Hey there, shed-dwellers,

Thought I'd pen a little post concerning my past life capering about in front of cameras in the employ of various corporate hawkers and salespersons.

I say 'past life' because I now no longer fit the demographic that saw me hired as some kind of poster boy for varying products and services; time was, if ever they were on the lookout for either 'slightly geeky' or simply…

So. As detailed in the previous shed entry 'Doppelgänger...?', when not writing novels and short stories (see many more examples in the shed -for pledgers only!), I spend my time writing and presenting cabaret shows under the moniker Benjamin Louche.

And next week I present the FINAL performances of a one-man show all about my childhood, my writing and my journey into cabaret, entitled 'Being Louche…

Hello again shed-dwellers,

So, in the bio for the Mason Ball twitter profile, I stated that, despite being an adult, I had never eaten a banana. Yeah, I know.

At some point during my Unbound campaign, it was suggested that, so ridiculous was this fact, when I reached 50% I should eat a banana and the whole momentous occasion be filmed.

And lo, we did reach 50% and lo this has come to pass…

Hey there shed-dwellers,

SO, a little word or two on the other side of my life, the yin to my yang, the Laurel to my Hardy, the meat to my potatoes, the... (and so on)

When not writing I am a cabaret host, emcee, compère, (whichever term you feel comfortable with) by the name of Benjamin Louche.

This all began when my then girlfriend now wife was a burlesque performer (Miss Rose Thorne…

Hey shed-dwellers,

At the time of writing, The Dutch Wives is sitting at 48%!

Massive,  M A S S I V E  quantities of thanks for all who have pledged and a gentle, then not so gentle, reminder to TELL YOUR FRIENDS! SPREAD THE WORD!

This book can only happen if we get to 100%!

Mason

P.S. Do let me know if you'd lik to see more content in the 'shed', whether more short stories, articles…

Hey there shed-dwellers.

Just thought I'd drop you a line to 'gift' this short story and to let those of you who have yet to pledge know that those who have already supported The Dutch Wives have exclusive access to a growing number of short stories by me, so why not join 'em?

This particular story seemed almost topical, what with the release of Ben Wheatley's Ballard adaptation High Rise. My…

And so, here it is, evidence of that time I dressed up as a bar of chocolate for money:

It was for website content for Walkers Crisps' campaign to find a new flavour. There were many contenders put to the public vote: Builder's Breakfast, Fish & Chips, Cajun Squirrel, Onion Bhaji, Crispy Duck & Hoisin and Chilli & Chocolate. Myself and the chap lounging seductively on the pool table were, of…

I see much in online writer's groups and message boards about different author's methodologies when writing. Different superstitions and rituals. So and so writes longhand with a quill fashioned from a dodo feather pilfered from the natural history museum circa 1978, whatshername can only make her page-a-day target if facing true north wearing naught but a pith helmet and knitted swimwear, youknowwho…

Hello there shed frequenters,

I'm afraid that vanity forces me to address my appearance in my Unbound pitch video; namely the fact that I look like I hadn't slept for a week, that I might very well be dead but no one had had the good manners to tell me.

Well. When not writing, I perform in cabaret shows (but more of that in another post) and when not writing or appearing in cabaret shows, sometimes…

It really is a strange feeling having a virtual shed. I mean, what do you put in it? Should I be shopping for a virtual lawnmower? Some nonexistent rusty bicycles? An imaginary Black & Decker workmate?

I don't have a real shed. I live in London. And work in cabaret. I can barely afford to keep myself in gin and mascara, let alone stretch to a garden and a shed to put in it.

My only experience…

The first word of The Dutch Wives is "It" 

The last word of The Dutch Wives is "walked"

Am I giving too much away?

Mason

Hello there and welcome to my shed. Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd use...

Here's where you can get updates on how the book's funding is coming along, together with some spiel, snippets and anecdotes, hoopla, hijinks and insights concerning my writing process, some more on how The Dutch Wives came to be, plus exclusive access -for pledgers only- to original works of mine (short stories…