About PaulMeachair.com
Paul Meachair has had a varied career. He went to sea at 16 where he developed an interest in travel photography, being self-taught.
His writing career began in 1980s with photo-journalism, having illustrated articles published in magazines after completing a course in photo-journalism.
Coming ashore in 1988 he lived in Gibraltar for a year managing a gymnasium, then moved to Greece for eighteen months. Returning to England in 1992 he returned to education as a mature student studying for the BTEC National Diploma in Photography which put the polish on what he had taught himself and received the Licentiate Distinction from The Royal Photographic Society, followed by a year in Media Studies specialising in video production, at this time being further involved in editorial photography, commercial projects and a couple of exhibitions and including video production.
In 1994 on completion of his studies he returned to sea, including a year in Australia and travelled more. He has always had a passion for history so this time at sea gave him the opportunity to write and since he retired in 2014 he has written The Sword of Calais a fiction story about the executioner of Anne Boleyn published by Austin Macauley, Belleau Wood a World War One drama published by Dream Engine Publishing and he is completing his third novel The Siren's Call set during the Greek War of Independence of 1821 with further writing projects planned.
The screenplays for all three novels are available.
The Sword of Calais
1536. Henry V111 schemes to be rid of his wife to marry another. Anne Boleyn is found guilty of her sins and the king sends to Calais for Europe's best sword executioner.
Jean Rombaud will be paid 100 crowns which will help his establish the fencing school he has always desired.
With Raoul his nephew, they are also requested to escort a noble's daughter back to Londonfrom Calais. A bond develops between her and Raoul but arriving home she is shocked to discover her marriage has been arranged to Nigel.
After Anne's execution there are celebrations for Henry's new betrothal. Roselyn persuades Raoul to join with her in merry-making. She drinks too much and when Raoul takes her home he is accused of kidnapping her by Nigel, they fight and Nigel is badly wounded.
Raoul is sentenced to death. Nigel's father is an old foe of Jean. They once fought a duel over Nigel's mother and now old wounds have opened and they challenge each other once more.
Jean is given an ultimatum by Thomas Cromwell. If he wins the duel he must become the executioner of his nephew.
Belleau Wood
When US Marine Liam Kierney reaches war-torn France in 1918, he is thrown into a world of conflict, pain, courage, humour, human weakness and the horror of kill or be killed.
Blundering military decisions make things desperate for Liam and his comrades as they fight to survive in the trenches during the crucial three week battle of Belleau Wood.
Later Liam is wounded and transferred to England for recovery where he finds romance with Sheilagh, a beautiful Irish nurse. Things are looking positive for Liam's life and future until the vain British army captain who is infatuated with Sheilagh falsifies events to have Liam arrested for desertion and espionage.
The court martial becomes the biggest fight of Liam's life. His life and future hangs in the balance. Can the truth set them free?
Published by Dream Engine Publishing.
The Siren's Song will be available in 2024.
This historical drama is set in 1821 Greece during her fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Henry Ballas is an idealist and like many other volunteers he expects to find a land of Gods, heroes and wise men living in temples. Instead he finds poverty, corruption and ignorance and his illusions are shattered.
Five of my favourite books listed by SHEPHERD.COM
