“There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad.”

Salvador Dali

Writing and reading in Suffolk
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Writing and reading in Suffolk

There are few writers whose words move me as much as those of Ronald Blythe. Reading him, strengthens my conviction that I too must write, and stop allowing myself to be distracted.

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Now my latest book really is launched
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Now my latest book really is launched

It was a pleasure to talk about my book to folk in Blaxhall yesterday. The village hall was packed and I sold and signed more than 30 copies of my latest book.

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Book launch
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Book launch

I’ll be popping up all over the place, talking about my latest book which launches on 4th April. Here are details of events that first weekend, 6th & 7th April.

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Finally, it’s happened!
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Finally, it’s happened!

It’s taken more than 50 years, but finally I’ve written, and can hold in my hand, the book I’ve wanted to write since I was a teenager.

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Through the eyes of others
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Through the eyes of others

It’s always good to see things through the eyes of others. It stops me taking for granted, just how lucky I am.

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Bright spark!
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Bright spark!

Our energy bills so far are less than a quarter of what they’d have been if still living in our Norfolk barn. Add the fact that we charge our car at home too, and the energy performance of our new home looks even better

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Time to focus
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Time to focus

I don’t make new year resolutions, but that time has come to focus 100% of my writing, and stap letting others distract me with ‘interesting’ projects. You might call that blinkered; I’ll call it focused!

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Family?
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Family?

I posted this old photo in a Tiptree history Facebook page, and within the hour, was in touch with one of my late mother’s cousins. Seems I come from a larger family than I had always thought!

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I stepped into my book last night
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

I stepped into my book last night

Blaxhall has a rich folk music tradition. Last night we went to the village hall to hear John Spiers and Jackie Oakes perform. I felt that I was really living the book I’ve just written!

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Is Leiston going up market?
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Is Leiston going up market?

I met a young man today who moved to Leiston for all the right reasons. It’s rural, affordable and situated in a stunningly attractive area. Leiston is slowly changing.

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Home alone
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Home alone

Belinda has been at the Forum the past couple of days, leaving me home alone. I’ve not enjoyed the experience.

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The storm before the calm
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

The storm before the calm

The time has come to start the journey that will lead to the publication of my next book Down to Earth.

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Chaffinch
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Chaffinch

I just love reading books by long dead Suffolk writers that have stood the test of time and speak to people today. I can only hope that my books will remain current when I am long gone.

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Changing Times
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

Changing Times

A day spent at an East Suffolk Council event was quite unlike anything I’d attended before. It left me optimistic about the future, and pleased to be living back in Suffolk.

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At last . . . .
Robert Ashton Robert Ashton

At last . . . .

It’s been a long journey, but finally, we are living in the home where we will grow old together.

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“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

George Bernard Shaw