Tickets for the Edinburgh festival are now on sale!
In his tower on an island in the river, Martuni weaves, masturbates and keeps fit. His only distraction from the monotony – the horny suitors on his dating app: Reaper longs to be a dog at the foot of Martuni’s bed; Page wants to rescue Martuni in a hot air balloon and save him from the war, the drought and environmental collapse; Shepherd invites himself round for sandwiches and trifle. Will Martuni be lured outside? Or will the curse of his social anxiety and narcissism keep him imprisoned forever?
#edfringe
#edfringe2024
#thegentlemanofshalott
@thespaceuk
#tennyson
#theladyofshalott
#queertheatre
#standingovationawards
Today is mostly for writing and lying around. Luckily, I've had some Ritalin so I'm managing to combine the two.
#healthychoices
#novelwriting
#Welshman
#picaresquehero
I'm surprised that it's taken me until now to read any Voltaire. Candide is chaotic and mischievous: a philosophical fairytale that laughs at optimism while quietly insisting that clear thinking, scepticism, and a bit of honest labour matter more than grand theories about how “all is for the best”; ideas propounded by Candide's tutor, Panglos.
I usually have a habit of aligning myself with the most recent thing I have read(!) but on this occasion, I feel more affinity with Panglos- the optimistic philosopher and his protégé, Candide than with Voltaire himself - in that life has bounced me from one adventure to another, but in hindsight these have usually turned out for the best.
#Candide #Voltaire #Enlightenment #ClassicLiterature #PhilosophyInFiction
I've just submitted the first 15,000 words of my novel to the Hilary Mantel Prize for Fiction. Winning it is statistically unlikely but that's really not the point - the discipline of getting ready for entry has been hugely beneficial to me, ie writing a synopsis and polishing the first 8 chapters.
Since I turned 40, I've only wanted to do difficult things - before that, I suspect that I only wanted an easy life. But now I need to be challenged and writing a novel is bloody hard but also enjoyable. Highly recommended and without the stress of doing a phd.
There are a few people who have been helping me along the way. I won't name them here but they know who they are and I'm extremely grateful.
Roll on 2026!
♥️
I'm enjoying this already. I'm only part of the way in, but I really like the style - it's sparse to say the least.
Similar style to Hemingway’s - short, declarative sentences; simple, precise vocabulary; and understated emotion through the “iceberg theory,” where much remains implied beneath. • #FleshBySzalay • #BookerPrize2025 • #FleshBook • #DavidSzalay • #BookerWinner • #ContemporaryFiction • #HungarianBritishLit • #SocialMobility • #ModernMasculinity • #LiteraryFiction • #Bookstagram • #BookReview • #MustRead2025 • #RagsToRiches • #DuaLipaBookClub
Ode to the Arms of a Man
O arms of man, where mortal vigor dwells, Thou noble boughs of strength, by heaven hewn, Each sinew sings beneath the sun and moon, A symphony where primal power swells. From shoulder’s ridge to wrist’s unyielding span, Thy form doth carve a tale of toil and grace, In every line, the heart’s own pulse we trace, A testament to nature’s boundless plan.
Thy biceps rise, like mountains clad in might, Each curve a crest where valor’s fire is born; Thy forearms, corded, weathered, yet unworn, Do wield the axe or cradle soft delight. In battle’s clash or lover’s tender hold, Thy strength is wrought in iron, yet in gold.
O arms, that hoist the burdens of the earth, Or reach to pluck the stars from velvet skies, In thee, the spark of mortal glory lies, A fleeting hymn to life’s eternal worth. Though time may sap the vigor of thy frame, Thy deeds endure, immortal in their flame.
#MensPhysique
#MaleStrength
#FitnessInspiration
#MuscleAesthetic
#PoetryAndPower
#StrengthAndBeauty
#FitMen
#BodySculpting
#PoeticVibes
#MasculineGrace
#FitnessMotivation
#PoetryLovers
#MaleFitness
#ArtOfStrength
#OdeToStrength
#biceps
I'm writing a novel atm. It's proving to be rather difficult, but I only want to do difficult things. I'm not watching any telly and I'm rarely going out. I'm treating it like phd - but I have no deadlines and no supervisor. I have to lie down a lot and think (see pic). I don't have a title yet, but I've written 45,000 words. Most importantly, I'm enjoying it. 📖❤️
• #NovelWriting
• #AmWriting
• #WritingCommunity
• #WritersOfInstagram
• #Bookstagram
• #NaNoWriMo
• #Writer
• #Novelist
• #Authorsofinstagram
• #Novels
• #WritersLife
• #WritingTips
• #WritingInspiration
• #FictionWriting
• #WritersCommunity
• #AuthorLife
• #WritingLife
• #BookWorm
• #IndieAuthor
• #StoryTelling
#Laziocoast
#Lavinio
#italy
#MatthewArnold
#DoverBeach
The sea is calm tonight.
The tide is full, the moon lies fair
Upon the straits; on the French coast the light
Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand,
Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.
Come to the window, sweet is the night-air!
Only, from the long line of spray
Where the sea meets the moon-blanched land,
Listen! you hear the grating roar
Of pebbles which the waves draw back, and fling,
At their return, up the high strand,
Begin, and cease, and then again begin
Just watched Senna. Doc about Ayrton Senna. 🏎️ His passion, grit, and genius. He talks of his ability to focus - almost at the edge of consciousness. And ofc his rivalry with Alain Prost.
#AyrtonSenna #SennaFilm #RacingLegend
#studiocanal
#workingtitlefilms
#baftawinner
#SennaLegacy #AyrtonForever #SennaMovie #Formula1Legend #RacingHero #SennaSpirit #F1Inspiration #SennaPassion #LegendOnTrack #SennaVive
