Paul Arthur
@brinkly.bsky.social
Progressing from wanting to have written something to having written something. Other than this bio, preferably, but it's a start.
Reposted by Paul Arthur
Ok, let’s do this🙄
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
February 1, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Ok, let’s do this🙄
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
We’ll start with an explainer covering:
🕒What is a 15-minute city
🏫What on Earth is going on with Oxford
👽Where the conspiracy theories have come from
And then we’ll look at the Telegraph article
🧵
1/25
Reposted by Paul Arthur
Sir Roy Clarke turns 96 today and, having considered himself retired on several occasions, will have works premiering on television this year. I'm still in the midst of writing his biography – a colossal, but infinitely rewarding undertaking. Some thoughts follow...
January 28, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Sir Roy Clarke turns 96 today and, having considered himself retired on several occasions, will have works premiering on television this year. I'm still in the midst of writing his biography – a colossal, but infinitely rewarding undertaking. Some thoughts follow...
I would also feel as though I'd come home if I walked in and most of the people greeting me used to see me in the previous place every day.
January 26, 2026 at 1:04 PM
I would also feel as though I'd come home if I walked in and most of the people greeting me used to see me in the previous place every day.
I was about 6 or 7, jumping off big piles of sand with my brother and cousin, went for the biggest jump ever attempted (probably about 5'), kept repeating to myself to land with knees bent from that massive height ... landed, legs crumpled, kneed myself in the face and broke my nose.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 11:56 AM
I was about 6 or 7, jumping off big piles of sand with my brother and cousin, went for the biggest jump ever attempted (probably about 5'), kept repeating to myself to land with knees bent from that massive height ... landed, legs crumpled, kneed myself in the face and broke my nose.
Reposted by Paul Arthur
‘War with Venezuela it is, then’
November 14, 2025 at 5:24 PM
‘War with Venezuela it is, then’
Fantastic NYE, had an early night and roughly 10 hours sleep. That's the energy I want for 2026, might get something done for a change.
January 1, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Fantastic NYE, had an early night and roughly 10 hours sleep. That's the energy I want for 2026, might get something done for a change.
This very morning I happened to be in the kitchen when the man from Pets @ Home delivered some cat food. We'd ordered it and we do have cats, it wasn't a random drive-by cat-fooding.
Please quote this with stories of your minor interactions with non-celebrities, e.g. “I once accidentally bumped into a man in the Wellingborough branch of Holland & Barrett”
December 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
This very morning I happened to be in the kitchen when the man from Pets @ Home delivered some cat food. We'd ordered it and we do have cats, it wasn't a random drive-by cat-fooding.
The number 1 movie when you were ten years old will define your 2026.
So maybe not the most positive for the protagonist but in retrospect possibly the best one of all.*
* I will not enter into any discussion regarding this last point.
So maybe not the most positive for the protagonist but in retrospect possibly the best one of all.*
* I will not enter into any discussion regarding this last point.
![Scene from The Empire Strikes Back where Vader is telling Luke that he knows he's getting socks and a novelty beer mug for Christmas because "I felt your presents" and Luke is protesting because it's really hard to find gifts for your [redacted because spoilers for a film moment that's been part of popular culture for 40-something years because this is Bluesky and someone would call it out]. And his Dad's not happy about that excuse.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ociu7pcpdqj7v7xvcedlthfj/bafkreie6gi5slptys5krixtr3s54ij5jihednuqfls5443f774u6lp6zoi@jpeg)
December 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The number 1 movie when you were ten years old will define your 2026.
So maybe not the most positive for the protagonist but in retrospect possibly the best one of all.*
* I will not enter into any discussion regarding this last point.
So maybe not the most positive for the protagonist but in retrospect possibly the best one of all.*
* I will not enter into any discussion regarding this last point.
Reposted by Paul Arthur
Decided to make it five signed books, not three, I'm giving away to people who share this.
Because my thieving ex-publishers can fuck off.
Because I believe this book is good enough to be read and enjoyed for many years.
Because it's the only pension I'll have.
And because why fucking not.
Because my thieving ex-publishers can fuck off.
Because I believe this book is good enough to be read and enjoyed for many years.
Because it's the only pension I'll have.
And because why fucking not.
I've removed the paywall permanently from this piece, which is a chapter from my novel Villager, told entirely in the form of an online village message board. If you like it, you'll probably like the book. If you don't, you won't...
www.tom-cox.com/the-village-...
www.tom-cox.com/the-village-...
The Village Message Board
Its authenticity was discredited because of his reputation, but also because he was quick with gin at the time and wearing an item of knitwear back to front.
www.tom-cox.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Decided to make it five signed books, not three, I'm giving away to people who share this.
Because my thieving ex-publishers can fuck off.
Because I believe this book is good enough to be read and enjoyed for many years.
Because it's the only pension I'll have.
And because why fucking not.
Because my thieving ex-publishers can fuck off.
Because I believe this book is good enough to be read and enjoyed for many years.
Because it's the only pension I'll have.
And because why fucking not.
Reposted by Paul Arthur
FINAL book giveaway of the year.
To enter: reply below & repost this extract.
Up for grabs:
THREE signed Villager paperbacks with free art (bookmarks & postcards) by my parents.
Enter if you enjoy
Folklore
Nature
Rivers
Hills
Social history
Lost art
Ghost
Tangled psychedelic narratives
Silliness
To enter: reply below & repost this extract.
Up for grabs:
THREE signed Villager paperbacks with free art (bookmarks & postcards) by my parents.
Enter if you enjoy
Folklore
Nature
Rivers
Hills
Social history
Lost art
Ghost
Tangled psychedelic narratives
Silliness
December 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
FINAL book giveaway of the year.
To enter: reply below & repost this extract.
Up for grabs:
THREE signed Villager paperbacks with free art (bookmarks & postcards) by my parents.
Enter if you enjoy
Folklore
Nature
Rivers
Hills
Social history
Lost art
Ghost
Tangled psychedelic narratives
Silliness
To enter: reply below & repost this extract.
Up for grabs:
THREE signed Villager paperbacks with free art (bookmarks & postcards) by my parents.
Enter if you enjoy
Folklore
Nature
Rivers
Hills
Social history
Lost art
Ghost
Tangled psychedelic narratives
Silliness
WIFE BOUGHT ME A 3-CUP BIALETTI MOKA POT AS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT AND I USED IT THIS MORNING IT IS VERY GOOD AND A BARGAIN FROM LIDL (NI) THIS WEEK DEFINITELY RECOMMEND
I CAN HEAR COLOURS
I CAN HEAR COLOURS
December 6, 2025 at 12:43 PM
WIFE BOUGHT ME A 3-CUP BIALETTI MOKA POT AS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT AND I USED IT THIS MORNING IT IS VERY GOOD AND A BARGAIN FROM LIDL (NI) THIS WEEK DEFINITELY RECOMMEND
I CAN HEAR COLOURS
I CAN HEAR COLOURS
The role of John McClane had to be offered to Frank Sinatra despite him being 73 at the time as Sinatra had starred in The Detective (1968); Die Hard is based on the next novel ("Nothing Lasts Forever") and Sinatra's contract gave him an option to star in any sequel. As for it being a Chri... (1/96)
British public’s verdict is in: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie
British public’s verdict is in: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie
Survey also reveals Britons’ favourite festive film, views on tear-jerkers and family cinema trips
When Macaulay Culkin recently said he didn’t consider Die Hard to be a Christmas film – wading into one of pop culture’s most heated holiday debates – he was booed by a live audience.
But it looks like the British people are behind the actor, with a survey revealing that Home Alone is the UK’s favourite festive film, while Die Hard has officially been voted not a Christmas movie. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:25 PM
The role of John McClane had to be offered to Frank Sinatra despite him being 73 at the time as Sinatra had starred in The Detective (1968); Die Hard is based on the next novel ("Nothing Lasts Forever") and Sinatra's contract gave him an option to star in any sequel. As for it being a Chri... (1/96)
Jeff Goldblum "your scientists" meme.
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Jeff Goldblum "your scientists" meme.
Reposted by Paul Arthur
Nine years ago Mike Fitzgerald wrote up an extraordinarily fascinating breakdown of the differences between the Tom Stoppard shooting script and the original Jeffrey Boam draft of Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
It's well worth your time: www.creativescreenwriting.com/indiana-jone...
It's well worth your time: www.creativescreenwriting.com/indiana-jone...
July 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Nine years ago Mike Fitzgerald wrote up an extraordinarily fascinating breakdown of the differences between the Tom Stoppard shooting script and the original Jeffrey Boam draft of Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
It's well worth your time: www.creativescreenwriting.com/indiana-jone...
It's well worth your time: www.creativescreenwriting.com/indiana-jone...
Not so much a career path as a series of mistakes I failed to learn from and thus was doomed to repeat. Still, I can laugh about it now, which I probably shouldn't as I'm pretty sure I've tried that before.
November 23, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Not so much a career path as a series of mistakes I failed to learn from and thus was doomed to repeat. Still, I can laugh about it now, which I probably shouldn't as I'm pretty sure I've tried that before.
Reposted by Paul Arthur
I'm giving away two signed copies of my (recently republished) book 21st-Century Yokel, with two postcards of this fab otters linocut by my mum, Jo.
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I'm giving away two signed copies of my (recently republished) book 21st-Century Yokel, with two postcards of this fab otters linocut by my mum, Jo.
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
Just repost this & pop a comment below to enter.
You might like it if you like:
Walking
Wildlife
Folklore
Bees
Ghosts
The Sea
Social history
Badgers
"I hope this email does not find you, that you are free, stepping forward hopefully into a future of limitless possibilities. If not, please confirm your availability for a scrum session at 8.30am Monday."
‘I hope this email finds you part of a criminal conspiracy’
November 14, 2025 at 1:39 PM
"I hope this email does not find you, that you are free, stepping forward hopefully into a future of limitless possibilities. If not, please confirm your availability for a scrum session at 8.30am Monday."
Reposted by Paul Arthur
"IT ABSOLUTELY WILL STOP!!!"
October 6, 2025 at 2:10 PM
"IT ABSOLUTELY WILL STOP!!!"