by Maggie Fogarty | Jul 17, 2015 | Uncategorized |
As a documentary producer I’m well used to film shoots but drama productions are something else. More people, more equipment, more everything.
Recently I joined the set of a Rosamunde Pilcher drama, being filmed in various locations around our home town, Marazion. Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, tagged along and enjoyed all the attention of the film crew.
Anyone would think she was the star rather than the glamorous actress, Rebecca Immanuel.
This time, I was wearing my feature writer hat rather than TV producer role, but it was good to be an observer and interviewer rather than sorting out the crew. It was fascinating to stand back and enjoy the filming process, rather than worrying about camera angles and lighting.
A huge amount of work and dedication goes into film making, with so much potential for things going wrong. Everything from unpredictable weather problems, members of the public pulling stunts in the background, (why do some people feel they have to muck about when they see a TV camera?), and vehicles getting stuck.
Still, it kept the crowds entertained and on this occasion everyone was well behaved.
Then on the following day, more TV scenes were being shot on Folly Field overlooking Mounts Bay. This time it was for a BBC drama and the field was transformed into an impressive looking sporting track.
In fact the whole of Cornwall seems to be buzzing with film crews at the moment, with Poldark’s Aidan Turner spotted – fully clothed this time – being filmed just along the coast for an Agatha Christie drama.
Meantime, Bonnie dog has been preparing for her close up….in more ways than one
‘Hiya folks,
Well didn’t I just enjoy my time milling with the film crew lot? All the attention, the pampering and compliments.
By that I mean for little ‘ol me and not the actress they were filming.
No mark my words, this gal stole the show. In fact I think I made such a splash and I might even get my own walk on part one day – you never know.
My experience has certainly given me the acting bug. Surely there’s a role for a natural like me? Watch this space….
Now for a little confession. I think I’ve fallen just a little bit in love with someone I’ve met on one of my walkies. He’s a handsome brute called Tui and from what I understand he’s a Havanese.
Well I must say he’s a looker. Dark, handsome and exactly my type.
Walkies have become even more exciting as there is always a chance that I’ll bump into the lovely Tui. I think he feels the same about me too, so you might say he’s my new boyfriend.
Next time we’re out I’ll try to get one of the rents to take a piccy.
Never mind this Aidan Turner bloke the humans are going on about.
Tui beats him paws down on looks.
Woof and out…’
by Maggie Fogarty | Jul 3, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Yeh – summer has finally arrived with a heatwave across the country.
While it’s hot here in west Cornwall, living by the sea means that we get that lovely cooling breeze – it’s pleasantly warm rather than uncomfortably so.
Marazion has been busy but it’s very much a day visitor place, so things quieten down in the evening.
Early summer evenings are my favourite times, sitting on our balcony and staring out to sea. Of course the view is made better by a glass of chilled vino – but isn’t that always the case?
On the writing front, I’m now two thirds of the way through the second of the ‘Dilemma Novella’ trilogy. The plan is to get it out by the autumn and the final one of the series will be finished in time for Christmas.
Then the serious work of marketing all three books begins – a big step up from the more gentle ‘drip drip’ approach so far.
And after that? Well, there is an exciting prospect of collaborating with another award winning writer on a film screenplay and getting a literary agent on board. So with all that – and some other journalism/post graduate research work – things are only going to get busier.
Better make the most of this scorchio summer then.
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest news….
‘Hiya folks,
Hey didn’t his girl I do well?
Yet another rosette to add to my stash….
This time it was in the ‘best cross-breed’ round of a local dog show and as usual, Bonnie was on sparkling form!
Though I did over hear someone saying that ‘cross breed’ is really a posh term for mongrel – the cheek of it.
Come on – it’s all just a bit of fun really, raising money for charity and mucking around with other mutts.
Yes, those doggy shows are great places to flirt and strut your stuff. What’s not to like?
Not too sure about this hot weather mind. At least I’ve got a nice short coat – I’m feeling sorry for those longer haired dudes huffing and puffing in the summer heat.
Anyway, here’s a piccy of little ol’ me and my latest rosette. Nice one eh?
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Jun 12, 2015 | Uncategorized |
I’m a relative newcomer to social networking, initially only signing up to help publicise my books. Or so I thought.
Two years or so down the line and most of the time I’m glad I did it. LinkedIn and Twitter are favourites for work related stuff and Facebook for keeping up to date with friends and family.
But – and there is always a ‘but’ – it does have a downside.
While I try to ration how much time is spent on social networking sites, the temptation is always there to take just one peek. Then another…and yet another.
And before you can say ‘like’ or ‘share’, an hour has disappeared. Yikes.
These days people can be sub-divided into social media avoiders; relative lightweights, (like me), who dip in as and when; and then those heavy duty users who post everything about their lives, including what they are having for dinner – a bit too much information.
Still, in an attempt to avoid addiction to Tweets, LinkedIn and Facebook messaging, (add all the other possibles if you want to), it might be worth having a couple of days a week where social media is avoided or, at the very least, severely rationed. A bit like having the recommended two days a week without alcohol.
It could just work – then again, who can really resist that urge to have one last peek?
With a hefty dollop of irony, I’ll let you know how it goes…on social media of course.
Meantime, over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her update.
‘Hi ya folks,
Well, yet another hair cut for little ol’ me.
Not that I mind visiting my lovely groomers, Pip and Charlotte, of ‘Just Pet Care’. There – I’ve got in the plug for them.
I do object though to being called ‘skinny minny’ and ‘lollipop head’ by the rents.
Come on, a girl can’t help looking skinnier once a good few inches of fur has been lopped off and anyway, what’s wrong with the mean and lean look?
One woman even told me the other day that I’m mutt model material.
What – just ‘model’? Didn’t she leave out the little word ‘super’?
Now I’ve started working as a ‘marketing tool’, (ahem), for rent Maggie’s books, she’s been getting a few more Twitter followers.
Hello there you fellow Tweeters!
Still a long way to go before reaching the dizzy heights of some people but hey – the only way is up.
Anyway, see a before trim pic of me as a Hairy Mary book marketeer and then a post trim pic chilling on the balcony.
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | May 30, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Sometimes you just have to take the slower road.
Not that it comes easily to people like yours truly who has always worked to tight deadlines in high octane work environments.
Old habits really do take some shifting but living in Cornwall has helped – they don’t use the word ‘dreckly’ down here for nothing.
For those not in the know, ‘dreckly’ means doing something in an unspecified amount of time – in other words ‘no rush’.
When you launch yourself out there as an author, the ‘dreckly’ route is the only realistic one.
The majority of established writers – even those who are best sellers – have taken a while to get there.
And no matter what standing you have in your chosen field – in my case having written numerous features for national newspapers and magazines – when you start to write fiction, it is a completely different ball game.
New rules, new players, new consumers.
Of course the occasional ‘new kid on the block’ will buck the trend but it’s exactly that. Occasional.
Most well known fiction writers have slogged away for a considerable time with little recognition and modest incomes. Then something magical kicks in.
Readers start to follow, they spread the word and the publishing world takes more notice.
The marketing bods use the ugly term ‘brand awareness’ but whatever you call it, the process still takes time.
Of course if you see writing as a serious pursuit, none of this will come as a surprise.
Yet time and time again, I meet people who expect overnight publishing success in a way that they wouldn’t do in other aspects of their career.
Well more fool them. For now I’ll stick to the more leisurely ‘dreckly’ route and just see what unfolds – with a little ‘marketing’ help from cockapoo dog Bonnie.
More about that in her blog below…..
‘Hey – I’ve bagged myself a new job. At least I think I have.
My rent Maggie says I’d make a great – now what’s the term? – er, ‘marketing tool’ for her books. Forget the word ‘tool ‘- I’m manager material and no doubt I’m the girl for the job.
The idea is that I get my pretty furry face out there on things called social networks and the like.
I just pout and look sweet while she spouts on about the books. Sounds like a doddle
I mean, people are always coming up to say hello to me, offering me doggy treats and the like. So I must have a bit of the wow factor.
Still, I want to know the terms and conditions of this new job.
How will I get paid? More of my favourite ‘smart bone’ treats is all well and dandy but a girl needs a bit more than that.
I’ve said it before, but I think I need an agent.
Watch this space then – and expect to see a bit more of this madam mutt over the coming months.
Woof and out…’
by Maggie Fogarty | May 15, 2015 | Uncategorized |
One of the most positive things to come out of my book reviews – all submitted independently – is that readers describe them as ‘easy to read’. Happy days.
Someone once remarked that the easier a book is to read, the harder it is to write.
Well I can certainly vouch for that.
A skilled interviewer or TV presenter makes it look easy, like you are eavesdropping into a great conversation.
Wearing my TV producer’s hat, I’ve seen many people – some of them celebrities themselves – try their hand at TV interviews, only to make a complete mess of it.
Only then do they realise the level of skill and ability involved.
So when people ask if fiction writing is hard work, I have to answer honestly.
Yes it is and just because something is easy to read, doesn’t mean it is a doddle to write.
Like most things though, it does get better with practice. So if you are serious about fiction writing, you have to think like an athlete and keep at it – even if it’s only for an hour a day.
Back on my A-Z theme of city living versus Poldark county, here’s some thoughts beginning with ‘C’…
‘Competitive’, ‘crowded’ and ‘cantankerous’ – these words sum up big city living all year around.
Love it or loathe it, life in the city means constant competition with your fellow rat racers for space, whether it’s on rammed commuter trains, congested roads or simply day to day living.
Forced proximity also breeds cantankerous attitudes and increased crime.
Stimulating and addictive it can be from time to time. Like a good old double Espresso coffee, nice in small doses.
Cosy though it isn’t.
‘Candid’, ‘cranky’ and – er – ‘clotted cream’ teas.
These are the C themed words that spring to mind for life in Poldark county – if you deliberately leave out the obvious ‘coastal’ one.
I’ve noticed how being candid, (speaking your mind), isn’t exactly frowned upon in this neck of the country.
This can be for good or ill but at least there’s an openness and ‘crankiness’ – for that read ‘non conformity’ – is positively encouraged.
As someone who doesn’t like cream, clotted or otherwise, I just don’t get the fondness for Cornish cream teas.
But I’m told they are the best of the best and looking at the numbers sold, they must be giving the local economy (and waistlines) a mighty boost.
I’ll continue to stick to the strawberry jam though – surely it must count as one of your 5 a day?
Now over to Bonnie, the very Cornish cockapoo, for her latest take on things…
‘Hiya folks,
Now getting over the spaying op, and back leaping from sofa to sofa.
All those tasty cooked chicken and liver post op treats have given the old appetite a boost too.
Yeah – the grogginess from the anaesthetic seems a long way off now and everything is tickety-boo.
So, it’s been back to the business of retrieving slimy seaweed off the beach.
I see it as doing my doggy bit to tidy up while having some fun at the same time.
Win/win eh?
Oh – and it gives me my daily dose of iodine which costs good money in those health food shops.
Yes those smelly seaweed strips are giving this gal a great shiny coat, so I don’t get why the rents won’t let me keep a stash at home.
I’ll need to get my thinking cap on to find a place to hid it at my pad – all suggestions welcome of course.
Woof and out….’
by Maggie Fogarty | Apr 14, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Having lived and worked in big cities for most of my life, adapting to life in west Cornwall has meant a few ups and downs – and I don’t just mean the hills!
We relocated to Cornwall after spending a year on the lovely island of Bermuda, where my husband was working as a digital forensic expert. It was a fantastic time and I wrote my debut novel ‘My Bermuda Namesakes’ while we were there.
So the move to Cornwall was ‘cushioned’ to some extent by experiencing life on a small island. Still, any major relocation is a huge step and we made sure we were prepared by renting in Truro before deciding where to buy our house.
Marazion wasn’t even on our radar to start with. We happened to follow the Olympic torch team as they headed into the town and we liked the look of the place. Then the house found us and nearly two years down the line, here we are. Settled, happy and still getting to know the area.
So in the next few blogs I’ll be listing the pros and cons of Poldark country versus city living.
Starting with ‘A’ for…..
Aspiration – No doubt about it. Most of our major cities have got it and Birmingham – where I was born and have spent most of my life so far – certainly has huge doses of this ‘A’ word.
If I do miss anything, it’s the sheer energy and buzz of large cities, the ‘can do’ metropolitan outward looking vibe and the choice of theatres, cinemas and food from all around the world.
But let’s face it, moving to west Cornwall was all about a change in pace, finding a better work/life balance and being close to some incredible beaches.
Besides, it’s only a few hours on the road for a fix of the city and I certainly don’t miss those dreary commutes to work.
Altruism – For examples of unselfishness and care for others, Cornwall wins hands down.
Perhaps it is because the communities are smaller and everything feels so much more personal, but life in this part of Cornwall does seem kinder with a more noticeable ‘community spirit’.
While some people crave the anonymity that city life can offer, the friendliness and willingness to help others that we’ve witnessed while living here, really does take some beating.
Somehow I can’t imagine the thousands of people who attended a memorial walk for a much loved and respected community police officer, (as recently seen on the streets of Falmouth), happening in our major cities.
More thoughts on these differences in my next blog but now over to Bonnie the very Cornish cockapoo for her latest take on life….
‘Hiya folks,
Enjoying the new shorter hairstyle – especially in this hot weather we’ve been having.
My favourite place to catch the rays is on the balcony – I can chillax while keeping an eye on the two and four legged dudes passing by.
Think the hair is getting lighter in the sun, don’t you think?
I’ve finally decided that I’m a strawberry blonde with just a hint of apricot here and there.
Me a vain mutt? Hey surely not.
Now what’s the best angle for my photo?
Anyway back to what Bonnie does best.
Chilling while guarding those rents of mine…Woof and out. ‘
