50 Shades of Black & White: (the hopes the dreams the despair) Following Newcastle United (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781495980398)

Joe Writeson - Bio Born in the North East of England in a solid working class environment. I attended the school of hard knocks where I was awarded a diploma in doing as little as possible whilst looking like doing the opposite. On leaving the education system I started really learning, working firstly as an apprentice avoiding work in the Tyneside shipyards, moved on to skiving on larger projects, then, strangely enough, embraced a totally different work ethic and attitude as an offshore construction worker in the fledgling North Sea Oil industry. It opened up a whole new vista and way of life. Taking stock, I decided to escape the local desolation of redundancy, limited opportunities...and the UK Taxman, and for over forty years traveled the world building energy related 'stuff'. Worked in South America, North Africa, West Africa, The Middle East and lastly South East Asia. On the journey, had a beer or two, took part in many cultural exchanges over a beer, fought a few tigers then had a beer, quelled revolutions then celebrated with a beer, advised world leaders and had a beer with them, solved the world's problems...with a beer, fell in love, scored some match-winning goals and had a great life...mostly without leaving the pub. Age, stress and a life of extremes finally caught up with me three years ago and I had a physical breakdown followed by an extended seven month stay in hospital for chronic osteoarthritis, fibrosis and related infections. I underwent five operations and during recovery, as well as physical, I found I needed mental therapy. I began writing out anything and everything I could recall about my travels, the people, the places, the ladies ...and the beers. From reams of handwritten notes emerged 'From Jarrow to Java'. Second in the series is 'From Jarrow to Jebel Ali' anecdotes about expats behaving badly in the Middle East, with three more 'From Jarrow' 'works in progress' Also available '50 Shades of Black & White' and although sports related, it is written in the same style as the 'Jarrow' series. I self-promote at every opportunity in the social networks where I have a solid following. I am now unable to walk and wheelchair bound, OK a hindrance, but it has presented me with a new challenge as well as a different perspective on life, its a case of review the options, adapt, use the capabilities I still have...and get on with living. I write for a living and live to write. Joe Writeson