Jim Clarken reflects on Nom De Plumes and how so many of them are forced on the writer. To have or not to have one, that is the question bothering him in this reading from his blog, as he faces into the publication of his first crime novel. Satisfied with his surname, he wonders which of his middle names would have the most shelf appeal for fans of crime fiction.

 When my mother said jump, I should have been more careful about answering. As it was, I said yes without thinking, and soon found a parachute tied to my back.

I got through Covid without incident. It was well after my first booster shot before the dreaded illness struck. It could have chosen a better time to strike, a day when my mother did not need to be taxied to A&E. You can read this and other blogs on www.jimclarken.ie

When I heard the colour name ‘Spanked Bottom,’ I felt that the days of subtext were well and truly over in the world of marketing. But mostly I was saddened that any colour could be so muddied by such a name. Rosy cheeks would be an equally valid, without even a whiff of brimstone attached to it. Read this and other blogs on www.jimclarken.ie

The humble potato has often elevated to a highest tables in the land by addition of exotic ingredients. But to remove it from the vegetable platter and hide it among the desserts, might be pushing the taste buts beyond the point of madness.

I grew with one hand, at a time when everybody felt they had a right to bring this to your attention; every time they met you. But there was an even bigger challenge, I was left-handed in a right-handed world. This made me truly sinister. Read this blog and others on www.jimclarken.ie 

When Jim Clarken heard that the Passport office was overwhelmed and there were huge delays is getting new passports, he checked his own, only to discover that in was out of date. 

Jim Clarken sings the praises of the coffee bean. He is so enamoured of it that he wrote a blog about his coffee adventures and even felt strongly enough to enter the kitchen and share a coffee moment with you on YouTube. 

Jim Clarken reflectes on inspiration in this blog. He concludes that, just as soldiers must keep their powder dry, it pays a writer to keep his inspiration close. It does not get any closer than your own home.

Jim Clarken found it difficult to adjust to living with an old cooker when forced to lock-down in his old family home. This are his thoughts and this is his blog.