Showing posts with label Lyrics & songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lyrics & songs. Show all posts

Tuesday, 7 October 2025

“The Story of a Book That Doesn’t Even Exist Yet… Kind Of”

“The Story of a Book That Doesn’t Exist… Kind Of”

Front Cover Idea
Just playing around with ideas using Gemini AI designer, 

How can a story exist, other than in your mind, if it hasn't yet been written or in my case, exists entirely in my head? Yes, it's a bit of a screwed-up paradoxical question.   

I have an initial idea. Sure, it's been done before, but hey, what story hasn't been told these days? I mean, that is why there are so many reruns of old shows, and new films are just reinventions of previous ones. It's obvious we are all out of ideas. 

My story is going to be a fictional tale. Now wait for it, there is a lot to describe. It's going to be Dark, yet humorous.  The main protagonist is a Geordie, so he will speak as such, which might make the book difficult to read for some. There will be darkness, loss, growth, good versus evil, and many funny anecdotes and amusing stories, which I have somewhat in the back of my mind.     

Book Cover idea
Another AI-created idea

I am finding that as I write,  I am up to chapter 9 so far, with just over 20,000 words, that my creative juices flow as I am thinking and typing. As I mentioned earlier, I have no clear, solid story. I just get fleeting thoughts that pop into my head, mainly when I am struggling to sleep on a night.

Book Cover idea
And one more

It's weird, I wrote two different pieces for the book over the last couple of nights, thinking "Hey, you know what my main character, (who my dad, The Ern, says ", Aye, I can see he's based on you," ) decided he would write poetry and songs in the mental state he is currently in, which is a bit of turmoil, alongside melancholy, stress and sadness."

It's strange trying to imagine what someone is going through, even when it's a pretend character in a book, then trying to write how you think they may feel and. think.

Hopefully, I can make the story interesting and get another book on the shelves. At this point, it's not even about "Ooh, I wonder how many I can sell," it's more just about me enjoying the process and seeing where this takes me. I cannot imagine becoming a world-renowned author; this is more a bit of fun, keeps me occupied and helps me relax.

Obviously, if I ever finish it and receive some good feedback,  that would be a bonus.

Anyhoo, I don't want to give too much away. At the moment, you will just have to wait. I don't want anyone nicking my ideas LoL

I will leave you with a poem and a song that I intend to add to my book, so please note that the copyright belongs to Glenn Johnstone. They may not make complete sense, as obviously, you don't know the whole backstory of the characters involved. "Oh, and poetry doesn't have to rhyme."

Horology’s Parallel

From father to son, time passed on,
a friendly face, and a special place
within your hand, within your heart;
each memory held within a protective case,
that will one day cease—
as silence falls.

Each mark and scratch make you unique, perfect, imperfections.
As you carry on with the time you keep.
Until that day you’re wound no more, and your movement slows, and you stop.


Discovered truth — and now it all makes sense:
Why your cogs and wheels struggle with the time you keep.

That old voice you once knew begins to fade,
its whispers growing silent,
drifting beyond the shadows—far, far away.


Your movements are slowing —
your hands, fitful, like a heart struggling to beat.
You feel old and weary;
you just want to find sleep.

Memories of happier times slip away —
moments slowly lost, day by day;
you struggle to keep,
as the lid that once protected you is forever shut.


Where once you shone — polished, all shiny and bright —
now you are dulled, living beneath a dark cloud;
there is no light.

A thick fog of despair shrouds your view;
and those who care about you understand —
it’s too late: someone has decided this is your fate.


Your mind — those numbers — feel as if they’re slipping away,
tumbling and falling, unable to hold on.
You’re filled with confusion and sadness;
even time becomes disarrayed.

Where once there was rhythm in each gentle sound,
now you move slowly —
a denial of the inevitable —
knowing the end comes, and you are lost and bound.


You ask: Is there no one to help?
Can you not be wound and opened, fixed or repaired?

You just need someone to breathe new life into you,
and remind you of the life you once knew.


The song is in the style of an old Pitt village community, well, how I see it, or like a sea shanty rhythm, but obviously sad.    


A Geordies Heart (Itll Never Die)

Well, ave been told that me time is up,
A divvn't have lang, anave gotta gan.
Am not quite ready, but what can a dee?
Its nee good argyinwiyer destiny.

Me heeds been sore noo for a while,
Nanknare, its not from the broon.
Its not feelinlike its even me awn,
A canna mek sense owhats ganninon —

[Chorus]
Ana wont be standinon the banks othe Tyne,
’Cos the boatmans waitinte tek us ower the Styx.
All pay me way, anall give im me coin,
Then hell push off, anwell sail away.

Nam feelinlost… anam all alan.
Nee lass to kiss, nee hand to hold.
A thought a had all the time in the world,
But noo ave fond out me lifes unfurled.

So divvn't wait, cos am not cominyem,
Am gone for good — ave served me time.
Mebbe its for the best, as me lifes been rough,
A tried me best — a hope it was enough.

Anam thinkinte mesel, was it all just a test?
When a lived me life, ana tried me best.
Ave lost me love — its been stole away,
Nee mair chances, nee mair days.

[Final Verse]
So all all ask yer te think on me,
As ye raise yer glass ansing oot loud.
For this bonny lads not gone te hell,
’Cos a Geordies heart — itll never die.

(Whispered Outro)
So all be off on the River Styx…
Te meet the devil anavoid his tricks…
Annoo, ave gotta gan, like


I have posted a few images, so perhaps they will give you a little room for thought.

Ok toodle pip for now...


Sunday, 1 September 2024

I don't claim to be a poet, a musician or particularly good at anything other than being me.

Glenn Johnstone
Just Me


As my blog title says, " I don't claim to be a poet, a musician or particularly good at anything other than being me". However, if you would like to comment, good or bad, please feel free to do so, either way, negative or positive, it will inspire me to become more creative, I guess.


I have been practising and learning to play the guitar for roughly 2 years now. I don't know if it is because I am relatively old to start learning new things, or I am just plain thick. However, I am not that good. The thing is, whilst I would love to be able to play any song and, if the fancy took me, be able to go on the local streets and busk to a great reception from an audience, I don't mind just trying my best and messing around with my various guitars. It brings me great joy, relaxes me, and takes me away for a little while. It has even helped me become creative and I have gone on to write what could either be considered songs or poems.

Parts of one of my songs/poems have been incorporated into the short documentary film I was invited to take part in, " Meet The Local Hero - Glenn Johnstone". I had to try and read the poem out loud and record my feelings about my words so that it would give a good representation in the film. This was a bit more difficult than I first thought, so I took a few takes. However, I was happy with the final results as was Dragos the director and Filmmaker.

Here is the poem that I wrote in its entirety and parts of it were used in the film.

Dark Thoughts

Thoughts so dark inside of my mind, Questions of how did I end up here.
No escape I'm so scared, locked in and trapped here, inside my head, it's a deathly tomb.

Imagination creates a barren wasteland, played out in black and white 
I try to flick my inner switch, to seek a corner and hide away.

Numb to the core, Can't sleep, Don't speak I think I'm losing my mind.
A dark chasm lies before me, an abyss to steal all hope away.

Suddenly I'm at its edge, if I fall now I'm forever lost.
The wind howls its wicked threats, it tries to push and I push back.

Ruinous shadows, malignant monsters, who reach out for me.
The call goes out to my inner white knights, to gather forces, charge in on horses. 

So much pain endured as this fight rages on
Thoughts of survival, good versus evil, then I see a light in the darkness, 

It's an epiphany, that comes to me, a thought inside my mind the light shines warm and kind, it comes along to help me escape this place.


The words describe how I was feeling, probably at my lowest point when I was ill with my Right leg in 2006/2007, just before I had it amputated in September 2007, It's funny how memories stick with you and can create something out of a negative experience.
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Next is a Poem/song about my dream of getting away and that house I always go on about in Scotland.

A Dream of Getting Away

The grass lying here it's all dead right here under my feet / I live in the pure hope that one day  I'll escape.
I let my eyes close shut, and I drift off to sleep sweet surrender it's now felt as reality gently fades.

A seed planted so deep whilst I'm in my sleep tended to with so much love to bloom into life.
Wandering around in my mind filing cabinets store my dreams only opened by me  I have the secret key.

A favourite dream is found it's formed in my mind. Stored safe in this place each day it's where I am happy.
I find myself beside a loch shore it's calming / tranquillity / found there  it's good for my soul.

Washed up on the shore each pebble a dream so many lay there which one to choose.?
Pebbles polished by time carried by ebb and flow picked up and now treasured a gratitude stone.

A tartan land is where I really long to be, the beautiful  Monroe's the lochs and all the trees.
I picture a wee house a place I can call home, no stresses or worries I rest my Weary Soul.

Now I'm inside my house lying there on the couch my hand on the wood floor the house whispers you're home.
A log fire burning giving off a warm glow the flames casting shadows which dance all around.

Now I don't drink  whiskey but here sits a wee dram it came from a local distillery right here in town
A record is spinning an old vinyl relic a forty-five playing knocking out an old tune.

My own piece of heaven  I carry it deep within, will this dream come to pass only time will reveal.
Tomorrow I'll return and play out this same scene in the hope that one day my dreams will all come true.
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This next poem is kind of sad I guess, it relates to being isolated and the feeling that you are all alone. It's just a short one.

It's called 

When You're All Alone

When you're all alone, and the only hand, to hold is your own, feels like no one cares.

Building walls so high what's there real purpose To protect your heart or to save your soul.

Don't want to be part, of the rat race, rather be alone, and do your own thing. 

Just like an old toy, Worn torn and threadbare, maybe lost an eye, or a missing limb.

Lying rejected, in a darkened place, questions in your head, will it be okay.
Always feeling lost, like you don't fit in, trapped inside your mind, why so critical.

Learn to love yourself, value who you are, we're not all the same, you're the only one.
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Next, we have a poem/song I tried to put music to this one and it's called simply 

Ride

Warm golden sun on skin, radiant light reaching deep within.
Where should we go today?  

Then a beautiful place comes to mind.
A tranquil woodland, not far away, it's so magical.

Lost in thought feeling free, searching for flowing lines between the trees.
Tires bite, dust rises up, with one foot down drifting a bend.

With a mind so crystal clear, all stresses fade so far away.
Passing trees, at an epic pace. It feels so good to escape the daily rat race.

Dry fallen leaves scatter the ground, riding through them a susurrus sound
Blue skies way up above flared light through a broken canopy.

A jump, a drop skidding to a stop. The chance to take in this Arcadian scene.
The songs of birds, and their melodies, are carried on the warm soft breeze.

A flowing stream, discovering its path, meandering this way and that.
Nature doesn't need words, it speaks directly to your heart and soul.

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This one is about, well I'll let you make your own mind up?

Beauty Lives In Scars

Beauty lives in scars fading in time memories live on a story of who you are.
Nature of your thoughts find happiness where's it hiding come out let's go play.

In a room that's full of thoughts that creep in invisible lost and lonely, no one knows.
Tilted screens are viewed unconscious minds don't care to find the truth behind what they see.

A life not to plan you're compass is broke you can't find your way darkness drawing in all around.
Sending up a flare high into the sky, hope someone sees hope someone cares about you.

Mountains in your mind, they block your view and fill you with fear but once conquered the view becomes clear
We all have our scars some are on show some are hidden from view some of them run so deep.

Beauty lives in scars.

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This one relates to the 5 stages of grief.

5 Stages



Denial 
                             
Everyone losing yesterday,
all of those Memories of better days.
Time passes by so slowly, waiting for the great unknown. Denying reality,
wishing things were back to how they were. Just turn off the lights, Just lock the doors. Pretending it's not happening there is no one home.


Anger 

It Feels like a really bad storm inside of my mind. I'm So angry all of the time.
Emotions at breaking point, with rage leading the way. A hurricane tearing at my thoughts I have no say.
I can't see through all of this red mist,
so much confusion I feel so lost

Bargaining 

Is there a deal that can be made, 
with either heaven or hell.
Bargains are offered but to what end,
all of my words fall on deaf ears.
Fate conspires at each turn,
an unwritten contract I cannot burn.
Praying for change, all of my dreams  turning to ash


Depression 

Those days that I'm feeling down,
this black dog  Follows me all around.
Sometimes big, sometimes small.
This sombre hound is no friend at all.
The most dangerous human concepts
are hope and faith which are both lost on me.
I suppose something has to be lost,  
before it can be found.              


Acceptance 

Time the great healer or so they say.
Searching for happiness, putting grief away.
Learning to accept the things I can't change.
Searching for answers, finding brighter days.
Learning to be honest / with how I feel.
Looking to the future embracing change
Just like a Phoenix born from ash,
I will rise  I will shine.

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I wrote this one whilst lying on my bed looking at my dream boards LoL

I hadn't thought of a title until I just started writing on my blog, so I will just call it.

My Mind Goes Astray

Lying here my mind goes astray
The world around me just falls away
Lost in pictures that I have pinned in place.
Colliding thoughts I lovingly embrace.

Old pictures with their dog ears
Worn and faded they tell a tale.
A story of where I can touch and feel
A story of where I'm supposed to be.

Three pieces of paper with famous faces,
A Queen that's passed and Alan Turing. 
Superman looks on with words of wisdom, he provides a plan not to become a victim. Find the hero in yourself, just try to do your very best.

A special necklace of sapphire blue 
an old ruler I rescued from a fiend. 
It's now retired seen better days
Pinned to my dream board it now stays.

A cheque made out to pay myself
The Promise of Imagined Wealth.
Paws prints from an old friend
A special reminder above my head.

A Poem to remind me to dream by day
Another to believe dreams can come my way.
A guitar that when played sounds blue.
I must learn to compose a happy tune.

Just a few things that I see each day.Things that have meaning to me in a special way.
Buddha and Buddy Christ sit on my shelf with a thumbs up and a happy smile they have real style.
 

Oh and did I mention the Geese?
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Yes, there are probably lots of spelling and punctuation mark errors, and probably the wrong format for poems, ahh who cares I just enjoy writing, it's good for the old mind.

Like I say, feel free to comment, you know I say that and I can see how many views I get, however, people rarely put a post back. It has me thinking is something broken upon my Blog other than Me Lol.

I maintain the rights to all of my work, so don't go nicking them lol