Being Jo Caulfield's anchor woman...

Being Jo Caulfield’s anchor woman…better the devil you know!

Some of you will already know that I run the programme at Bridgwater Arts Centre in Somerset, as a volunteer. A perk of this insanity is that I get to meet lots of artists from musicians to actors to comedians.

Last night, I arrived with family and friends hoping to sit quietly in a corner to enjoy Jo Caulfield’s ‘Better the devil you know’ show. But I was met in reception with, “You’re introducing Jo Caulfield, ok?”

Eek!

You see it’s one thing introducing a band, or gig because you just have to shout out their name in an excited voice and clap a lot. But a comedian? Well, I’ve only ever seen them introduced by other comedians – you know, the warm-up guy, who says something funny.

Problem is: I am the world’s worst teller of jokes. I either remember the story but forget the punchline, or I remember the punchline with no clue as to how to get to it. So, slightly panicked, that is what I said for my intro, adding, “Lucky for you to be in the hands of the sharp-witted, funny Jo Caulfield instead.” Phew.

We had a little chat in the interval as I cheekily pointed out that we were on the same page in the local paper last week, and gave her a copy of my novel. She graciously accepted and got me back by adding, “You’ll introduce the second half?”

“Yes, of course,” I squeaked.

Well I was determined to be funny this time, and I’m planning a pretend joke to poke fun at myself or some such genius. And I got my laugh: after taking the stage, reaching for the mic and promptly dropping it to the floor with a thud! Needless to say, the gifted comedienne and the audience got some mileage out of that. And I’m quite sure Jo felt the title of her tour validated once more.

I hope she likes the book...

…but I love you www.indigodreamsbookshop.com/#/sinead-gillespie/4579694835

50 Shades of Dr Who

50 shades of Dr Who: it’s a timey-wimey thing.

I have decided that writing a book is like folding time. (Yes, I may have spent too much time with the lovely son in the company of select science fiction).

But it’s true. Time is elastic. For example, there’s the big long time when I worry about what to write, how to address the structure, the different voices etc. Then there’s the stretchy procrastinating time filled with a million displacement activities.  Then there’s the manic time in fast-motion as my arm aches trying to keep up with the words that are pouring out onto the page. (Yes, I am a pen and paper girl).

Next is the slower type-it-up stage where time plods as slowly as my rubbish four finger typing.

Eventually, I send the manuscript off and time stops! Well, it must have, because no-one is bombarding me with replies, begging for my wonderful work…

Stopped time has been anything from months to years. This time, it worked. The reply came from the interested publisher. Woohoo! And time became a workload of serious attention as the Editor appeared.

Guess what? Time stopped again. I had to wait for my place on the list…whenever that might be.

And bang. A big bang for me. Launch date is announced and it’s only weeks away. Watch that time fly as press are contacted, posters and cards made, parties planned and strategies considered.

Lovely son tells everyone he meets about my book, describing it as ‘a bit 50 shades’, which he hasn’t read so I’m not sure what his connection is…who cares? At least he’s proud of me.

And we get to now. …but I love you is released this week. You can read about it following this link to my author page www.indigodreamsbookshop.com/#/sinead-gillespie/4579694835

It’s on sale there, and at Waterstone’s and Amazon. 

And I am so happy that my time is full up.