Category Archives: Odds & Ends
When Writing Tips Become Platitudes
I am a scribbler. I love writing but, I confess, I seldom read articles or blogs about writing. Barring the usual exceptions, of course, I confess I find reading about writing tedious. I would far rather read a story than … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged creative writing, katherine gregor, literary criticism, scribe doll, writing, writing tips
26 Comments
Languages: Turning Enemies into Allies
“S and I got engaged!” I announced to my family, just before my second year at university, showing off my emerald and diamond ring. My grandmother did not miss a bit. “Congratulations, my sunbeam! Does he speak any languages?” “No.” … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged english, French, italian, katherine gregor, languages, linguist, polyglot, russian, scribe doll
30 Comments
U.S. Marine, Verona, Hoar Frost and Sixteen
A little something I remembered, the other day. My French school in Rome used to dedicate 10% of the academic year to guided extra-curricular activities. That year – the year I was sixteen – among our options was a three-day trip … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged katherine gregor, la boum, scribe doll, teenage girl, verona
15 Comments
Is a Friend in Need Still a Friend in Joy?
“A friend in need is a friend indeed.” We all know that one. That a true friend stands by you during adversity, is an accepted, unquestioned assumption in, I dare say, all cultures. Does the same friendship remain unshaken during … Continue reading
Odds& Ends: Alone, but not Lonely.
When I was at university, my best female friend said she preferred sharing a house with other friends. I said I preferred living alone, if I could. Then she said something that has always stayed with me, “I like to … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged alone, katherine gregor, lonely, scribe doll, solitude, thoughts, writing
14 Comments
A Poesy Ringful of Stories
I used to be a theatrical agent. A young actor from RADA, whilst deliberating whether or not to accept my offer of representation, asked, “What, would you say, sets you apart from other agents?” I struggled to come up with an … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged katherine gregor, memories, museum of london, poesy ring, rose theatre, scribe doll, theatre agent, writing
27 Comments
Church Bells
Sometimes, the wind carries in through my windows the faint sound of bells from a Tudor church that stands right by the river. On a Sunday morning, it is a joyous pealing. In the evening, the sound is more measured, … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged chimes, church bells, durham cathedral, katherine gregor, san marco, scribe doll, venice
16 Comments
Female Solidarity?*
A couple of years ago, my colleagues and I were watching BBC News 24 during our lunch break. There was a report about the Chilean miners trapped underground for several weeks. Finally rescued, the men were telling the interviewer about … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged female behaviour, female interactions, feminism, gender, katherine gregor, musings, scribe doll, women, writing
18 Comments
Dress Circle: Another Pearl, Crushed.
It was Michael who first taught me the difference between soundtrack and cast recording. “Soundtracks are from films, darling,” he said, pushing up his glasses, his mellow Irish accent softening a vague distaste for my ignorance, “and cast recordings are … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged dress circle, katherine gregor, london shops, musical theatre, musings, scribe doll, showbiz, writing
19 Comments
I am Overwhelmed…
Dear All, I am not sure how to phrase this elegantly, and without gushing. On Sunday evening, I received an e-mail from one of the editors at WordPress, informing me that my latest post The Delight of Hand Writing had been … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
32 Comments
Scribe Doll 