Well, another festival underway and what a tremendous opening night Alain de Botton; Joanna Trollope; Albie Sachs and William Boyd, all sold-out and all fantastic writers and performers. I introduced William Boyd, who took us through the process of how he writes a novel, from the initial idea, through a meticulously detailed research process, logging and filing, before the final stage which is the final creative drafting. He spoke mainly about his new novel, Ordinary Thunderstorms, nothing ordinary about William! Thought I might be lynched by an adoring audience as I went on to wind up and thank him. Well done to a really engaged and intelligent Glasgow audience who made it such a pleasure for him also.
I felt immensely privileged to have breakfast this morning with Justice Albie Sachs I turned up at his hotel to take him on a quick driving tour of Glasgow before he headed home (sometimes I think I may have the best job in the world, read his story). We went to Kelvingrove, Glasgow School of Art and into Gorbals. He was thrilled to see the regeneration of that part of the City and told the story of an old friend of his, an African, who had trained as a Social Worker and his first placement was with a white family in Gorbals, he had been terrified but found it an incredible experience. Albie was delighted by the story of Nelson Mandela Place, hope we see him in Glasgow again soon.
The Scottish Poetry Slam final was well underway, when I finally headed off last night, it was jumping and sounded great fun, but I have 10 nights of this to go.....
Karen