Prelims

Half Title Page

MIDLIFE CREATIVITY AND IDENTITY

Title Page

MIDLIFE CREATIVITY AND IDENTITY: LIFE INTO ART

BY

PHILIP MILES

University of Bedfordshire, UK

United Kingdom – North America – Japan – India – Malaysia – China

Copyright Page

Emerald Publishing Limited

Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, UK

First edition 2019

Copyright © 2019 Philip Miles. Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited.

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-1-78754-334-8 (Print)

ISBN: 978-1-78754-333-1 (Online)

ISBN: 978-1-78754-335-5 (Epub)

Dedication

In memory of Claire Rosalind Miles 1974–2015

Acknowledgements

It is right and proper to begin acknowledgements with a shout out to those who took part in the research by giving me their time, energies and thoughts about the creative process. Therefore, big appreciation goes to Johnny Vincent, Duncan McIntyre, Ian Burton, CJ Bailey and Miles Simpkins of The Ruins and to Ian’s wife, Sharon, for hosting us for group interviews and the weekly ‘jam’, rehearsals and recording sessions. It was a joy to be there. Thanks also to Peter Driver and Robin Wilson for their invites to join them at their studios in Reading and Oxford and for their detailed, fabulous thoughts on inspiration, action and value. They were awe-inspiring meetings where I learned so much about the artistic muse and the strength of the individual will to make things happen. Thanks also go to Katherine Webb for her insight on writing and authorial routines and for the most excellent cake and tea during numerous visits to her home. Appreciation is also due to those who have taken part in the research process but have chosen to remain anonymous for various reasons; it goes without saying that I respect and understand your ideas, thoughts and motives equally and would like to thank you for your time and hospitality.

Appreciation also goes to a variety of people who have assisted and encouraged me at various stages along the way, all equally inspiring: Graham Falgate; Chris Cheetham and Doris Crick; Nick Ellison, Steve Fuller and Chris Llewellyn; Ray Jobling, Rob Moore and Madeleine Arnot; Paul Willis and Phillip Brown; and to my Editor at Emerald, Philippa Grand, who gave this book a chance to exist, and to her colleagues Rachel Ward and Charlotte McSharry. Many thanks to my academic colleagues Andy Bennett (Griffith University) and Gary Manders (University of Bedfordshire) for their comments on earlier drafts of this book and for the encouraging early feedback of the anonymous referees. Respect and appreciation is also due to Paul Innes and John Hughes (University of Gloucestershire) and Rebecca Beasley (University of Oxford) for positively instilling the incentive to combine sociology with literary studies and to embrace the art of the possible. It is a work in progress, but the destination is now clear. A special mention is also due to Steve Hardy (scriptwriter, journalist, musician, raconteur) who has provided creative inspiration and the most exceptional friendship throughout my adult life while himself being a most dedicated contributor to, and supporter of, the creative arts in many forms.

Finally, the process of writing this book has been, in time-honoured fashion, suitably riddled with the most invigorating of stress, but to those who have experienced me daily as this oscillating level of anxiety has fired the process – Maria, Sebastian and Huw – the greatest debt to you must be acknowledged. I love you all. Indebtedness must also go to my wonderful parents, Ron and Yvonne Miles, who have given me the love and unconditional support to help me achieve goals in life. Finally, this book is dedicated to the memory of my sister, Claire Rosalind Miles, whose presence among us I miss every day.