Creative Captures

Lynn Chapman Writer

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    • Monday Memories

      Rock ‘n’ Roll Mad – Part Two

      I’ll begin this final part by mentioning the house band. They are five amazing, talented musicians, who bring their own equipment and P.A. for others to use. They back any singers or players if required and never know what song they’ll be playing next. To be able to play ‘on the fly’ you need to be a competent musician, and these guys are amongst the best. The drummer, Jo, is completely blind and is led on-stage to her sparkling blue drum-kit by her dad. She never dropped a beat all afternoon and I have the upmost respect for that lady.

      They play in different bands across Kent but get together once a month to put on this jam for music lovers, dancers, musicians and singers, to attend and perform, or just watch and enjoy the memories that certain songs bring.

      There is a break mid-way through the afternoon for a raffle. There’s also a table sale at the rear of the hall, where you can buy or sell 50s related clothes, records, CDs, memorabilia, hats, bags, jewellery and other retro items. Both of these things help raise money for charity.

      After the resident DJ, Crazy Cat Chris, had played a few tunes, it was back to the singers and jammers. A couple of male vocalists got up to sing more classic rock ‘n’ roll tunes, and I noticed one of my friends had tears in her eyes as she watched a couple on the dance-floor. She explained that watching them reminded her of her youth. She used to go dancing every weekend and this particular couple brought those memories flooding back. They were happy tears. Again, that’s the power of music.

      We were called up to play again. This time we had a different drummer, but it didn’t matter, we all shared the same passion. We played Twisting The Night Away, which had the twisters jumping out of their seats to join us on the dance-floor. They stayed there for the classic Johnny B Goode. For our final song, our singer announced we were going ‘off-piste’ with a 70s number, I Love To Boogie, which I’m relieved to say kept the floor filled.

      The afternoon was over far too soon for everyone involved. We’d had a great time as a band and apart from Jo, we were the only female participants in the jam and I’m so proud of that. A few people came up to us at the end to say how much they enjoyed our two short sets. That meant the world.

      Most of all, I’m grateful that we’ve stumbled upon this little piece of rock ‘n’ roll heaven, tucked away in the back hall of a social club, where every month you can re-live the era and music that you love and grew up in.

      For those of us who weren’t born until the sixties, we get a great sense of what it was like on a weekend in the fifties, in a dance hall when the live bands played. The wonderful atmosphere, everyone carefree, happy and only out to have a great time. Total escapism. That’s the power music has.

    • Notes From The Desk

      Do Your Writing Habits Change During Autumn / Winter?

      Now were closing in on Autumn and Winter, I’d be interested to know if your writing habits change during the colder seasons.

      My favourite season is Autumn, aside from the endless shovelling up of leaves in our garden, because the colours are just so beautiful. But I love waking up on a cold Winter’s morning, snuggling in my dressing gown and settling down to write at my PC, with a warming cuppa, the curtains closed and my desk lamp on. My habits definitely change, as does my writing.

      When I think of Winter, I think murder, mystery and mayhem – is that just me? In the warmer months, I tend to write about holidays, shopping and the like.

      I hadn’t really thought about it in depth before I started writing this piece for the blog, but when I hear the wind howling outside and it’s still dark at 8am, I think who would want to be outside, apart from a person up to no good, a robber, murderer, stalker. So, there’s definitely a pattern to what I tend to write.

      Please share if your writing habits change with the seasons.

    • Photo of the Week

      I hope you’re all having a good week so far. As we’re at the end of September, I thought an Autumnal photo would suffice this week. Another shot taken at Leeds Castle.

    • Monday Memories

      Rock ‘n’ Roll Mad – Part One

      Music has always played a huge part in my life. It’s an addiction, a ‘legal high’ that I never want to come down from.

      I have played bass guitar for many years in different bands, covering all genres of popular music, from wartime sing-a-longs, country, reggae, motown, glam rock, the sixties, rock, blues and my favourite genre, rock ‘n’ roll.

      I have loved every second of it, from my very first gig, on 10 September 1983 at Uckfield Public Hall, the hundreds in between, to the most recent time I stepped onto a stage – 8 September 2024 – at Dartford Social Club, Kent, for their monthly 50’s style rock ‘n’ roll jam.

      I thought I would write about the jam because it occurred to me that it was over 43 years since my very first public performance. Also, what I witnessed in Dartford filled my heart with pride and gratitude that rock ‘n’ roll music was alive and kicking and thriving right in the heart of Kent.

      I went along with some friends and of course my band, a female trio consisting of myself on bass, my partner on guitar and Maggie, our lead vocalist, whose husband came along to play drums for us. We arrived with our instruments just before the ‘house band’ kicked off the afternoon with, to my surprise, Dance The Night Away by The Mavericks! Of course, it was played in true fifties style and soon filled the dance floor. Some ladies wore fifties-style swing dresses, with off the shoulder sleeves and fitted waist. Their partners complimented them with peg trousers and short-sleeved retro shirts. Perfect for jiving!

      Being a writer, I love observing. I was in my element here. The hall was full of people of different ages, all brought together by their love of this genre. Those folk not able to dance clapped and sang along, reminiscing and remembering times past. That’s what music does, it brings people together.

      The first performer was a singer-guitarist, who sang Runaway and Hello Mary Lou; who’s vintage Gretsch guitar was perfect for those tunes.

      The next guy played acoustic guitar and wore a black and white striped top with blue rockabilly jeans turned up at the bottoms. The slicked back hair completed the fifties look. He wowed everyone with his renditions of Shake, Rattle & Roll, Blue Suede Shoes and Jailhouse Rock. Again, the floor was full. I was in awe at the energy of the dancers.

      We were called up next and couldn’t wait to get on-stage and be a part of this whole experience. We were joined by the house band keyboard player and kicked off with a Cliff song, Lucky Lips, followed by Stupid Cupid and The Wanderer. I smiled broadly when the jivers got up! It’s hard to describe the sheer joy I feel when the band are on-stage and you know the audience are appreciative of you and your music. There’s no feeling like it.

      To be continued…

    • Notes From The Desk

      What is your reward for finishing a word count/piece of research?

      We all need a special treat now and again, don’t we? So do you treat yourself when you’ve reached that daily/weekly word-count? Or when you have finally finished researching that topic that has been on the back-burner for ages?

      I think it’s important we reward ourselves when our goals have been achieved. Writing is a lot of blood, sweat and tears and slaving over that script, short story, poem or novel, is hard work and mentally very tiring.

      My treat of choice would be going out for a nice meal, but half the time I’m too tired, so I settle for a nice homemade dinner and a good crime drama on one of the dozens of channels they seem to be on these days. Please share how you reward yourself for reaching your goals.

    • Photo of the Week

      I captured this beautiful sunset right outside my back door!

    • Fiction – a poem

      I’ve put Monday Memories aside this week. Instead, for my 100th post, I’d like to share a poem that I wrote a couple of years ago.

      The Cruel Sea

      The vast blue waters, they take us to places

      adventures beyond our wildest dreams.

      Cruising along, we gasp at the sunrise,

      our perfect holiday, or so it may seem.

      We may be blessed and see pods of whales

      who have come to the surface to play.

      The sea is their home, should we leave them alone?

      How dare we intrude on their day.

      Marine life is contented beneath the waves,

      sharks, dolphins, and much more.

      Sharing their home with submarines and ships

      polluting the water, on their way to war.

      A sense of mystery fills an enquiring mind

      but what could we be looking for?

      The Malaysian flight, or the Flor De La Mar?

      Three million shipwrecks on the ocean floor?

      A most dangerous workplace, the deep blue sea,

      the seafarers – we should honour the brave.

      Two-thousand lives are lost each year

      deep down in a watery grave.

      The cruel sea holds a wealth of secrets

      As we peep from the safety of the shore.

      Most will remain prisoners of the sea

      lost in blackness forever more.

    • Notes From The Desk

      This week’s piece was written by Susan Batten and is titled ‘Superstitions’. Thank you once again to Susan for a great piece.

      By the Pricking of my Thumbs…

      I recently read an article about the way superstitions are often ‘handed down’ in families – and indeed, this is where we probably first hear them or see them in action.

      This led me into a small whirlwind of alarm – you may studiously follow the rules you learnt, but what about all the superstitions you have never heard of?

      Are you happier if you don’t know, for example, that seeing a single magpie will bring you sorrow? But if you see a pair, this will bring you joy?

      In our urban life nowadays, we might not know what a magpie looks like! And where will we find time to count them?

      What do we do when the rules of superstition are diametrically opposed? In Spain, a black cat signals misfortune. In England, meeting a black cat, in most areas, is said to bring good luck.

      Many people fear the number thirteen and won’t start new projects on Friday 13th. In Spain Friday 13th is just one more day – but beware what you do on Tuesday 13th. According to superstition, you shouldn’t set sail, get married or even leave the house on this ill-fated day.

      People working in some professions, such as actors or sailors, are particularly superstitious. Should those of us who never tread the boards wish each other “Break a leg!” for good luck?

      How does all this square with our changing lifestyle and more logical beliefs?

      As a writer, do you embark on a new project on Friday 13th? Do you cross your fingers when you press “send” with your competition entry? Do your characters respect superstitions or disregard them – and what are the consequences?

      I hope you will tell me your views – touch wood!

    • Photo of the Week

      I’m not sure what this is supposed to be, but I couldn’t resist snapping it on a trip to Folkestone Harbour.

    • Happy Monday

      I hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend, and those writers amongst us got plenty of writing and/or research done. We returned from our Norwegian Fjords cruise yesterday and I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has liked/commented on my posts whilst I’ve been away – I really do appreciate your support. I will read and reply to all the comments in the coming days.

      The Norwegian Fjords are just stunning and well worth a visit. I’ll be blogging about our adventures in the coming weeks and sharing lots of photos – I took over 1300 pics! This photo is the sunrise, seen from our balcony at the weekend.

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