30.12.18

Writing your life: ode to a pen



Guess what I am: easily broken, easily lost and cheap to buy
That’s right, I’m a pen – and I usually help people write what they want, but listen up ‘cos this one’s all mine
I’m here to ask: what if the same pen stayed with you all your life?
Would you ever notice me there? Would I even catch your eye?

Let me tell you the story of Garry, who I was with for many years
For his 7th birthday we wrote out his wish list but he got none of it and broke down in tears
He got older and when he got bored, we carved stuff on trees like GAZ WOZ ERE
Once he handed me to his favourite footballer to autograph that Panini sticker album he still holds dear

Garry was from a broken home you see – he had to look after his mum
She made us write out shopping lists for matches, scratch cards and rum
Then we went around the supermarket crossing each item off one by one
And when we got back she’d start pouring trebles in the kitchen, and we’d be upstairs wondering when brighter days would come

Teachers fully expected Garry to be a tearaway at school
They’d give him night detentions for drumming beats on his desk, just because he thought it was cool
We were writing out lines as punishment when Garry put me down and decided to stop playing the fool
As he stared at the raindrops racing each other down the windows, he swore he’d be the exception to the rule

Something clicked that night, and fired with a new drive Garry felt reborn
We really knuckled down to his GCSEs despite the skivers and the squares’ scorn
I remember Garry chewing me nervously before that first exam, because he knew this was his time to perform
A couple months later his mum gave him a teary drunken hug when he told her: “I scraped into sixth form”

That was the start of so many great things, because it was there Garry met Elaine
To get her attention he’d roll me pensively against his lips to make him look mysterious, which felt pretty lame
But it worked, and soon we were writing her romantic letters received to great acclaim
Garry was falling in love for the first time – and the best part? She felt exactly the same

After sixth form Garry knew it was time to fly the nest
But he worried about leaving behind his mum, who was even more of a mess
She said she wanted him to leave this dump and do his very best
So me, him and Elaine moved to the city and signed for the cheapest flat they could find to let

It turned out to the best decision Garry ever made
Over the next few years he got good at that career game he played
Thankful, he was, for his humble background, which gave him the grit to take on new challenges unafraid
But we still sent concerned letters back home to mum, with stamped addressed envelopes for her to reply – the postage prepaid

Meanwhile, things between Garry and Elaine were going very well indeed
We spent some lunchbreaks and meetings doodling images of her, which is about as loved up as you can be
They were still head over heels, and between you and me
I wasn’t all that surprised when he got down on one knee

The suit tailor and I wrote down Garry’s chest, waist and leg measurements as the Big Day drew near
My proudest moment was signing the marriage certificate – we were so excited the ink was accidentally smeared
For some reason it was then that Garry’s mum started acting all weird
She stayed for the rest of the wedding reception but by the evening do she’d disappeared

It’s fair to say that over the next few years things weren’t as fun, free and wild
Garry and Elaine wanted a house, so endless lists of budgets and bills needed to be compiled
Work was pretty tough for Garry too, but for the first time in ages he smiled
When he got home at 10pm on a Friday and Elaine said she was expecting a child

They were living the dream with their new country home and beautiful young daughter Anna
Who after much debate had been named after Garry’s mum – her nanna
In the family Garry took on more of a parent role, while Elaine was very much the planner
Our favourite times were when we helped Anna perfect her handwriting and pen heartfelt letters to Santa

Garry was determined to give Anna the childhood he’d never had
He opened her eyes to the world and really was the best kind of dad
Then one day in the middle of winter, his mum called up sounding lost, troubled and sad
So Garry thought he’d cheer her up by taking the family to see her, but Elaine refused and that’s when things turned bad

He went alone, stayed for two nights, and when he returned his life had changed beyond recognition
Elaine and Anna had gone and on the table was a divorce petition
Elaine had used me to sign it along with a letter explaining her decision
She said Garry’s mum was to blame for creating a growing division

Garry hit rock bottom the day he moved out of their family home in the hills
It happened when we were writing down the meter readings to pay the final bills
He felt a strong surge of sadness and a pain that more than just hurt – it killed
From that day on his first glass of water on a morning was accompanied by a pill

Garry moved into a two-up, two-down, and couldn’t help feeling bitter
We’d write angry notes to neighbours about bad parking, stolen wheelie bins and litter
Even when Anna came to visit, Garry couldn’t stop talking about the way things were
It just made his daughter think her parents had it so much better before her

Things got worse when Garry’s mum was suddenly rushed to hospital
Liver poisoning it was – and everything the doctors could do was too late, too little
For the funeral we wrote an emotional speech, but his heart felt cold as metal
But he started to feel human again right after the ceremony when the dust began to settle

When Garry walked through his front door that night he opened some rum and poured a glass
He offered some to Anna, but she said: “no thanks, I think I’ll pass”
There was no TV in the house so we did a crossword – a hard one that put us all to task
Whenever we filled in a word it felt like the good old days when we’d write together in all those years past

Garry felt like a different man when he rose the next morning
A dark cloud had lifted and his spirits were warming
Over a strong coffee we started writing a poem of his life and realised this was our calling
When Anna woke up he read it to her and couldn’t stop his tears from falling

As she got up to give him a hug, she knocked me off the table and I smashed on the floor
They threw me into the trash and my final days were spent spooning a rotting apple core
There was no emotion when Garry realised I’d gone – he just got another pen out of the drawer
Don’t worry, I’m so disposable I’ve learned to expect nothing more

There are billions of pens just like me, so it’s fine if you get rid without saying goodbye
Just remember that we’ll spend some big moments together – happy or sad, laugh or cry
See, the sun may rise then set and people are born then die
But us pens remain mighty forever, and our ink will never run dry.



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8.6.18

I want a relationship refund



Now our relationship is firmly in the past tense

I’ve decided I want a refund for every expense

Please don’t think I’m trying to screw you over – I mean no offence

But I’ve worked out you owe me 23 thousand, 8 hundred and 61 pounds and 47 pence.



How have I broken down the costs? Well, as the main provider

I paid most of the rent, bills, and for all the fuel for the car – because I was the only driver

Times that by each of the last 10 years and the costs get higher and higher

And I forgot to include this pot of tea we’re sharing. That’s another fiver.



But what I forked out for living costs is only where I begin

There’s also all the gifts, the meals out, the takeaways – that’s right, I’m calling it all in

Just think if we’d had kids how much more it would have been

And what about the time I booked off work for trips away – that’s one big lost earning!



You said that buying nice meals and wine helped you feel less melancholy

So I want the money back for all the posh wine and chocolate, and everything else you threw in the trolley

Plus the couples' counselling sessions I paid for when things became rocky

And I feel harsh for including this, but it wasn’t cheap to put down your mum’s border collie.



Let’s go right back to the start, when we were young of age

For our early dates I splashed out on hair wax, deodorant and aftershave

The movies and popcorn I bought on rainy days

Spending 12p for every text message I sent you – what a waste.



But I guess if I was single I’d have still had to pay for rent, bills and food

And I wouldn’t be the person I am if it weren’t for my experiences with you

Not forgetting all the stuff you bought for me, too

I want to be just as giving when I meet someone new.



See what I mean, though? Being with someone isn’t cheap

When you factor in all the special occasions and the general upkeep

Things move fast and you're soon in too deep

Still, there’s no need to make sure you split every receipt.



Because what’s the alternative? Being alone won’t work in the long run

And being a tight arse with your partner isn’t much fun

So live and let live, and accept what’s done is done

Love hard, be generous, and regret nothing and no one.




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4.4.18

Everyone I've ever wanted to be



My dad.

The candyfloss man at the fair.

The hook-a-duck man at the fair.

Julian from The Famous Five.

Aladdin.

George, my guinea pig.

The boy who won the running race on sports day.

Linford Christie.

The husband of Mrs Orland, my primary school teacher.

Anyone with floppy blond hair in a centre parting.

Steve McManaman.

Alan Grant from Jurassic Park.

The husband of Sporty Spice, if she has one.

My granddad.

My scout leader.

Me when I'm 18 and I can do what I want.

Eminem.

The husband of Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys.

Jim Morrison from the Doors.

The Professor of English Literature at Glasgow University.

The editor of the university newspaper.

Louis Theroux.

Jack Kerouac in On The Road.

The guy who dropped out of uni to focus on making music, and got signed to a record label.

Chris Morris.

Steve Jobs.

James Franco.

The husband of Grace Jones.

Grace Jones.

Anyone who got a good job after uni.

Anyone with their own house.

The friend of a friend who became a professional journalist.

Me when I was 18 and I had no worries in the world.

My first editor.

The Head of Editorial.

The Managing Director.

The stock photo of a happy family.

My brother.



Someone who is respected and inspired and free
Who people like me aspire to be

The kind of person who leads you to hope and to try
And never passes you by

But look up to others without looking down with despair
You're you, no one else, and you're beyond compare.




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18.3.18

14 of the best buildings in Leeds



Leeds is a modern metropolis. With a lively creative scene, a thriving digital sector and rich cultural life on every corner, it's no wonder Leeds consistently ranks as one of the best cities in the world. But let's not forget this place started life as a forested area called Loidis in the 8th century. Growing slowly throughout the medieval and Tudor eras, it came of age as an industrial powerhouse in the 18th century. Over the past 100 years it's flourished as a city of education, business and innovation.

This means that its streets are adorned with the most stunning buildings - each one telling a different story about the city Leeds was and is. If these bricks could talk, we'd never stop listening.

After gathering tips from locals, I've cherry picked the best buildings in Leeds and mapped out a route that will let you see them all in just a few hours. I've also included walking directions, giving you everything you need to explore these architectural delights at your own pace.


The Parkinson Building




The Parkinson Building is one of Leeds' most prominent landmarks - especially when it's lit up blue and purple at night. Opened in 1951 by HRH The Princess Royal, this art-deco construction is part of the University of Leeds and is still used for its original purpose as a library and art gallery.


Broadcasting Tower




Iconic, or an eyesore? This rusty-coloured, Brutalist-inspired structure has divided opinion since it was erected in 2010. However, with its imposing height and unusual design, there's no doubt that Broadcasting Tower is one of the Leeds' most unique buildings, and was once named the Best Tall Building in the World. Today it's owned by Leeds Beckett University and consists of student flats.



County Arcade, Victoria Quarter




While it's technically indoors, the County Arcade is considered one of the best buildings in Leeds for its fancy ironwork, gilded mosaics and stunning stained glass roof. It was built in 1900 by Frank Matcham - the architect who designed the London Palladium. The County Arcade is part of the Victoria Quarter, a high-end shopping arcade consisting of three blocks between Briggate and Vicar Lane.



Corn Exchange






The Corn Exchange has been at the centre of Leeds for more than 150 years. Designed by Cuthbert Brodrick, its impressive iron-crested dome, intricate exterior design and circular structure ensure it's still as well-known and well-loved today as it was when it was built in 1862. A key trading post in the Victorian era, now you'll find a range of cafes, hairdressers and boutique shops adorning its spectacular interior.




44 Call Lane




Tetris comes to mind when you gaze at this five-storey residential building which opened in 2007. Designed by Brewster Bye, the multi-coloured patchwork cladding on 44 Call Lane recalls the dyes used to make clothes - a link to Leeds' textile history.




Waterman's Place




You'll find more Brutalist inspiration at Waterman's Place, next to the Leeds Canal Basin. As part of the recent Granary Wharf regeneration, architects CZWG unveiled this striking brick, wooden and copper clad apartment building in 2009. The award-winning structure follows its own architectural logic, making it one of Leeds' most unusual buildings.



Candle House






The aptly-named Candle House is what I've always imagined the Tower of Babel looking like - tall, cylindrical and imposing. Designed by careyjones, Candle House opened in 2009 - and its copper and red twisting brickwork exterior has cut a dominant figure on the skyline south of the city centre ever since. Today it's home to 160 of the most sought-after apartments in Leeds.




Tower Works




Along with the Corn Exchange, Tower Works is one of the last surviving Victorian buildings in Leeds. Built in 1864 by architect Thomas Shaw, its three Italianate towers were part of a factory that made steel pins. The factory closed in 1981 after 117 years in operation, and the site is to be regenerated as part of a £350m South Bank project to bring the area back to life with a hub of offices, apartments, bars and restaurants.




Temple Works







Legend has it that the Egyptian-inspired Temple Works once had a grass covered roof where sheep used to graze. Why? Because it helped retain humidity so the linen wouldn't dry out at this former flax mill. When it opened in 1840, more than 2,600 textile employees worked in what was at the time the largest single room in the world. It's now in the hands of CEG, a developer involved in the South Bank regeneration.



Quebecs Hotel




As you'll see from the engraving at its entrance, this building first opened its doors in 1891 as the Leeds and County Liberal Club. The Liberal Party dominated the administration of Leeds at the time and this lavish club - complete with extravagant masonry, intricate patterning and a red terrcotta facade - reflected its standing in the city. The decline of the Liberal Party meant it was let out entirely to offices by 1947. It was subsequently bought by the Eton Group and renovated into a luxe hotel, where the likes of Coldplay, Joan Rivers and Russell Brand have stayed.



Bank House




Another Brutalist beauty, Bank House functioned as the Bank of England's regional headquarters when it opened in 1971. Composed of expensive Cornish granite and bronze cladding, and oddly layered as an inverse pyramid, it was originally meant to convey the bank's strength and impenetrability. Today Bank House is an office building, and listed as a site of special interest by Historic England.




Atlas House




Located on the busy corner of King Street and St Paul's Street, Atlas House stands out for its striking white marmo appearance, renaissance design and hulking sculpture of the Greek god Atlas - straining under the weight of the world. Atlas House was built in 1910 as the offices of insurance firm Perkin and Bulmer, and it's now occupied by cocktail chain Dirty Martini.




St Paul's House






I'm lucky enough to work just around the corner from St Paul's House - a centrepiece in Leeds' business district. Featuring a bold, Hispano-Moorish design, one of the key features on St Paul's House is the minarets - usually seen on mosques - on each corner. It was built in 1878 as a warehouse and cloth-cutting works, and extensively renovated in 1976. Today it's let out as office space.



Leeds Town Hall




Last but definitely not least is probably the best building in Leeds - Leeds Town Hall. This iconic Baroque structure is the crowning glory of Cuthbert Brodrick's architectural career. It's just as awe-inspiring today as it was when it was built in 1858, with its giant columns, stone lion statues and opulent entrance doors rendering it magnificent in every sense of the word. The interior is just as fantastic, as you'll see if you ever attend one of its many events - from beer festivals to music concerts.


Next time you're out and about in Leeds, look up. From Italian-inspired icons to Brutalist beauties, this city is full of gems.

If you think I've failed to mention one of Leeds' best buildings, let me know on Twitter.


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7.3.18

Twisted proverbs



All that is gold does not glitter

Fondness makes the heart grow absent

Form is permanent, class is temporary

Never better than late

People who throw glass should live in stone houses

You want what you can't get - always

Loud words speak actions

Too much broth spoils the cooks

Don't feed the hand that bites

Must all ends come to a good thing?

If you can't join them, beat them

There's no present like time

If you can't judge, book cover

Your friends and enemies keep you close

The best medicine causes laughter

Home is no place like there

Cross the bridge until you come to it

Deep waters still run


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10.2.18

The best stories you find are the ones that find you: the #foundfiction launch party

By staging a night of anonymously co-written stories, art-poetry crossover performance and insightful talks within the gorgeous interior of the Leeds Library, #foundfiction has made a strong bid to be part of the city's literary history - and future. Here we reflect on the night's highlights, the journey to the launch and the project itself.





'Smile, it might never happen.'
'Live every day like it's your last.'
'Be true to yourself.'

Many of us have words to live by - particular phrases that define who we are and guide how we handle life's curveballs.

For #foundfiction it's 'the best stories you find are the ones that find you'. This is the idea that literature is about a reader taking the outstretched hand of a writer they might never meet, and making a powerful bond through a story they didn't know they were looking for.

The concept behind #foundfiction is very simple. Writers send us their stories, which we print out, fold into envelopes marked 'READ ME', and leave in public spaces for someone to find. To date, around 100 stories have been found and shared on social media - throughout the UK and Europe, and as far away as the US, Canada and Australia. We've also published Polish stories to be distributed in Poland.

After initially starting out as a means by which one shy writer could get his work anonymously read by others, we now publish work by around 30 authors.

In July 2017 we applied for a grant from Leeds Inspired, which funds many arts projects, venues and organisations across the city. As part of our application we proposed to stage a launch event that would encourage Leeds' writers, readers and lovers of literature to join the growing #foundfiction community and help take the project to the next level.

We were awarded the grant in October 2017 - and immediately got to work planning a launch event that would capture the imagination of the city.
 

Countdown to launch



Booking a venue was our first step. We were spoilt for choice, with cool bars and quirky spaces adorning every street in Leeds. But as soon as we entered the Leeds Library to discuss hiring its New Room for the night, our decision was made.
 
 
 

As well as being a beautiful space that was very relevant to #foundfiction, the Leeds Library was celebrating its 250th anniversary - and looking to add to its 2018 programme of events.

Next we focused on creating a striking visual design for promo. Working with dogeatcog, we produced posters and flyers to distribute around Leeds, bookmarks to hand out on the night, and a gif to share online.


We also had a video made by Ben Porter, of Hewitt & Walker, to share on social media.
 
 
But we wanted to do something different to promote the launch party. Something specifically related to #foundfiction and the associated concepts of serendipity, anonymity and inspiration that are key to the project.

We bought a cheap desk, put a piece of paper on it, and encouraged members of the public to co-write a story by adding one line at a time. The #foundfiction writing desk was born. We took it on a tour of Leeds, leaving it unmanned in:

Hyde Park...


Chapel Allerton...


...and outside the Leeds Library on Commercial Street.


Sure enough, passers by got involved, co-writing two short stories. We thought it was amazing that people were evidently keen to get creative with others they probably didn't know, in a place they were likely just passing through, for a project they'd almost certainly never heard about.



The main event





The #foundfiction launch party was a night of talks, stories, film and live art. Among the presenters on the night were:

  • Carl Hutton, chief executive of the Leeds Library, who spoke about the venue's 250th anniversary programme
  • Lewis King, writer and presenter, who talked about how graffiti he'd captured in Leeds related to the concept of street art and serendipitous discovery
  • Owen Clements, co-founder of Open Letters, who discussed the personal significance of letter-writing as an art form




We heard from Marta Polap, from Katowice in Poland, and LA-based Sol Armada, both of whom recorded video messages about how #foundfiction has touched their lives and how they've been supporting the project in their respective countries.

We also had three of the area's best spoken word poets - Rose Drew, Phil Pearce and Colleen Pilkenton - take part in a unique creative experiment. As the poets performed their work on stage, artist Jay Sillence drew a visual interpretation of the poems on the screen behind them - illustrating that storytelling transcends artistic formats.
 

Finally, we invited attendees to co-write a story by passing a notepad around the audience - producing a similar result to the #foundfiction writing desk we'd toured around Leeds.
 

Looking ahead

 
All photos by Sarah Whitehouse



It's always been our goal to grow #foundfiction. Ultimately, if every major city across the world had the scale of a following we have in Leeds, we'd be making a considerable impact on the way people publish and consume short fiction. Like Airbnb, Uber and Deliveroo have disrupted their respective industries, we could one day be doing the same in publishing. If we're ever going to get there, we need more writers, more distributors, and more support. We've come a long way in a few short months, so it's possible. If you want to be part of helping us get there, get involved.

In the short term, the #foundfiction writing desk will be back on 3 June at the Northern Short Story Festival. And keep your eyes out for another event this year.

#foundfiction is your project too. Keep writing, keep sharing and keep in touch.

Twitter: @fictionfound
Facebook: foundfiction
Instagram: found_fiction
 

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