Tag: humour

On Writing

No, this is not a review of Stephen King’s book (though that’s coming, once I’m done reading it). I merely wanted to write something about writing and most post titles on my blog begins with ‘On’. Not much you can do with that. Maybe I should start thinking up more creative post titles…

But what I wanted to say is, writing is hard. I was told when I started out that it took discipline and perseverance, and that I must develop a thick skin to deal with critique, criticism and rejection, and that it’s a lonely road, and that success isn’t guaranteed, but no one actually said it’s hard. Even if you enjoy it, it’s hard.

I finally finished the second chapter of my novel yesterday. In fact, I wrote most of it yesterday. I had started with it in the middle of February. Many days passed when I wrote not a single word; when I did not even open the file on my computer. Continue reading “On Writing” →

On Congratulations

Yesterday evening at 8:30 South African time I became an uncle for the second time. No, please don’t offer any congratulations. That’s the whole point of this post. This morning I made the obligatory calls to my father and stepmother (their first grandchild) and to my step-sister and brother-in-law to offer my congratulations. Then my wife asked a very intriguing question: For what am I congratulating them? What did they achieve? Continue reading “On Congratulations” →

KokkieH Reviews The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

The Hundred Year Old Man - Jonas Jonasson — Cover design by Jonathan Pelham
Publisher: http://www.hesperuspress.com

If you liked Forrest Gump (the movie, not the book), chances are you’ll love The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared (the book – movie’s expected later this year). This book, recommended by someone in my writer’s group, was an unexpected surprise that I can see myself reading several more times before I celebrate my centenary.

The story is simple: Alan Karlsson, on his hundredth birthday, decides he’s fed up with the old age home, climbs through his bedroom window in his slippers and gets on a bus, picking up some luggage along the way. He joins forces with a professional thief and a hot-dog seller/almost vet/almost doctor/almost architect/almost…well, rather you just read the book…and finds himself on the run, wanted by the police for a triple murder. There’s something about an Elephant and a bunch of Bibles in there as well, but let me not give too much away right now. Continue reading “KokkieH Reviews The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson” →

On Resolutions and Intentions (good or otherwise)

Happy New Year. Don’t you think it is very fitting that I write my first post of 2013 on the seventh day of the year? Especially since my one New Year’s resolution was to write every day this year. And sure, I could have written the post and then set it to be published on the first, but honestly, then I’d have had nothing to write about. Now at least I get to write about not writing.

I wonder where this whole thing of New Year’s Resolutions got started. (No, I’m not going to check Wikipedia. That’s a distraction and a writer’s worst enemy.) In any event, I think the term is a misnomer. Continue reading “On Resolutions and Intentions (good or otherwise)” →

The Great River Rescue

As everywhere else on earth, Christmastime had also come to the watering hole, not that any of the animals knew this. However, Elephant always felt as if things were a little different this time of the year. The Prickly Pear Boys were quiet, the Pride hadn’t been seen in days and even Brick and Brack seemed to be getting along. There was a general feeling of good will around the watering hole and even if he didn’t understand what had brought it all about, Elephant was glad for a respite from the usual problem solving.

It was the longest day of the year and it was incredibly hot. The whole croc-squad was passed out on a sand bank, so most of the animals stood in the cool water while drinking. Elephant was playing with Brenda’s kids, spraying the little meerkats with water from his trunk, making them squeal and giggle with delight, while Otto and his boys put on a superb display of synchronised swimming to entertain those who were still conscious.

Perry the field mouse came hopping through the grass. Elephant sighed. Of course peace like this could never last.

Continue reading “The Great River Rescue” →