tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post226073856403335355..comments2024-03-26T23:41:10.319+00:00Comments on Authors Electric: Independence and what it means... by Cally PhillipsKatherine Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17196712319655603442noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-76784350404361333472012-07-07T17:01:14.607+01:002012-07-07T17:01:14.607+01:00How can you not love 'To A Mouse'? The ge...How can you not love 'To A Mouse'? The gentle, affectionate, compassionate tone wows me every time. To a Louse on a Lady's Bonnet is wonderful too.<br />Whether Chaucer's ass is kicked or not, I can't really say - but a Scot objecting to him on grounds of cruelty with red hot pokers?!? I was researching some Scots' history not long ago, and was deeply impressed with the non-stop savagery. The medieval English were no slouches at mayhem at murder (not least with redhot pokers and asses) - but the Scots never paused for breath. It wasn't safe to be alive up there.Susan Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738737493756183909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-28077818793359207292012-07-07T14:23:29.666+01:002012-07-07T14:23:29.666+01:00Love your comments on Barbour. I'd also like ...Love your comments on Barbour. I'd also like to add the great works of Robert Henryson:-)Katbalouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03062035307171042500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-18838214243055956472012-07-06T13:17:08.112+01:002012-07-06T13:17:08.112+01:00Cally, I was of course attempting to be humour-ass...Cally, I was of course attempting to be humour-ass ... Although I much prefer the wonderful Geoff to the completely impenetrable Burns - even though he was a dog lover ...<br /><br />And sadly I have to break the news to you that there is indeed a SSPCA. Which is indeed - as the name, Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (including Asses) implies - based in Scotland. :-)madwippitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02595748471651052552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-72921023223259194052012-07-05T21:12:42.506+01:002012-07-05T21:12:42.506+01:00I love Chaucer. I love Pearl and Gawain even more....I love Chaucer. I love Pearl and Gawain even more. Pearl is probably the most magical and extraordinary poem written anywhere, ever, in my opinion. But I also appreciate all these Mediaeval Scots poets. Burns though - unparalleled. I've loved Burns and his poetry since I was in my teens. Just as well, living where we do!Catherine Czerkawskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14554969254207924049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-2288382258722631662012-07-05T20:25:11.697+01:002012-07-05T20:25:11.697+01:00me granpappy was a scot. does that make me a sassa...me granpappy was a scot. does that make me a sassanackered?Jan Needlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823078224282953782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-56258646699475906672012-07-05T17:25:41.650+01:002012-07-05T17:25:41.650+01:00Madwippit. I have to correct you. Both Gawain (ano...Madwippit. I have to correct you. Both Gawain (anon) and The Pearl (possibly written by 'the pearl poet') both kick Chaucer's ass. AND of course Barbour. Read him and then tell me he isn't miles more betterer than Geoff. And the day they have an SSPCA in Scotland I WILL move to Canada - or anywhere! <br /><br />Jan. I'm sure it won't be the first time my effigy has been burned or pins stuck in dolls of me or the like. And probably not the last either! HA. I laugh in the face of a burning fae a sassanach!CallyPhillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15481379296340077102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-49143378659454822392012-07-05T16:13:36.332+01:002012-07-05T16:13:36.332+01:00Ooops That should of course be SSPCA.Ooops That should of course be SSPCA.madwippitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02595748471651052552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-74217722370621695572012-07-05T16:13:06.753+01:002012-07-05T16:13:06.753+01:00No one kicks Chaucer's ass! (I'm sure both...No one kicks Chaucer's ass! (I'm sure both the RSPCA and the SPCA would have something to say about it if you tried anyway. Why is there no WSPCA incidentally?)madwippitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02595748471651052552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-16078185584228943252012-07-05T12:37:00.294+01:002012-07-05T12:37:00.294+01:00my memory's pretty hazy on this one, but i'...my memory's pretty hazy on this one, but i'm sure there's at least one old scottish song or poem or play that involves red hot pokers and fundaments, and rattlin roarin robin himself was hardly a shrinking violet. mark twain said the german sense of humour was no laughing matter, which is baloney plus, and if cally doesn't think chaucer's 'o womb, o belly, o stinking cod' is the jolliest oath in history, i'm going to take that picture of her out from under my pillow and burn it. she has been warned.Jan Needlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823078224282953782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-81055267960811461342012-07-05T11:20:04.384+01:002012-07-05T11:20:04.384+01:00On the Chaucer theme, Julia. The MILLERS TALE. I r...On the Chaucer theme, Julia. The MILLERS TALE. I rest my case. Bawdy or just plain (I can't even think of 50 words for it) Red hot pokers up the arse doth not comedy make, for me at any rate. I am eternally grateful the man died before he was able to complete 4 full stories from each pilgrim. Even though he was responsible for me getting a handsome pay rise back in the early 90's so I guess I owe him something. (probably a royalty or percentage...)CallyPhillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15481379296340077102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-63445507347303854992012-07-05T11:16:38.564+01:002012-07-05T11:16:38.564+01:00Thanks Lee and Julia. Perhaps its down to the fact...Thanks Lee and Julia. Perhaps its down to the fact I don't have confidence in my sense of 'humour'. Maybe No Labels is a comic novel? Well, when I get Saturday and Sunday added and put the omnibus out SOON... it will be. I hope. And the follow up to Voices may be comic in Scots (It Wisnae me) due out August too. BUT the problem is what people think is funny I tend to see as sad. Which always makes me feel people might be laughing at rather than laughing with. But I suspect the over analysing gene has something to do with it and I just need to WRITE the stuff and let you (or you'se) decide. Because I must confess the comedy is easier to write than the heavy social narrative I favour!CallyPhillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15481379296340077102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-90727730149754182362012-07-04T21:11:06.290+01:002012-07-04T21:11:06.290+01:00I agree with Lee - not necessarily about the novel...I agree with Lee - not necessarily about the novel about about your gift for humour. And the number of times I've seen you claim not to have one ... huh.<br />Mind you this was going to be my big unanswerable why Chaucer is the greatest. Show me any of those miserable mediaeval Scots who have a single spark of his humour - and I'll set the Wife of Bath onto themjulia joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09773900100240758504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-41880402179304862632012-07-04T20:52:28.171+01:002012-07-04T20:52:28.171+01:00Cally, WHY haven't you considered writing a co...Cally, WHY haven't you considered writing a comic novel? You have a real flair for humour - and it's a lot harder to write decent comedy than most people realise.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13770069472552779217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-44722206151247349512012-07-04T19:09:27.596+01:002012-07-04T19:09:27.596+01:00Ah... I have got to the bottom of the missing dogs...Ah... I have got to the bottom of the missing dogs. PROBABLY. They were hunting Higgs Boson (it's not the first time)and word is that Hector's found it. And swallowed it. So if anyone wants to know where Higgs Boson PROBABLY is they could do me a favour and try and get it out of his gullet!CallyPhillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15481379296340077102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-21764520587456869212012-07-04T17:56:39.572+01:002012-07-04T17:56:39.572+01:00Glad to see I sparked off interest with this post....Glad to see I sparked off interest with this post. Thanks for the comments all - I haven't been able to respond as we had our own little independence issues here today. The dogs decided to make a break for independence at 7am. Dude (who usually runs away) came back but Hector (who usually comes back) finally showed at 9.30am in a sorry state and has spent the day incarcerated at the vets for his punishment. My wallet is now considerably lighter. Hector - he's still making odd noises - I think it's possible he did Violet Elizabeth and cried and cried till he made himself sick! And then, to add insult to injury, for some reason Google blocked me from this site by suggesting I wasn't over 18! I mean, I don't mind having to prove I'm not a robot, but I'm pushing 50.. how can I possibly not look 18 in cyberspace! That's enough random independent behaviour for one day!CallyPhillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15481379296340077102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-56993236095044342092012-07-04T14:58:17.722+01:002012-07-04T14:58:17.722+01:00Oh com'on all you lot - Chaucer ROCKS!Oh com'on all you lot - Chaucer ROCKS!julia joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09773900100240758504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-51445524378902581782012-07-04T13:58:47.367+01:002012-07-04T13:58:47.367+01:00As a Gaelic speaking American wage slave with Iris...As a Gaelic speaking American wage slave with Irish and Scots blood on both sides, I can speak with some authority on the subject of American "Independence." First, it was the disaffected Irish and Scots, exiled from England and unable to toss them out of their countries, who succeeded in winning the War of 1776. Second, we (the disaffected Irish and Scots) only succeeded in trading British monarchy masters for Scottish (Carnegie) and Irish (Mellon) corporate masters. Third, when I think of freedom (not the same thing as Independence) I always think of (gulp) English Richard Lovelace "Stone walls do not a prison make,<br />Nor iron bars a cage;<br />Minds innocent and quiet take<br />That for a hermitage.<br />If I have freedom in my love,<br />And in my soul am free,<br />Angels alone, that soar above,<br />Enjoy such liberty." I feel a bit conspiratorial enjoying all of your independent publications. Thank you for them. And I love the Scottish and Irish pipes.Ainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-45887844260303979702012-07-04T13:00:31.617+01:002012-07-04T13:00:31.617+01:00Hi Simon, well the IRS - or somebody in Washington...Hi Simon, well the IRS - or somebody in Washington - seems to have decided that an indie writer like me needs a wee dram of help, so I refuse to complain ... ;-)<br /><br />Hi John, That's a very impressive story about Warner. So a fine man as well as a fine writer. (I'm happy enough to take the latter, but it's nice to know that both can come together in one person.)Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13770069472552779217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-76161672526269732962012-07-04T12:15:04.208+01:002012-07-04T12:15:04.208+01:00Great post, Cally. I have not a drop of Scottish b...Great post, Cally. I have not a drop of Scottish blood (English, Irish, Polish) but have lived here on and off since I was twelve and am happy to be called a Scottish writer since so much of my writing has a Scottish accent! I favoured Henryson (who always seemed to go with Dunbar, like a horse and carriage) way back when I was studying such things. And David Lyndsay. But perhaps best not to get started on Scottish writers here - too many to name and so many of them excellent but fiercely, even ferociously, independent. A Very Good Thing in my opinion.Catherine Czerkawskahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14554969254207924049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-74023512583042726712012-07-04T12:14:20.530+01:002012-07-04T12:14:20.530+01:00wonderful poem, john, thanks indeed. just don'...wonderful poem, john, thanks indeed. just don't set it to the scots pipes!Jan Needlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15823078224282953782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-51666653237003087312012-07-04T11:47:34.865+01:002012-07-04T11:47:34.865+01:00I think the IRS is deliberately strange and unhelp...I think the IRS is deliberately strange and unhelpful, in order to put people like us off having our nerves and patience shredded in their system, and thus increase their revenue by default.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-77572525138593795302012-07-04T11:35:46.973+01:002012-07-04T11:35:46.973+01:00I was born in England but I've become an osmot...I was born in England but I've become an osmotic Scot. By that I mean that, while I don't have the heather, the highlands or any of the other Scottish markers in my blood (although a great-gran was from Edinburgh), I've lived here most of my life and feel comfortable with and proud of the egalitarianism of the place, the sense of community, the resistance to being deferential, the humour, the forgiveness and sheer humanity of its ways and people.<br /><br />But I want that egalitarianism to extend to everyone. I want the Scots example to show others that 'a man's a man for a' that'. And if we vote for independence, we condemn the English to permanent Tory rule (and surely that's too cruel a fate, even for the English).<br /><br />I suppose my feeling and need for independence includes a recognition that I mustn't seek or enjoy it at the expense of others - we all have a right to those freedoms. I'm grateful that my osmotic Scottishness lets me live in a place which values each individual. I'd be sorry if the politics of independence started replacing them with clones.<br /><br />As to your main point - I couldn't agree more. We are what we do and writing is doing.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16345949773423764808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-60939870014991515212012-07-04T11:30:40.969+01:002012-07-04T11:30:40.969+01:00Aaargh! Lord save us from the Guerilla Midgie! As...Aaargh! Lord save us from the Guerilla Midgie! As if the civilian kind wasn't bad enough.<br />John - thanks for the poem. I've been trying to find it, but was confusing it with Tichbourne's Elegy, and so not finding it.Susan Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738737493756183909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-39240836611705950872012-07-04T10:30:28.590+01:002012-07-04T10:30:28.590+01:00"For me the simple thing is: if you publish w..."For me the simple thing is: if you publish work and you are independent of any other commercial entity in the creation and publication of this work, you are independent. If you can choose your content, your price, your distribution platform and the like you are an independent publisher. I think that independence is very important to writers as well. For a much lengthier diatribe on this issue click HERE."<br /><br />And, for those who click HERE, that is a fully and brilliantly argued piece by Cally on both the strengths and dangers of independence. <br />Around the end of last year, I started reading Dean Wesley Smith's THINK LIKE A PUBLISHER articles on his website, and I can see the seeds of that same truly independent thinking germinating here...<br />A lot of this is "about language" (funnily enough!)John A. A. Loganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03613779477853664598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2429560125838989988.post-50293330586738669722012-07-04T10:04:12.520+01:002012-07-04T10:04:12.520+01:00And your John Barbour, Cally, is on the list of th...And your John Barbour, Cally, is on the list of those departed and lamented (sans bagpipes!) by the Maker Dunbar, 500 years ago, making the ultimate and terrifying point about true independence decades before Shakespeare's Hamlet did<br />:"Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favor she must come. So must we all!"<br /><br /><br />Lament for the Makers <br /><br />I THAT in heill was and gladness<br />Am trublit now with great sickness<br />And feblit with infirmitie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />Our plesance here is all vain glory,<br />This fals world is but transitory,<br />The flesh is bruckle, the Feynd is slee: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />The state of man does change and vary,<br />Now sound. now sick, now blyth, now sary,<br />Now dansand mirry, now like to die: <br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />No state in Erd here standis sicker;<br />As with the wynd wavis the wicker<br />So wannis this world's vanitie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />Unto the Death gods all Estatis,<br />Princis, Prelattis, and Potestatis,<br />Baith rich and poor of all degree: <br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />He takis the knichtis in to the field<br />Enarmit under helm and scheild;<br />Victor he is at all mellie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />That strong unmerciful tyrand<br />Takis, on the motheris breast sowkand,<br />The babe full of benignitie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />He takis the campion in the stour,<br />The captain closit in the tour,<br />The lady in bour full of bewtie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />He spairis no lord for his piscence<br />Na clerk for his intelligence;<br />His awful straik may no man flee. -<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />Art-magicianis and astrologic,<br />Rethoris, logicianis, and theologis,<br />Them helpis no conclusionis slee: -<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />In medecine the most practicianis,<br />Leechis, surrigianis and physicianis,<br />Themself from Death may nocht supplee: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />I see that makaris amang the lave<br />Playis is here their padyanis, syne gods to grave;<br />Sparit is nocht their facultie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />He has done petuously devour<br />The noble Chaucer, of makaris flour,<br />The Monk of Bury, and Gower, all three: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />The good Sir Hew of Eglintoun,<br />Ettrick, Heriot, and Wintoun,<br />He has tane out of this cuntrie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />That scorpion fell has done infeck<br />Maister John Clerk, and James Afflek,<br />Fra ballat-making and tragedie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />Holland and Barbour he has berevit <br />Alas! that he not with us levit<br />Sir Mungo Lockart of the Lee: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />Clerk of Tranent eke he has tane,<br />That made the aventeris of Gawaine;<br />Sir Gilbert Hay endit has he: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />He has Blind Harry and Sandy Traill<br />Slain with his schour of mortal hail,<br />Quhilk Patrick Johnstoun might nocht flee: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />He has reft Mersar his endite<br />That did in luve so lively write,<br />So short, so quick, of sentence hie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />He has tane Rowll of Aberdene,<br />And gentill Rowll of Cortorphine;<br />Two better fallowis did no man see: <br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />In Dunfermline he has tane Broun<br />With Maister Robert Henrysoun;<br />Sir John the Ross enbrasit has he: <br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />And he has now sane, last of a,<br />Good gentil Stobo and Quintin Shaw.<br />Of quhom all wichtis hes pitie: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />Good Maister Walter Kennedy<br />In point of Dedth lies verily;<br />Great ruth it were that so suld be: <br />Timor Mortis conturbat me <br /><br />Sen he has all my brothers sane,<br />He will nocht let me live alane;<br />Of force I mon his next prey be: --<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /><br />Since for the Death remeid is none,<br />Best is that we for Death dispone<br />After our death that live may we: -<br />Timor Mortis conturbat me. <br /> <br />William Dunbar (1460?-1520?)John A. A. Loganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03613779477853664598noreply@blogger.com