My blogs

About me

Gender	Male
Industry	Arts
Occupation	Creative
Location	Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Links	Audio Clip
Introduction	Good morrow fair friends! Don't be too fooled by my Celtic moniker, although I am imbued with emerald blood of the O'Brien hue and some hefty tinges too from the distaff side, I am in fact from the rolling hills and leafy lanes of Staffordshire, England and my real name is James Alexander Crown. I absolutely love writing poems and the odd story when I can and should maybe summon up the courage to have a proper crack at a novel too. Why not eh? The only thing you have to lose with this kind of gubbins is a little of your time. Many of the poems refer to my experiences with bipolar disorder. My general theme for mania is 'white fire' and demonic imagery. The references to depression are more generally accessible I think.
Interests	Music, literature, films, food, cardigans, birdies, wellbeing, Nature.
Favorite movies	My all time favourite film of all time is... Fearless (Director's Cut Extended Edition) starring the remarkable Jet Li. You don't need to appreciate the mind-blowing martial arts choreography to appreciate that this is a classic redemption tale. You might be surprised. Other great films that come to mind include One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, To Kill a Mockingbird and Eat Drink Man Woman.
Favorite music	All kinds of music as long as it has passion and feeling and something to say. Particular heroes though do include reggae superstar Peter Tosh (a very deep and exceptionally moral man who campaigned ceaselessly for people's rights) whose music and indeed life came to an end when he was shot by a burglar that didn't take anything. Hmm. My overall musical hero is Jimi Hendrix, not only are his songs, lyrics and playing outstanding, he also has the freest expressivity of all for me. Many many others too from Erik Satie to Alustrium.
Favorite books	To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - if my own putative first novel is this good I might just leave it there, outstanding. The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy - A young Russian nobleman comes of age amongst the rich earthy loam of the Caucasus foothills beside the river Terek. Arguably the best short (at least, short for Count Leo!) story I've read. And last but by no means least, the Booker of all Bookers (and it really is that good), Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. Wonderful.