Saturday 23 May 2015

Darkness & Decadence: A Book & a Friendship



I joined Twitter in July 2012 and shortly after that I met Lynn, or as she is known on Twitter @LynnGerrard The Grumbling Gargoyle. Unbelievably, we didn't hit it off immediately and it took a few months for us to find each others' feet .... and begin falling over them.

Lynn doesn't know I've written this blog, so it could mark the end of a wonderful friendship ...for that is what we have. Over the years, we have become best mates. Firstly on Twitter, where we hold court in our imaginary bath, contesting duck rights and slagging each other off - I'm sure there are people out there who think we really do share a both and duck (BTW - it's MY duck, just to make that absolutely clear).

However, our weird and rather esoteric internet relationship has also spilled out into that strange place called ''the real world''. We email, chat on the phone and when Watford plays any team in Lynn's area, I am dumped on her doorstep demanding food, wine and entertainment.

Lynn has supported me through breast cancer, life traumas and publishing highs and lows. She has shared the joy of my new granddaughter and reads my books, comments on my blogs and promotes my stuff on her Twitter page regularly. She is not one of those fairweather friends who vanishes when the focus is no longer on her. If you are lucky to be counted one of her internet mates, then you are lucky indeed. Loyal, honest and caring, she is someone to be treasured.

Doing Stand Up for Stigma
For those who are unaware, Lynn is married to Michael Lindley @Fruitbatwalton, who designed the book cover of her new anthology of poems (read on..), and they have a Jack Russell terrier called Ralph. Michael promotes bands, does an incredible amount of unpaid work for local mental health charities and is one of the best cooks outside of the profession. He is one of the most witty, gifted and generous people I know.

If you have ever attended one of my two Facebook launches, you'll have experienced Michael and Lynn in action. People still talk about them. I have found myself face down on the desk helpless with laughter at some of the stuff they've posted.

This weekend just gone, Lynn's first book of poetry is launched. Called Darkness & Decadence, it is a collection of some of her amazing longer poems, shorter poems, and micro poems. I cannot say how proud I am of my friend and how chuffed to bits I am that finally someone has realised how fine a poet she is and has offered to publish her. (No, unlike the rest of is, Lynn didn't go to the publisher, they came to her).


Everybody will find a poem in the book that takes their breath away. Lynn is that sort of poet. My favourite is Melancholy Gargoyle. Look out for it .....


Check out Darkness & Decadence and read a sample here                    


21 comments:

  1. Wonderful! We all need a good girl friend and you two seem to fit so very well. I like Lynn too, there's a gentle soul behind the gargoylian grimace, methinks. My kind of gal and a fabulous poet too x

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  2. Hell woman! You've made me cry and this time not because you've hit me with a chair!

    To all those popping in here today, I'd like you to be aware of the unconditional friendship and support my pal Hedges gives me! She does this without judging me and she asks nothing of me, but more than all of this she 'gets' me...few people do, so I am very lucky to have her as my friend.

    She is a most treasured part of my life....and would give anything to help another..........apart from share with them that damn duck!!

    A beautiful post, Wazzock 'o mine, and I thank you...x

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  3. I may do the unexpurgated post later....

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  4. Hi both, I am one of the, no doubt, many bemused twitter friends who have watched this lively and sometimes volatile relationship grow on our timelines. As has already been said, we all need friends like that!

    As for getting a book of poetry accepted for publication, well done Lynn. I know how very hard that it. I have read some of your poetry online and loved it so this book could well be winging its way to me very soon :-)

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    1. Thank you Rosalind....and thank you for the support you've always so generously given...xx

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  5. A lovely dedication, I've shared to Twitter for you.

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  6. What a fabulously supportive post Carol...may we all wish to be as lucky as to find true friendships in our lives like the one you have found together :-)

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  7. Iv'e had the pleasure of both the duck (though Hedges wasn't happy about that!) and the friendship (only virtual to date, but valued all the same) :) x

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    1. You weren't meant to have the duck..and it was not happy about it.

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  8. Lynn is a good writer that is clear. Also encouraging others says a lot about a person who is much more than the sun of her talents. May her books whistle off the shelves.

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  9. We all need friends like that - my love to you both, and best of luck to Lynn for the new book.

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  10. I have had the good fortune to have met both of you, albeit virtually, (and joined in a conversation or two) and feel incredibly blessed to be in the same world...
    True friendships are rare, but you prove they can exist. Bless you both for lightening my day...

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    1. Aww Anita...that's lovely!!..*whispers* You're much kinder than HER...:)

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  11. Love this post, you’re both lucky in your friendship. Long may it continue :) My copy of Lynn’s book arrived this morning (shows how important she is - delivery on a Sunday!) Best of luck with it, Lynn.

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  12. Love you both. My kind of Twitter madness and the book launch was great - am in love with Ralph and Lily has his photo on her wall xxx

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  13. What a gorgeous tribute to friendship, to talent and to selfless joy at a friend's success. No matter if she shoves your ducks out of their row, Lynn is brilliant, I agree. I don't do poetry as a rule, but I love hers...really love it. So glad you two have crossed the internet threshold and are real life buddies too. Hugs to you both. You deserve each other...in the nicest possible way 😉

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