tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41432212009-06-22T11:24:44.413ZWeblog run by fantasy author James BarclayJames Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-18169283348666299872009-06-22T11:12:00.004Z2009-06-22T11:24:38.518Z

Friday 19th June, Magic Circle HQ, London. And a result that surprised many. The award was won by Andrzej Sapkowski for Blood Of Elves ahead of the favourite, Joe Abercrombie. As Joe himself said, not too big a surprise when you see Mr S's popularity and sales figures.Even so, I think it was a result that set the stall for the DGLA as a truly international award and that can only be good. Joe

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-34745787749723786822008-10-29T09:54:00.003Z2008-10-29T10:06:13.503Z

Am I missing something?Never mind that the row over their programme is STILL going on. Unbelievably.We are told that Brand and Ross are brilliant and edgy and take risks and sometimes this means they get it wrong. OK. Can someone help me with what is risky or edgy about leaving puerile and immature schoolboy messages on Andrew Sach's answerphone? Wow. Clever stuff. Certainly not something that 13

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-4058597733616332612007-08-08T14:00:00.000Z2007-08-08T14:02:36.773Z

If my six month old son, Oscar, fights as hard for world peace in the future as he does against falling asleep at the moment, we can look forward to the cessation of all conflict around the globe.

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-53471788273135464942007-06-27T15:05:00.000Z2007-06-27T15:07:29.814Z

To own a dog is to know that you are less interesting than a pile of deer crap.

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1172156136057699332007-02-22T14:37:00.000Z2007-02-23T12:21:48.030Z

Mark Chadbourn (may he be slightly injured in a freak typing accident), fellow fantasy author and owner of the excellent www.jackofravens.com blog as tagged me. I understand this to mean I have to reveal five things about me that you are unlikely to know. So here goes:1) I hate wobbly fat on meat. It is the texture and consistency that is such a disgrace and it makes me seriously nauseous. Crispy

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1168951428543549942007-01-16T12:40:00.000Z2007-01-16T12:43:48.560Z

We read that Richmond Borough Council (which includes my part of Teddington) plan to increase resident parking charges for those evil folk who drive gas guzzling cars. I wanted to check a few things so have just written to Councillor Lourie. I thought I'd share the text with you...Dear Mr Lourie,I have read about the plans to charge higher resident parking fees for ‘4x4s and other gas guzzling

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1168516824610965462007-01-11T11:46:00.000Z2007-01-11T12:00:24.623Z

I don't often post on political issues as you know but this just makes me seethe. Ruth Kelly, a Labour MP and Cabinet Minister, being lambasted for deciding to send her dyslexic son to a private school where he will get specialist help.Get out of her life and mind your own damned business.Here is what we know. We live in a capitalist democracy which provides many things to accommodate the

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1168008515980876862007-01-05T14:42:00.000Z2007-01-05T14:48:35.996Z

Thought I'd reprint my Prism columns here (I do have permission...). Prism is the magazine of the British Fantasy Society. And if you're interested in the society, why not join? Head over to www.britishfantasysociety.org.uk and find out more.Meanwhile, here's my first colulmn. Wrote it in October last year. Enjoy.Fantasy Musings – Prism Column, October 2006On jealousyIt is traditional, when the

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1164021109918865662006-11-20T10:54:00.000Z2006-11-20T11:11:49.930Z

I voted for my X-Factor favourite on Saturday night. And if you wantto know, it was Ben. My wife, Clare, voted for Leona.Over one and a half million did vote so it is not shocking per se, except if you are aware of my utter loathing for reality and talent shows. So what happened?Well, it's quite simple, I watched an audition episode of the show almost by accident. It was at once hysterical,

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1161083764150627962006-10-17T10:46:00.000Z2006-10-17T11:16:04.183Z

Just been on holiday. Last one before the baby comes in January. And it was fantastic, thanks for asking. A place called 'Maroma' on the Riviera Maya in Mexico. Glorious beaches, great diving, unbelievably good service and close to beautiful Mayan ruins. Anyway, that's as maybe.We spent a good number of hours on the beach, reading, relaxing and oft-times watching what was going on. There was a

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1157974030313222312006-09-11T11:18:00.000Z2006-09-11T11:27:10.370Z

I got a note stuck on my car on Sunday. From an organisation wanting to ban urban 4x4 vehicles. I drive a Honda CR-V. It is the cleanest, safest, most economical vehicle in its class. Indeed, it isn't even a 4x4 in normal driving conditions because it only switches to all wheel drive when the terrain demands it.Anyway, the note piqued me somewhat so I wrote an email to them, explaining a few

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1154101226352216722006-07-28T15:15:00.000Z2006-07-31T14:24:43.373Z

I'm going to tell you a little story. It's January 2006 and I am at my wits' end. I'm strugging to make my latest novel, A Shout For The Dead, into anything like a coherent first draft. There seems to be so much that just isn't working properly.So I make the trip down to Dros Delnoch in the beautiful rolling East Sussex countryside. It's a trip I've made a good few times. To relax, drink a glass

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1135329400822643592005-12-23T09:14:00.000Z2005-12-23T09:16:40.833Z

Why do people have to make things more complex than they are? Here's one for you. Pick holes in it if you can but I reckon if we all did the following, the world would be a better place:Do the best you can, be good to people.There you go. It's how I try to live distilled into as few words as possible. Live it and love it.Merry Christmas

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1121072434190930312005-07-11T08:58:00.000Z2005-07-11T09:00:34.196Z

For all those who use the website forum... sorry gang, the forum is unwell presently. Most of you have noticed this and many have emailed - thanks for that. We're looking into it now and hopefuly will have it up and running again soon.Meanwhile, apologies for the inconvenience.

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1120817851631268382005-07-08T10:04:00.000Z2005-07-08T10:17:31.636Z

There are going to be a lot of blogs posted about this. It was a terrible day for London and indeed the whole of the UK and like us all, I offer my symapthy to the families of all those who lost thier lives yesterday, and hope all those injured can recover. I also have to say that from what I was seeing on the television, the emergency services and ordinary members of the public were absolutely

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1117615667953221052005-06-01T09:47:00.000Z2005-06-01T08:47:47.960Z

I was five days in Epinal at the Imaginales festival. It was a tremendous event. Full of colour and played out in a relaxed and informed atmosphere. What I really wanted to bring to the attention of anyone who cares to read, was the way the festival was organised.This was no geek convention hidden away in a hotel. This was an event staged with financial backing as well as moral support from the

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1114160673761800542005-04-22T08:58:00.000Z2005-04-22T10:34:41.880Z

Just a quick note about www.storycode.com.It's been set up by an old friend of mine, Dave Mutton, in concert with a team of people he's worked with over many years of internet business.In essence, for readers, it's a way of getting recommendations for books to read. We've all been there. Wondering what to read when we've turned the last page of a really superb book. Well, in StoryCode, you can

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1112361790660071432005-04-01T14:25:00.000Z2005-04-01T13:23:10.663Z

Well, it finally happened. On a dull and windy day in Portugal, there was no other option but to try something new. Having long harboured a desire to play golf but fearing the threat of obsession, it was time to have a lesson and see what all the fuss was about.Frankly it was marvellous. I understand how difficult it is even to hit a ball off a tee, let alone in a straight line and in the air

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1109242686217553722005-02-24T10:43:00.000Z2005-02-24T10:58:06.220Z

I was at the Orion Author party last night. A fine occasion and a great venue. It was also one of those nights when I met some people I have admired and respected from afar until now. And also a friend who was the victim of a random stabbing crime just before Christmas - Roger Levy, author and dentist. He's a strong and determined character as well as a terrific bloke and it was great to see

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1109088669087724262005-02-22T16:02:00.000Z2005-02-22T16:11:09.090Z

It's a strange thing, having delivered the first volume of The Ascendants of Estorea. There's still much to be done on it of course. Editing, copy editing, final proofing etc and blah. But for now, a brief haitus. It's great because I can finally catch up on emails, my website forum, a film script I'm writing with a friend and various other bits 'n' pieces. But there are also those times when I

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1101253237255926672004-11-23T23:27:00.000Z2004-11-23T23:40:37.256Z

A long time. Thank you, Neill Flux, for pointing it out. I'll probably cry into my beer and bemoan my pressured life when next we meet and you will merely laugh and remind me that compared to you, I live a life far better than that fella Reilly that people are always quoting. Frankly, when approaching the last few weeks of a novel writing year, things like journals do take a back seat. I should

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1095850794645177552004-09-22T11:55:00.000Z2004-09-22T10:59:54.646Z

It's always good to try and find the positives in stunningly boring tasks. I'm moving house on Friday and have been facing the mind-numbing work that is packing. As always, it leads to long periods looking at empty boxes and wishing Mary Poppins was on hand to help out filling them up. But it also forces you to look through everything you've accumulated and bring it or sling it. I've found some

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1095284918299210682004-09-15T22:50:00.000Z2004-09-15T21:48:38.300Z

I wrote at the end of August about a crisis of confidence and the examination of the work I'd done on my new book. It was an uncomfortable exercise but, ultimately, has been very valuable. Not least in my mind has been the benefit of being that bit inward looking, even if only briefly. It's like a sanity check. There you go, writing away and thinking it's all good for the final draft and then

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1094654729543674052004-09-08T15:41:00.000Z2004-09-08T14:45:29.543Z

Just a quickie (oo err, obviously). I just wanted to publish a note of thanks to all those who have signed up for and are using the new forum on the website. It's been great to swap posts with people, read some very interesting thoughts and get criticism of my work so far. And heavens, it isn't always good criticism. Whatever next? A bit like this journal, I can't concentrate on it all the time

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4143221.post-1094200088776385582004-09-03T09:22:00.000Z2004-09-03T08:28:08.776Z

One of the very gratifying things about being an author is the heartfelt emails and messages I receive from readers and fans. Of course by default, I'm unlikely to get too much abuse via website mail so yes, I know it can give a skewed view. But the fact that people have taken the time to write and say how much they've enjoyed something I've done is very special and frankly, makes the grind (and

James Barclayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01958028876158656103noreply@blogger.com