In part two of my interview with Eilis Phillips, synaesthete, historian, blogger, musician and author, I asked her to expand on her academic work, her experiences of synaesthesia and how ‘being different’ has affected her world view .

Leslie: Could you give a few details of your studies & teaching, please? You’re a member of Supernatural Cities – what does that involve?

Eilis: I teach undergrad students in historical methods across several different units, and I learn a lot from them. Continue reading EILIS PHILLIPS AND THE JOYS OF SYNAESTHESIA, Part Two →

I talked to Eilis Phillips about her synaesthesia and her multiple creative roles, which include academic historian, musician, blogger and author. Eilis says of her writing: “I’m inspired by all writers of the fantastic, in particular by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges, Peter Beagle, J. R. R. Tolkien, Isaac Asimov, a veritable bevy of nineteenth-century Gothic authors, and the fabulous ghost stories of M.R. James.”

I began by asking Eilis questions about synaesthesia, moving onto her other activities afterwards. Continue reading EILIS PHILLIPS AND THE JOYS OF SYNAESTHESIA, Part One →

This is the final diary entry written by Beth, the protagonist of my novel ‘Violet’. It was influenced by accounts of near-death experiences. Rather than dwelling on the physical trials of dying it focuses on recapitulating life – the marvellous, sad, varied, inspiring social experience. Continue reading VIOLET – LAST ENTRY →

I interviewed international poet Kinga Fabó whose work has been translated into 17 different languages. Kinga has been published in journals such as Modern Poetry in Translation; Numéro Cinq, Ink Sweat & Tears, Deep Water Literary Journal and anthologies like The Significant Anthology, Women in War and World Poetry Yearbook 2015. Her latest book, a bilingual Indonesian-English poetry collection Racun/Poison was published in 2015. She lives in Budapest, Hungary.

I handle strong, unusual themes in a casual, matter-of-fact manner, in an everyday style, simply and detached – Kinga Fabó. Continue reading KINGA FABÓ – SHAPING THE FREE SPIRIT OF POETRY →

This blog tells the story of an award-winning film on tour and the LGBTQ book that inspired it. I originally wrote it for the expressive arts organisation, Lapidus International – Leslie Tate. Continue reading TOURING ‘HEAVEN’S RAGE’ →

I interviewed Nadia Nadif, actor and theatre activist. Appearing with innovative theatre companies in a wide range of roles, Nadia has taken part in family shows (including learning how to stilt walk!), plays about domestic violence, and performed a Sudanese trance dance as part of a production at the Edinburgh Festival. She has also toured the Middle East with a comedy-farce show.

I began by asking Nadia about the pivotal role she played in creating The Scar Test, a challenging exposé of the UK’s inhumane treatment of refugees in detention.

Leslie: You acted in ‘The Scar Test’. Can you explain the title and the content of the play, please? Continue reading NADIA NADIF: ACTING TO LIVE →