The Lamplighter by Bill Kirton
After the War by Brendan Gisby
Two Charcoal Statues by James McPherson
Three wars. Three memories. Three stories.
The Lamplighter by Bill Kirton After the War by Brendan Gisby Two Charcoal Statues by James McPherson
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Our trio of new stories tonight make for grim reading, dealing as they do with murder, abuse and suicide. But all three have also been beautifully written by experts in the art of the short story.
We begin with Still Life, a haunting piece by Perth-born writer Bill Robertson in which a childhood tragedy is revisited. Horrifying childhood memories that won’t be erased are also explored in Sing, a poignant story by Glaswegian writer John McGroarty. Then, with more than a passing nod to the work of Samuel Beckett, Aberdeen-based author and broadcaster Bill Kirton relates Another hole in the beach, the tragicomic tale of a carefully planned exit from this world. Savour the writing, folks! Growing old gracefully. That’s the theme of our two thoughtful stories today.
First up is Maudie, a beautifully drawn portrait of a fading old lady. It comes from the unerring pen of author, broadcaster, blogger, raconteur and Master McStoryteller Bill Kirton. Then there’s a contribution from McStoryteller-in-Residence Brendan Gisby. Called The Legend and featured in Brendan’s wee collection, Ferry Tales, it’s the tale of a real-life, feisty octogenarian. Enjoy. And remember: if it hasn’t already, the Sixth Age will be coming your way! The third in our trilogy of McChristmas treats comes from the unerring pen of Master McStoryteller, Aberdeen-based author Bill Kirton.
It’s a risqué, wee story concerning some weird Scottish science. And it’s not about Christmas at all. That’s why it’s called Not the Snowman. Enjoy – and have a Merry McChristmas! Three wars. Three memories. Three stories.
The Lamplighter by Bill Kirton After the War by Brendan Gisby Two Charcoal Statues by James McPherson Our three new stories today demonstrate that memories come in all shapes and sizes.
In My Family and the Ferry, ex-Ferry man Derek Freeman continues his series of memoirs with an account of family life when he was a boy. Then it’s the turn of McStorytellers newcomer, Airdrie-born Peter Devlin, who leads us down into the bowels of Glasgow city centre as he recalls his apprenticeship behind A Wee Black Door on Hope Street. And memories of an entirely different kind haunt Inside Things, a spooky tale from the pen of the Master McStoryteller himself, Aberdeen-based Bill Kirton. Enjoy! In celebration of National Flash-Fiction Day 2012, here's our pick of the best flashes from our McStorytellers:
The Heidie by Pat Black The Skelf by Andrew McCallum Crawford The Lamplighter by Bill Kirton When the World Changed by Brendan Gisby Two Charcoal Statues by James McPherson No Matter What by Tom Greenwood Enjoy! Yes, author, broadcaster, blogger, raconteur and adopted Scot Bill Kirton returns today with a shocking sequel to his seminal The Lovers of Wensley Dale.
Don’t miss The Continuing Story of the Lovers of Wensley Dale. Read it and weep! On this Remembrance Sunday, three stories describing the impact of war:
The Lamplighter by Bill Kirton After the War by Brendan Gisby Two Charcoal Statues by James McPherson Read and reflect. Old times are recreated in a couple of new stories this Thursday afternoon.
First up, Dalmuir-born exile-in-England Alasdair McPherson tells us about the strangest of wakes in Just Nod If You Agree. Then there’s The Lamplighter, an evocative piece on the impact of war by our favourite adopted Scot, Aberdeen-based Bill Kirton. Enjoy! |
McBlog AuthorBrendan Gisby is McStoryteller-in-Residence. He's the author of four novels, three biographies and several short story collections. The McStorytellers
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