There are many people who like the idea of writing. The problem is actually getting them to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, as it were.I have lost track of the number of wannabe Optician columnists who have fallen by the wayside.
Optician's newest recruit is Tom Kirkpatrick from Croydon. He will be be supplying a view from the High Street column alternating with John Hopcroft from Bath. This provides a fairly infrequent bi monthly slot.
It's always nice to deal with someone who is keen and Tom certainly fits that bill. I invited him out for lunch where I was hoping to ensthuse him and offer some friendly editorial advice. It was not needed. He has already penned three columns and is itching to write a blog too. He has some surprising views on optics which he is not afraid to voice.
I once interviewed Optician's legendary columnist, Nemo. He explained that way back in the early 1960s he recieved a call from the then Editor inviting him to wirte a weekly column for the journal. Nemo, not being a journalist, protested that he wasn't capable of such a feat. To this the editor, Bill Hardy, simply replied ' small sentences old boy, small sentences.' This advice carried Nemo on to write his column for over 40 years. Nemo became an institution for the journal and the nemesis of many readers.
Perhaps Tom will be writing for Optician for a similar period of time. Sadly my advice was not so profound. I look forward to Tom's submissions.