5.0 out of 5 stars
Short stories that track your heart and won't let you go,
17 Jul 2009
Tamera (London, England)
Ballistics: Short stories that track your heart and won't let you go. From a writer taking time to discover his ageing relative; kids with home-made crossbows out to destroy the Dirty Old Man, a barmaid courted with facts for over a decade; a daughter mutilated, a family destroyed, by a fateful set of keys. These stories are a fascinating combo of bold, gut wrenching, funny, and skilful writing. Alex Keegan has won many prizes and this collection shows exactly what makes a winning short story.
If you love short stories then you must read this book. If you love novels then you must read this book: it's just like being immersed in a novel with intricate layers that resonate long after you've put the book down. Buy and savour!
Friday, 24 July 2009
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Ballistics Review by Barry Cooper
I hate Alex Keegan.
He expects you to write every day AND review his books. In spite of all that, I have managed to read Ballistics, in between writing EVERY DAY, rehearsing for a performance thingy and running a writers' group. So here goes.
Reading Alex Keegan's BALLISTICS is quite an experience. His heroes are not the sort you run down the the main street to watch go past, they probably have more affiliation with those that do the running. Little events happen to little people in such a way that you feel the same joy or concern that you would if you were a family member. I offer a quote by le Vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768-1848) "The original writer is not he who refrains from imitating others, but he who can be imitated by none." Alex's stories are Alex's stories.
If there is any downside, it may be that the sentiment of some of the more colloquial pieces may be lost on certain people who have not visited Wales and experienced their fierce pride, especially in the valleys.
He expects you to write every day AND review his books. In spite of all that, I have managed to read Ballistics, in between writing EVERY DAY, rehearsing for a performance thingy and running a writers' group. So here goes.
Reading Alex Keegan's BALLISTICS is quite an experience. His heroes are not the sort you run down the the main street to watch go past, they probably have more affiliation with those that do the running. Little events happen to little people in such a way that you feel the same joy or concern that you would if you were a family member. I offer a quote by le Vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768-1848) "The original writer is not he who refrains from imitating others, but he who can be imitated by none." Alex's stories are Alex's stories.
If there is any downside, it may be that the sentiment of some of the more colloquial pieces may be lost on certain people who have not visited Wales and experienced their fierce pride, especially in the valleys.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Writers Who Run; Runners Who Write
Morning Folks.
I am on Facebook as AlexBootCampKeegan (all one word) and I have just started a group called
Runners Who Write; Writers Who Run
The following is a note I've posted on FaceBook about it. If you write ad run (should be BOTH, that's the point) then why not join me?
I have only run three hours in the last 4-5-6 months but I was a serious veteran club runner AND I WILL BE RUNNING TODAY.
Imagine going on a writers retreat where you ran first thing in the morning and everyone was so ALIVE!
I have just finished a weekend of teaching creative writing in a very intense atmosphere, up around 0600, going to bed around 0100. That intensity was on the back of almost thirty days of non-stop, heavy-duty writing and too many late nights. I went INTO the course dog-tired.
Once upon a time, as an athlete, I would have been overjoyed at the surroundings of the chapel. All those fantastic runs, with great views. This time I went, only just recovered from an injury having done no exercise whatsoever for six weeks and abusing my body with too-long days, too much time at the computer and too much (I drink when I write a lot) wine.
But one of the ladies on the course was out first morning, out there running with the sea air in her face. Day Two I HAD to go out.
I was three stones and more (as much as fifty pounds) over my racing weight, unfit, slightly upset tummy, hungover, mentally running on empty AND WE WALKED-RAN FOR TWO HOURS.
We didn't exactly hammer things. I wouldn't be surprised to discover that our mile-running pace was nearer ten minutes than nine, but we walked up those hills, ran along the cliffs, saw an amazing blue lagoon, came back sweaty (and I was sore) but the day FLEW by and I was twice as good a teacher, full of energy again.
This is what I remember when I was running a lot (up to seventy miles a week at my peak).
The physical, mental, philosophical side-effects of running are fantastic. When I'm fit, especially through running (and carrying a lot less weight) I feel younger, sharper, cleverer and insights come so fast I can't catch them all. I used to say running "empties my head of fat".
So, I want to form a group of people who firstly consider themselves writers (whether professionals or serious non-professionals) people who wake up and 19 days out of 20 are immediately thinking, "When and where today will I get my writing space?"
Ability and publications is NOT the point, desire an seriousness, and how you define yourself is the mark of "writer". I was unpublished when my son Alex was born. On the birth certificate my wife, unprompted, put my profession down as writer. That must mean I was, even if the 350-400 publications I now have hadn't started.
And running?
Well, the definition of writer is above. My definition of runner is similar. Do you get up evry day WANTING to run? Is it your main way of being fit? You may or may not be super-slim or fast, but at some time in your past you ran seriously (say 4-5 or more days a week) and raced a bit (even if you finished way down the field.
You own running shoes, shorts, vests etc and you get somewhere and you want to run, want to run, want to run.
You might be like I am right this minute (but watch this space) grossly overweight and maybe a bit ashamed, with short-term and long-term injuries. Running might now make you breathless. You aren't supple, you may not be quite so young. There's no way you are going to enter the next County Cross-Country, and the idea of The National, try to stop laughing.
BUT, like with me last weekend, someone was going running and you HAD TO try, because that's what you are, even if you're a fat old fat, you define yourself as a runner, you want to be fit again, want to feel that sharpness in body, brain and soul.
You quite like the idea, a year down the line, of a half-marathon where every person in the field is a writer. Wouldn't that be glorious?
JOIN ME!!
PS
If you write and don't run, START.
I am on Facebook as AlexBootCampKeegan (all one word) and I have just started a group called
Runners Who Write; Writers Who Run
The following is a note I've posted on FaceBook about it. If you write ad run (should be BOTH, that's the point) then why not join me?
I have only run three hours in the last 4-5-6 months but I was a serious veteran club runner AND I WILL BE RUNNING TODAY.
Imagine going on a writers retreat where you ran first thing in the morning and everyone was so ALIVE!
I have just finished a weekend of teaching creative writing in a very intense atmosphere, up around 0600, going to bed around 0100. That intensity was on the back of almost thirty days of non-stop, heavy-duty writing and too many late nights. I went INTO the course dog-tired.
Once upon a time, as an athlete, I would have been overjoyed at the surroundings of the chapel. All those fantastic runs, with great views. This time I went, only just recovered from an injury having done no exercise whatsoever for six weeks and abusing my body with too-long days, too much time at the computer and too much (I drink when I write a lot) wine.
But one of the ladies on the course was out first morning, out there running with the sea air in her face. Day Two I HAD to go out.
I was three stones and more (as much as fifty pounds) over my racing weight, unfit, slightly upset tummy, hungover, mentally running on empty AND WE WALKED-RAN FOR TWO HOURS.
We didn't exactly hammer things. I wouldn't be surprised to discover that our mile-running pace was nearer ten minutes than nine, but we walked up those hills, ran along the cliffs, saw an amazing blue lagoon, came back sweaty (and I was sore) but the day FLEW by and I was twice as good a teacher, full of energy again.
This is what I remember when I was running a lot (up to seventy miles a week at my peak).
The physical, mental, philosophical side-effects of running are fantastic. When I'm fit, especially through running (and carrying a lot less weight) I feel younger, sharper, cleverer and insights come so fast I can't catch them all. I used to say running "empties my head of fat".
So, I want to form a group of people who firstly consider themselves writers (whether professionals or serious non-professionals) people who wake up and 19 days out of 20 are immediately thinking, "When and where today will I get my writing space?"
Ability and publications is NOT the point, desire an seriousness, and how you define yourself is the mark of "writer". I was unpublished when my son Alex was born. On the birth certificate my wife, unprompted, put my profession down as writer. That must mean I was, even if the 350-400 publications I now have hadn't started.
And running?
Well, the definition of writer is above. My definition of runner is similar. Do you get up evry day WANTING to run? Is it your main way of being fit? You may or may not be super-slim or fast, but at some time in your past you ran seriously (say 4-5 or more days a week) and raced a bit (even if you finished way down the field.
You own running shoes, shorts, vests etc and you get somewhere and you want to run, want to run, want to run.
You might be like I am right this minute (but watch this space) grossly overweight and maybe a bit ashamed, with short-term and long-term injuries. Running might now make you breathless. You aren't supple, you may not be quite so young. There's no way you are going to enter the next County Cross-Country, and the idea of The National, try to stop laughing.
BUT, like with me last weekend, someone was going running and you HAD TO try, because that's what you are, even if you're a fat old fat, you define yourself as a runner, you want to be fit again, want to feel that sharpness in body, brain and soul.
You quite like the idea, a year down the line, of a half-marathon where every person in the field is a writer. Wouldn't that be glorious?
JOIN ME!!
PS
If you write and don't run, START.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Date Change for Newbury Talk
My SIGNING date at Newbury Borders remains the same (27 June)
but the talk/reading will now take place at 8:30 PM
Wednesday 8th July (one week earlier)
but the talk/reading will now take place at 8:30 PM
Wednesday 8th July (one week earlier)
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Signing in Oxford St, London
I will be signing copies of Ballistics from 12 Noon until 4PM at
BORDERS, Oxford Street, London
Saturday July 18th
Please come along if you are in London that day and say hello.
BORDERS, Oxford Street, London
Saturday July 18th
Please come along if you are in London that day and say hello.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Third Review Amazon UK
5.0 out of 5 stars
A magician with words, 14 Jun 2009
By DJM King "david61751" (Australia)
Alex Keegan writes some of the finest short fiction around and this collection contains some of the best examples of his art.
`Ballistics', a chilling but poignant account of human anger that gives rise to disastrous consequences, was an excellent choice as the title story. Personal favourites are however those written in Keegan's inimitable Welsh voice: 'Meredith Toop Evans and his Butty Ernest Jones'; 'The Last Love Letter of Berwyn Price'; and 'The Bastard William Williams'.
Like the pauses between musical notes, the stories in this book will ring true long after the last sentence has been read. Keegan's magic lies in what is being said without the saying. His stories are never short in the real term.
David and Myra King
A magician with words, 14 Jun 2009
By DJM King "david61751" (Australia)
Alex Keegan writes some of the finest short fiction around and this collection contains some of the best examples of his art.
`Ballistics', a chilling but poignant account of human anger that gives rise to disastrous consequences, was an excellent choice as the title story. Personal favourites are however those written in Keegan's inimitable Welsh voice: 'Meredith Toop Evans and his Butty Ernest Jones'; 'The Last Love Letter of Berwyn Price'; and 'The Bastard William Williams'.
Like the pauses between musical notes, the stories in this book will ring true long after the last sentence has been read. Keegan's magic lies in what is being said without the saying. His stories are never short in the real term.
David and Myra King
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