Opher Goodwin the Writer.

Posted on by Opher

For all the new followers of my blog I thought it might be an idea to give you a brief introduction to myself as a writer.

Back in 1971 I found myself in the heart of the London Underground scene, revelling in the music and culture, surrounded by a mass of friends, immersed in a hundred and one activities and exploring a universe of possibilities. Life seemed to be one discovery after another. I was reading avidly, listening to music, visiting art galleries and theatre, consuming films, hitch-hiking around and travelling the world. One amazing gig seemed to follow hard on the heels of another – Son House, Roy Harper, Jimi Hendrix, Captain Beefheart, Doors, Stones, Muddy Waters…………… the list was endless. On top of that I was in love with a beautiful girl. Everything seemed perfect.

It was a very rich bed of experience.

At the time I was meant to be studying for a degree in Zoology but that was rather overshadowed by the rich texture of possibility.

By 1971 I had a wealth of experience and a head bursting with ideas coupled with a desire for a creative outlet. I set about writing.

My first endeavours were more enthusiasm than skill but I persevered! I never stopped and now have amassed a body of work.

Few genres are immune to my attack. I think I might even have invented a genre or two! I certainly do not restrict myself. If something stirs my interest and creative juices I give full vent (probably my downfall).

As I developed a career in education and brought up a family I still made time for writing.

I’m still doing it!

I suppose that I have two main genres that I work in – Science Fiction and Rock Music.

I mainly write my Science Fiction under the pen name of Ron Forsythe.

You can check out my Sci-Fi output either here:

Home

or here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Ron+Forsythe&i=stripbooks&crid=2B4DSQ77LUZIT&sprefix=ron+forsythe%2Cstripbooks%2C68&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

My main Rock Books are on Roy Harper, Nick Harper, Captain Beefheart plus a memoir entitled ‘In Search of Captain Beefheart’. They can be found here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=opher+goodwin&i=stripbooks&crid=1F6U8GQUTGKI8&sprefix=opher+goodwin%2Cstripbooks%2C192&ref=nb_sb_noss

As you may see – there are a number of other tomes on the environment, antitheism, art, beat poetry, weird novel, collected anecdotes and stories and other weird stuff. So far I’ve enjoyed every minute and I hope there’s a lot more to come!

I’m open to questions or enquiries and really do appreciate a ‘like’ and become ecstatic reading new reviews.

All the best

Opher xx

Writing update – Coming up for air!

Posted on by Opher

I am presently working on two books simultaneously. God’s Bolt and its sequel, which I am renaming Reawakening.  I’m not sure that is a great idea because it means I am having to juggle both books in my head at the same time and that sometimes leads to confusion.

Both the books have been through a number of editing/rewrites. Both are now radically changed from what they started off as.

God’s Bolt was an idea I have had buzzing around my head for some twenty years. As with many musicians I like the idea of limiting myself. I wondered if it was possible to write a novel with just one character. This is that book.

It is a Sci-fi novel set in 2178. My character is a young woman who is on a Space Station as the rest of humanity is wiped out (along with all life on Earth) by an asteroid strike. My story is about her – Helen Southcote.

God’s Bolt does not only feature the one character. I had to fill in the back story and elaborate on the asteroid.

It begins with the destruction of the Earth and goes back and forward from there. What would you do if you were the last living human stuck out on a Space Station in space?

I wrote it in one format and carried out two rewrites when a discussion with my editor friend made me think that the structure of the book was wrong. That prompted a complete restructuring and rewrite which I completed a couple of weeks ago. It was a major exercise. What came out the other end was a great improvement that I was well pleased with.

So God’s Bolt is now back with my editor and another friend and I am awaiting their verdict as to whether it works. I think it does. The proof will be in the reaction.

On the day I had completed the first draft of God’s Bolt I was discussing it with my editor friend who suggested the idea for the sequel. It fired me up and I went straight home and started work on it. The result was Reawakening. 

Reawakening continues the story of Helen Southcote but adds in an alien dimension.

After I had written Reawakening (which came out remarkably quickly). I sent it off for editing. It received very positive responses but there were the same comments about it’s bittiness and that it jumped about too much.

While Reawakening was being read I was busy rewriting and reworking God’s Bolt. It became apparent that I had to carry out the same reorganisation on Reawakening  that I had carried out on God’s Bolt.

In many ways it is harder drastically reorganising a novel than it is starting from scratch. It’s like restructuring a house.

Last night I finally put it all back together and I am delighted with the result. My editor said on first read that it was the best book I’ve written to date. I think it might be.

I’m printing it off today to take round to her to edit and review. I think she’ll be impressed.

So now both projects are complete. Both are, or will shortly be, with editors. I await their responses.

I am hopeful that both books will be available in a month or two. I can’t wait to hold them in my hands. They have taken a great deal of time and sweat.

Now I’ll turn my attention to my Nick and Roy Harper books.