SAVING THE WORLD AND BEING HAPPY INDEX

(contents & inspiration)


(major inspiration!)


(yet more inspiration!)


(& read an extract!)


(for various media)


(this page)


(poetry, essays, short stories, reviews, travelogues)


(The International Hope-ist Movement - a credible strategy for saving the world?)
































Yes, I play
the bongos too!

If you’re interested in traditional music, I suggest you have a look here:

veterinarian, ecologist,
bat scientist, translator

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, I grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Pretoria, South Africa. In 1981, my final year at Lyttelton Manor High School, the head pupils of secondary schools were invited to visit the State President’s residence. I met Damon Galgut, then head prefect of Pretoria Boys High if I remember correctly. I seem to recall he was quite quiet – no doubt preoccupied with his writing even at that time! One of Damon’s recent novels, The Good Doctor, was shortlisted for the Man-Booker Prize. Well done, Damon!

I returned to the UK in 1987 after obtaining my veterinary degree at the University of Pretoria.  Between stints of vetting throughout the UK, I obtained an MSc in Ecology and a PhD studying bats (from the University of Aberdeen). My father, by the way, is a well-known virologist.

While in Aberdeen, I joined the Lemon Tree Writers, then led by Todd McEwen, and was fortunate to meet some very talented people such as Eddie Gibbons, (here and here too!), Leila Aboulela, Siân Preece and Peter Burnett. Not finding science as fulfilling as I had imagined, I headed off to Paris (well, Le Pré St. Gervais and Montreuil) to improve my French and write, a life-long passion of mine.  I also joined a left-wing political party, did some translation for them, and advanced my knowledge of politics. Although I had many short stories and poems published in literary magazines (read some examples here) I didn't earn any money from writing, alas, and continued vetting intermittently.

magazine founder

Still keen to get an income from something more in accord with my interests and outlook on life, I returned to Aberdeen and founded a local music magazine (The Cellar Scene). Although it achieved a certain following it also failed to earn me enough money to live on. I moved to Manchester, England, to work for a year as a vet again.

teacher, writer

I gave up being a vet on 31 December 2002 to attempt (once again, sigh!) to make my living from more creative activities. I obtained a certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages at the Manchester Academy of English, and, believe me, I’ve never worked harder in my life than during that month! I now live in West Didsbury, Manchester, and intermittently teach English, do veterinary locums and attempt to promote Saving the World and Being Happy, which was largely written when I lived in Paris. (Incidentally, I may soon be a medical writer.) While supply teaching I was fortunate to meet brilliant Manchester-based author Qaisra Shahraz. I was recently asked to write for Flux magazine.

Please note that I am very keen to undertake writing and research commissions, give talks and run creative writing workshops, so if you want my services please read further!

music

In case you're wondering about the photo at the top, I took up the fiddle in mid-2001.  I go here every year:

The Adult Feis Rois
in Ullapool, Scotland
(the best weekend of the year!)