Summer is gone, it would seem. The wind and rain have come to take the heads off my poppies and leave my outdoor cushions damp. Wiener is back to weeing inside. Enzo wears a light jacket for his walks. Even Buddy, who runs into the freezing sea, taps at the back door and barks to be let in. I even lit the fire for ten minutes the other day.
It rained even more ‘oop North’ when I went to the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate this month. Ericka, alone, without dogs or children. I felt like I’d left half of myself at home. I was forced to eat Betty’s Fat Rascals by the buttery handful to keep my spirits up.
Speaking of spirits, I became so paranoid around all the crime stuff, I convinced myself that a killer - supernatural or otherwise - had followed me back to my brother’s house (where I was staying), having seen me on my own, unprotected, and was coming up the stairs to kill me. All I had to defend myself was a teddy bear that I’d brought in place of Enzo. Unsurprisingly, it turned out not to be a killer. It was the boiler, and this is why I would be crap at writing crime. I missed Enzo so much that I stopped to say hello to every little black dog I saw. Once, it wasn’t even a dog, it was an umbrella, but the woman was very sympathetic and let me give it a pat.
Oh, and the Festival? I saw some wonderful friends and made wonderful new ones. I stood NEAR Lee Childs and very nearly said hello. Maybe next year.
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A Brand New Blog Post - LIVE TODAY |
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Impatience, hurrying and generally getting things done... I'm a Virgo, you see. I've just uploaded a brand new blog post entitled I've Got To Get On exploring my ceaseless need to 'keep at it'. Click the button to take a look. | | |
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Ilona Bannister's Life-Changing Books |
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This month's selection of life-changing books comes from transplanted New Yorker, Ilona Bannister. And boy, are we glad to have her over here! Author of When I Ran Away and Little Prisons, Ilona's writing is at once brutally heartbreaking and beautifully inspirational. I am always in awe of the worlds and characters she builds. From magical realism to the hidden drama of everyday things, Ilona's book choices provide a fascinating insight into what inspires her own great writing. | | |
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True Crime Story: Living with Delinquent Dogs |
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With criminality on my mind after Harrogate, it occurred to me that I actually inhabit the scene of multiple daily offences. Yes, I live with a gang of hardened canine criminals that commit a whole host of felonies every single day. You’ll find some of these these difficult to believe, as the photos I post online make them look like angels, but do not be fooled. They are masters of deplorable deceit and many a misdeed... |
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1: The Silent But Deadly Dachshund Doodie
Often left behind the bathroom door, or positioned meticulously on the brown stripe of the rug. Normally not discovered until felt squishing between the toes. 2: The Labrador Lift Is there such a thing as a 'dog burglar'? As he has gotten older, he has gotten bolder. It used to be crumbs from the floor, now it’s a two-pawed mount onto the kitchen worktop to swipe a cooling cake or loaf of bread. Has also been spotted on the dining table, tongue in the bottom of a Nutella Jar. |
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3: The Griffon Grovel Deployed by Enzo when he knows I can’t take him out with me. Reduces himself to a pair of giant pleading brown eyes and floof. Emits a keening noise that no one could ignore. Either ends up coming along or me not going at all (the ideal outcome for him). Criminologists would agree that this is a form of coercive control. 4: Escape from Alcatraz (also known as The Ocean's Three) When the dog next door annoys them, my pack split up into a formation that has clearly been planned in advance in order to enact some kind of retribution. One escapes under the hedge - normally the Dachshund - while the Labrador and Griffon make mayhem to distract me. It's the kind of coordination and cooperation you see in a heist movie. 5: The Recycling Revenge Often used a form of punishment if I’ve left them home alone (or not stroked the Dachshund in just the way she likes). Using team cunning and staggering chutzpah, the contents of the bin will be emptied and stashed in various locations around the house eg. a tin of tuna taken into a bed, a crisp packet on the sofa, an empty wet dog food carton on the rug etc. The items are licked (mostly) clean and then left for me to find. Barefaced cheek is used as defence when the crimes have been discovered. [EDITOR'S NOTE: We are all taking legal advice.] |
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In case you missed it, I recently posted another new short story to my website. I'll Be Dropping By explores the tiny tortures of hope and anticipation as we navigate the smallest details of our lives. I hope you enjoy it. | | |
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What I've Been Reading... |
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Lots of new book reviews on the site this month so if you're looking for a holiday read, check 'em out... | | |
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Do You Want to Hear a Little More? |
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I made a promise to all my Enzograph subscribers that I would treat your email addresses with respect and that I wouldn't bombard you with loads of unwanted messages. An overloaded Inbox is one of life's great trials. [EDITOR'S NOTE: You're such a drama queen sometimes.] However, I've been wondering if you'd like to receive a quick email alert when I add a new blog post or short story to my website - in case you miss my social media posts...? Before I take the plunge, your feedback would be most welcome and very helpful. Let me know your thoughts - would you like an email to let you know about additions to my site as soon as they're live or are you happy with the newsletter round-up at the end of the month? | | |
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WIN! It's a Crime-Busting Giveaway for July... |
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In keeping with my little theme of criminality for this month's newsletter, I thought I'd treat you to a prize draw. The much-lauded We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker is probably my all-time favourite crime novel. It's such a beautifully-written, intricately plotted mystery and I didn't want it to end. If you'd like a copy then drop me a message via my website with PRIZE DRAW in the subject line. I'll select an entry at random and announce the winner in next month's newsletter. Good luck! | | |
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I remain hopeful that the year still has some summer left in store for us so I'll leave you with this photo that I took recently on an early evening dog walk. For me, it captures that balmly simplicity of long summer days. |
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That's all for this month - see you next time. Don't forget to enter the Prize Draw. Peace and paws out, people
Ericka (and Enzo) |
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