Turning the Page

When setting up my new social media profile, writerjohnrcampbell@powdermillsbnb.co.uk, I was reminded of how transient life is. I scrolled through my Facebook friends page, plucking up the courage to invite followers to like my new persona.  I was shocked at how many friends I’ve lost, like Caryn MacBride, Gavin Chater, Gordon Wilson, George Guy, Adela Entebi, Jenny Hastings, David Bexton, Fred Macleod, Mike Sims, Steven Sims, Charles Ross, Andy Church, and Adrian Sprott.  Their Facebook pages are still active, probably because their relatives want to keep a tangible connection with their loved ones.  That sense of wanting to leave something for your nearest and dearest is understandable.  That’s how I feel, but I want to leave more than a digital heartbeat, and it’s the reason I’m embarking on a new career in the twilight of my life.

            Four years ago, I embarked on a degree in Creative Writing at the University of Highlands and Islands.  Retiring from a hectic business career was necessary for my health, and moving and starting Powdermills Bed & Breakfast was a welcome step in easing my stress levels.  However, I didn’t anticipate that I would miss engaging my intellect daily.  My solution was to return to university and study something completely different. 

            I could have never imagined the extent to which I loved studying again. This time around, I was diligent, not focused on doing the least amount of work for the maximum results.  In addition, I found that I loved writing with a passion, from short stories to flash fiction, to script writing and even poetry.  I read like never before, devouring any book and developing a deep-rooted delight in crime fiction and the ‘Tartan Noir’ genre.  Like all graduates, I’m considering what to do next.

            And that’s why I’m creating a new me.  John R Campbell, the writer, there I said it.  I still feel apprehensive and riddled with doubts, like all authors.  I’ve no idea whether I’m good enough to succeed, but that’s not the point; it’s what I want to do.  The UHI creative writing class of 2025 is self-publishing an anthology of the work we’ve completed.  There are seven of us intrepid writers launching the book at the Nairn Book Festival in September, where we’ll read out some of our work.  The proceeds will be distributed among four charities.  Selecting what to include in my section of the book has proven difficult.  Consequently, I decided to self-publish my own anthology of my work.  I was surprised at the quantity and variety of pieces I’ve completed, over 100,000 words.  I plan to publish this in the autumn under the appropriately titled Breakfast in Argyll.  It consists of blogs. Creative non-fiction, short stories, flash fiction, film and radio scripts, poetry and extracts from two novels I’ve been working on.  I want this to be a testament, a record for my children and grandchildren when I’m long gone, regardless of whether my work is published.  The book will be a physical thing that can be felt, touched, smelled, and read. I don’t want a digital trace of images and comments but a work of creativity.

            I’ve learned that I have a voice when I write.  It’s like an essence that marks you out as unique.  I realised this recently when I was helping to edit a short story written by Valentina Franceschi, a colleague on the course who tragically died of cancer in September of 2024.  The UHI anthology is being dedicated to her.  When I read the piece, I heard her style, humour, and opinions.  It was her voice.

            I am not confident I can be a successful writer, but I know I have a distinct style and voice.  At the end of the summer last year, I was visited by my old drama teacher’s wife, son, and grandson.  I had written a tribute to him when he had died earlier in the year.  They had decided to visit us whilst on a holiday in the West of Scotland to thank me for writing the piece.  I was touched by their kindness and explained that John Rintoul had a profound effect on me at school. 

            I don’t want to give the impression that I don’t care or am not bothered whether I can make it as a writer.  I’m ambitious and intend to work as hard as possible to succeed, but I’m also realistic.  I’ve written one novel, Sarosa and am working on the sequel, Village at War, which should be completed by the end of the year.  The books are in the Tartan Noir genre.  The main character is Detective June Soutar, based in Oban.  I’m calling it ‘Argyll Noir’. I still must get a literary agent and then find a publisher who believes the novels are readable and commercial.

            Nonetheless, I hope it will be more than my family wanting to turn the page.

#creativewriting #uhi #tartannoir #DCIjunesoutar #villageatwar #sarosa