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Living Fast at Ferrari World

3/28/2011

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Last weekend Naomi and I took the kids to Abu Dhabi's latest big attraction: Ferrari World. It's a mix of rides and exhibits about all things Ferrari. I must admit to being sceptical, but I loved it when I got there.
The kids particularly enjoyed the junior driving school, where they learned to drive their own little Ferrari cars, and the mini formula -1 circuit, where they got to race real live micro-racing cars.
The highlight for the adults was the chance to have a go on a Formula - 1 race simulator. It was a blast. Surprisingly, I managed to lead my race most of the way round (Started fourth on the grid), but was pipped in the final five seconds. 
Maybe next time I'll summon up the courage to have a go on the worlds fastest roller coaster.
Get down there if you get the chance. I can highly recommend it.
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Creative Myths

3/27/2011

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A poet on my creative writing course, has asked her fellow students to ask themselves what their ‘creation myth’ is? She quotes Camus to explain: ‘a person’s creative work is nothing but a slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three images in whose presence his or her heart first opened.’
This question got me thinking
I have two vivid memories from early childhood that, I think, helped make my current creative world.
The first involves wearing heavy headphones and performing Laurel and Hardy's The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, actions included, to an extensive family audience. There was much hilarity, but despite this I loved performing the song. Even now I love to sing, but I'm afraid the other Keirs still laugh. But they won't stop me.
The second memory is of sitting on my bed before bedtime with a pile of books and comics spread out around me. My dad is there and we are working through them, savouring every story.
It seems to me that my love of stories sprung to life that evening, and I think, in turn, this led to a desire to make them up.

Does anyone out there have a 'creation myth' they'd like to share? If so, please post.
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Shortlist Out for 2011 Kitab/M Magazine Prize

3/16/2011

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The shortlist is out for the 2011 Kitab/M Magazine prize.

Unfortunately I didn't make it this year, but I would like to congratulate my writer's group buddy Paul A Freeman who has. I wish him all the best when the winner is picked later in the week.

I'm off for a shot of whisky.
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Great Weekend In Dubai

3/15/2011

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My wife and I are still buzzing from a great weekend at the Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature in Dubai.
 here were events for all the family. Naomi enjoyed presentations by Madhur Jaffery, Mark Billingham and Tess Geritson, while the kids were particularly impressed by Anthony Browne (Creator of Willy the chimp) and Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl and Hitch-hikers Guide). Eoin's performance was more stand-up comic than writer and a very funny highlight of the weekend. If ever you get a chance please go and see him.
I took in sessions with Tony Parsons, Lynn Truss and lionel Shriver, but my favourite event was a Masterclass with Mark Billingham. I'm not a crime writer, but I am always keen to find out more about the craft, and one could do worse than learn about hooks and plot structure from a novelist of Mark's stature. And he didn't let his audience down. His pragmatism and down to earth approach particularly impressed me.
On Friday evening Naomi and I  headed for the bar and the festival pub quiz. Here the authors were out in force, enjoying the crack and a few jars. Naomi and I finished creditably mid table.
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Dubai Festival of Literature This Weekend

3/8/2011

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Looking forward to the Emirates Festival of Literature in Dubai this weekend. If it's anything like previous years I'm sure it will be a fantastic couple of days. I've bought my tickets for a load of sessions, and I'm particularly looking forward to one with Mark Billingham on writing hooks in popular fiction.
See you there.
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    Andrew J Keir

    Scottish novelist and short story writer based in Abu Dhabi.

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