Stuart Aken's Blog, page 196
March 26, 2016
Synthesis, Published by Fantastic Books Publishing, Reviewed.
This anthology of science fiction stories by many different authors is a fantastic collection of disparate views of the future presented by creative talents. I must, however, before I expand on that summary, confess to my vested interest: I’m one of the authors. But, as a single voice among 27 stories, I feel justified in […]
The Ubiquity of Sacred Curses.
Are you ever stuck for a suitable expletive to place in the mouths of your characters? I’m currently writing a science fiction novel set in the near future on Mars. I’ve imagined a new world where, amongst other things, the society is effectively agnostic. In devising dialogue, I suddenly became aware of just how pervasive […]
Creative #Writing #Contests Page Updated
Sorry for the delay: I’ve been a bit busy, but here’s this week’s reminder that I’ve updated the contest table. There are a few good contests ending on the 31st March, so get your entries in and see if you can gain some cash and kudos for your writing. As it updates each time I […]
March 24, 2016
Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 47.
We writers share ideas to improve our craft. This series aims to trim our writing. Readers will appreciate the absence of these common redundancies and flabby expressions. Joint collaboration: Let’s dispense with the ‘joint’, unless you feel the need for a fix, of course. All collaboration is a joint affair, after all. e.g. Joint collaboration […]
March 23, 2016
Is it Time to Re-evaluate our Attitude to Religious Freedoms?
From time to time, I feel compelled to express an opinion about some matter or other. As a writer, with my own blog, I consider this the most appropriate place for such things. Please join the discussion. And, if you’re easily offended, please avoid these topics. # It has happened again: a terrorist attack on […]
Collins Complete Guide to British Birds, by Paul Sterry, Reviewed.
Regular visitors to the blog will know I usually review works of fiction. But I also do this for nonfiction, when I think it’ll be useful for readers. My recent move to the Forest of Dean has meant I’ve discovered species of bird unknown to me, so I bought this book to help my wife […]
March 22, 2016
Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 46.
We writers share ideas to improve our craft. This series aims to trim our writing. Readers will appreciate the absence of these common redundancies and flabby expressions. Meet with each other: If you’re getting together, you’re meeting. You don’t need ‘with each other’. e.g. They met with each other to discuss her offer. Try: They […]
March 20, 2016
The Influence of Place on Content.
We’ve just returned from a visit to another county where we were engaged in family research. Essex is a place I lived for 18 years, when employment took me there. I haven’t been back for 30 years, but we have ancestors in the area. Time to visit the county records office in Chelmsford, to dig […]
March 19, 2016
Creative #Writing #Contests Page Updated
Sorry for the delay: I’ve been on a family history research trip with my wife and her sister. So, here’s this week’s reminder that I’ve updated the contest table. Whenever you visit the page, the table will be as up to date as it is on my home computer, as it updates each time I […]
March 17, 2016
Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 45.
Have a great St. Patrick’s Day! Writers enjoy sharing ideas to improve their craft. Here are some tricks to trim your writing. Readers will appreciate the absence of these common redundancies and flabby expressions. Eradicate completely: When something is eradicated, it is completely removed, so we don’t need ‘completely’. e.g. We must eradicate completely all […]
