Writer, Filmmaker, Mother, Grandmother
All through life, I seek, and find, inspiration. This involves anything from looking out of the window, to reading a book, to listening to someone speak with passion and determination. This last week or so though my inspiration has come from a fabulous song written by singer / songwriter Sharon Martin. "GIRL" is beautiful, and the… Continue reading Inspiring women. The making of “GIRL”.. #GOGIRL
If you have stopped by this wee site recently then you'll be aware that a film I wrote, produced and directed was nominated in the best sport programme category for a Royal Television Society award. You'll also know that the ceremony was being held in Glasgow on the 20th of May. What happened you ask? Well, Jock… Continue reading The Royal Television Society awards, #JockStein and woo hoo!
As well as novel writing, I'm managing director of mneTV and a director of purpleTV. At purple we produce high end documentaries, focusing on great storytelling, and we also produce mobile apps, again focusing on the narrative in visual formats, telling stories of social and cultural significance to worldwide audiences who otherwise may not have… Continue reading The making of Jim Baxter & the Royal Television Society
Thursday was a massive day. The second edition of my novel, The Birds That Never Flew, was launched at Waterstones in Glasgow and the event was quite beautiful. Despite my apprehension that no-one would turn up (fanny!) the venue was bustling with people; family, friends, fellow writers and Thunderpoint novelists and even a few folk just interested to… Continue reading As my wee birds fly the Scottish nation nests in yellow…
I haven't as yet read A Decent Ride, Irvine Welsh's new novel, but it was more than decent listening to him read, or more appropriately perform, several scenes at the Aye Write festival on Friday night. We all know Irvine Welsh is a phenomenal talent. And not just as a writer. During the referendum he regularly appeared on… Continue reading Aye Write; the Scottishness of Welsh, Dolan & Cleeves
Recently I received a tweet from Rebecca Monks who writes for The List Magazine, asking me if I could tell her my favourite book, and why, for an article she was compiling for The List in advance of World Book Night. I was able to respond immediately because I am very firm in my thinking. My… Continue reading favourite reads, favourite writers
I'm really excited to announce that a second edition of The Birds That Never Flew will be published by Thunderpoint at the end of April. You can pre-order a copy, with it's lovely new spring jacket and mention of the Polari First Book longlist, here. I'll be reading from the novel at Waterstones in Argyle Street… Continue reading The Birds That Never Flew, 2nd edition
Laura Montgomery and Carol Anne Stewart are the founders of Glasgow City FC, the most dominant force in Scottish women's football. In 1998, fed up with the lack of facilities, faith and foundation on which women's football was floundering they decided to create their own club. (The environment was sexist, discriminatory and for the most… Continue reading There’s no “you cannae do that” here..
It was my birthday yesterday. A time, I suppose, for reflection, but given I do plenty of thinking most days it's not really a day for revelation. The days of the past are with me all the time, in colours, hanging around my shoulders like a gregarious puff of smoke. Some bright, some dark and… Continue reading What do you see in the sea? Birthdays and babies…
I cried this morning when I read Eva Wiseman's "Up Front" editorial. Last year in the UK more than 1.4 million domestic violence assaults against women were recorded. Add to this the 126 women killed by men in 2012, the 143 in 2013 and the 150 in 2014 and the facts are utterly shocking. The… Continue reading The Femicide Census & @10womeneveryweek, statistics that need to end.
Margot McCuaig 