writing – Page 23 – EXCUSES AND HALF TRUTHS

The Cut Season 2 Episode 44

We’re deep into Nanowrimo now. The wordcount is never quite what it could be, the characters are flat and unengaging, the plot is full of holes and the prose is ugly as a frog in a tiara. But then you hit that glorious point and magic happens. A nice phrase pops up, your hero or heroine does something unexpected and all of a sudden the words are flowing and you’re having fun. At least, that’s what we hope is happening to everyone on the path with us. Keep going, people. The only way out is through.

If you need a break, we are here with our usual Saturday Shenaniganalia. This week: how to communicate with aliens, sex with cars and poisoned humbugs.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 45

Nanowrimo progress is slow this year. The plan was always to do a half-gas version, focussing on the completion of one of the many unfinished drafts in our word vault. We’ve been running closer to quarter-gas this week though, the slow pace not helped by the many events we booked over the last eighteen months which have all rescheduled to November. The Aussie Pink Floyd show at the start of the month (excellent, by the way—a big show impeccably performed). OMD this Wednesday. An honest-to-god Star Trek convention tomorrow! Plus our Reading Writers commitments. You’d better believe we’re including The Cut as part of our Nano-output.

So, let’s business this. Lunar elevators, the Gorbals vampire hunt and a very long read on the writer of the first science-fiction story.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

(Also, of course, so long, Dean. Go to sleep, everything is alright.)

The Cut Season 2 Episode 43

It’s All Hallow’s Eve Eve! The second spookiest day of the year. We hope and trust you’re all feeling the chill in your bones as the spirits whirl around us. A few seasonal links for you in amongst our usual level of nonsense. We’re trying not to theme it too heavily.

However, we do have bits on pumpkin carving, haunted houses and ghostwriting so, you know, your mileage may vary.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 42

There are times when we look at the gathered input for an episode of The Cut with a mixture of confusion and bewilderment. What does it say about us that these are the links we choose to share with you, Readership? What does it say about our browsing habits? More worryingly, why is there stuff in here we don’t even remember seeing? Is the whole thing assembled in a kind of fugue state, a half-dreaming mode? Is there an argument for The Cut being, to some extent, a self-generating object? Is there really anyone in the office at all?

For example—this week, we look at Yugoslav pop, chicken nuggets and ask the question ‘is the Earth a giant crystal?’ What the heck is all that about?

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 41

We are slowly coming out of our bubble. The first in-person meet with members of our affiliate organisation Reading Writers took place this week, a hybrid affair with Zoom folk and room folk—a technical challenge which we just about fumbled through. It was nice to be out and seeing people, but the thought of Covid cases still going up gives us pause. Is this the right thing to do? Is it still too soon to be making this step? We may yet find the bubble closing back around us.

Oh, look, let’s not get too gloomy, though. It’s the weekend. Read all about tacos and medieval tennis and yes go on then Jake Gyllenhaal.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 40

We are autumnising. Cut Central is slowly transforming, becoming more of a snug nest in which we can hunker down and shelter against the change in the weather. The soft furnishings are coming to the fore. There are many cushions. Comfort is the key, a protective layer between us and the sharp edges of the world. We might even build a fort.

This week—1001 albums, the Tiktokification of mental health and the most inappropriate place to put a soup advert.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 39

And we’re back. The first break in transmission for 16 months. Life finally, delightfully, got in the way of our business. Hope you didn’t all find the abrupt swerve towards slightly soulful introspection too much of a neck-breaker. Anyway, we’re back to it, even if we are still finding sand in our socks and shells in our pockets.

This week: haptic cartooning, some Monster Fun and yes, ok, something about James Bond.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

Change Of The Season

I last three minutes on the beach at Old Hunstanton before the boots come off. A day later, at Holkham, I’m barely out of the car before going barefoot. I dig my toes into cool soft sand, ridged with complex patterns from the tide. Whorls and loops like a god’s thumbprint pressed into the ground, stretching as far as the eye can see.

And you can see a long way on the coast around here.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 38

Packing for a cottage getaway is an exercise in logistics above and beyond your average holiday prep. It’s an opportunity to clear the fridge and take the food which would otherwise collapse to mush—the likelihood of that happening in somebody else’s kitchen is one we don’t talk about. You need to pack clothes for every eventuality rain to shine, you often need to take your own bedding and towels, and maybe bring board games or a stack of books in case the weather closes in. In short, the Cut Carrier is so full of stuff we’re starting to worry whether we’ll fit the staff in. Going on holiday is haaard.

And yet we’ve still pulled together an episode of our usual foolishness while tucked in a corner by the suitcases. This week—all of the marvels! Pre-MTV music videos! And the honky-tonk nun of Ethiopia!

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 37

This time next week we shall be on a scheduled team get-away, somewhere in the wilds of Norfolk. Don’t be surprised if episode 38 comprises of a postcard of Blakeney beach and a recipe for a decent crab sandwich. We badly need the break. Our brains are mush, our souls are weary. We need time by the sea and the solace of old friends.

But today we can still offer up some treats. Racing samurai, the biggest potato hotel in the world and the musical stylings of Brushy One-string await.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.