Author Archives: Steve

Another rainy day, another epic battle. I was still at Primary School and visiting my Mum’s house for the weekend. None of my friends were playing out so I’d turned my bed into a scene from World War Two, and was well into the desperate defence of a beach somewhere, when my Mum came in.Continue reading “The Choice”

In the old, old stories the protagonist often embarked on a long, long journey; a quest for meaning, for answers, for a sense of purpose. A few years ago I had my odyssey. Up until the age of 11 I lived with my gran and grandad. My gran was very protective. She’d lost her ownContinue reading “Odyssey”

Everyone has their stories. A Cow Named Steve is a collection of mine. This is the first. Grandad My Grandad rarely spoke to me. He wasn’t unfriendly he just never seemed to see me. My memories of him come in polaroid images, set pieces, tableaus. They are vivid, almost real. They look like this. HeContinue reading “A Cow Named Steve”

Yes, I’m sorry, it’s one of those posts but I’ve had a creative dry spell for five months and I think that’s long enough. So, while I’m making all sorts of unrealistic resolutions for this new year (which I’ll give up by the time you read this), I’m going to get back into all thingsContinue reading “Resolution Revolution”

So, this weekend marks our 29th Wedding Anniversary, which means I’ve been with Karen longer than I haven’t been with Karen. I was 28 on that fateful day when the Outlaws caught me, close to the Rochdale border, and I first learned the meaning of the term hog-tied. Best day of my life. So, IContinue reading “29 Years”

So, I’m stuck right now. Every time I sit down to do something creative I either mess it up or lose the will. It’s like I’ve lost the ability to draw, even things that I’ve been drawing for years, even the simplest doodle. If I try to paint, it’s forced. If I try to write,Continue reading “Stuck”

There are over 5000 species of dragonfly, that we know of, and they’re believed to be amongst the first winged insects to have evolved around 300 million years ago. They belong to the order Odonata which, in Greek, means Toothed One. Some live for a few weeks and others can live up to a year.Continue reading “Dragonflies”

I’ve always wanted a tattoo. When I was young and part of the Spread Eagle Motorcycle Club (now a furniture superstore) four of us had a ride out to Blackpool with the intention of getting a tattoo. Nick went in first and when he emerged sometime later, tears were rolling down his face. The restContinue reading “Totem”

Very few people have seen the peak of Spindle Mountain. It climbs so high that it pokes its head through the ever-present clouds that continually rain into the Huckaboo Lakes. The creatures who live on the lakes dress in large cones to keep dry and float on the giant leaves of the kidoo tree. TheyContinue reading “The Waloo (a story)”

Generally, numbers mean very little to me. I have never been good at Maths, I didn’t get my GCSE until I was in my 40s, and I don’t seem to be able to remember numbers. I’ve had the same phone number for, at least, 15 years and I still don’t know what it is –Continue reading “54”