A Snow Angel in Ouseburn
A surprise visit from a tiny snow angel – view from the roof overlooking the Village Green in Ouseburn. >More from Zoe’s Photo Album
His Dark Materials: interview with Philip Pullman
In this fascinating interview, Philip Pullman talks about His Dark Materials and some of the ideas in the books, including: loss of innocence, religion, William Blake, the oral tradition and why fairy tales differ from novels, plus a little dig at CS Lewis and Tolkien. Recorded at the Durham Book Festival in October this year.… Continue reading His Dark Materials: interview with Philip Pullman
Addled Chapter 11: Dionysus Wept
I walked carefully down the cobbled path under the giant archways of the Byker Bridge. I had started to think of them as Mindfulness Cobbles, since I always had to concentrate when walking on them. It was good practise, brought me right into the moment. My stomach lurched as I rounded the corner and the… Continue reading Addled Chapter 11: Dionysus Wept
Addled Chapter 10: Metaphysical Flimflam
I walked back to the flat in a daze, mind on a loop trying to work out how I’d missed Adam and how fast you would have to walk to disappear that quickly, unless he was going round behind the farm along the river, perhaps that was it, I’d have to check, when I nearly… Continue reading Addled Chapter 10: Metaphysical Flimflam
A History of Addled: from idea to publication
I never wanted to be a writer. I didn’t fantasise about seeing my words in print or imagine adoring fans hanging on my every word. I believed I was an inarticulate musician and sound engineer. Writing anything would simply confirm my deepest fears: that I was stupid. So it was quite a surprise to find… Continue reading A History of Addled: from idea to publication
Addled Chapter 9: A Grand Prix of Cogitation – part 2
I sat in a pool of sunlight pouring through the long Velux, amplified and focused by the glass. Propped up on a cushion, struggling to keep my back straight, I fidgeted and rubbed my knees. I was supposed to be watching my breath. Adam said I could count them if it helped, but I kept… Continue reading Addled Chapter 9: A Grand Prix of Cogitation – part 2
Addled Chapter 9: A Grand Prix of Cogitation – part 1
Adam wasn’t there when I arrived at the concrete seats. I leaned over the fence and watched the river tumble by, my breath condensing in the frigid air. A polite cough sounded behind me and I turned. Adam was sitting on one of the seats dressed in his usual exquisite tailored suit, having made no… Continue reading Addled Chapter 9: A Grand Prix of Cogitation – part 1
Visionary Fiction: stories for growing minds
Visionary Fiction became a recognised fiction genre around the turn of the millennium, but stories using visionary elements have always existed. In fact, Visionary Fiction (VF) might be the oldest genre of storytelling. I first heard of VF when I was trying to decide which genre my debut novel fell into. Addled: Adventures of a… Continue reading Visionary Fiction: stories for growing minds
Addled Chapter 8: The Ultimate Subversion – part 2
I slammed the front door behind me, swept through to the living room, and flung myself on the sofa. Jonah was composing on his synth at his computer in the corner, headphones clamped to his ears. He slipped them off and spun his chair to face me. ‘What happened?’ he said, looking worried. ‘He’s a… Continue reading Addled Chapter 8: The Ultimate Subversion – part 2
Addled Location: Ouseburn in Autumn
In autumn, the cobbled paths around Ouseburn are slowly transformed into a carpet of orange leaves. It’s like following the yellow brick road. Here’s some photos around the valley at this most colourful time of year: (click on the galleries to see the photos full size)
Addled Chapter 8: The Ultimate Subversion – part 1
As soon as I walked through the supermarket doors I wanted to turn around and walk out again. I was still feeling jangled from my latest encounter with weirdness, like my skin had been pulled off. It was early, so Morrisons wasn’t too busy, but the light still hurt my eyes and the vacuous music… Continue reading Addled Chapter 8: The Ultimate Subversion – part 1
Does a Dog have Buddha Nature?
There’s a well-known Zen koan that begins with this question. Reams of words and scholastic papers have been written about Joshu’s Dog. The koan sounds like the start of a bad Buddhist joke: A monk asked Joshu, a Chinese Zen master: ‘Has a dog Buddha nature or not?’ Joshu answered: ‘Mu!’ ‘Mu’ means No-thing, but… Continue reading Does a Dog have Buddha Nature?
Jessica Davidson 