by beatriceotto | Apr 11, 2017 | put in a good word
Seems to be a type of wind, quite distinct from the more common term of ‘cat’s paw’ which refers to someone used to do someone else’s dirty work. In Arthur Ransome, however, I found: ‘There was very little wind, though now and again a catspaw hurrying from the south...
by beatriceotto | Jan 11, 2017 | put in a good word
‘A Roger is the Norfolk name for a sudden squall which makes a loud hissing noise as it comes sweeping over the reeds.’ Source: Arthur Ransome, Coot Club (London: Jonathan Cape, 2009 (1934)), p....
by beatriceotto | Sep 10, 2016 | a quote to note
‘You’ll start with a blank map, that doesn’t do more than show roughly what’s water and what isn’t.’ What a metaphor! Doesn’t that describe so many of the journeys we begin? The book even includes a black ink sketched version of this rudimentary map, allowing...
by beatriceotto | Aug 11, 2016 | print & publish
I love the way Captain Flint sees his mission to find a monkey for the children as a refreshing change from tramping around London looking for a publisher for his book. That line: ‘I’ll go and look at monkeys by way of a change from...
by beatriceotto | Aug 11, 2016 | judging by the cover, print & publish
If you’ve been following WritingRedux, you may have noticed a number of pawky playful gems from Arthur Ransome’s children’s books. While I have (so far) only read three of the many he wrote, this has given me enough to write a review, and to...
by beatriceotto | Jun 26, 2016 | metaphors
Winter sea hoarseness and tight-swallowing soreness. ‘My throat’s as rough as the inside of a sea-boot.’ Source: Arthur Ransome, Secret Water (London: Vintage, 2014 (1939)), p....
by beatriceotto | Jun 26, 2016 | metaphors
Nancy is a character with battering-ram energy in all she does, exuberantly seeking opportunities to go to ‘war’ with her friends and family. A warm-hearted warrior tomboy. ‘Nancy … gave Susan a look as powerful as a battering ram.’ Source: Arthur Ransome,...
by beatriceotto | Jun 26, 2016 | metaphors
That awful dawning when you emerge from innocent sleep and remember something you didn’t do right, and dismay fills the pit of your belly like a cloud billowing in a balloon. ‘There was sunlight outside. Yet he woke with a queer feeling of gloom. It was like waking on...
by beatriceotto | Jun 19, 2016 | metaphors
Living pancakes, flapping not floundering. ‘He emptied the bucket into the creek, and the two little flounders flapped away, like pancakes come to life.’ Source: Arthur Ransome, Secret Water (London: Vintage, 2014 (1939)), p....
