Stuart Aken's Blog, page 176
February 20, 2017
I’d Like to Know: Why? #3 Religion
This is the third in an occasional series of posts asking sometimes awkward questions. Some topics are trivial, some serious, and others vital. I’d love for you to join in any ensuing debate using the comments at the foot of the post. Enjoy! Why Are We Required to Respect Religion? This question has been at … Continue reading I’d Like to Know: Why? #3 Religion
February 17, 2017
Looking for the Best Word? Tip #26
This series offers help to writers trying to make their work more accessible, interesting, varied, accurate and effective by exploring similar and dissimilar words. It also provides language learners with insights into some of the peculiarities of the English language. A good thesaurus gives alternatives for the idea of a word, but not all suggestions … Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #26
February 15, 2017
Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
Still going well, the follow-up to Blood Red Dust now stands at 63,098 words, an additional 8289 since last week’ update. Another slight change in direction occurred to me during a walk in the forest and this has ramped up the tension significantly. Those characters know how to have fun with me as writer. It’s … Continue reading Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, Reviewed.
An astounding piece of work. Because this book is a modern classic, it has been much reviewed, discussed and dissected, which probably renders my review somewhat redundant. That won’t prevent me writing in praise of the novel, however. The author describes the work as speculative fiction rather than science fiction, and I understand her distinction. … Continue reading The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, Reviewed.
February 11, 2017
I’d Like to Know: Why? #2 Dying
This is the second in an occasional series of posts asking sometimes awkward questions. Some topics are trivial, some serious, and others vital. I’d love for you to join in any ensuing debate using the comments at the foot of the post. Enjoy! Why Do They Keep Terminal Sufferers Alive? I’ve been involved with the … Continue reading I’d Like to Know: Why? #2 Dying
February 10, 2017
Looking for the Best Word? Tip #25
A series offering writers help to make their work more accessible, interesting, varied, accurate and effective by exploring similar and dissimilar words. It also gives language learners insights into some peculiarities of English. A good thesaurus provides substitutes for the idea of a word, but not all suggestions are true synonyms. Context is vital. Placing … Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip #25
February 9, 2017
Sherlock Holmes and the Oakwood Grange Affair, by April Taylor, Reviewed.
Having read, and enjoyed, April Taylor’s other novels, I was eager to see how she would tackle this challenge. It’s no mean feat for an author to contribute a novel to such a well-established, ubiquitous and much-loved series as the Sherlock Holmes collection. April Taylor, however, has managed to combine her own voice with the … Continue reading Sherlock Holmes and the Oakwood Grange Affair, by April Taylor, Reviewed.
February 8, 2017
Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
The new book progresses well, now standing at 53,185, which is an additional 12,594 words since the last post here. As often happens when pantster writing, I was suddenly taken on a diversion by a couple of characters the day before yesterday. The developing plot has taken a slightly unexpected turn, but the story is … Continue reading Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
February 6, 2017
At the End of a Long, Long Road.
Far together have we travelled Trod road trail and path and track Up hill steep down dale deep Slipped on shale and shingle scree Marked deep mud with steps of purpose Wandered waters topped with stones Clambered rocks and limestone pavements Stepped up stiles and crossed fell walls Splashed in rock pools furrowed sands Followed … Continue reading At the End of a Long, Long Road.
February 5, 2017
The Strange Life of Brandon Chambers, by Scott Spotson, Reviewed.
The Strange Life; it says a lot about the book, this title. Intriguing? Yes. Compelling? Yes. You can sense the ‘but’, I suspect. This is a strange book. It follows the life of a young boy of military parents as he grows into adulthood after those parents mysteriously disappear following an accident for which his father … Continue reading The Strange Life of Brandon Chambers, by Scott Spotson, Reviewed.
