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FARMER'S SON WRITES UNIQUE NOVEL
By Mattie Lennon


 		Im happy now.com
“Im happy now.com” is a gripping tale of our times. The author tackles highly sensitive issues such as bullying head-on while weaving three separate lives into one convincing thread. If you buy one book this year make it Im happy now.com” (Dan Binchy, author.)
Renowned author and cousin of Maeve Binchy was referring to Diarmuid Hudner’s first novel Im Happy Now.com

It comes at a time in which such a book was never more needed. Society has at last woken up to the fact that bullying, in any shape or form, can have a devastating- often fatal- effect on both the victim and the perpetrator.

It is the story of three young people who are the victims of bullying and how they came together to change their lives through a website called www.imhappynow.com. Emmet from Ireland, a self confessed masternerd, isolated by his own idiosyncrasies, finds a friend in alcohol until it too becomes a friend no longer. Ralph from the USA, born grossly overweight suffers from a crushing lack of self esteem and sees the only release from his torment is to attempt suicide. Ming from China, who looks different to other girls uses this the only way she can, becoming a bully herself until she resorts to self-harming to punish herself from her wrongdoings.

The following is a excerpt from Emmet’s “story.”

“Life is better because I am happy. It is because I am happy that I have a life. What makes me happy might make you happy, it might not but that is also life. My name is Emmet. I have been spat upon, sneered at, laughed at, beaten and ridiculed. I have lived in hell for most of my life but I do no longer. My crime: I am a nerd. I have no hatred for those who have bullied me because deep down I know they are not happy doing it. To hurt another is to hurt yourself. I am a nerd but that is not all I am. The best of me is under my skin. I am no longer a slave to other people’s thoughts because no one but me controls what I think.
No one knows you but you. You may be rich, you may not. You may be healthy, you may not. You may be married, you may not. You may never find a partner, you may never be looking. You may have children, you may never have. You may have everything everyone thinks they should have. You may have everything but what you want. A great number of things may or may never happen to you. Life decides those things. Only you decide whether you are happy with what life gives you. I am not religious but I am spiritual. I can be whatever I want to be at any given moment because no moment can be repeated. Happiness is available in abundance; it can never be bought, can never be sold because your happiness is unique to you and you already own it within you. I am happy now because I have chosen to be happy and only I have the power to make that choice. This site is for those who have chosen to be happy now too.”
This work is a novel but were the words of Virginia Woolf ever more apt? “Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so slightly perhaps but still attached to life at all four corners.”
This is not just a story about bullying; it is the story of everyone’s quest to be happy and the realisation that you and only you are in control of your own happiness. It weaves the emotions and feelings of insecurity that all of us experience with the freedom that can be achieved from making the decision to take control of one’s own life. Though quite a harrowing tale, this is a story of immense hope, dexterous wit and passionate perseverance with acorns of wisdom that will linger in your mind long after you thought you had gathered them all.

Quotes from start of each Chapter
1. Always take the chance to laugh at your own expense before everyone else does
2. HARD is only Happiness At a Remote Date
3. You can’t be all things to everyone so be something to someone
4. When you make the decision to change you already have
5. No moment can be repeated so I can never make the same mistake twice
6. Humans don’t have eyes on the back of their heads for a reason: you can’t go forward if you are continually looking back
7. Accept the Good for what it is whenever it happens because you will be forced to accept the bad anyway
8. You are not what you eat, You are not what you wear, You are not what you do. You are You.
9. Be honest with yourself: If you want the harsh truth, ask your enemies not your friends.
10. Intelligence has no bearing on your level of happiness because happiness doesn’t have an IQ.
11. What a difference a day can make when you’re not counting the hours.
12. The only questions worth answering are those you ask of yourself.
13. You don’t have to be SOMEBODY to BE somebody.
14. HURT is only Happiness Undoubtedly Returns Tomorrow.
15. If you can’t trust yourself, trust your instincts.
16. You have the same number of hours, minutes and seconds in your day as everyone else: therefore you stand the same chance of achieving happiness.
17. Coincidences are too random for random things to occur.

About the author: Diarmuid Hudner is a farmer's son from Effin, County Limerick., A former Headhunter in the City of London, he was a regular contributor to financial magazines such as the Financial Times, Investment Week and Money Marketing. Upon returning to Ireland, he became the founder and chairman of the Doneraile Literary & Arts Festival, the only free literary festival in Ireland. This is his first novel.
It became apparent to the author whilst writing this book that there was a genuine need to make this fictional website a reality. Thus the website www.imhappynow.com was born. He told me , “ The world today has never in its history been so full yet it is very easy as an individual to feel empty. We are all seeking happiness and by helping each other, we are not alone. This website is a work in progress and will develop organically over time with the help of the readers.”.

The book is available from the website as an eBook or hard copy.

Mattie Lennon

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Jane Lockyer Willis


Member of The Society of Women Writers & Journalists.
To see scripts by Jane click here

I trained as a teacher of English, speech and Drama at The Guildhall School of Music & Drama - AGSM LGSM and I'm an Associate of LAMDA. After college, I did some pro acting, amdram and later BBC World Service radio acting (plays) For many years I ran my own company, Speakwell Communications and taught adults speech training and all of that. I have been published main stream: SPEECHES AND PRESENTATIONS and am part author of THE COMPLETE SPEECHMAKER. I continue to act and now write plays. 		ABOUT WEBMASTER PETER
Peter set up and has run DramaGroups.com for a few years now. I was one of the first people to go on his site and just want to say a few words about what he has achieved.

Dramagroups.com is a theatrical haven. Serving as a central site for groups and societies, it has developed and grown over time.

A mine of information, you can advertise shows and auditions; track lyrics; look for props and costumes; find or advertise a script and so on. There is even a 'Swap ideas' section. The site is well laid out and user friendly. It is uncluttered, full of information, attractive and welcoming.

Peter works tirelessly. In my experience he answers emails promptly, is extremely helpful and polite and gets the job done efficiently and as fast as he can. With so many people to deal with, I think this is admirable.

Without sites like Dramgroups.com, amateur theatrical life would be a great deal more difficult. I remember the old days, when one had to search all over for this or that prop, root out prospective actors who were reluctant to take to the boards, and hope to goodness that audiences would turn up on production nights. Now, with this sort of publicity and help, we can find like-minded folk who are only too happy to apply for parts, write plays, produce plays, swap a script or write a lyric etc. And all of this is due to Peter's inventiveness - someone who has recognised the needs of others, so that we can make use of all the varied facilities.

So from me, a BIG THANK YOU PETER for your help, guidance and support.

JANE LOCKYER WILLIS

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BFS Newsletter for Scotland (December 2011)
Hello Everyone,
This is our busy season with lots of end of term things for teachers and pupils alike, and hopefully many opportunities to play in public - always very good for us all! Fans of Flutes en Route will be delighted to know that they are appearing in the Usher Hall in January. And proof from Glasgow Amateur Flute Ensemble that fluting is also about giving. Read on for more news…..

Glasgow Amateur Flute Ensemble in Glasgow Cathedral

On Wednesday 7th December, the ensemble were part of a Festive fund raising concert held by the Meningitis Trust in Glasgow Cathedral. A video has been created by an Elder at the Cathedral which can be viewed in your browser here http://vimeo.com/33394692 or, for iPhone or iPad, a special streaming version is at http://www.collie-productions.co.uk/meningitis-trust.html

Fl(ut)ing and Familiar Favourites Scottish flute quartet Flutes en Route will be playing in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, at 11am on January 10th, as part of the 'Emerging Artists: Sound Check' series at the Usher Hall, in partnership with Live Music Now. Hope to see lots of you there! Pushing the boundaries of the flute quartet, Flutes en Route will present an exciting programme including Fl(ut)ing by Scottish composer Rory Boyle. Alongside this brilliant new work, be prepared to hear some familiar music in ways you have never imagined before.

For more information on Sound Check see http://www.usherhall.co.uk/News/Emerging-Artists-Sound-Check-series.html and to learn more about Flutes en Route, see their website at http://www.flutesenroute.co.uk

Fluting Feedback Required
Member Nikola Kyosev has asked for feedback from fellow flute players on his new recording which can be heard at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uewnRbaHGFg. Nikola can be contacted at n.h.kyosev@gmail.com. Listen now and drop him an email, he’d love to hear from you.

Dates for your diary.
The McGoldrick, McCusker and Doyle gig, which was postponed last September at the Tolbooth in Stirling, has now been rescheduled for Friday 17th February at 8.00pm. Tickets are £12 and £10. This is a rare chance to hear three fine musicians with McGoldrick on flutes, whistles and Uilean pipes. See www.johnmccusker.co.uk and www.johndoylemusic.com for more information or Buy tickets now.

Perth Symphony Orchestra are giving a concert in Perth Concert Hall on 26th February 2012. Nielsen's Flute concerto is in the programme with Katherine Bryan as soloist. Other works are Dvorak’s Overture, In Nature's Realm, and Brahms Symphony No 3.

For information on joining the British Flute Society see http://www.bfs.org.uk/membersh.htm

And, believe it or not, this is our twelfth Scottish flute newsletter – a full year of flute news! Thank you very much to the many players who have taken time to let me know they enjoy these little updates, and to those who have shared their news. Do please continue to let me know any flute news.

Wishing you all a very merry flutey Christmas and all the best for a tuneful 2012!

Marysia

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BFS at Glasgow Cathedral







See a video of the concert here

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BFS Newsletter for Scotland (October 2011)
Hello Everyone,
Where has the year gone! I can hardly believe that summer school bookings have opened already for 2012 - see below for details of the Scottish International Summer School, and also Malvern Winds if you’re looking for a wind ensemble course. Places are also still available on our 13th November Aberdeen Flute Day so do please let me know if you’re coming but haven’t booked yet.

Music on the Isles with Glasgow Amateur Flute Ensemble


Glasgow Amateur Flute Ensemble held a residential music workshop in the Cathedral of the Isles on the beautiful Isle of Cumbrae in October. The group took part in a master class covering various flute techniques, followed by smaller section rehearsals. They gave a concert on Saturday evening in the Cathedral, featuring the full ensemble, the afternoon groups and the percussion section playing an unaccompanied piece. Alastair Chisholm, the Cathedral organist, provided accompaniment - on grand piano. On Sunday, the ensemble unveiled their new Contralto flute, pitched at one octave below the Alto G flute, manufactured by Eva Kingma. All in all, a fantastic weekend of music combined with tuition and fun. See http://www.gafe.co.uk to learn more about the Glasgow Amateur Flute Ensemble.


Wissam Boustany launches a new CD

For anyone planning a trip to London in November, Wissam's new double-cd, ‘This Invisible World’ will be available, at a discounted rate of £15, at two recitals within the Wimbledon Music Festival (see http://www.wimbledonmusicfestival.co.uk for more information). Wissam is thrilled to be performing the Claude Bolling Suite with Claude Bolling himself on 14th November. On the following day, he and Aleksander Szram perform works including the Franck Sonata, Edward Gregson's "Aztec Dances", Debussy's "Syrinx" and Wissam's own composition "...And The Wind Whispered...".
If you’re not planning to be in London during November, the CD will be available to purchase online at the Nimbus Alliance website http://www.wyastone.co.uk/nimbus/nimbus-alliance.html and on Wissam's website www.wissamboustany.com

Scottish International Flute Summer School 24th - 30th July 2012

Summer school only seems like five minutes ago, but bookings are open for 2012 in St. Andrews already. For more information see http://www.flutescotland.co.uk for more information about this superb summer school. Come along to meet up with old friends, and make new ones.

Malvern Winds 4th - 11th August 2012
Bookings are also open for Malvern Winds, a summer wind chamber music course in the beautiful Malvern hills at Malvern College. The flute tutor is Lynda Coffin, former principal flute in CBSO and RPO, currently principal flute in the London Concert Orchestra and flute tutor at Trinity College London. This course is run by 'Cuillin Sound' wind trio (Lynda Coffin, Sarah Watts and Laurence Perkins). More details and on-line booking form available at http://www.cuillinsoundmusic.co.uk/CuillinSound/Malvern_Summer_Course.html

And dates for your diary..

Scottish Flute Trio play in Glasgow University on Thursday 10th November at 1pm.
Flutes Unlimited Flute Choir on Sunday 4th December at 7.30 in Shawlands Parish Church, 5 Moss Side Road, Glasgow G41 3TP
For information on joining the British Flute Society see http://www.bfs.org.uk/membersh.htm
Happy fluting, Everyone!
Marysia

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Jane Lockyer Willis


Member of The Society of Women Writers & Journalists.
To see scripts by Jane click here

I trained as a teacher of English, speech and Drama at The Guildhall School of Music & Drama - AGSM LGSM and I'm an Associate of LAMDA. After college, I did some pro acting, amdram and later BBC World Service radio acting (plays) For many years I ran my own company, Speakwell Communications and taught adults speech training and all of that. I have been published main stream: SPEECHES AND PRESENTATIONS and am part author of THE COMPLETE SPEECHMAKER. I continue to act and now write plays. 		PEDIGREE

The ‘phone rang. There was an email and a text. They were all from the same woman. She wanted me to get in touch, wanted to meet up, to become part of my life - to see, to feel connected. No, this was not some female nutter, rather a long lost relative. Put another way, a distant cousin I had never met, who now, having surfaced, wanted to unearth and agitate my past.

Florence is into genealogy. Not in a small way either. She is an amateur but I bet she knows every clergyman in England, every graveyard and every register in the land. She must have spent a fortune on the relevant internet sites that require a fiver, a tenner or more, to investigate family trees.

Now, having allowed myself to be drawn into her projects, my phone never stops. At first, I would hide it under a tea cosy, or switch off the ringing tone. But late into the night I would hear it ring in my head. Florence!

I should, I suppose, have told her to clear off, to go and bother another long lost relative. And I would have done, in a polite way, of course, but for one thing. Florence is nice. Not nicey nice, but good, open hearted and generous nice. I like her. And how do you tell someone you like to clear off?

You have to admire her hell bent determination - a resolve to unearth long dead, long forgotten relatives by way of charts and trees. There was a distant Great Uncle Percy, who had twelve siblings. There was my great grandfather’s brother Alban, who opened an orphanage; and way back in the eighteenth century, a swashbuckling pirate who was hanged for mutiny. There were the illegitimate and the married, the good and the not so good; there were the poor and the rich, the long and the short lived. All recorded, all set down, and all brought to light, to my attention, by Florence.

So what if she did wear me down, drink my gin and eat half the contents of the fridge. Didn’t she deserve to? Without her, would I have bothered with ancestry and family trees? Of course not. I had shut the door on my past, and not because I had anything to hide, but simply because I was too lazy to care. My arm chair and Coronation Street beckoned nightly.

Florence has changed all that. I could go as far as to say that Florence has changed my life. I go all over the place now - dig up records, visit museums, pubs, old houses, streets and churches. My arches have dropped with so much walking. But I sleep like a log. I’m as thin as a rake, but I eat like a horse.

Florence continues to drain me. I am worn out from keeping up with her - the charts, the brain work, burning the midnight oil. So what!

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