buses can take an hour just to go up Oxford St, and b) that they regularly break down. I intended to catch a bus back to Victoria, which I did - allowing, as I thought, plenty of time - and feeling quite confident, as it was the same route I'd been on when I first arrived. I have now been assured by Londoners that buses there regularly do break down, so mine was no exception. We'd been crawling up Oxford St for the best part of an hour when suddenly the doors refused to open at a bus stop. At least I guess this was the problem. Nobody explained anything, or apologised. When the doors did open there was a shout for everyone to get off because the bus was 'now terminating here' - so we all tumbled off, onto the pavement.
I have a disabled pass, so hadn't paid for a ticket, but it was quarter to eight by this time, and my bus home was due to leave Victoria at eight! We were so close that I thought I might be able to walk, but other passengers advised me that I'd be better to hop on another bus which went round the back of the coach station. I did this, but then totally failed to find it. (My visual problem not helping here!) A driver told me that my bus would go from a stop in the street, but then I asked another driver and he said it wouldn't. I was literally running round, up and down streets, almost crying. By the time I got into the bus station, and - after many more problems - found the right bay, it was quarter past eight. To my utter relief my bus - the last one of the night - was still sitting there. I climbed on, and spent the next ten minutes, as we made our way out of London, boring my neighbour silly with chatter about how difficult it had been. In the end she produced her macramee and her ear plugs, and I thought I'd better shut up. :D
What an adventure. I was meant to do a workshop in Oxford the next day, but Nathalie, my daughter was ill with tonsillitus, so I had to cancel, and look after Izey, her three year old, instead. There was someone else to stand in for me with the workshop, so I didn't feel too bad about it.
So now, back in my new flat, almost too tired to move, but it's been a good week.
See you all again soon,
Pippa x
August 14, 2013
World War Two Memory Project Fails
Hi everyone,
This time it's slightly sad news. My lovely project, recording memories, has fallen flat on its face. The old people suddenly decided that I was going to write books with all their memories in, and become rich on it, so they asked for the tape to be wiped clean. I'm really disappointed because I'd been wondering if we could involve museums, and perhaps put together a book for them - but the idea of profit in my line of work is a bit of a joke. Money is not what drives me, and a collection of people's memories is never going to be a big seller. It would probably have pleased their families though.
I felt very sad after hearing their thoughts. Sometimes I feel as if my life is a constant attempt to give to people, and most of the time they don't want what I have to give. I think I should just focus on writing my books, but I must admit that most of my workshops do go well, and then they do enrich me as well as the people I am working with. I'm not talking about material enrichment though. I suppose spiritual is the closest word to what I want, though I am deeply wary of using the word. In one sense it does feed into my writing, so perhaps there is a grain of truth in their suspicions, but it is only in the way that all human interaction does. Everything goes into a big melting pot, and comes out in another form. So, what do I do? Go and shut myself in a room and stop interacting? Ohhh, the older I get the sillier I think the world is. How can we learn if we don't record memories? How can the human race move on?
One lady told me recently that she burned all her mothers long letters and diaries because she felt 'they were hers'. I don't really understand this individualistic thinking. I would like to think that anything I'd written could contribute to human understanding and development, if it is only by learning through my mistakes, and what I record of the mistakes of others. How can they be mine after I'm gone? Whether I'm floating around on some ethereal plane; toasting my marshmallows on the fires of hell; or just plain dead, I won't be here, and 'they are mine' will have no meaning.
So... not a good start to life in my new home, but apart from that everything is going well. I'm learning all the bus and train routes, and slowly fitting together my time tables. I still need more work, but I feel slightly burned by that last experience. I'm going to see if I can get some work in journalism. I enjoy that, and at least it is writing. I still dream of the day that I can just quietly get on with my books, but I'm not there yet. I am, of course, still quietly preparing the mystery I've talked about here, and I put my Wrinkly Monster in to try and get a scholarship for something today. Work is progressing more slowly than usual though, because an awful lot of my effort is going into finding my way around in a new area, and in stocking up the flat.
Anyway... enough woffle. See you all soon,
Pippa xx
This time it's slightly sad news. My lovely project, recording memories, has fallen flat on its face. The old people suddenly decided that I was going to write books with all their memories in, and become rich on it, so they asked for the tape to be wiped clean. I'm really disappointed because I'd been wondering if we could involve museums, and perhaps put together a book for them - but the idea of profit in my line of work is a bit of a joke. Money is not what drives me, and a collection of people's memories is never going to be a big seller. It would probably have pleased their families though.
I felt very sad after hearing their thoughts. Sometimes I feel as if my life is a constant attempt to give to people, and most of the time they don't want what I have to give. I think I should just focus on writing my books, but I must admit that most of my workshops do go well, and then they do enrich me as well as the people I am working with. I'm not talking about material enrichment though. I suppose spiritual is the closest word to what I want, though I am deeply wary of using the word. In one sense it does feed into my writing, so perhaps there is a grain of truth in their suspicions, but it is only in the way that all human interaction does. Everything goes into a big melting pot, and comes out in another form. So, what do I do? Go and shut myself in a room and stop interacting? Ohhh, the older I get the sillier I think the world is. How can we learn if we don't record memories? How can the human race move on?
One lady told me recently that she burned all her mothers long letters and diaries because she felt 'they were hers'. I don't really understand this individualistic thinking. I would like to think that anything I'd written could contribute to human understanding and development, if it is only by learning through my mistakes, and what I record of the mistakes of others. How can they be mine after I'm gone? Whether I'm floating around on some ethereal plane; toasting my marshmallows on the fires of hell; or just plain dead, I won't be here, and 'they are mine' will have no meaning.
So... not a good start to life in my new home, but apart from that everything is going well. I'm learning all the bus and train routes, and slowly fitting together my time tables. I still need more work, but I feel slightly burned by that last experience. I'm going to see if I can get some work in journalism. I enjoy that, and at least it is writing. I still dream of the day that I can just quietly get on with my books, but I'm not there yet. I am, of course, still quietly preparing the mystery I've talked about here, and I put my Wrinkly Monster in to try and get a scholarship for something today. Work is progressing more slowly than usual though, because an awful lot of my effort is going into finding my way around in a new area, and in stocking up the flat.
Anyway... enough woffle. See you all soon,
Pippa xx
August 11, 2013
Pippa Roberts - Recording WW2 Memories
Pippa Roberts - Recording WW2 Memories
Dear all,
Just a quick update...
I am settled in my new flat, and loving it. I moved in on my birthday, last week, and I must admit it wasn't the easiest birthday ever; but that is all behind me now. I finished unpacking on Friday night, and fell exhausted into bed... but since then it has been pure delight. I've been sharing houses since January, and had forgotten the luxury of having a bathroom and a kitchen all to myself. I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time in bed eating icecream, and then deciding I'm hot and having another shower.
The surrounding countryside is superb, and I've already done a few bus journeys. I've always loved exploring, and it helps me to cope with the grief of leaving everyone I love behind. (On this point, yes, I'm a total wimp. I know people move away from their families to the other side of the world, but I'm the sort of person who puts down deep roots, and transplants with difficulty. Quite ironic when I spend my life moving!) Luckily I am not so far that I can't visit, and I plan to do it very regularly (well, yes, I've been back once already.)
Now I'm busy sorting out business stuff. I think I have a PA who is very highly qualified, and just what I need, but more of that when it's definite. I've also got my business accounts done for the year, so feel very organised.
Somehow (yes, I'm not sure how I managed this) I did a workshop on Friday in Ross on Wye. It had been booked for some time. I went to read some of my grandmother, Effie M Roberts's poems to a group of elderly people, and it got them talking about their memories of WW2. The staff asked if I could go back and do a session with them, recording their memories. So this is what I did, and found it extremely interesting and moving. I also found out some very quirky bits of information - for instance, that parachutes were prized because they could be used to make underwear! One lady said her mother probably would have done this when a parachute landed in their back garden, but it provided such wonderful games for the children that they were allowed to keep it.
We also talked about the winter of 1947. One lady said that they nearly froze; but another came in with a laugh and said it was wonderful. She remembered, as a child, jumping and going head over heels in the dry snow; and not knowing if there were hedges underneath her; it was so deep.
I loved doing this session and hope there will be others like it. I'd happily type up the material, but I'm waiting to know if the home would like me to do this. I think I'm going to approach museums and see if they would be interested in collaborating with me in any way, in this sort of work. I think it's so important to record memories, so they are not all lost.
Well, I'd better get some sleep.
See you all soon,
Pippa xx
Dear all,
Just a quick update...
I am settled in my new flat, and loving it. I moved in on my birthday, last week, and I must admit it wasn't the easiest birthday ever; but that is all behind me now. I finished unpacking on Friday night, and fell exhausted into bed... but since then it has been pure delight. I've been sharing houses since January, and had forgotten the luxury of having a bathroom and a kitchen all to myself. I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time in bed eating icecream, and then deciding I'm hot and having another shower.
The surrounding countryside is superb, and I've already done a few bus journeys. I've always loved exploring, and it helps me to cope with the grief of leaving everyone I love behind. (On this point, yes, I'm a total wimp. I know people move away from their families to the other side of the world, but I'm the sort of person who puts down deep roots, and transplants with difficulty. Quite ironic when I spend my life moving!) Luckily I am not so far that I can't visit, and I plan to do it very regularly (well, yes, I've been back once already.)
Now I'm busy sorting out business stuff. I think I have a PA who is very highly qualified, and just what I need, but more of that when it's definite. I've also got my business accounts done for the year, so feel very organised.
Somehow (yes, I'm not sure how I managed this) I did a workshop on Friday in Ross on Wye. It had been booked for some time. I went to read some of my grandmother, Effie M Roberts's poems to a group of elderly people, and it got them talking about their memories of WW2. The staff asked if I could go back and do a session with them, recording their memories. So this is what I did, and found it extremely interesting and moving. I also found out some very quirky bits of information - for instance, that parachutes were prized because they could be used to make underwear! One lady said her mother probably would have done this when a parachute landed in their back garden, but it provided such wonderful games for the children that they were allowed to keep it.
We also talked about the winter of 1947. One lady said that they nearly froze; but another came in with a laugh and said it was wonderful. She remembered, as a child, jumping and going head over heels in the dry snow; and not knowing if there were hedges underneath her; it was so deep.
I loved doing this session and hope there will be others like it. I'd happily type up the material, but I'm waiting to know if the home would like me to do this. I think I'm going to approach museums and see if they would be interested in collaborating with me in any way, in this sort of work. I think it's so important to record memories, so they are not all lost.
Well, I'd better get some sleep.
See you all soon,
Pippa xx
