Swain's World

My regular column in Ahlan! which sees me try local activities and write fun, first person pieces.

Second to Nun

AS well as covering news and showbiz, while working in Glasgow, I came up with the ideas for, arranged and produced many entertaining first person pieces.

Grease is the word

Another of my fun first-person pieces, when I went behind the scenes with the wig master on stage show Grease when it visited Glasgow.

Elf service a tall order

Another of my original first person pieces.

Clear the Air

I was asked to lead a major new campaign for the Evening Times in conjunction with the NHS. I worked with the health board to come up with ideas for news stories and features, and wrote almost all the content. Stories have included my own take on the issue, which provoked a big response from readers. I won Lung Cancer Journalist of the Year and was nominated for  European Health Award, Cancer Journalist of the Year and Scottish Press Award.

Tat-too crazy

After noticing Jessie J's snazzy lip gear on TV, I set about finding what they were, and managed to find out 'lip tattoos' were about to go on sale in Scotland. I persuaded the New York-based PR to let me try them out for an original feature which has never been covered anywhere before.

I'm just a muppet with a puppet

I like writing about theatre- but love to come up with original features. I persuaded the Avenue Q company to let me have a go, which made for a great exclusive piece.

The day I ran away with the circus

Another fun, first person piece, I spent some time having a go at different circus acts, and produced a well-written piece for the paper

Sarah and the City

In 2008- at the height of the Sex and the city craze, I wrote my own Carrie-inspired column. Witty and well written, it was a big hit.

Oh! What a pantomime

I am able to write first-person pieces with wit and style, like this one I came up with on an old job, an another to add a fun spin to a musical feature. And I'm always willing to look like a bit of an idiot in print.