Het Blauwe Schrijverke 12-1-2014 Designed the website for the Dutch Foundation Het Blauwe Schrijverke/Maris Stella from which I am the secretary. This foundation was grounded by the poet and writer ARNOLD SPAUWEN. The aim of the foundation:
Promoting (gay) poetry and (gay) art and all that directly or indirectly is related to or which may be beneficial to it. In the broadest sense of the word.
This objective is achieved by the publication of the collected poems of Arnold Spauwen.
The board is open to further suggestions.
Piramid 26-2-2014
Moon: fragment 23An elevated catwalk with a red carpet led to a huge pyramid that almost reached the roof of the hall.
Return to Dantumadiel 27-2-2014
My second novel MOON progresses. I am now at Part II. The friendship between Moon and Rik came to a dramatic denouement in part I. They meet again when they're in their mid-twenties. Moon takes Rik on a journey along the fascinating subculture of Amsterdam, a Sodom and Gomorrah of exorbitant parties at secret locations. After several events the journey will eventually take them back to Dantumadiel..
My goodness 26-2-2014
Moon: fragment 22"Darling, you're not going to Zomo and actually eat there, are you? My goodness. Never do that, ever. It's see-and-be-seen with a cocktail in your manicured claws. And it's great cruising on the toilets. "
"Spare me the details, Leo."
In half 26-1-2014
Moon: fragment 21"Bring on the photographs!'"
I took the envelope with the pictures I made and handed it to you. You smiled faintly while you opened the envelope, took the photos and looked at them carefully, one by one. With amazement I saw how you tore each picture you'd watched in half.
Problematized 26-1-2014
Moon: fragment 20"Spare me another interview where transsexualism is problematized. Do we have a deal or are we done?"
Unmistakably Moon 26-1-2014
Moon: fragment 19You were less inward-looking, more worldly, but unmistakably Moon. Beautiful unreal, like the boy at the ditch in Dantumadiel.
All that she wore 24-1-2014
Moon: fragment 18My lips touched her nipples, still behind the fabric while I opened the buttons of her blouse with my right hand. Everything she wore, even the silk of her white blouse was rougher than her velvety dark skin.
Christopher Isherwood 26-2-2014
CABARET (Bob Fosse), with Liza Minella as an unforgettable Sally Bowles, was a major hit in the 70s. The movie was an adaptation of the play based on the novels 'Goodbuy to Berlin' and 'Mr. Norris changes trains' from the British-American writer Christopher Isherwood (1904 - 1986). His novel describes life in Berlin during the interwar period. In these days a world-renowned gay subculture arose. There was an unprecedented sexual freedom. At that time there were more gay bars in Berlin then in New York in the 70s. In 2009, another adaptation for screen of one of his novels drew attention: A SINGLE MAN (Tom Ford). And a few years later the film version of his autobiography came out: CHRISTOPHER AND HIS KIND (Geoffrey Sax). There is nothing against good movie adaptations. But if you like these movies: at least READ Isherwood's books.
Last chapter 15-4-2014
I'm at the last chapter of MOON! Must still refine the end. How do I prevent larmoyant melodrama: that is the question. And my task.
Diego's car 11-4-2014
Moon: fragment 25
Back in the living room, I looked out the window. In the light of the outdoor lamp, I saw a black vehicle. An old Mercedes.
"His car!"
Saskia and Hedwig looked at me in shock.
Read the whole fragment here: Diego's car
Paul McComas 5-5-2014
Writers and artists who can not be pigeonholed: the American Paul McComas is one of them. His stories contain elements of the fantasy, horror and comedy genre. The vexing question whether it's mainstream or serious literature can happily be omitted. It's both, and yes: it exists.
Espresso 7-5-2014
Moon: fragment 28
On the granite countertop stood, covered with a white lace cloth, a basket with fresh smelling rolls. In the corner blinked a large espresso machine. I also saw a shabby filter machine and an octagonal aluminum espresso can. I chose the latter and screwed it open. I poured water into the reservoir just below the pressure relief valve and filled the filter with espresso from a tin can that was next to the pot. Then I screwed the two parts back together and put the pot on the fire. While waiting for the coffee I squeezed the oranges that lay on an earthenware bowl next to the bread basket and smeared the bread with butter and strawberry jam. When I sat across you I watched you eating your roll and drinking coffee. You didn't touch the orange juice.
Raised 5-5-2014
Moon: fragment 26
My whole childhood you’ve recommended me things of which I later wondered if they were really as good for me as you claimed.”
You took the joint from your mother and inhaled deeply with closed eyes.
"I always take a swim after dinner" said Saskia, ignoring your comment.
"A swim?", I asked.
"The pool is restored in full splendor," you said to me, "by your father. Would you believe that?"
"Lambert died in there," Saskia said. "For a long time I wanted to demolish the pool. But I actually never did and Thom convinced me that it's a good thing to let it be restored. Your father has golden hands. And I should know." She smiled mischievously.
You turned to Saskia and hissed: "Mom, don't you dare to go skinny dipping with Rik."
"Why not? I didn't raise you to be that squeamish! "
"Ah, you've raised me? I never noticed. "
Swimming trunks 6-5-2014
Moon: fragment 27
With a bow Lamberts swimming trunks flew over the water and landed swinging on the right hand of the alabaster angel.
Slap 6-5-2014
Moon: fragment 27
“I don’t hate you. You're a good boy. A bit careless. But nobody’s perfect.”
"I’m glad you take it so lightly."
She laughed. A hard sardonic laugh.
"Go inside,"she said, "before I slap your face."
Dantumadiel 10-5-2014
I’ve been to Frisia to find Moon. Have I found the world of Moon in Dantumadiel? Yes I did. I even found the meadow with the ditch where Moon and Rik have met. Moon, on one side of the ditch, and Rik on the other. But above all that: The place Dantumadiel in my novel is a fantasy. Chosen because I have a weakness for Frisia, the Frisian language and because I thought the name was so beautiful. A fantasy world that becomes real for that moment you read the story. The main reason why I've found Moon’s world in Frisia is because I looked with the eyes of a writer. With those eyes I recognized the world of Moon and Rik in the landscape, in the streets and houses in villages in the area. And that's a wonderful experience.
White lilies 14-5-2014
Moon: fragment 29
You slender body was shrouded in a dress whose upper part consisted of translucent lace. White lilies adorned your small breasts.
Butterflies 16-5-2014
Moon: fragment 30
Levi raised a Victorian butterfly cage. He opened the door and a swarm of butterflies flew towards us
Finished my novel MOON! 16-5-2014
The whole story is written! Maybe there is some planing needed, but the work on my second novel is almost at an end.
After the necessary finishing touch, I wil lay the novel aside. It's time for something different. For more than a year it was almost everyday Moonday. Now I've time to read novels of fellow writers.
After a period of rest, a proofreading group will read the manuscript before I offer it to the publishers.
I pity the fool 16-5-2014
Moon: soundtrack 1
She shoved the LP, that was placed upright, out of the machine, and exchanged it with another. She closed the flap again and pressed the Play button.
I recognized a young David Bowie in a rare role of blues singer:
I pity the fool, I pity the fool, I pity the fool,
I pity the fool that falls in love with you
Open your sweet mouth 14-3-2013
Moon: fragment 24
She stood in front of him and pointed the barrel at his face. Then he looked up, dazed
"Open your sweet mouth" she said
Janitor of Lunacy 20-5-2014
Moon: soundtrack 2
On an easel in the middle of the room stood a large, unfinished painting. A spaceship had landed in a meadow. With bewildered eyes a group of naked men ran to the onlooker. They all had the same face. The ominous atmosphere of the image was enhanced by the music that was playing. Tumbling organ tones formed a mesmerizing melody. A low monotone female voice with a German accent sang:
Janitor of lunacy
Paralyze my infancy
Cry me a river 23-5-2014
Moon: soundtrack 3
Suddenly I heard music. On a stage, an orchestra played ‘Cry me a river‘. Meanwhile, the library was flooded with guests from all walks of life. Levi grabbed my hand.
Candy says 23-5-2014
Moon: soundtrack 4
She sang in an even deeper voice than she spoke. The distinction between a man and women was not audible. It didn't matter. She was sparsely accompanied by a cello and percussion. I knew the song. It was from The Velvet Underground, a New York rock band of the 60's. My mother plays their records over and over. The meaning of this song always went past me. But now Herma sang it, I knew what it was about, without knowing the meaning of each word.
(I can't get no) satisfaction
30-5-2014
Moon: soundtrack 5
I felt something flying against my face. A cloud of butterflies fluttered through the room. The orchestra played 'I can't get no satisfaction'.
Enjoy the silence
31-5-2014
Moon: soundtrack 6
My eyes fell on a picture of the Velvet Underground singer Nico and one of yourself. You were both photographed in the same dreamy pose with an enigmatic joyless look in the eyes.
"I hate her," you said while you were putting on "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode.
"Now, bring on those pictures!"
I handed them to you in a big envelope. You smiled faintly while you opened the envelope, took the photos and looked at them carefully, one by one. With amazement I saw how you tore each picture you'd watched in half.
"I'll send you some suitable ones", you said.
Cleopatra
1-6-2014
Moon: soundtrack 7
The door of the pyramid was opened and the cavalcade, led by Cleopatra and Hatshepsut strode down the catwalk, brightly lit by spotlight. I was in the midst of the retinue of half-naked muscular men.
Compassion
15-6-2014
Moon: soundtrack 8
A deep contralto voiceimbued with compassion sang a song without hope.
Première book trailer MAAN
25-6-2014And now finaly: the première of the trailer for MAAN,
my 2nd novel. Spread the word, share it, like the video on Youtube!
Thak you for your support!
INSPIRATION: Cliff van Thillo
2-7-2014 Welcome to the magical world of the illustrator
Cliff van Thillo.
Is this mother earth or planet XVI? Look, there in that immense
abandoned factory he walks hand in hand with Jules Verne,
accompanied by Max Ernst, Magritte and Fellini. They step
on their unicycles and drive on a winding path over moss green
hills to a godforsaken fairground.
Allez hop!
Third novel!
8-8-2014 First draft for my third novel! Working title: REUNION
TITUS BALKENHOL, a highly successful businessman in the painting business, happily married to the singer Roza, is at his forty-second year of life to a point that he doesn’t care anymore. For years he has hidden his urge to wear women’s clothes from the outside world. Enough is enough. From now on he is Marijke Balkenhol. Roza was the only one who knew. She didn’t like it, to put it mildly, but she learned to live with. However, at his decision to be open she has fully supported him.
She has seen his unhappiness. Now he has finally set himself free. He decides to make the confrontation complete He recently met a former
classmate, DORIAN POTS, and that made him muse about the old days. He organizes a reunion of the old seventh grade. Dorian is, however, somewhat taken aback by his confrontation with Titus. In that particular class, Dorian was in fact quite the subject of ridicule. Titus was the undisputed leader and took the lead in the harassments. However, there was another victim: JASPER HOOIVELD. At the time, Dorian and Jasper often hang out with each other. Jasper was the biggest victim of the reign of terror under Titus. Dorian and Jasper live in the same neighborhood, but they haven’t visited each other these days. About time to change that. Maybe there is a possibility to teach their old tormentor a lesson.
The seventh grade class, year 1985, of the Lombardus School was a hodgepodge of students with diverse and sometimes clashing characters. They all get an invitation from Titus for the reunion. But then, just before the reunion, there is his obituary. The reunion is canceled at first. However, after the cremation ceremony the widow Roza invites the former classmates to have the reunion on her estate. "Titus would have wanted this.” Ten of them actually go. There awaits them a meeting full of confrontations.
Prostate
20-8-2014
REUNION: fragment 1
‘Do you live around here?’
‘No, I'm here for the annual prostate retreat. This time it will be held at Castle Warmelo.’
‘PROSTATE Retreat?’
‘It's a scientific think tank in the area of prostate research. I'm an urologist.’
‘My word!’
Polka dot dress
25-8-2014
REUNION: fragment 2
He looked up and saw a tall figure with grey curls and remarkable
make-up, dressed in a bright blue polka dot dress.
Syrup 25-8-2014
REUNION: fragment 3
A dark memory seeped slowly inside and stuck to the tentacles of his consciousness like syrup.
Carousel horse
29-8-2014 Well, now I’ve created a character for my novel named Titus
Balkenhol, ones the bully at school, who became rich in the
painting business and recently came out as a transvestite, married
to the Polish Roza Palinski, a former singer who ten years ago
had a minor hit single in her native country called "carousel Jazda",
about a carousel horse.
I really tried to write a fairly conventional, non-eccentric novel,
but it runs after a few pages completely out of hand.
Soundclip REUNION
14-9-2014 Recorded a soundclip. Text recited by me, to the beat of the music!
Listen to: Reencounter in Diepenheim
Pekingese
13-9-2014
REUNION: fragment 4
Café Boonk just opened. On the terrace was an old lady. Skinny and bony. A restless Pekingese with venomous eyes sat on the chair next to her.
Skin
21-9-2014
REUNION: fragment 5
His caramel-colored skin, shinier than satin, was stretched tightly over the tendons and muscles of his tanned body.
Gin
21-9-2014
REUNION: fragment 6
'Okay, ' he said, and took a swig of gin. Then he stroked with his
hand over Dorian's face and squeezed him in the corners of his
mouth. Dorian opened his mouth automatically. Jasper pressed his
mouth to his and spat the liquor into him.
INSPIRATION: Andrzej Dragan
25-9-2014 "I like to remember things my own way. How I remembered
them, not necessarily the way they happened"
David Lynch, Lost highway.
Andrzej Dragan is a quantum physicist, photographer and
filmmaker, and has a unique style of photography and film
making called the Dragan Effect. His purpose is to create
such images that will trigger overreactivity of the organ that
is responsible for the perception of faces and emotions
related to that.
"I offer a faint portrayal of my perception of the reality"
BLOGS: First column Advalvas!
6-10-2014 Gaby is the new bloggers for the Newspaper of the
VU University Amsterdam, Advalvas.
His first blog is now online.
He writes about the search for a new job, and for a publisher
for his novels.
Read my blog: Kiss and say goodbye (Dutch)
16-10-2014 The search for a new job, and for a publisher
for his novels.
An hour before my appointment with the gentleman from the publishing
company. I dress myself. No tie, he's not a suit man. A shirt. Purple.
What shall I say to him? PUBLISH MY BOOK, NOW
Not a good idea. It's an 'exploratory' meeting. He can give me advise,
tell me more about the publishing industry.
But how do I go about it?
I'M NOT WRITING FOR THE DESK DRAWER, DAMN IT.
Maybe I should already take the manuscript with me?
Zo schijnt het licht naar binnen (Dutch)
Pekingese
21-9-2014
REUNION: fragment 7
Nora had spoken with passion. Her eyes closed. Then she looked at Iris. What she saw in her gaze was not so much horror, though it was very close. Bewilderment is perhaps a better description.
"Time to go home, what do you think, Atilla ?," she said to her Pekingese.
3-11-2014 The search for a new job, and for a publisher
for his novels.
Dreams lead to nowhere, but they usually have a
fantastic soundtrack. At the rousing orchestral
sounds of The Son of Flynn (Moby Remix) by Daft Punk
I'm on a train that's hurtling along and never stops.
Read my blog: Overschat (Dutch)
MOON and the publisher
26-11-2014 2nd Meeting with the publisher about MOON.
In summary: there is some planing to do.
The bottom line is that the two parts
of MOON (childhood and adulthood) have to be united
a bit more.
When all that is done it's time to open the champagne
1-12-2014 The search for a new job, and for a publisher
for his novels.
The tingling sound of the carillon. Four o'clock in the morning.
I give myself over to the unbearable lightness of a sleepless night.
Maybe I can finally read that book. Or watch all those YouTube
videos people have send me. Even if I skip the funniest home videos
with cats I can while the time away.
(Dutch)
INSPIRATION: Othon
7-12-2014
If one artist belongs the inspiration gallery, then it must be
OTHON MATARAGAS.
The art of this Greek pianist and composer originally was dark,
theatrical and ominous, but has gradually developed into a
versatile, colorful and uplifting experience. PAN Muzik,
he calls it. For me this is music of hope and inspiration.
Without leaving the pain and the dark side of life unnamed.
Othon is the perfect antidote against infertile cynicism.
DEAD END
6-12-2014 Introducing: the new ERROR page of this website.
It looks like the homepage. But then a black version with skeletons.
Rewriting MOON
8-12-2014 A new synopsis for one of the storylines for MOON.
MOON consists of multiple storylines including the most important ones:
- The friendship between Moon and Rick in their childhood and into their adult time.
- The story of the frog man Aloysius Thunderhead Baron von Seerosen (Louis)
I'm going to rewrite the story of the frog man to make it fit better into the whole novel.
It really (re)started!
15-12-2014 The search for a new job, and for a publisher
for his novels..
And then suddenly I'm lying in my bed groaning. Stomach ache.
I'm feeling sick.
"Ouch", I yell.
"Oh sweety," my partner says. Concerned he bends over me.
"I'm going to the neighbor," he firmly says.
Our neighbor is a doctor. Fantastic, isn't it? But ... she's also
the NEIGHBOR.
(Dutch)
ARCHIVE
Old news gathered in chronological order: excerpts from Gaby's novels and facts about people who inspired him over the years.
