Cardiff Bay discarded its gloss, as I walked through an alleyway to reach Octavo’s Bookshop and Bar. A vast, grey building stood proud amongst other worn buildings. A large bar dominated the entrance to Octavo’s Bookshop and Bar. Confronted with: a coffee machine, rows of cakes, books and a selection of alcoholic beverages, I had found heaven. Seating was placed in every area of the shop thus combining reading and socialising. I couldn’t decide whether to install myself in one of the lazy reading areas or sit at a table.
A table near a shelf of gifts for writers beckoned me. Having ordered my Americano, I read the lunchtime menu and selected A Tale of Tuna Cities: a tuna melt. The blank page of my notebook glared at me. I attacked it with a confessional statement: ‘I need to start another story’. Time to move on from debut novel. ‘Where do I begin?’ I asked my notebook.
Pearl’s letter to Jim appeared on my notebook. I have sent my characters out into world, but they haunt me. Remnants cornices, the bar and size of the rooms prompted me to visualise Pearl in this place during the seventies.
Sat at a battered table, she removed her red gloves and started to tug at the beer mat. Her sleeves soaked rested in a puddle of beer. Though she waited to find out more details of the audition, she thought of Jim reading her letter.
A familiarity about the place transported me into Pearl’s world. I couldn’t get Pearl out of my head. I had to find out more about the history of the place. I felt certain the building must have been a pub at some time in the past; a sense of history nudged my imagination.
I discovered the building is the oldest surviving building in what was known as Tiger Bay. Tiger Bay was also the home of the wonderful legend – Shirley Bassey. Originally, the location of Octavo’s Bookshop was the Bute Dock Hotel. I searched for a seventies photo of Bute Street and it looked familiar. Indeed, the street looked exactly like the place Pearl visited in my book. I could hear Pearl’s footsteps echoing down the alleyway, as she searched for her B&B. I stumbled on the place I created for my book, and Pearl asked me to go back and tell her story in another novel.
Before paying, I looked around the shop and spotted a poster telling me ‘We are on the same page’, perhaps this was another message from Pearl. On leaving, I received a new bag and a gift, because I spent over five pounds. Octavo’s Bookshop is a welcoming, calm bookish environment that invites the customer to linger, read and create. I had a wonderful time exploring the books on offer. The staff are proud and enthusiastic about the bookshop.
Handbag clasped at my side, I strode with confidence from Octavo’s Bookshop and back to Cardiff Bay. My literary travels often take me down numerous side streets and alleyways that echo with past lives. Two young men stubbed out their cigarettes before commencing a conversation. Darkness lingered in the alleyway and puddles. Looking ahead, I refused to shiver. A seventies mini pulled up, and I spotted Jim, Pearl’s husband.
‘On opening the car door, Jim called, ‘Pearl.’ A passing truck muffled his voice. Heavy traffic prevented Jim from crossing the road for a little while. Jim peered in each alleyway. Then he heard the clip, clipping of heels on the pavement. Distant echoes stopped. Where had Pearl gone? He increased his pace. Loud voices echoed. As he got nearer, he recognised Pearl’s voice, but it was shrill and ugly and strangled with fear.’
(Extract: You Can’t Go It Alone)
Maybe, Cardiff Creative Quarter inspired me. Who knows? The calm, bookish atmosphere certainly inspired me to retreat to my characters’ world.
Meet Pearl and Jim on Being Anne’s Blog
More About my debut novel: You Can’t Go It Alone
Love, music and secrets are woven together in this poignant, heart-warming narrative.
Set in a Welsh village, the story explores the contrast in attitudes and opportunities between different generations of women. As the characters confront their secrets and fears, they discover truths about themselves and their relationships.
The reader is invited to laugh and cry, with the characters, and find joy in the simple things in life. Listen to the music and enjoy the food, as you peek inside the world of the inhabitants of Delfryn.
Let Sophie show you that no one can go it alone.
Who knows, you may find some friends with big hearts…
About Jessie
Jessie is word warrior, bookish blogger and intrepid virtual explorer. She loves to entertain with stories, and is never seen without her camera, phone, notebook and handbag. Fellow authors have deemed her ‘creative and quirky’ and she wears these words like a blogging badge of honour.
Having overcome her fear of self-publishing, she is now living the dream of introducing the characters who have been hassling her for decades. Her debut novel, You Can’t Go It Alone, is a heart-warming tale about the challenges women still face in society. The novel has light-hearted moments and presents hope. As C. S. Lewis said, ‘We read to know we are not alone.’
Connecting with authors via her Books in my Handbag Blog is a blast. She showcases authors’ books in the popular Handbag Gallery and has fun meeting authors in her virtual world. Communicating with her authors still gives Jessie a creative buzz.
Jessie Cahalin hails from Yorkshire but lives in Wales with her husband. She loves to travel the world and collects cultural gems like a magpie. She searches for happy endings, where possible, and needs great coffee, food and music to give her inspiration.
Please see all my adventures at Handbag Adventures and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.
Hello Word Warrior! Thanks for including us on your stop at Octavo’s- and for sharing the authorly angst and passion- nicely done. I agree with Angela- keep communing with your characters and write! My feeling now is, first pages and first chapters are the hardest part, so just write away and fix it all later. I hope you enjoy many more lovely days like this one.
Thanks, Jena. I think I heard Charli’s voice when I walked along the bay. My characters are chatting a little but seem to be on holiday.
I love the way you ponder in the book shop, which sounds great, by the way. I’m sure there will be other signs. My advice would be just to start writing, see where it takes you and then, plan. Good luck! Maybe one of your characters could be a book-shop/café owner? Maybe the characters in the books could come out of their pages at night and start talking to each other… fresh pages, fresh ideas…
Sounds like a perfect solution to fill the pages of a new chapter.