Dark Angels Note 110
Dearest Friend—
Welcome back to our weekly Note. Pour yourself a Martini – shaken, not stirred – as we remember the creator of James Bond.
Observing
On this day (August 12) in 1964, British author and journalist Ian Fleming died in Canterbury, Kent. Best known for creating the world’s most famous fictional spy, the 007 series spanned 12 novels starting with Bond’s first appearance in Casino Royale in 1953. Fleming was a stickler for a regimented writing schedule writing 2000 words per day during his novelist career.“I don’t even pause from writing to choose the right word or to verify spelling or a fact.All this can be done when your book is finished.” Discipline, speed and skill, described as “accurate, painstaking and methodical” was no doubt acquired during his time as a journalist, initially working for Reuters from 1931. The 007 series and associated short stories dominated his career, though he wrote one children’s book during that time. The classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, for his son, Caspar.
Reading
“I am even willing to forgive your reckless use of invented verbs—“I inch, Thou inches—He snakes, I snake, We palp, They palp, etc;” An extract from a letter from Noël Coward to Ian Fleming in May 1958. Read: Letters of Note.
Writing
Bond famously favoured a Martini. Choose a drink to prepare for yourself. It could be as simple as a cup of tea or coffee. Use the preparation, place, experience and your senses to lead you in 5 minutes of writing.
Sharing
This week’s sharing is from Johnny Lyons, who wrote a piece on English poet Philip Larkin that was published in the Dublin Review of Books last month.Larkin at 100 Keep sending us your poems, writings, links and writerly whatnots to share with the wider Dark Angels family.
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Diary
Writing With Constraints: London, 9th November
One way to make writing easier is to make it harder. That sounds illogical, but putting some obstacles in the way of your writing can be a great way to get the creative juices flowing.Whether you are a first-timer, an experienced writer or all-round creative person, this will be an enjoyable and rewarding workshop. Find out more about the Writing with constraints workshop on the website.
We Are Nature: Aracena, 23rd – 28th September
We are fully booked except for one camping spot for this September’s long-awaited return to Finca El Tornero del Rebollar. Interested? Check out more details on the course here, or email Susanne directly. If you missed out, we could pop your name on the waiting list.
Weekly Tuesday Gatherings
There will be an intermittent service of Tuesday gatherings over the next few weeks, as we take a break for the summer. Neil will next be hosting on August 16. Back to normal from August 30.Join us for a reflective hour of reading, writing and communing led by Neil Baker. Everyone is welcome; in fact, invite a friend along. We meet at 7pm UK time. To join us, click here on the night. There’s no need to register in advance and we’ll be using the same link every week from now on.
Be well, keep reading, keep writing and know that we’re always here.
From everyone at Dark Angels
Photo by Steve Smith on Unsplash