Writing Blog

20220531 Looking For Money

May 31, 2022, 9:00am

So, I had an interview yesterday (Monday).

No, not a job interview. Unfortunately. But an interview for a grant. An actual chunk of money being thrown at me to finish my non-fiction book. One of my two never-ending non-fiction books.

This was only an interview, showing how far I've got, what more needs to be done, etc. I have been short-listed, but the money is far from guaranteed, especially considering how one of the interviewers reacted to my creative non-fiction style. "Loose," she called it.

I countered with, "Readable by literally anyone," and one of the others agreed.

So I am not confident.

Now... what's it about? Basically, I have spent the last 2 years going to places I have not visited since before 1996 (sort of) and which I have positive memories of, and seeing how much they've changed. There's a lot of pubs, a sporting arena, suburbs, other buildings, plus a couple of sections about places I'd seen constantly over the years and some that disappeared back when I set the memory-writing. I do cheat a couple of times, but I explain them and justify my cheating. The word goal is 40k; at the moment it sits at 28k, and I've still got three places to visit that I have pre-prepared... and maybe two more that I have not yet managed to get my head around to start.

The book is part autobiography (and that is the smallest part), part potted oral history, and part sociological investigation. All written in the style of an old drunk guy at the pub you can't get away from.

So... fingers crossed!