Publish and be damned (I was)

Today I learnt something new about myself. I am a racist. It came as a big of a shock because I'd no idea.

At least according to someone who posted a comment on the article I wrote for Shadowlocked, 8 British Shows the Americans couldn’t do.

I didn’t make any racist points. All I did was state that for various reasons there are some British shows that American TV couldn’t make as well, mainly because of things like settings and American TV’s perchance for guns.

But, that’s the thing, once your work is out there – especially out there on the world wide web – you have no control over what people say and in this case what they post.

Does it make you angry and get you upset when you read criticism like that? Of course it does, but like a lot of things in life you just have to get used to it. People will always disagree with you and sometimes that will mean they get personal.

Do I think I’m a racist just because someone wrote it? Hey, if someone wrote I was a millionaire would it make it true?

Give Me a British TV Classic Any Day

Could the Americans have done it any better?

In the UK we have a habit of knocking everything. We moan about the weather. Complain that the country’s going downhill. Talk about emigrating to warmer safer climes.

Me, I don’t get it. I love the weather. It’s got character and I hate the heat. Living in Scotland I also think I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

But the one thing we shouldn’t knock is the great British TV show. We have so many stand out shows that are uniquely British.

Sherlock. Doctor Who. The Office. Could the Americans, even with their big budgets do those shows justice? I don't think so.

That’s why I decided to write a piece on 8 classic British shows America couldn't do

for Shadowlocked.com

Why not have a wee read and see if you can you think of any more?  

6 of the Best TV Kill Scenes




One of my all-time favourite characters in any TV show, is Omar Little. Man, was he a fantastic creation. He was on one of the best ever scenes on TV when he and Brother Mouzone went after Stringer Bell and gunned him down.

Omar and Brother Mouzone

I included that scene in a piece for Shadowlocked about the best TV kills - http://www.shadowlocked.com/201104101706/lists/six-of-the-best-tv-kill-scenes.html

What kill have I missed?

If you're not familar with Omar (boy have you missed out big time) then read about him here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/jul/19/television.wire

Who inspires your characters?

When I was writing How Kirsty Got Her Kicks, I wanted my main character to be gutsy; the kind of woman every women wants to be - who doesn't take any nonsense from anyone.

There are women on TV who I looked to for inspiration. Women like Nikita from La Femme Nikita and Sydney Bristow from Alias, and believe it or not, Janice Soprano. Yes right. Who can possibly resist someone whose response from her brutal boyfriend who says 'what ya gonna do now, cry,' is to reach for her gun?

Relive her proudest moment on YouTube

In celebration of this I wrote an piece for Shadowlocked.com on Kick Ass Angels. Who have I missed?