Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 7 November 2017 | Page 19

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE: THE THIRD SPACE
What are local attitudes to writers?
I'm not sure. Although I've lived in Belgium for 21 years, most of the time my
work took me outside the country. Only in the last year have I curbed the
European gallivant and begun to meet locals. Local writing groups focus more on
French or Flemish which is pretty understandable. The expat community tends
to stick to Brussels and they are welcome to it.
Swapping cultures will always present new aspects to moral conclusions and
assumptions. Does this affect your writing?
Funnily enough, it was my work as a Statistical Programmer that had greater
impact. It was there that I came into contact with cultures, religions, and beliefs
from around the globe. Meeting these folks and listening to them highlighted
there is always another way of seeing things. There are often several equally valid
angles from which to form a view.
What have you learnt from living in Belgium?
Other than it rains a lot? Probably patience. No government? It's only been 588
days, there will be another one sooner or later. Train's late? Relax, there's very
good coffee in the station and another's due in twelve minutes. Manners and
respect, for example the way beer is served. It's not just dumped on the table or
bar, it's presented. Each beer has a specific glass and it's set on the table with
the emblem facing the customer in a way that shows care and courtesy.
Who is the audience for your writing and how much of it is local?
Mostly family and friends at the moment, although there is a commission in the
pipeline and another nibbling at the bait. These are targeted primarily towards
American and British markets. There isn't too much of a language barrier here.
Many Flemish people speak English very well but there can be a cultural gap of
sorts. My writing has been heavily influenced by classic English comedy and that
can sail over the heads of the uninitiated.
Describe a typical day in your life in Belgium including your writing.
Invariably it begins with two very strong cups of coffee. Only then am I capable
of handling a sophisticated tool such as a toothbrush. After ablutions I'll sit down
for 10-15 minutes and free write by hand simply letting the pen flow over the
paper. It's become a marvellous method for organising the jumbled mess of my
mind. Then it depends, if I'm cleaning houses that day I'll hop on my bicycle and
head off noting the light and feeling the season as I pedal along slowly. If I'm not
cleaning, then I'll take a few moments to watch the birds before heading to the
studio. We share our garden with an extended family of sparrows. It's like having
the Marx Brothers as neighbours. Once in the studio I split my time between
research, writing and revising. I write by iteration. It's not the most efficient
method in the world but it seems to help me get closer to what I'm trying to say.
I find writing strenuous and when I get tired I'll pick up the guitar and let my
fingers float over the fretboard much in the same way the pen floats over the
paper in the morning.
Finally, when it's time to head off to the land of nod, I'll pick up something mind-
numbingly simple to read to unwind before drifting off.
18 | NOVEMBER 2017