Author Archives: Scribe Doll
Surviving the London Book Fair
I’ve pinned my badge to my jacket lapel: Katherine Gregor Literary Translator Freelance United Kingdom The security man scans it. A thin, red line crawls over it like a single spider leg. I step into the giant, dome-shaped Olympia building. … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged katherine gregor, literary translation writing, london book fair, scribe doll
10 Comments
Tallis versus Byrd – when you lack the appropriate vocabulary
“You can really tell if it’s Byrd or Tallis from the first few bars?” H. likes some Early and 16th Century music, but is more of a Romantic and 20th Century man. He likes passion in music. I like post-white-ruff … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged katherine gregor.thomas tallis, scribe doll, Tudor music, william byrd, writing
27 Comments
Fifty
One finger for every pie. One colour for every intention. The first thought that flashed through my head when I saw the gloves. I was in a Norwich shop called ‘Head in the Clouds’ – apparently, UK’s oldest head shop. I … Continue reading
Baucis and Philemon
P. and T. kiss in public. A swift, light peck on the lips, so full of tenderness and respect. T. squeezes P.’s hand and he holds it, drawing strength from its warmth and reassurance. I watch them in awe. They … Continue reading
Crawling Slowly Out of the Dungeon
Work. Work. You’ve fallen behind with your work. So you work without stopping. Except for meals. You can’t taste the food, really, because you keep glancing at your watch. Time to get back to work. When you go to bed … Continue reading
On a Train from Norwich to Cambridge
The day is grey and very, very still, self-contained in drowsy introspection. But maybe it’s not sleeping at all but quietly meditating, plotting an event, contemplating crafting its next miracle. The fog is blurring the silhouette of the trees, like … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged east anglia, ely cathedral, katherine gregor, norfolk, scribedoll, writing
16 Comments
The Busker
It was a voice carried by the wind through the semi-deserted streets of a Norwich Sunday afternoon. A voice that sang not into your ear but into your heart. I started walking towards it. He was standing outside NatWest Bank, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged folk singing, katherinegregor, music, norfolk, norwich, scribedoll, writing
16 Comments
Clocks Take a Step Back, So Take a Step Forward
It’s my favourite day of the year. I go to bed with a feeling of hopeful anticipation, after setting all the clocks in the flat back by an hour. As far as I’m concerned, I’m going to wake up to … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged autumn, british summer time, clocks, katherine gregor, scribe doll, writing
23 Comments
No (Proper) Post Today
Scribe Doll is busy packing and saying goodbye to Brussels. For further information, see Westvleteren. Scribe Doll
Posted in Travel
Tagged brussels, katherine gregor, scribe doll, trappist beer, westvleteren
4 Comments
The Castle of Translators
Seneffe. H. is beaming as we walk into the courtyard. It is girdled by a horseshoe of former 18th century stables, now turned into guest rooms. In front of us, beyond the railings, are the tall trees belonging to the … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
Tagged katherine gregor, languages, literary translation, scribe doll, seneffe
14 Comments
Scribe Doll 