‘It takes me six months to do a story. I think it out and then write it sentence by sentence—no first draft. I can’t write five words but that I change seven.’
How do you name your characters?
‘The telephone book and from the obituary columns.’
Do you keep a notebook?
‘I tried to keep one, but I never could remember where I put the damn thing. I always say I’m going to keep one tomorrow.’
How do you get the story down on paper?
‘I wrote in longhand at first, but I’ve lost it. I use two fingers on the typewriter. I think it’s unkind of you to ask. I know so little about the typewriter that once I bought a new one because I couldn’t change the ribbon on the one I had.’
How about the novel? Have you ever tried that form?
‘I wish to God I could do one, but I haven’t got the nerve.’
Do you think economic security an advantage to the writer?
‘Yes. Being in a garret doesn’t do you any good unless you’re some sort of a Keats. The people who lived and wrote well in the twenties were comfortable and easy living. They were able to find stories and novels, and good ones, in conflicts that came out of two million dollars a year, not a garret. As for me, I’d like to have money. And I’d like to be a good writer. These two can come together, and I hope they will, but if that’s too adorable, I’d rather have money. I hate almost all rich people, but I think I’d be darling at it.’
Most people reach a stage or point in their lives when circumstances, often beyond their control, necessitate major lifestyle changes.
In my case, it was a recent, unexpected diagnosis of Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease as a result of the Type 2 Diabetes I have lived with for over a decade. Although I have managed it reasonably well, keeping my A1C at 7.0 (3-month blood sugar average) or under, it has taken an unavoidable toll on my kidneys.
During a three-hour consultation at London’s Kidney Care Centre, I was informed that unless I make major changes to my diet, especially curtailing my intake of sodium (salt) and foods high in potassium and phosphorus, and adopting a more rigorous exercise regimen, I will be looking at the prospect of dialysis within two years.
Now, that is a sobering thought!
In addition to diet and exercise changes, they recommended that I avoid any undue stress in my life. Hmm….
Since retiring from my thirty-year high school teaching career in 2008, I have lived my life using the motto: “Retired, not Expired!”
Hence, I have pursued various activities and interests to keep myself active and engaged.
In 2009, a group of my fellow freelance writers and artists launched The Beat Magazine, a monthly independent arts and culture magazine. I assumed the combined roles of Publisher and Managing Editor, while my good friend, Nicole Laidler, became the Editor, responsible for gathering and editing the magazine’s content. Somewhat arrogantly, we called ourselves “London’s premier independent arts print magazine and leading source of informed local arts news.”
Despite bleeding money for most of our existence (publishing a profitable arts magazine in London is no easy task), it was a great ride, and we lasted until 2013 before the money finally ran out. Today, I maintain The Beat Magazine 2009 as a website and Facebook page.
After The Beat folded, I began freelance writing for other local publications, including, at one time or another, Lifestyle, Business London, London Inc., Scene, and the Villager Publications group of community magazines.
I also took on a casual part-time copywriting position at Marketing Strategies & Solutions, an advertising house that specialized in promoting heavy industrial equipment and services. Now, that was a learning curve!
In 2023, at the invitation of my former teaching colleague, Art Fidler, who had just founded Silver Spotlight Theatre, a community theatre group for people 55+, I agreed to put together a profitable performance Program for the group’s first production, Babes In Arms. The role expanded to publicizing the show in the local mainstream media and social media platforms.
I did the program and publicity for Silver Spotlight Theatre’s production of Into The Woods in November 2024.
I also publicized the highly successful variety show, Groovin’ for Good, a fundraiser for the London Food Bank in May 2025.
I had planned on doing the publicity and program for Silver Spotlight Theatre’s next production, Showtune, in December 2025. But the several factors that had caused me undue stress in my SST role, combined with my unexpected CKD diagnosis, prompted me to step away from the role late in July.
However, I’m not throwing in the towel altogether on my love of the local arts and culture scene, especially community theatre.
It’s the main reason I have reactivated The Beat Magazine 2009 website after an eleven-year hiatus!
It will give me the autonomy to do what I want, when I want, and how I want.
Richard's Blog 