2 James Postlethwaite:Gentle Warrior for the Good Life 2 3 by Ellen Hall 3 Experience at a large London accounting firm decided him against the rat race. He then turned to working at a variety of addiction clinics, where he experimented with herbal cures. Out of this, came his first book, Healing the Heart of Addiction Another publication “ The Essential Family Herbal Guide” is devoted to plants you can grow at home. Full of useful information illustrated by family anecdotes, the booklet is an entertaining read. ( both available from [Amazon->http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1861631715?ie=UTF8&tag=anglophonedir-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=1861631715]) Like curing addiction, writing has a serious purpose for James: to illuminate personal experience. His current project, “The Ian Hislop Papers”, is a satirical exchange of letters, some political, some “wacko”. In it we can hear an echo of one of James’ favourite authors, Nietsche: “Insanity in individuals is rare – but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.” Writing either outside a cafe or in his office at home, James brings discipline to his work. His desk must be completely clear before he starts to write. Sometimes he lights Tibetan incense “to get a good feeling going”. [(“I would like to hear from published writers who live in the region for subsequent articles in “A writer’s space”. Please contact me at [ellenshall@gmail.com->ellenshall@gmail.com] |