A blogger amongst authors

Thursday, 07 April 2011 15:39

My small contribution to the writing world pales into insignificance when contemplating the number of authors speaking, being interviewed or just being there. Where? Oxford. Why?

I certainly learned some things I did not know on a gorgeous day when Oxford looked at its best.

St Mary's, the University Church

Read on and you might be interested to find out if this 'umble blogger was inspired!

The "why" and "where" was the Oxford Literary Festival hosted by Christ Church. We had bought tickets to hear Colin Dexter (primarily), Mark Billingham and Veronica Stallwood talk about characterisation in crime novels. Of course, we know them better as the creators of Morse, Tom Thorne and Kate Ivory.

Oxford Literary Festival marquee outside Christ Church Meadow Building

Colin Dexter was his usual amusing self - he has aged so much though and was adamant that the plot was more important than the character! Ironic considering Morse and John Thaw will be remembered long after the plots! Mark Billingham says he writes in a "fog" not knowing where his plot or character are going - he even forgets the colour of Tom Thorne's eyes from one book to the next. Veronica Stallwood is more methodical but still does not write to a "plan". Interesting .....

I came away with admiration for the writers skill and dedication and hard graft!

The Medieval Turl Bar, we did not stop!

We left to go and explore a bit more of Oxford. We had a drink in The Mitre, Oxford's Oldest Coaching Inn, then did some shopping, returned to Christ Church for "tea and cake" and a good browse in the book shop at the Festival. John was on camera duty so here are a few of his college views of Oxford.

All Saints - housing Lincoln College Library

Oriel College

Corpus Christi's Pelican Sundial

Merton College

We ended the day with Choral evensong at Christ Church Cathedral - what a beautiful church, what a wonderful service. It is 12th Century and was once the Augustinian Priory Church.

Christ Church Cathedral

The Tom Quad of Christ Church is the largest in Oxford and has a lovely calm atmosphere among all the history.

Tom Quad looking to the west

Mercury with the cathedral and east side of Tom Quad

If walls could talk they would tell us about St Frideswide and her Priory on the same site, Cardinal Wolsey beginning the building of the quad in 1529, King Henry VIII strutting his stuff, the foundation of the cathedral college, visits from various Kings and Queens including Charles I who used Christ Church as his capital. If you want more history click here!

The gate tower or Tom Tower, which houses the bell named the Great Tom, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

To bring us up to date, as all Harry Potter fans will know, the Christ Church Hall was used for "Hogwarts"

Christ Church Hall

We did so much else that this blog could go on and on but I will stop here. Perhaps you will hear about Oxford again. I should think that is a certainty as we will be returning via the River Thames soon!