dirtyleeds.net

SCANDAL FC - the book, the eagerly awaited (by me anyway) final instalment of the Dirty Leeds Trilogy, might well be appearing on bookshelves and eBookmark lists by Christmas. It will be worth the wait.

‘AFTER EXTRA TIME - DIRTY LEEDS UNCUT’ will be out in time for Christmas too. It will be a much more ‘personal’ read as well as a more independent production as it will be over 100 pages longer than the original AND I’m probably bringing it out myself and giving a bit of the revenue to a well-known charity of my choice. No problems or dramas with Tonto Books who remain great personal allies, confidantes & colleagues, I just wanted more of the original Dirty Leeds novel to come out, plus I like the idea of trying to help a charity. Money is very important to most of us of course, but it isn’t EVERYTHING. That though is not to say that I intend making a loss for myself haha!

SCREENPLAY - I’ve kept pretty quiet about this because I’ve been lucky enough to gather a great writing team together plus the support of some great chaps in directing and producing and I don’t want to say too much in case it all sinks quicker than English clubs in Europe.  Watch this space really, despite small setbacks it is very much still alive and I’m expecting to get a bit of quality exposure soon too; it’s a work in progress-film about a major iconic aspect of the city of Leeds.  It’s bloody great and I can say that modestly as I’ve written maybe a fifth of it all and that fifth might well be poop for all I know!

GRAPHIC NOVEL - another ‘watch this space’ situation but don’t watch too hard as you’ll go cross-eyed with all the squinting. I suppose it could be called a labour of love but I am genuinely keen on producing something about Leeds and so I’m learning the trade as quickly as I can. Which isn’t very quickly, in truth

It’s looking very promising that I’ll be involved with a LU related graphic novel this year, just waiting to see what the businessmen decide on. If it goes ahead it will be pretty damned original and something to be proud of, given the quality of the artist to be involved.

I’m also rather giddy about the possibility of working on a film with huge connections to our great city. Can’t go into too much detail yet but I am working with a fantastic group of writers who are effectively contributing one story each. Those stories will then form the spine of the overall screenplay which is linked by one central character and, more importantly, one central FEATURE of the city. The big issue is to be the raising of funding for the film, but we (the director and the producer( are very hopeful. We’re planning a big party in March to pitch the movie and with luck persuade investors to help fund the film. This could be big, but it’s early days yet. MORE NEWS TO FOLLOW, AS & WHEN!

Meanwhile, The Stranglers book crawls along… progress has been extremely slow but I am at least listening to an old Paris gig by mark one of the band as I type this!  The whole idea took a backseat for various reasons, and so it continues to be more a labour of love than a career enhancing job.  I had a suoerb time at the Stranglers Convention late last year, and the love of all the line-ups’ music isn’t waning just yet!

Here’s to a fruitful, healthy and prosperous year ahead!

If anyone has any special LUFC memorabilia to sell, please visit http://donreviestatue.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=13 as there will be a fantastic auction in late March in aid of the DON REVIE STATUE(and Motor Neurone research), and it’s likely that the best prices for your items will be reached!

This writing game has been a struggle this year, for reasons that are pretty obvious, and I know I’m not the only person being held back by problems and difficulties.  On that matter, the publication of Scandal FC - the third and final part of the ‘Dirty Leeds trilogy’ - has been put back until….  Well, that’s the point, we don’t know!

There will be bright and happy moments in life to come of course, and I prefer those times; thankfully time itself and friendship and compassion all are great helps with every day, but I will always reside in the shadows cast by August 11th, 2011 too.

Dear All, my Mum died on Thursday 11th August 2011. Naturally we are all in mourning. She is at peace now. In line iwth your faith or beliefs, please say a prayer, light a candle, think well of her, she was a fantastic mother and friend to me. Anything good about me is thanks to her!

God bless, Mum, thank you for all the wonderful times.

No matter how life’s chipping away at your personal spirit, regardless of whether you’re oppressed, suppressed, depressed, impressed, use the experiences and the emotions in positive manner, and CREATE.

Always Be Creating , it’s good for you and it’s good for your art too!

(Title courtesy of Bongo )

Once I’ve finished Scandal FC, I will be returning to the (working title) ‘Peaches’, a diarised unofficial history/biog of The Stranglers. The bug has not waned, the band is still one of the most fascinating ever and STILL one of the best bands still gigging!