Geraint Roberts - Ramblings of a would-be published novelist

My Family

posted by Geraint @ 9:17 pm 0 comments

Dawn Departure

Up at 2am this morning, to take my family to Stansted. It seemed a good idea at the time, Aile go to Estonia with Evelin and Gareth, to spend some time back with her mother and get help looking after the baby etc. See the family, while I, hamstrung by leave, follow on three weeks later.

All I can feel is a yawning gap.

It's a really hot day ironically, and I've always told Aile she is a rain goddess, as wherever we holiday, there it shall raineth.

It's really hard though, the house is so quiet, now only one cat left to keep me company - and she's deaf...I have time to do some bits around the house :), prove I'm not hopeless

Gareth takes up time and effort and having a baby restricts your activities. But I so miss hugging him and making him smile. I miss my Evelin and her cheery dizziness. Last but neveer least, I miss my wife and want to give her a huge hug.

Three weeks is not a lot in the great scheme of things and I have things to do, but at the moment it seems like a lifetime and i feel so alone.

Sunshine blesses the dawn
The light caresses
The warmth embraces
Yet why do I feel so alone?

The land shows all of its colour
Green fields shining
with dew, like a lining
Yet why am I without my lover?

The house feels silent and cold
No baby cries
No laughter, no sighs
My heart feels withered and old

For three weeks we will be apart
Whilst work may confuse me
And friends will amuse me
A piece will have gone from my heart

posted by Geraint @ 12:00 pm 0 comments

Write '07

Hey, I won a piece of paper! I got a 'Highly Commended' for my story 'A Crisp Morning'. I was pipped for the overal prize by an excellent poem. A very poignant tribute to one departed. It's quite nice to be recognised and it's 3 successes in a month now.
But there's the big prize - the book. If only.... ho hum (deep sigh)

The judges said:

Highly Commended: A Crisp Morning by Geraint Roberts from NorthamptonJudges' comments: "A readable story with a good structure and pace. It has some lovely descriptions, which draw you in, and a cryptic ending."Prize: Certificate

I now have to write more short stories - I'm almost running out. 2 have been commited to paper. one I like a lot. Watch this space!

If you want to read the winning entry visit:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/content/articles/2007/05/15/w07_geraint_roberts_a_crisp_morning_feature.shtml

And the ugly mug:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/content/image_galleries/w07_live_gallery.shtml?16

I did actually record the winning entry for the radio and for once, I thought I didn't do a bad job, so have asked for the recording. Unfortunately, after a few queries and 'maybe' promises, I don't see it happening. Time and people are moving on, but it was an enjoyable day. Guys, I toast you with my BBC Radio Northampton mug!

posted by Geraint @ 8:33 pm 0 comments

posted by Geraint @ 8:43 pm 0 comments

Recordings

Well, I chased BBC Radio Northampton on Tuesday. The following day, I went in and recorded my story. It went in one take - I made a little error at the end, but stopped and re-recorded. I liked the emotion, the accent was hinted too. Not pur Gog, but there we are.
They said they couldn't give me a copy, but it would be published on the web site. They also said it would be on the radio at 4.20pm that day - it wasn't. I heard a 5 year old child instead. Oh well, we'll see. The awards are on Sunday. I don't feel like attending, I don't want to be disappointed.

The two stories are:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/content/articles/2007/05/15/w07_geraint_roberts_a_crisp_morning_feature.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/content/articles/2007/05/15/w07_geraint_roberts_target_red_1225_feature.shtml

posted by Geraint @ 8:38 pm 0 comments

Spoke too soon

Well, it was a bit too good to be true. Conspicuous by their silence. Obviously not that serious...

posted by Geraint @ 7:40 pm 0 comments

Another small piece of success?

I had entered two stories into BBC Radio Northants competition 'Write 07'. They actually published them both on the website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/entertainment/film_and_arts/write_07/w07_adult_entries_index.shtml

The two entries are: 'Target Red 12:25' and 'A Crisp Morning'. As I tell everyone, the good news is they are published online. The bad news is - so are the 435 other entrants!

Anyway, Aile got a call on Friday from the Radio, could I come in to record my story. I know it's the latter one, as they originally posted it as Geraint Richards and that is who he asked for. He said he'd ring back, so we'll see. Problem then is if it's me reading, what do I do? My voice, a 'classic' Welsh accent or a flavour of the local Welsh accent which is very nasal. Well, let's see if he phones back!

posted by Geraint @ 10:39 pm 0 comments