William Nicholson - Screenwriter, playwright and novelist http://www.williamnicholson.com William Nicholson is a screenwriter, playwright and novelist. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:54:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 en http://www.williamnicholson.com/2009/09/rich-and-mad-a-few-pages-from-chapter-10/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2009/09/rich-and-mad-a-few-pages-from-chapter-10/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:37:47 +0000 Bill http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=498

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2009/09/rich-and-mad-a-few-pages-from-chapter-10/feed/ Rich and Mad http://www.williamnicholson.com/2009/09/rich-and-mad/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2009/09/rich-and-mad/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:37:50 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=489 ‘I’m not afraid of loving. I’m just afraid of not being loved back.’

Maddy Fisher has decided to fall in love. And not just any sort of love: can’t-eat can’t-sleep crazy in love.

Rich Ross is after the same thing. He’s set his sights high, and he’s going to make it happen.

The problem is, in life’s messy whirlwind of friends and lies and sex and porn, the real thing can be hard to find.

But there’s always a first time for everything…

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Please note: This book has some explicit sexual content, and is not suitable for younger readers.

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2009/09/rich-and-mad/feed/ The Wind Singer http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/thw-wind-singer/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/thw-wind-singer/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:00:52 +0000 Bill http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=319

“I hate school! I hate ratings! I won’t reach higher! I won’t strive harder! I won’t make tomorrow better than today!” In the walled city of Aramanth, exams are everything — not only for children, but for whole families. When Kestrel Hath dares to rebel, the Chief Examiner humiliates her father and sentences the family to the harshest punishment. Desperate to save them, Kestrel discovers that life in Aramanth was once different — and if she can find the secret of the Wind Singer, maybe life can change for the better once more. So she and her twin brother, Bowman, set out on a terrifying journey — to the true source of the evil that grips Aramanth…First volume of The Wind on Fire trilogy
Smarties Gold Award 2000, Blue Peter Book of the Year 2001

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/thw-wind-singer/feed/ Slaves of the Mastery http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/slaves-of-the-mastery/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/slaves-of-the-mastery/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:00:39 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=68 The city of Aramanth has become a kinder place, but in becoming kinder it has also become weaker, making it the perfect target for the ruthless soldiers of the Mastery. After a swift and brutal battle that leaves the city burned and the Manth people destined for slavery, Kestrel finds herself alone, angry and bitterly sworn to wreak her own revenge. But first she must find her beloved brother Bowman, and he in turn must find a way of understanding the secrets of the mysterious Singer people. Only then can the pair begin to strike out against the Mastery and begin a voyage that will bring the Manth people back to their former stature.

This is the second volume of The Wind on Fire Trilogy.

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/slaves-of-the-mastery/feed/ Elizabeth: The Golden Age http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/elizabeth-the-golden-age/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/elizabeth-the-golden-age/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:46:29 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=248 An exploration of the relationship between Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) and the adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen).

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/elizabeth-the-golden-age/feed/ Firesong http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/firesong/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/firesong/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:00:51 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=70 The story picks up with the flight of the Hath family, and their crew of other willing Manth families and friends, away from the ruined Mastery. After the defeat of the Master, alone and displaced, they seek a new homeland but have no real destination and very little food. Ira Hath leads the way, prophesising their eventual success but also her own, sad demise. Bowman and Kestrel Hath, brother and sister, carry burdens of their own. Bowman, in particular, is anxious. He awaits a summons from the Sirene, and must make a great sacrifice for his people. The journey is long, and his preparation is tough–especially in the unforgiving hands of an unexpected teacher.

This is the final volume of The Wind on Fire Trilogy.

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/firesong/feed/ The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/secret-intensity-everyday-life/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/secret-intensity-everyday-life/#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:21:40 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=222 The story starts with 42-year-old Laura, married to Henry, mother of two children, getting a letter from Nick, the former love of her life. Even the handwriting on the envelope brings back the intensity of that first and greatest love affair, over twenty years ago. She never knew why he left her. The wounds have never healed. Now he’s back, and wants to meet her again - and she realises she doesn’t want to tell Henry.

Each decision she takes has a ripple effect on her husband, her children, and all those she comes into contact with. In short chapter after short chapter we follow the chain of human interactions, shifting each time to a new viewpoint, discovering that our characters know nothing of what’s going on inside each other. They misread each other, fail to notice the dramas being played out before them, absorbed as they are in their own intense inner lives. Over six short days in Sussex we watch a dozen lives collide and transform each other, without any of the protagonists realising the true impact of their words and actions.

These are ordinary middle-class people, getting on with unremarkable lives. But for each one their life is a passionate drama in which they take the lead part. Running through each story is the question: how happy can I expect to be? Is what I’ve got enough? Am I leading the life I meant to live?

Telegraph Article

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/secret-intensity-everyday-life/feed/ Seeker http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/seeker/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/seeker/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=72 On the rocky island of Anacrea, in a garden at the heart of the great castle-monastery called the Nom, lives the All and Only, the god who made all things, protected by an elite band of fighter monks. These are the Nomana, also known as the Noble Warriors. Seeker, who lives on Anacrea, has just turned sixteen, old enough to follow his brother Blaze into the ranks of the Nomana. The only problem is, his father wants him to be a teacher like himself. Far away, in the foothills of the mountains, Morning Star, also just sixteen, is trying to find a way to tell her beloved father that she wants to leave him, to join the Nomana. Morning Star has a unique skill – she can see people’s auras, the faint colours around their bodies that reveal what they’re feeling. She knows how much her father loves her, but all her life she has longed for the day she can enter the Nom, and come close to the Garden where the creator of all things lives. Many miles to the north, a beautiful golden-haired river bandit called the Wildman is raiding a defenceless village when he comes face to face with two of the Nomana, and finds himself helpless before their power. Overwhelmed and awed, from this moment on he too wants to be a Noble Warrior.Three very different heroes, brought together by a shared dream: to be chosen to enter the Nom, to be trained in the remarkable powers of the Noble Warriors, and to learn the mysteries of the god who lives in the Garden.

But these are dangerous times. Secret enemies have sworn to destroy Anacrea. In the imperial city of Radiance, a city ruled by priests where human sacrifices are thrown to their death every evening, the plans to attack the Nom are far advanced. Seeker, Morning Star and the Wildman become caught up in the race to save the god of the Nomana from destruction, and find that they may have to pay with their own lives.

Book Reviews

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/seeker/feed/ Jango http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/jango/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/jango/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:01:09 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=74 Seeker, Morning Star and the Wildman are reunited in this mesmerising second volume of The Noble Warriors trilogy. Having finally gained entry into the Nomana, the friends discover that the mysterious warrior sect is not quite what it appears from the outside. In different ways, for different reasons, they leave to find their own destinies in the world. But now at least they have acquired the remarkable physical skills of the Nomana - and they’re going to need them: the mighty warlord of the Orlan nation is gathering his forces, and has vowed to destroy Anacrea and all who come in his path.

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/jango/feed/ The Trial of True Love http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/the-trial-of-true-love/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/the-trial-of-true-love/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:04:17 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=91 Do people really fall in love at first sight? Bron is a writer who has been commissioned to research a book on the subject. He’s also a commitment-phobe who doesn’t believe it happens.
Then the chance combination of a misty morning, a woodland glade, and a glimpse of a beautiful stranger changes everything. Bron falls helplessly, hopelessly head over heels in love - at first sight. He abandons his research and pursues the enigmatic Flora to win her heart. But each time he comes close to her, she slips out of reach again. Bron’s pursuit of love leads him ever deeper into a maze where nothing is as it seems, until he finds himself having to defend the truth of his feelings in a ‘trial of love’.

In this gripping searching novel of ideas, art and literature, William Nicholson weaves an intricate tale of suspense as he explores what it is men and women really want from each other.

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/the-trial-of-true-love/feed/ The Society of Others http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/the-society-of-others/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/the-society-of-others/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:02:58 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=89 To escape the pressures of family life and alienation from his contemporaries, the unnamed narrator of this existential novel heads out from home to hitchhike without destination. But his journey soon turns into an orgy of violence. A truck picks him up and soon we are at a checkpoint in some totalitarian European state riddled with terrorists. The driver hands the narrator a slip of paper and then tells him to jump” he does, just before the driver is shot and the truck is blown up, revealing its cargo of books.

“He has nowhere to go. So he goes there.”

Thus begins a novel that is part spy story, part philosophical treatise, one that sweeps the reader along. Hypnotic, intellectually challenging, with all the pace and thrust of a thriller.

Reviews
“A novel I would dearly love to have written… Exciting, funny, wise, and beautifully written…
Nicholson has to my mind established himself with this first work of adult fiction as one of the best novelists around.”
Piers Paul Read, The Spectator

“Buttock-clenching thriller.”
Tatler

“It is thrilling in every sense, but it is also hypnotic, fast-moving, and intellectually challenging and, as it twists and turns, leaving you confused, uncertain, even uncomfortable, and yet utterly hooked. A philosophical master class, it is quite staggeringly good.”
Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail

“Like a ratings-grabbing episode of Holidays from Hell… A thought-provoking testament.”
Andrea Henry, Sunday Mirror

“Nothing prepares you for the journey you undertake while reading this incredible thought-provoking novel.”
Waterstones Books Quarterly

“Alongside the action, you have a continual debate over ideas about as the blurb puts it the meaning of life. This is a rare book that does precisely what it says on the tin. This makes it a very un-English novel. There is nothing parochial or narrow about it. It puts you in mind more of a Camus or a Pushkin…. You turn the pages as your mind turns in circles following the mental games going on. It’s a challenge as well as a pleasure, but The Society of Others is a novel that demands attention.”
Peter Stanford, The Catholic Herald

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/the-society-of-others/feed/ Noman http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/noman/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/noman/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:01:17 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=76 In a fortress-monastery on an island live the legendary warriors of the Nomana. The age of the Noble Warriors is over. But questions about the Nomana remain unanswered. Seeker, Morning Star and the Wildman’s journeys will lead them to question all their loyalties and those they thought they loved. Seeker is relentless in his mission to find out who the assassin is. Morning Star is engulfed by a dark force that threatens her life. And the Wildman is betrayed by someone he thought was a true friend.

The three are about to discover the secret behind the Nomana. But not before they realise their enemies are closer than they think…

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2008/11/noman/feed/ The Retreat from Moscow (NYC) http://www.williamnicholson.com/2003/12/the-retreat-from-moscow-nyc/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2003/12/the-retreat-from-moscow-nyc/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 2003 12:10:51 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=425 New York production at the Booth theater, opened October 23 2003, starring JOHN LITHGOW, EILEEN ATKINS and BEN CHAPLIN, directed by DANIEL SULLIVAN Nominated for 3 Tony Awards 2004, including Best Play

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2003/12/the-retreat-from-moscow-nyc/feed/ Gladiator http://www.williamnicholson.com/2000/11/gladiator/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/2000/11/gladiator/#comments Mon, 27 Nov 2000 00:51:01 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=180 (co-writer, Dreamworks/Universal 2000) directed by RIDLEY SCOTT, starring RUSSELL CROWE
Academy Award nomination for best screenplay 2000

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/2000/11/gladiator/feed/ The Retreat from Moscow http://www.williamnicholson.com/1999/12/the-retreat-from-moscow-2/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1999/12/the-retreat-from-moscow-2/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 1999 12:10:29 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=423 (Chichester Festival, 1999) starring JANET SUZMAN and EDWARD HARDWICKE

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1999/12/the-retreat-from-moscow-2/feed/ Grey Owl http://www.williamnicholson.com/1999/12/grey-owl/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1999/12/grey-owl/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 1999 12:07:42 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=415 (Allied Pictures 2000) directed by RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH, starring PIERCE BROSNAN

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1999/12/grey-owl/feed/ Katherine Howard http://www.williamnicholson.com/1998/12/katherine-howard/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1998/12/katherine-howard/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 1998 12:10:01 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=421 (Chichester Festival, 1998) starring RICHARD GRIFFITHS, EMILIA FOX

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1998/12/katherine-howard/feed/ Firelight http://www.williamnicholson.com/1998/12/firelight/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1998/12/firelight/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 1998 12:07:42 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=413 (Disney 1998) written and directed by WILLIAM NICHOLSON, starring SOPHIE MARCEAU and STEPHEN DILLANE
Special Jury Prize/ Youth Prize/ Best Cinematography, San Sebastian Festival

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1998/12/firelight/feed/ First Knight http://www.williamnicholson.com/1995/12/first-knight/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1995/12/first-knight/#comments Wed, 06 Dec 1995 12:05:50 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=409 (Columbia 1995) starring SEAN CONNERY and RICHARD GERE

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1995/12/first-knight/feed/ Nell http://www.williamnicholson.com/1994/12/nell/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1994/12/nell/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 1994 12:05:11 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=407 (Twentieth Century Fox 1994) starring JODIE FOSTER and LIAM NEESON

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1994/12/nell/feed/ Shadowlands http://www.williamnicholson.com/1993/12/shadowlands-2/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1993/12/shadowlands-2/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 1993 11:45:14 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=378 (Savoy Pictures 1993) starring ANTHONY HOPKINS and DEBRA WINGER
Academy Award Nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, 1993

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1993/12/shadowlands-2/feed/ A Private Matter http://www.williamnicholson.com/1992/12/a-private-matter/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1992/12/a-private-matter/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 1992 12:05:27 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=405 (TV film, HBO 1992) starring SISSY SPACEK and AIDAN QUINN
Screenplay nominated for Emmy, Ace awards

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1992/12/a-private-matter/feed/ Sarafina http://www.williamnicholson.com/1992/12/sarafina/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1992/12/sarafina/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 1992 12:03:51 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=403 (Distant Horizon/Disney 1992) starring WHOOPI GOLDBERG

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1992/12/sarafina/feed/ Map of the Heart http://www.williamnicholson.com/1991/12/map-of-the-heart/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1991/12/map-of-the-heart/#comments Fri, 06 Dec 1991 12:09:32 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=419 (Globe Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, 1991) starring PATRICK MALAHIDE, SINEAD CUSACK, SUSAN WOOLDRIDGE

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1991/12/map-of-the-heart/feed/ The March http://www.williamnicholson.com/1990/12/the-march/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1990/12/the-march/#comments Thu, 06 Dec 1990 12:03:13 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=401 (TV film, BBC tv 1990) starring JULIET STEVENSON
Italia Prize 1990: Special Mention

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1990/12/the-march/feed/ Shadowlands http://www.williamnicholson.com/1989/12/shadowlands-3/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1989/12/shadowlands-3/#comments Wed, 06 Dec 1989 12:08:23 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=417 (Queen’s Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, 1989) starring NIGEL HAWTHORNE and JANE LAPOTAIRE
Variety Club Best Actress Award, Jane Lapotaire, 1990; Evening Standard Drama Awards: Best Play of 1990; Broadway production at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, starring NIGEL HAWTHORNE and JANE ALEXANDER; Tony Award: Best Actor (Nigel Hawthorne) 1991

]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1989/12/shadowlands-3/feed/ The Vision http://www.williamnicholson.com/1988/12/the-vision/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1988/12/the-vision/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 1988 12:03:18 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=399 (TV film, BBC tv 1988) starring DIRK BOGARDE, LEE REMICK, HELENA BONHAM-CARTER

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1988/12/the-vision/feed/ Sweet As You Are http://www.williamnicholson.com/1988/12/sweet-as-you-are/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1988/12/sweet-as-you-are/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 1988 12:01:44 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=397 (TV film, BBC tv 1988) starring MIRANDA RICHARDSON and LIAM NEESON
Banff Festival: Best Drama 1988
RTS Best Actress Award: Miranda Richardson, 1988
ACE award: Best International Drama 1990
Royal Television Society’s Writer’s Award, 1987/8

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1988/12/sweet-as-you-are/feed/ Life Story http://www.williamnicholson.com/1987/12/life-story/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1987/12/life-story/#comments Sun, 06 Dec 1987 11:59:19 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=394 (TV film, BBC tv 1987) starring JEFF GOLDBLUM, TIM PIGOTT-SMITH, ALAN HOWARD, JULIET STEVENSON

Best Television Film, New York Film Festival 1987
BAFTA Best Television Drama 1987
ACE Award, Best Picture, 1988

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]]> http://www.williamnicholson.com/1987/12/life-story/feed/ Crime of the Century http://www.williamnicholson.com/1986/12/crime-of-the-century/ http://www.williamnicholson.com/1986/12/crime-of-the-century/#comments Sat, 06 Dec 1986 12:06:26 +0000 admin http://www.williamnicholson.com/?p=411 (TV film, HBO 1996) starring STEPHEN REA and ISABELLA ROSSELLINI
Screenplay nominated for Golden Globe, Emmy, Ace awards

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