Stuart Aken's Blog, page 178

A Day for Celebration

Today marks 2 years in our new home in the Forest of Dean. The move away from East Yorkshire, family and friends, was planned and chosen, but none the easier for that. But it was the right time and, we hoped, the right place. Somewhere to settle for our retirement. A place where we could … Continue reading A Day forCelebration

Looking for the Best Word? Tip #21

Considering the date, perhaps I should look at usage for triskaidekaphobia? But I suspect everyone now knows it simply means a morbid fear of the number 13. This series offers writers help to make their work more accessible, interesting, varied, accurate and effective by exploring similar and dissimilar words. It also gives language learners some … Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip#21

Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.

You really should have had this update yesterday, as I do them on Wednesdays. But I was actually writing (and, tell the truth, the heavy cold that had me in its clutches throughout Xmas and the New Year celebrations had returned to turn my brain to mush for most of the waking hours). Today, I … Continue reading Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in theMaking.

The Majat Testing, by Anna Kashina Reviewed.

This fantasy short introduces readers to a new series, The Majat Code, which, on the basis of the writing here, I may very well explore further. For a short piece, this book develops the characters well and presents an imagined world in surprising detail, without boring the reader with unnecessarily lengthy descriptions. The story involves … Continue reading The Majat Testing, by Anna KashinaReviewed.

The Midnight Clear, by April Taylor, Reviewed.

April Taylor has her soprano sleuth, Georgia Pattison embroiled in another murder mystery. A shorter work, this one, it packs in all the emotion, action and mystery of her longer works. Great light detective fiction that concentrates on character as a means of solving the crime. We have a new police detective here to deal … Continue reading The Midnight Clear, by April Taylor,Reviewed.

Looking for the Best Word? Tip #20

A series offering writers help to make their work more accessible, interesting, varied, accurate and effective by exploring similar and dissimilar words. Also giving language learners some insights into the 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#20

Submit, Publish, Repeat, by Emily Harstone, Reviewed.

This little eBook is worth its modest price for the links alone. It’s a basic journal setting out the process, pitfalls, opportunities and rewards relating to writing for literary journals. With chapters on Why You Should Submit…, How To Know When Your Work is Ready…, Basics of Submitting, and many others, it provides useful information … Continue reading Submit, Publish, Repeat, by Emily Harstone,Reviewed.

Creative #Writing #Contests Table Updated

Here’s the monthly reminder that the writing contest table is continually updated. But, there’s a change this month; a slight alteration in the presentation of the closing dates for entries, which will make my job just a little easier. Hope it works well for you, too! Make sure you get your entries submitted in plenty … Continue reading Creative #Writing #Contests TableUpdated

Looking for the Best Word? Tip #19

A series offering help for writers to make their work more accessible, interesting, varied, accurate and effective by exploring similar and dissimilar words. Also for language learners. A good thesaurus gives substitutes for the idea of a word, but not all suggestions are true synonyms. Context is vital. Placing alternative words in the same sentence … Continue reading Looking for the Best Word? Tip#19

Silent Plight, by Jill Province, Reviewed.

A fun story, this. The writer’s dilemma: freedom of expression and the associated poverty of writing what you want, or fame and the shackles the publisher will attach to your imagination? Required to write a formulaic tale to a strict deadline, the hapless author finds life gets in the way of creativity as family vies … Continue reading Silent Plight, by Jill Province,Reviewed.