Stuart Aken's Blog, page 173

Looking for the Best Word? Tip #33

Help here for writers who want to make their work more accessible, interesting, varied, accurate and effective by using similar and dissimilar words. The series also provides language learners with some insights into the oddities of the English language. A good thesaurus provides alternatives for the idea of a word, but not all are true … Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #33

Homo Deus, by Yuval Noah Harari, Reviewed.

What a tremendous book this is. Subtitled, ‘A Brief History of Tomorrow’, this follow-up to ‘Sapiens’ confirms the author’s mastery of deep research combined with an intelligence that permits him to see the world as a whole. I selected this book to read now as I’m at the initial editing stage of a science fiction … Continue reading Homo Deus, by Yuval Noah Harari, Reviewed.

Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.

A busy few days. But I’m now approaching the point where I can actually begin the editing process. So, what have I been doing this past week? Well, I visited 81 different website posts to consult them on various relevant topics. Some of those were just a few paragraphs, others a few pages, with much … Continue reading Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.

I’d Like to Know: Why? #5 Cyclists

This is the fifth in an occasional series of posts asking sometimes awkward questions. Some topics are trivial, some serious, and others vital. I’d love you to join in any ensuing debate using the comments at the foot of the posts. Enjoy! Why Don’t Cyclists Use Bells Anymore? Okay, this is trivial. But what’s the … Continue reading I’d Like to Know: Why? #5 Cyclists

Looking for the Best Word? Tip #32

Help here for writers, making their work more accessible, interesting, varied, accurate and effective by exploring similar and dissimilar words. The series also allows language learners some insights into the peculiarities of the English language. A good thesaurus provides alternatives for the idea of a word, but not all are true synonyms: context matters. Placing … Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #32

Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.

Writers know you never completely let go of a project at the first draft stage, but it’s sensible to take some sort of break from the work. Last week, I did a few odds and ends but nothing substantial. This week, I’ve been domestically quite busy. The garden called for some labour. I attended a … Continue reading Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.

Creating Stories, by Hank Quense, Reviewed.

This writing manual is about making stories; the creative process and the practical work involved in getting the story from mind to page. As a fairly ancient and experienced writer, I’ve come across quite a few books about writing, so it’s difficult for an author to present something new for me. In this volume, Hank … Continue reading Creating Stories, by Hank Quense, Reviewed.

A Sunday Walk in the Forest

A few days ago, Valerie and I took a ‘quick’ walk following a tough stint in the garden. No surprise that, as we walked one of the tracks we favour, we impulsively decided it was time to explore a faint track we’d noticed a few times previously. Track? It was more like a scramble up … Continue reading A Sunday Walk in the Forest

Creative #Writing #Contests Table Updated

Here’s your monthly reminder that the writing contest table has been updated. I update frequently; in fact, whenever I come across new contests. I also subscribe to a few sources for information to pass on to you here. Make sure you get your entries submitted in plenty of time, there are some spectacular prizes to … Continue reading Creative #Writing #Contests Table Updated

Looking for the Best Word? Tip #31

There’s help here for writers trying to make their work more accessible, interesting, varied, accurate and effective by exploring similar and dissimilar words. The series also gives language learners insights into some peculiarities of the English language. A good thesaurus provides alternatives for the idea of a word, but not all those are true synonyms. … Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #31