Stuart Aken's Blog, page 206

Short on Success?

Novelist, playwright, journalist, writer of fact, or simply a ‘writer’? I’ll bet, whatever your specialism, you’ve at least been tempted to try your hand at that gem of creativity, the short story. I’m not going to go into definitions, since theories suggest the short story is anything from 6 to 20,000 words. For me, a […]

Featured in a New Anthology.

A short while ago, I entered a short story into a contest. As usual, I then forgot all about it. A few days ago, I received an email to tell me my story, whilst not a winner, had been shortlisted and was to feature along with 25 others. It’s a collection of humorous stories written […]

34 Writing Terms For Serious Writers

Originally posted on The Beauty of Words:
Part of being a writer is expanding your knowledge of our craft. A better vocabulary about the technical aspects of writing can help you to become a more proficient wordsmith. It’s very difficult to speak intelligently about something if you lack the proper words. I found these definitions…

The Ships of Aleph, by Jaine Fenn, Reviewed.

This short book is a mix of fantasy and soft science fiction that works well. It paints a picture of a world both disturbing and intriguing. I suspect that the author will, or maybe has already, feature the world in further fiction. It certainly has potential.

The story moves the main character through a learning process that shifts him from a level of knowledge and experience reflecting the Middle Ages through to something from the far future. It does this seamlessly and with no sense of im...

Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 12.

Writers enjoy sharing ideas to improve their craft. Here, I’m looking at ways to trim our writing. Readers will thank us.

I’ll look at common redundancies and a few flabby expressions.

Ask the question:

Can you do anything else with a question but ‘ask’ it? Of course you can: pose a question, even post a question. However, to write, ‘ask the question’ is to commit a tautology for which, as a writer, you should be severely castigated. e.g. Ask the question of your tutor. Try: Ask your tutor....

Quickie Zooming Through Funnies

stuartaken:

A small touch of lightness to brighten your world for a while. Enjoy!

Originally posted on Jo Robinson:

Just about to sign off – been trotting around for eighteen hours – cool looking eyeballs though – when this wonderful email from my most amazing friend popped up. Thank you for the smiles beautiful Eleanor – you are awesome!MWAH and LOVE!
If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.
(Hardly seems worth it.)
...

A Weekend at #FantastiCon 2015.

A Real Dalek with some of the Cosplayers

And what a weekend it was! I first mentioned it in an earlier post, find it here.

This was the second fantasy/science fiction convention I’ve attended. Both events were organised by my amazing publisher, Dan Grubb of Fantastic Books Publishing. The first was in Hull, last year. This year’s event took place in the Country Park Inn on the banks of the river, located under the famous Humber Bridge at Hessle. I spent many hours of my youth on the riverbank...

The Island (Part 1), by Michael Stark, Reviewed.

This book, as the subtitle suggests, is the beginning of a story. For me, it is, as with so many ‘books’ in the current market, not what I understand to be a book. It’s a scene setter. It follows a marketing technique that’s been used in other industries for years but one I feel is unsuited to the idea of a book.

However, that said, what about the content? The writing is very good, though there was a tad too much detail about the navigation and operation of a sailboat than I wanted or needed...

Launch of The Methuselah Strain in Hardback

My publisher, Fantastic Books Publishing has published my science fiction novella, The Methuselah Strain in a limited edition hardback version alongside the digital version. The book, all copies of which will be signed by yours truly, is due for launch tomorrow, 24th October at Fantasticon 2015. See the previous blog post, here, for full details of this amazing convention.

I’m travelling up north later today to attend the 2 days of the convention, so I’ll hopefully see some of you there. I’l...

Fantastic Fantasticon 2015:

What is it?

It’s a different kind of fantasy/scifi/gaming convention open to anyone and everyone with an interest in these popular topics. A place to take part, rather than simply a market place (though there are things to buy for those who want them, of course). And if you’re a Dr Who fan, you’ll find a Dalek and some familiar faces here along with many excellent representations of fantasy/scifi characters in the Cosplay area.

Where is it?

At The Country Park Inn, Hessle. This is in a fabul...