Decisions, Decisions I have a bunch of difficult choices in front of me. Why? I’m starting a new screenplay and I have to get it out of my head and onto the page. The first problems to hit are to do with the process of writing. Do I know what I want to say? Pretty […]
Are You Finished?
Let’s talk about those masterpieces shoved in your virtual drawers. The unmentionables. Are you finished with them yet? Wouldn’t you much prefer to tell me about the new idea you’re starting, or tell me about your writer’s block? Maybe I shouldn’t encourage you. I have a rule that I won’t allow myself to start the […]
Hot Jupiter
Astronomers have discovered a blue planet which looks like planet Earth 63 million light years away, it’s a gas giant in a class of planets called “hot Jupiters” and scientists describe its atmosphere as “changeable and exotic”. The cold luminous blue is caused (they think) by liquid silicate – glass to you and me – […]
Alpha Centauri
Day 9 Alpha Centauri is the star system nearest to Earth. Actually it’s a binary star system, Alpha Centauri A and B, which revolve around each other. We see it from the southern hemisphere, where it is one of the pointer stars to the Southern Cross. The following is an excerpt from my YA novel, […]
Perseus and Andromeda
Day 8 Perseus and Andromeda are two famous characters of Greek mythology. You can also see them as constellations in the night sky. Perseus was a son of the god Zeus and his mother was a mortal, the Princess Danaë. Taking a break from his busy timetable of heroic feats, Perseus stopped off at The […]
This Rough Magic a SyFy Story
This Rough Magic a SyFy Story “What to do if your robotic parents don’t live up to your expectations.” I am so excited about this, and I was fascinated to hear this interview with Richard Manley about his play, This Rough Magic, a syfy story which deals with the relationship between a boy and his robotic […]
Boilerplates and Handcrafting
Writers Readers & Genre I’m talking about meeting genre expectations here, first with my writer’s hat on. Boilerplates and handcrafting, that is, which plot template should you use, are important considerations at the concept stage. As a reader, becoming a fan of Young Adult (YA) Dystopian, I’ve got stuck into the big names since His […]
Over The Hedge – Meet Cheever The Beaver
Introducing Cheever the Beaver. The intro matters for the next two posts, but don’t tell my writer friends…
Orion The Hunter
Day 6 In Greek mythology Orion the Hunter was placed in the heavens by Zeus, King of the Greek Gods, to honour him for dying in his last battle with a monstrous scorpion. Every true huntsman has a dog; Orion has two, Canis Minor and Canis Major in which you can find Sirius, the dog […]
Hang Out
Hang Out I’m reading THE QUANTUM THIEF by Hannu Rajaniemi. He uses language the way an abstract painter uses paint. Some writers have the universe, or multiples, inside their heads. I’m only at page 15, and I feel like I’m there. To be honest I’m not too worried where the plot goes, I just like […]