Tag: #interview

#Interview hosted by Lou with Catherine Yardley about her book, Where the Light is Hottest and more… @Balavage @rararesources #ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity #ActingCommunity #Books #Theatre

Interview by Lou with Author, Catherine Yardley

Welcome to Bookmarks and Stages, Catherine. Thank you very  much for the opportunity to interview you about your book, The Light is Hottest, hopes and dreams, the creative industry and more for my slot on the Rachel’s Random Resources blog tour.

“Thank you! I am honoured to be included.”

Catherine Yardley is the author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. She’s also the editor-in-chief of Frost Magazine and a freelance writer who’s featured in The Bookseller, Mslexia, Metro, Huffpost, Writing Magazine and Writers’ and Artists’ amongst others.

Where The Light is Hottest

Natasha Jones has everything – a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha’s path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt.


In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage.

Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha’s journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.

Without further ado, let’s begin with the first question…

  1. Who or what inspired you to write books?

My main inspiration to write books was all of the amazing books I read growing up. Enid Blyton and Beatrix Potter. Then Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I never thought I would be talented enough to write a book. I am glad I decided to be stubborn and go for it! Lots of things inspire me. Real life, my real life experiences and things I read about. I am interested in people and I love telling stories.

  1. Your novel, ‘Where the Light is Hottest’, is set in the acting world. You were/are an actor yourself. Many actors write within all sorts of genres.
    What made you choose to use your knowledge and experience to write a novel for readers to gain that insider’s perspective in fictional form?

I previously wrote a non fiction book, How To Become a Successful Actor: Your Essential Guide to Becoming an Actorpreneur. I wanted to write a novel and the easiest way was to use my own experiences. Writing fiction is a beautiful thing because you can take things that happened, and then write about them in a fictional way. Pablo Picasso said that art is the lie that helps us understand the truth. I can create a true-to-life experience of the acting world better through fiction than real life, which might not be quite so interesting!

  1. Natasha, the main character, is ambitious, has setbacks and accomplishments and builds resilience. How much of Natasha’s life reflect your own experiences and in what way?

Natasha is more ambitious than me. I paused my acting career after sustaining a really bad injury on a film set. Natasha would have kept on going. Natasha comes from Scotland like me, and studied acting. A lot of the stuff in the book happened to me in a way or was things I saw or heard. I never did nudity because I am a bit of a prude, but Natasha ends up doing that on her own terms. She is stronger than me in many ways. She is incredibly resilient. I love that about her. Natasha is also loyal and a good friend. I am too. Friendship is everything.

  1. Where the Light is Hottest is about going after your dreams. Natasha has real resilience and determination to do this. Have you got dreams you pursue, if so, what are they and how do you go about chasing them?

That’s a good question. I do have dreams and I go after them relentlessly. Natasha and I have that in common. My dreams are more writing based these days. Based around book deals and things I want my books to achieve. I recently wrote for The Sunday Times which was always on my list of dream publications. I would still love to write, produce and act. It’s just hard to fit it all in.

  1. How important do you think it is to promote such strong, positive yet emotive stories set around the acting world and what do you hope readers will take away from this?

I think a lot of people think that books set in the acting world are not relatable, but it is a job like any other. It can be tedious and boring. The actual work is not glamorous at all. I think people will get whisked away into a different world, but it is more of a realistic look. It is not Jackie Collins, which I love. It’s glamorous but Natasha is just a normal person trying to make her way in the world. Most people are too scared to go after their dreams. They are more scared to be successful than they are to fail. I think it is important to promote these strong, positive stories that resonate with people to show that you can be terrified and brave at the same time.

  1. Do you, as an actor and an author feel the challenges within the creative industry affects you in any way and how do you overcome them?

Definitely. They are two incredibly hard professions. Maybe even the hardest. There is no clear path and no guarantees. The challenges are vast but the highs are like nothing else. The privilege of telling stories is huge. I love it. These professions are more of a calling. You have to be like Natasha and relentlessly go after your dreams and take failure well.

  1. Do you feel there is any sort of bridge between acting and writing novels where one helps to do the other?

I think all writers should take acting lessons. Being an actor is a fantastic skill. You learn that everything about a person tells you something about them. From how they hold themselves, how they speak, and how they dress. There are a lot of actors who write, and it is obvious that the skills can cross well. Writing as an actor is also a brilliant idea. Making your own projects will help you stand out.

  1. How do you feel when there are unfavourable comments about actors who also happen to choose to write books and how do you overcome the negativity and keep going?

I am lucky that I have not had much negativity. I brush most things off to be honest. I am happy with myself and my life. My dad would always joke when we were growing up that if we were making fun of him then at least we were leaving someone else alone. I think of that a lot now. How there are a lot of people who want to be negative and take their pain out on other people. It is rarely personal, and at least they are leaving someone else alone!

  1. Have you any plans for writing more books or are there any acting jobs you can tell us about that are on the horizon?

There are a lot more books coming. I am very excited about it. There are some other projects coming too. Not much I can talk about, but I am feeling very privileged and happy at the moment. Hard work pays off eventually. In the creative industries it just takes a lot longer!

You can follow Catherine Yardley on these links for social media and her website:

https://x.com/Balavage

@catherineby.bsky.social

https://www.instagram.com/frostmag

https://www.threads.net/@frostmag

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063463605581

https://www.tiktok.com/@balavage

Website: https://catherinebalavageyardley.com/

#Interview By Lou with Award Winning Actor, Author, Director, Comedian, Michael Obiora on new @ITV @ITVX drama, #OutThere and more… #TVDrama #Thriller #Comedy #Books #MichaelObiora @Tom_Brumpton_PR

Today I welcome the award winning actor, author, director and comedian, Michael Obiora to Bookmarks and Stages. In the interview as you scroll down, you’ll discover his latest role of being Scott Foley in upcoming 6 part ITV/ITVX drama, Out There, which also stars award winning actor, Martin Clunes. We also cover a new book, comedy and so much more in what is a fascinating, deeply insightful interview.
At the end you’ll also find some useful links, including the trailer to Out There and where you can pre-order his new book.

Michael Obiora started acting in Grange Hill. From there, he is now known for tv roles like Lloyd Asike in Casualty, Ben Trueman in Hotel Babylon as well as having parts in Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise and more… His latest being Scott Foley in the upcoming ITV drama, Out There.
Thank you for joining me and my blog, Bookmarks and Stages to be interviewed.

1. You started your tv acting career when you were a child on favourite teen school programme Grange Hill, how did this give you grounding for building the successful acting career you have now as an adult and were there different or similar challenges you faced in transitioning from being a child actor to coming of an age of seeking out and auditioning for more adult roles?

Most of my appreciation of the foundation Grange Hill gave me as an actor has come from hindsight. Notwithstanding that, even at such a young age I was aware how lucky I was. The things I took in my stride were things like the jargon used on set to describe certain processes.
By the time I was twelve, set lingo like “turning over,’ “sound speed,” etc were second nature to me. In my early twenties I remember being on set with actors of a similar age – or even older – who had just graduated from drama school, and I could see how daunting some of them found the whole process.
There’s a fearlessness and naivety one has when they’re so young. So actually, working from such a young age was incredible for my confidence.

In terms of making the transition from child star to adult actor, again I was lucky. I worked solidly from the age of nine until about twenty-two. I had heard about how difficult it can be to make that transition, but it was not my experience at all. The hardest part for me was dealing with my first bout of unemployment as an actor. Again, that was something I’d always heard of; “ninety-nine percent of actors are out of work,” etc. But it happened the other way around for me – instead of going to drama school, then coming out and struggling to find work as most actors do, I had built up years of professional experience. Which ironically made it very difficult for me to process having no work lined up.

2. Very excitedly, you are about to star in new drama, “Out There” with the wonderful Martin Clunes, which tells the story of county lines, community, rural life, modern farming and grief & loss.

What attracted you to these themes and how important do you feel it is that this story is told?

I’d describe Out There as a UK version of Breaking Bad, and Ozark. I think Ozark is one of the greatest TV series ever made, so that was enough for me.
All good stories have universal themes – so that in itself is enough to make a particular story important.

3. You play Scott who is ex-army and embodies intellectual charming charisma, yet evasive when it comes to questions about himself. He seems quite complex in personality.

How did you get into character and did you do any research for this role?

Coincidentally, not long before filming there was a particular individual – who Scott reminded me of – that was causing myself and my family a lot of stress. I felt an enormous amount of anger towards this person. But the more I got into character, the less anger I felt. I still dislike that individual, but playing Scott made me feel a lot more empathy. Similar to that person, Scott finds himself in a desperate situation. People aren’t necessarily able to show the best side of themselves when they’re operating from a place of desperation. Being an actor has definitely made me a more empathetic person in general.

4. You’re a parent, has the themes had any impact on your parenting in any way and what does it make you think differently of the dangers some people encounter?

Being a parent has changed the way I think about almost everything.
Sometimes it gets to the point where I have to actively compartmentalise my sense of danger, or any anxieties I have.
I have very little judgement towards how people parent their children. It is incredibly difficult being a parent, and I genuinely believe most people are trying their best.

In Out There we see the road it appears Martin Clunes’ son is going down, and we also see that he is a good kid, with a good father. When a young boy or girl ends up in a particular situation one often comes to stereotypical conclusions – bad parenting, etc. But like many things in life, things aren’t always as black and white as that.

5. There are times when you aren’t acting, but writing novels, which happen to be critically acclaimed such as “Black Shoes” and “Vivian’s Couch”, what or who inspired you to write books?

Quite Simply; Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention.
Even though I have now written three books it was never my intention to become an author. I started writing because as my profile increased with Hotel Babylon, it became more and more apparent that I had a platform. I’ve always been aware how lucky I was to occupy any of the spaces I earned, so I just wanted to maximise it. I started by writing the parts I wanted to play.

6. You will have your first children’s book, published in March 2025 called “Zee Zee The Humble Bee”, teaching balancing celebrating her talents and being humble in a rhyming story, can you tell a bit more of the plot and what age group it’s aimed for?

Zee Zee The Humble Bee is about a confident young bee that is the fastest in her hive. From a young age I learned that often people don’t want to see other people happy, or win in any way. So I wanted to write a fun rhyming story about the joys of learning, teaching, and being humble. It’s aimed at kids up to age seven, maybe even older because I also consider it a book for adults.

7. When you were 11 and on Grange Hill, your teacher commented rather harshly about you smiling, telling you about how you weren’t on camera in the school corridor.

How did that make you feel and inform you of your choices now as a parent to encourage your children to follow their dreams?

Her comments to me completely informed this book. Zee Zee The Humble Bee is a love letter to my younger self, and more importantly a love letter to my daughter.

When my teacher made that comment I was devastated. I became an incredibly angry, and paranoid child after that. The idea of my daughter’s confidence or personality being altered in a similar way, at such a young age is unacceptable to me. I wish I had somebody to speak to about the way the teacher made me feel at the time. This book is me addressing that, and it’s also a book for adults who, whilst navigating the messiness of life may pick up bitterness. This is not a judgement call but rather me highlighting something that I think is somewhat inevitable.
Maybe life gets less fun as we get older, maybe we get more weighed down by our baggage. But children are so beautiful, and free, we can teach them humility – or anything else – in a loving way.

Our childhood years are our formative years, and adults have a responsibility to be mindful about the way we speak to children.

8. This January you are starring in your own written and directed stand-up
comedy “Joe Kerr: Laughter is Therapy.”

What inspired the title and how therapeutic do you feel it is for people to laugh
and what do you gain out of making audiences laugh?

I have a stack of scripts and stories I have written over the past few years.
When I sat down and read them they all left me with a feeling of sadness. It was a clear illustration of how my creative mind tends to work; dark/moody.
So Joe Kerr came out of me wanting to write something upbeat, funny, and positive. That still didn’t end up being the end product! So I now realise that the gift of it all is that performing is therapy for me. It doesn’t necessarily have to be funny, but expressing myself makes me feel better.
I’ve never had a problem showing my emotions – that’s what makes me a good actor. My emotions are so readily available. But I think it’s a gift and curse. It’s a pathology.

In Joe Kerr, the comic – Joe – performs his stand up routine on stage, despite the fact that hours before his set his father dies. This actually happened to me in real life. When I was sixteen years old I was the lead in a play at the Royal Court theatre. It was an enormous deal, and to this day remains one of my proudest moments. Hours after my dad died I went on stage despite the protestations of my fellow cast members, and the play’s director. But cancelling the show wasn’t an option for me. Being on stage felt like the safest place for me. I actually felt fortunate that it was an option. Obviously that experience will remain with me forever, and the more I ruminated over it, the more the Joe Kerr film took shape.

9. You joke about many stereotypes, the British accent, the way some language is used, how did you develop the punchlines to make it funny?

The jokes about the British accent came from the amount of time I’ve spent in America over the past fifteen or twenty years. Obviously race relations are famously polarising in America, it never seems to recede. But one thing that has always given me a feeling of safety is the way a lot of people react when I open my mouth over there. Who knows what goes through people’s heads but I’m sure on sight at the very least it’s “that’s an African American male.” And then when I speak, “Oh… he’s…British..? Black… British?” Suddenly people are less suspicious of me. They seem to perceive me as less of a threat. I think that’s funny.

10. Your comedy is topical and edgy about sexuality, how people view you when you’ve had a taste of fame.

What makes you choose what material to keep and how do you choose your boundaries as in how far you want to push the topic in the comedy?

Writer’s tend to advise, “write what you know,” and I think in general that’s good advice.
Most of the stories in Joe Kerr are anecdotal. I guess writing them through a character gives one more of a pass. So in terms of choosing topics I feel I can get away with more when speaking as a different person. But comedy is a lot of truth said in jest, therefore comedians have to be brave by virtue of what they do.

11. Humble is a theme in your children’s book and in your comedy in very different ways, how do you ensure you stay humble?

To be honest up until writing Zee Zee The Humble Bee I’ve never really liked the word humble. In my experience people use that term to put others down, or to disguise their jealousy.
I’m not particularly interested in humility because I think it’s hard to quantify. Somebody can literally call somebody humble because they like that person. Some people label others arrogant simply because they don’t like that person. And people have prejudices towards different people for all sorts of reasons. And once somebody has an idea in their head, they can easily find a way to justify that idea.

What I would say is that the older I get, the less competitive I am. And now that I’m a dad my life is easier than before. It’s harder in that there are more tangible pressures. But at the end of the day – and I mean literally when we’re putting our daughter to sleep – as long as her stomach is full, and she feels safe, I just don’t care about anything else. To care about somebody else’s wellbeing in every sense of the word, is humbling.

12. Does the different strands of your careers of actor, author, comedian aid each
other in any form and if so, in what way?

Absolutely! These all keep my creative juices flowing. And the more that
happens, the more chance I have of getting into the state of “Flow.” It’s a
difficult state to describe, but when I find myself in that space, I feel euphoric.

13. What’s next for you in your careers?

Alongside the film I’ll be putting out a comedy album version of Joe Kerr:
Laughter Is Therapy very soon. I’ve written another Joe Kerr comedy special.
I’ve written two more short films that I’ll act in and direct. I’ll be releasing a
book of poetry soon, and another children’s book. And I’ve completed two
other short films that I’ll be releasing over the next year.

Out There will air on ITV1/ITVX from Sunday 19th January, 9pm
Watch the Official Trailer here: Out There

Zee Zee The Humble Bee can be purchased from many bookshops, here are a few

Troubador Publishing      Waterstones   WH Smith     Coles Books     Amazon

#Interview by Lou with #author Margaret Amatt about #Christmas #Book – Mix-up Under The Mistletoe @AmattAuthor @rararesources #BlogTour

Mix-up Under the Mistletoe

Interview by Louise Cannon with Margaret Amatt

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Set your sights on a Christmas in the Highlands of Scotland in this Glenbriar series book, which can be also a standalone festive read. Today I am getting all festive with the Rachel’s Random Resources Blog Tour with Mix up Under The Mistletoe with an interview with the author, Margaret Amatt. Discover more about her writing, how she ensures she gets the balance right so her book can be standalone and part of a series, her characters and what she is doing for Christmas this year and more… Here, I have to say a huge thank you to her for taking the time to send in her answers so quickly and for her lovely comments, which you’ll see along the way. First check out the beautiful cover and the blurb and then we will crack on with the interview and how this book could be in your hands for a present or for your own pleasure.

Mix up under the Mistletoe Cover

She’s always on the outside looking in,
but his door might just be the one to open for her this Christmas.

‘Her name’s Tilly. Tilly Thorpe. She lives in London.’

To stop his family from speculating about his love life, travel company CEO Rafe Harrington casually drops Tilly Thorpe’s name as his girlfriend. After all, they’ll never meet – she’s just a name he saw on a rival company’s website.

But when Rafe arrives at his family’s home in Glenbriar for Christmas, he’s shocked to find ‘his girlfriend’ waiting for him.
He has some explaining to do and so does Tilly.

Why did Rafe’s family welcome her with open arms when she’s little more than a spy? Someone who’s trying hard to please her superiors, hoping it’ll bring some desperately desired happiness to her lonely existence.

Rafe isn’t a big fan of the festive season, but neither he nor Tilly can ignore their instant spark. With bad weather forecast, now is the ideal moment to discover some magic. Tilly’s never felt this at home anywhere, but none of it’s real, and that’s not why she’s here.

With time running short, can they seize this unexpected chance to fall in love not only with Christmas but also with each other?

Margaret Amatt

Welcome Margaret Amatt to Bookmarks and Stages.
It’s a pleasure to introduce you to my blog readers.

 

  1. Who or what inspired you to write and set books in Scotland?

I was born in and live in Scotland, so it felt like a natural place to write about. My first series was based on a real-life Scottish island that I love to visit, but I was always frustrated at the lack of books written about it, so I decided to write my own! This current series is a fictional place, based loosely around where I live. The locations are so beautiful that I really enjoy writing about them.

  1. This is part of the Glenbriar series, that can also be read as a standalone. How do you ensure it works for readers who have followed it from the beginning and those who are diving in from a later book?

That’s a really great question and I don’t think anyone has ever asked me that before. It’s actually one of the trickiest things to do when writing a series like this to get the balance right. I can’t bring in all the characters from previous books to later stories as it would clutter up the main story, so what I try to do is think of every book first as a standalone story. That way I make sure it has a plot readers can follow with knowing what has gone before. Then I use characters from previous books as side characters. I choose the ones I think would work best and I try to show them in their ‘new’ life, so it’s almost like an epilogue to their story that readers of previous books will enjoy. I occasionally hint at them having had an interesting life or story, so that readers think, ‘Oh, I wonder if there’s a book about them!’ and hopefully go and check it out.

The crucial thing for me is just to have the recurring characters feature when necessary and if there’s a point to it, not just for the sake of squeezing them in! This is also how I introduce characters for future books. They often appear as a side character in one or more books before they get a story of their own. Some readers are very quick to pick up on this and will message me asking if a certain character will be getting a story of their own.

  1. The blurb talks about it being partly about a character who is someone who’s trying to please her superiors but seems desperately lonely. It’s a common occurrence of people wanting to please those above them, but how do you feel this affects a person and those around them?

Another great question!

For this particular character, she’s had a tricky upbringing where she didn’t get the nurture and love she needed as a child. She started working for the business she’s in shortly after leaving school and it gave her life a structure and purpose which she hadn’t really had before. For this reason, more than anything, she became attached to it and felt like she should have loyalty to it as it was the first place she’d really made connections with people – even if they were not all good.

In answer to the question, it’s affected her whole life up until now as she’s trapped in a cycle of wanting to please her superiors in order to get the approval she craves, but not completely convinced what they’re doing is right.

It’s a very tricky situation and one she learns to deal with as the story goes on, though I can’t say too much about that as I don’t want to give spoilers!

 

  1. How did you gel the feelings of the characters, especially Rafe not liking Christmas with this turning around a bit as all converged together, such as them meeting and the festive period upon them without it sounding too twee?

Such great questions! And you are so right in wondering, because often it’s wholly unrealistic for people to suddenly go from hating Christmas to loving it over the course of a few weeks. In Rafe’s case, he’s not a full-on Christmas hater, so he wasn’t too tricky to convert! He’s more of a cynic and he’s kind of let the joy of Christmas slip out of his life, seeing it more as a pointless distraction than something he absolutely hates. His conversion back to being a Christmas lover starts when he meets Tilly, because she’s from a completely different background. Rafe is from a loving family while Tilly grew up without parents in a disrupted childhood setup. When he starts to see Christmas with his family through her eyes, he remembers how magical and what fun it can be.

Hopefully I’ve made it convincing rather than twee!

  1. Do you like Christmas and how do you plan to spend it?

I enjoy Christmas and try to keep it simple and stress free. To me, the joy is more in the build-up than the actual day. I love Christmas events like markets, the pantomime, Santa train, reindeer parades, and even just looking at the decorations in towns and other people’s houses. It’s also lovely to see family and friends, either and parties or just for little visits to hand over presents. My favourite thing is probably decorating the Christmas tree with my husband and son and seeing it twinkling in the corner once it’s done. 🎄

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/mixupmistletoeAuthor

About the Author

Margaret is a bestselling Scottish author and chocolate lover who has been writing stories for over twenty years (possibly more if you count her primary school efforts). Her early works will never see the light of day and are locked in dusty vaults on some old floppy disks. But after all those years of practise, Margaret released her first novel in 2021. It was the first of a ten-book series set on the gorgeous Scottish Isle of Mull. Margaret is also the author of the acclaimed Glenbriar Series ,based in the fictional Scottish town of Glenbriar. This is an ongoing series with more books coming in 2024 and 2025.The stories are unashamedly romantic, but with lots of drama and an eclectic mix of characters. Each book can be read as a standalone, but followers of the series will enjoy catching up with the characters.

 

#Inteview By Lou with JB Ghuman @jbGhumanJr on Short #Film #PassivePower Soon to be screened at @ASFFest #FilmFestival in the #UK @Tom_Brumpton_PR

Interview with JB Ghuman on short film, Passive Power
coming soon to Aesthetical Film Festival
Conducted by Louise Cannon (Lou)

This is a rather different sort of interview for Bookmarks and Stages, but nonetheless interesting, mixing positive messages with music and having success in a film for Netflix a few years ago, find more about that in the interview. At the end of the interview is a link to a short trailer for PaSSive PoWers.
The music film “paSSive poWers.” By JB Guhman is set to screen at the Aesthetica Film Festival in the UK in November following a successful screening at Awareness Film Festival in LA.
Ghuman is best known for writing/directing the feature film “SPORK” (#1 on Netflix, HBO Award, Tribeca Audience award, BFI London Sutherland Trophy nominee), “The ART oF BEiNG” an experimental feature which premiered as the centrepiece in SUNDANCE & “The CROWN With a SHADOW” an animated film that starred the late great Paul Reubens (Pee Wee, his last work) & Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls).
Here’s a quick synopsis and then we will go into the interview with JB Ghuman.

Synopsis

A sonic visual 8K 3D 360 VR collaborative experience aimed at putting focus on the more subtle energies of human coexistence otherwise deemed as meekness. Or as filmmaker / artist JB Ghuman JR has dubbed them, the “paSSive poWers.” Combining breathing / chanting / sensory & cerebral exploration into an immersive cinematic experience. Shot on the incredible 11K Insta360 TITAN Camera.

Passive Power 3Speaking about the film, JB has said:

“In a world of surface based “selves”, I just wanted to make something that focused on what’s beneath it.”


Welcome JB. Ghuman to Bookmarks and Stages…

  1. Why do you think the Self-Help market continues to grow and is so huge?

Oh gosh… I’m not sure to be honest. As an artist / storyteller, I tend to just emote from my own personal place but I’d image the human “existence” is simply a bit similar, so… everyone is just looking for a deeper understanding in general, I’d imagine.

  1. What exactly are “paSSive poWers” and what research and/or prior experience/knowledge did you have to create this?

“paSSive poWers” are those forms of “efforts” we each make within ourselves that otherwise tend to come across as meek yet when in action, takes a lot of strength to actually do. Forgiveness, Compassion, Inward perception & so many more. Sounds fluffy and sweet on paper but in practical life… it’s super hard. For all of us. Esp in the face of other humans who can act otherwise. Argo: it takes a lot of power to be passive. For me at least. Given all research is merely an expression of my own journey while observing others along my way.

  1. You’ve done film, breakdancing, writing. What makes you tick and want to continue down this creative path?

I suppose curiosity. I’ve always been a bit possessed with observation. I guess maybe from there I tend to find new ways to just emote & express. I’ve been writing poems since a toddler. Not that they were any good but… a’dunno. It’s always sort just been my way existing for as long as I can remember, to be honest.

  1. What inspired you to create a video that hits upon the types of words, phrases and actions of the more “traditional” self-help materials that are out there and turn it into something with a more upbeat, eclectic trance sound?

Ha… “traditional self-help” lol. I grew up since my early youth using movement as a form of silent expression. Breakdancing was the start though today it’s kinda morphed into my own personal form of expression of movement. A yank here, a swing there, a vibration made… as long as I’m in sync with the rhythm, then it just feels good. That “feels good” place in my mind is equally an awesome place to think, ponder and rationalize. So, figured I’d curate this film and share such an approach.

  1. Your creation for the video is quite ghostly like, what was the intention behind this?

Unsure to be honest. I’ve always had my own connection to personal “inner space” in sort of ethereal yet haunting way… maybe it reflects out into my work.

  1. You’re bringing “paSSive poWer VR” here to the UK. Where can people see your show and what do you hope audiences will get out of it by the end of it?

Yes, and I’m suuuuper stoked!! My film will be on display for any to jump in and experience from Nov. 6th thru Nov. 10th at The Lab within the Hospitium Museum Gardens. More info can be found at www.ASFF.CO.UK / search paSSive poWer.

  1. One final question… You’ve had work featured on streaming giants, such as Netflix, so people may be familiar with your work. What was that like in-terms of knowing so many people had the opportunity to watch your creation?

Aw, it has felt and still feels… amazing! Like, all ego aside it’s an incredible feeling hearing from random people how this or that made them feel inspired, seen, etc. This lil’rock called Earth we all share has given me so much joy, countless inspiring works and revealed so many beautiful artists to share space with. It’s a nothing but gratitude when I get to give even a thimble back in return.

The trailer for the film can be found here.

#Interview with quick #review By Lou with author Alice May of The Trials of Annabeth Hope @AliceMay_Author @BookGuild @rararesources #BlogTour

The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope
By Alice May

Written by Louise Cannon

Today, as part of the Rachel Random Resources Blog Tour, I am pleased to welcome Alice May to answer some questions about The Trials of Annabeth Hope. Firstly, let’s find out what the book is about and briefly, what I thought of it. In the interview, we covered many interesting topics about writing, her daughter, other professions she’s worked in, cancel culture, ending in something positive and hopeful.

Annabeth Hope Cover

Two very different worlds are about to collide.

Feisty country girl Annabeth Hope has sworn off men since her ex abandoned her. Juggling three resentful step-teens, a hyperactive toddler, a smallholding, and a herd of rescued llamas, she has her hands full.

With the roof about to collapse on her crumbling New Forest home, she is desperate to find a way to hold her patchwork family together. The last thing she needs is an attractive distraction moving in next door.

Burnt-out inner-city doctor Rick Mahon has left London and his medical career behind in a moment of professional crisis. A malpractice lawsuit is on the horizon, and the cancel culture mob are snapping at his heels. His plan to stay under the radar is thrown off course when he meets his new neighbour and sparks start to fly.

Annabeth and Rick couldn’t be more different, but maybe they hold the key to each other’s happiness…

“What more could we want from life? Family, friends, llamas, and hope…

I read The Trials of Annabeth Hope and recommend it. It’s an engrossing read of trouble and strife, swearing off men after one abandoned her, trying to keep a family together, with troubling teens and a hyperactive toddler as well as quite literally trying to keep a roof over everyone’s head, even a leaky one.
There’s a nice distraction in the form of burn out doctor Rick Mahon, who moves next door, even if he is trying to have a quieter life as professional disaster looms.
The book has many thought-provoking points, but is also a good escape.

Without further ado, let’s move onto the questions and answers.

  1. What or who inspired you to write a novel?

My daughter has been the biggest inspiration to start writing. I always wanted to, even as a child, but I didn’t know where to start and I didn’t think that I would be good enough. In contrast, my daughter wanted to write and just jolly well got on with it. She writes as Hannah Kingsley, and Soul Hate, the first book in her new fantasy/romantasy trilogy is coming out next year. Her determination to succeed made me realise that if I didn’t start writing, then there was no chance of my stories ever making it into print. She has encouraged me every-step of the way and I can’t thank her enough. It means so much tome to hold a copy of The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope in my hands and know that I did it. I write a book.  🙂

2. You’ve had many professions, A former GP surgery manager, school librarian and art teacher, has any of this helped you in your writing career and if so, in what way(s)?

They have all helped in my writing career in different ways. My years as a GP surgery manager played a huge part in the inspiration for Rick’s storyline in The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope(see next question for more on that)and informed the chapters set beyond the waiting room of his GP surgery.
My experience as a school librarian was extremely educational in terms of understanding the different genres of books out there and different readers reactions to them. I also learned a lot about how the book world works in terms of the sourcing of books for libraries. Things like: who choses them and what libraries are looking for in terms of supplying the needs of their clients?
It was also lovely to work surrounded by books and a delight to share stories with pupils of all ages, the teaching staff and the wider school community.
My work as an art teacher in combination with my NHS  experience has been instrumental in developing the creativity for wellbeing and general self-care aspects of the overall theme of the book.

3. You have a trigger warning about an NHS worker’s mental health, has any of this come from experience of working in a GP surgery?

Yes. Unfortunately, during my twenty years of working in the NHS I was very aware of a huge increase in the levels of burnout in many health professionals. While The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope isn’t based on any one true story, it is an amalgamation of the many different pressures that modern life puts on our medics and support staff.

4. You set your book in the New Forest, where you live. Are any of the places recognisable in your book or have you gone down the line of using artistic licence and either way, what influenced your decision?

I have used artistic license. Descriptions of the wider area of the forest, and some specific locations are real and recognisable. However, the village of Ambleford, where much of the action takes place, is a fiction of my imagination, as are the characters. I don’t want my friends and neighbours thinking I have written about them, because that wouldn’t be fair and could get awkward. Having said that, Ambleford is an amalgamation of two gorgeous villages near my home. Ihave taken the parade of shops from one and set it next to the village green of the other. In my mind, it is the perfect village. After all, if you’re going to make something up, then you might as well do it properly.

5. You talk about the cancel culture snapping at the heels’ of your main character. What are your views of cancel culture?

I find the whole cancel culture ‘thing’ incredibly scary. The threat that this phenomenon poses to freedom of speech is huge. The fact that people can be found virtually ‘guilty’ of something without ever having any point of redress, or without the grace of being innocent until proven guilty through the proper presentation of evidence, is deeply alarming . Social media enhances these issues, allowing people to ‘pile on’ anonymously from behind their keyboards when they haven’t really researched what it is they are getting involved in. I’d like to say that I have an answer to it, but I don’t.

6. You have strife and hope as you weave readers through the mid-life stage of adulthood. How did you arrive at creating some positivity and how much do you feel reading books that address it are important for people approaching or living through this part of life?

I believe that there is incredible power in stories. As human beings we connect with each other through our experiences. Reading about others in our situation and how they deal with things can be a huge comfort, especially during difficult times. So, while I was at pains to be realistic in the difficulties that my two main characters Annabeth and Rick are facing(and I have really ramped some of those issues up to add to the drama, because I’m a writer and that’s my job),I also wanted there to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I genuinely believe that, in most cases, even though something bad might be happening, it is rare that things are all bad. Usually, there will be something good happening too, but you might need to search to find it.

7. What’s next for you on the horizon?

Next on the horizon is more writing. I am already knee-deep in the next book set in Ambleford as part of The Forest Families Series, which is fun. It’s a completely standalone story that allows me to connect back in with some of my favourite supporting characters from The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope, like Barbara Trenchard. I have also written the first in a World War Two series. This is set in the New Forest too and explores some of the exciting, true stories of bravery from people in my local area. Now I have started writing, I don’t think I am going to be able to stop. 🙂

Annabeth Hope Cover

#Interview With Jeanie O’Hare from Make Good – The Post Office Scandal The Musical @PentabusTheatre @NPtheatre #TouringTheatre #Musicals #MusicalTheatre #ThePostOfficeScandal #MakeGoodThePostOfficeScandal


Make Good – The Post Office Scandal
A new musical by Jeanie O’Hare (Book) and Jim Fortune (Music & Lyrics). Directed by Elle While. Co-produced with New Perspectives.
Production Photos – Andrew Billington

Make Good Banner

What a privilege to interview Jeanie O’Hare about an original and powerful musical about the Post Office Scandal, that’s affected so many lives. Some people who had their livelihoods affected by this scandal have contributed to the creation of this production.

First, let’s discover more about what the musical is about and a little about what is said about the theatre companies, Pentabus and New Perspectives and then let’s welcome Jeanie O’Hare to my blog with her fascinating answers to my questions. At the end of the interview, discover where this musical is touring and how you can purchase tickets. Please note, I am not affiliated to ticket sales or the companies.

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Synopsis

Over twenty years a silent tragedy has unfolded in the heart of our communities. Entirely innocent sub-postmasters had their lives torn apart and faced bankruptcy, isolation and jail for crimes that were never committed, for debts that never existed.

Directly informed by conversations with affected sub-postmasters, Make Good dives into this most local of stories, capturing the raw emotions, the bewilderment and the unbreakable bond of faith and family that were put to the test. Experience the astonishing resilience of entire communities as lives were destroyed in a scandal that isn’t over yet…

“[Pentabus is] One of the most important theatre companies in the country” The Daily Telegraph “New Perspectives has taken on an exciting challenge that proves rural touring companies can produce provocative work of national and international significance” edfringereview.com

Welcome and thank you Jeanie O’Hare for taking time out of your busy schedules to answer some questions about your new musical about such an important subject.

  1. There’s been a critically acclaimed TV drama and of course wide coverage on the news and in newspapers about the Post Office scandal. What inspired you to bring it to the stage in musical form?

We were already working on Make Good when we heard that ITV had commissioned their amazing drama. We knew that what we were doing was something very different, it has different ambitions and hopefully a different effect. There is a power in sitting in an audience and hearing the same gasp, the same quiet tears falling from a stranger beside you, and then when you have absorbed the story into the core of you, being able to vocalise your support for the Sub-postmasters on your feet at the end. We always conceived of it as a community project which would tap into the well of feeling in communities about the damage that has been done. An underground explosion happened in the heart of British life and the reverberations will be felt for generations. I feel this is just one of a number of projects that will be created. There will be films and operas and songs and plays.

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Make Good - Pentabus

  1. What influence do you think your musical has in showing people about the Post Office scandal?

Artists just need to keep the story alive in the best way they know. This is a tragedy and the best place for tragedy is theatre. I do believe that a show like this can have a political as well as a cultural impact.

Make Good - Pentabus

  1. You’ve done thorough research and asked real people who were/are directly affected by the Post Office Scandal, did you find they were forthcoming and what are those affected saying about your musical?

We have been very moved by the responses of Sub-postmasters. We invited them in to readings and rehearsals. We asked for feedback on accuracy and emotional pitch at every stage of development. Their main response has been ‘keep going, this is needed.’ We are meeting up with Sub-postmasters on the tour so we will see then what they think of the full production.

  1. You say you have humour amongst this heartfelt musical. How important do you think humour amongst life-changing tragic circumstances is?

You cannot go into the dark, you cannot go into the depths of tragedy without humour. It is essential. There is power in being able to laugh at a tyrant, or at a ridiculously unfair situation, it gives you objectivity and perspective on the absurdity. Humour also accentuates the sorrow. If we laugh together we give ourselves greater permission to cry together.

Make Good - Pentabus

  1. What do you hope people will take away from the musical?

Hopefully we can replenish our well of shared compassion. Theatre is where we feel compassion in a sustained way, for a concentrated hour or two. It’s the best ‘workout’ for fellow-feeling that we have. We were all there in the Post Office queue when this story was unfolding. These people held our communities up, they were the pillars we lent on. As we made this show over the last three years it became apparent that it can also be a cautionary tale for our technological naivete, the kind we are falling into again with AI.

Find out where it is touring and purchase tickets here: https://pentabus.co.uk/make-good-post-office-scandal#tickets