Stuart Aken's Blog, page 221

The Power Thesaurus Reviewed.

As an occasional contributor to the Quora question site, I was sent a question today. It introduced me to a writing resource I hadn’t previously known. The Power Thesaurus is a crowdsourced tool for those seeking alternative words for their writing.
I generally use either my 1987 edition of the good old Roget’s Thesaurus, or the inbuilt thesaurus from Encyclopaedia Britannica online, to which I belong because I bought a print version of the books way back in 1994. Normally, I try to dig alternative words from my own disorganised vocabulary, which nestles chaotically entwined with numerous memories and wordy files within the otherwise inaccessible confines of my brain. But that organic resource has its limits and often refuses to cooperate when a search is made for le bon mot.
So, a tool of some sort is vital when it comes to the editing stage (I never bother to instigate a search for the right word whilst creating; it interrupts the flow). Roddy Doyle famously said, ‘Do keep a thesaurus, but in the shed…or behind the fridge, somewhere that demands travel or effort.’ And I can empathise with that injunction: things found without effort are generally undervalued. But sometimes the brain just fails to deliver, and it is then that help is needed.
The Power Thesaurus is a comprehensive tool. It usefully provides antonyms as well as the usual synonyms. It is grammatically and syntactically accurate for the most part, but accepts corrections, additions and amendments from the using community, so is subject to the inevitable errors such liberty allows. Users can vote up or down the suggested alternatives, ranking them according to personal taste. It provides vulgar and vernacular alternatives; a useful help when writing dialogue. For some words, it provides hundreds of alternatives spread over many pages: I tried ‘change’ and it came up with 1000 suggestions!

Of course, there will be those who fail to understand the real purpose of a thesaurus, who will select random suggested words in the expectation that their ‘enhanced’ sentences will thereby be more admired when, in fact, they will simply reveal the writers as twits with no real understanding of the language. But, used judiciously, this is a resource that will aid many writers and I recommend it to you.Related articles [image error] The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus: Jen Bryant & Melissa Sweet

Fusion: Digital SciFi Morphs into Print.

Fusion: this excellent collection of speculative fiction, first published in digital form, is now available in paperback with accompanying illustrations.
A collection of 25 stories of fantasy and science fiction from around the globe, each illustrated by digital artist Alice Taylor. This collection has been compiled from the winners of the Fantastic Books Publishing International Charity Short Story Competition 2012 and features 2 stories from our professional contributors Danuta Reah and Stuart Aken. 10% of the proceeds of this book will be donated to the WCRF (World Cancer Research Fund - Registered Charity Number - 1000739) who do sterling work in the field of global cancer prevention.
The cover has changed for the paperback edition, but the stories remain as fresh and individual as on the day I reviewed the book when it first came out. Click here for the review.
To purchase click the link below:
From Fantastic Books Publishing From Amazon UK
From Amazon.com Related articles [image error] Updates from my Publisher

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #11

[image error] Freshman college girls between classes. By standards of the time, they would have been considered very "dressed up." Memphis, Tennessee, 1973 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Some words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: AttractiveEmotional: Good Looking
‘Regardless of how attractive you find her, she is not considered suitable marriage material by your father, Brian.’
‘She’s a good looking girl, Bri. I can see why you’d want to be with her.’
Intellectual: GarmentEmotional: Dress, Skirt, Shirt
‘That garment is hardly suitable for the workplace, Miss Divine.’
‘Wow! That miniskirt really suits you, Di.’
Intellectual: PerceiveEmotional: See
‘I perceive a change in the manner of your relationship with that young woman.’

‘I can see you’re completely infatuated with that girl.’Related articles [image error] Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #9 [image error] #893

Writing and Running for ME/CFS #8

[image error] Washing machine- without front (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Writing: Well; could have been better. I’ve been continuing with the curating of the diary entries, as I need to have them copied to a single file, so I can highlight and extract the relevant sections. But, in their weird wisdom, Microsoft seem to think that a date in a document should automatically change to the date the document is edited. Why they think that, I can’t imagine. In fact, I’m finding it hard to think of any circumstances in which it would be helpful to have a pre-existing date automatically change to the current date in any document. No doubt someone will enlighten me.
The point is, that in copying the documents over to a single file, all the entry dates changed to the date of copying. Something I hadn’t noticed at the time. This meant, of course, that I had to start again. Fortunately, I still have the original documents! But how to preserve the dates of the diary entries?
I use a desktop iMac with MS Word, because I’m familiar with that word processor. It took a while to discover how I could ensure the dates didn’t alter. A blend of highlighting the date and then pressing a combination of the ‘fn’, ‘cmd’ and ‘f11’ keys. But, of course, this has to be done for every date and can’t be applied to the whole document! Now, there’s a really helpful user-friendly solution. Do you think programmers make these things deliberately obtuse so that we are all left in the dark to struggle, and therefore made to believe they are somehow clever? Surely, any programmer worth his salt (and I use the male pronoun advisedly) could devise a way of preserving all dates in a document with a couple of keystrokes?
Anyway, the outcome is that I am still in the process of amending all the dates in the diaries before I can even start the proper curating. Oh, good!
Running: This week I was supposed to do 2 sessions of 10 minute running followed by a session of 15 minute running today. I managed my Monday run with no problem. However…
At the moment, we’re in the process of moving house and the packing has begun. Last week, the seal on the washing machine decided to split so, as it’s insured, we had an engineer booked to fix it. The washing machine stands in a corner with a tumbler dryer atop. In order to get to the back of washing machine, so he could change the seal, I had to lift the tumbler dryer off the top of the washer. No problem: it’s bulky and awkward, but not particularly heavy.
Turns out I didn’t need to lift it off; the job could be done from the front! No matter. I’d done it. When the man left, I decided to replace the tumbler dryer. Mistake. My back went. I have a slight weakness, which manifests itself from time to time in severe pain for a couple of days after an event followed by a period of delicate necessity.

So, no running until next week!

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #10

[image error] The Transvaal War: General Sir George Colley at the Battle of Majuba Mountain Just Before He Was Killed. See File:Melton Prior - Illustrated London News - The Transvaal War - General Sir George Colley at the Battle of Majuba Mountain Just Before He Was Killed original.jpg for attached article. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Some words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: AssaultEmotional: Beat Up
The General ordered an assault on the hilltop gun emplacement, even though it was so well defended that the mission was tantamount to suicide.
Even though the gang of extremists beat up their prisoner, he refused to give them the satisfaction of displaying pain or fear.
Intellectual: CombatEmotional: Fight
‘This combat mission will advance the battle in the east, men, so I want you to give it your all.’
‘I’m not going to fight you, Jack. I’d lose and you’d be no wiser than you are now.’
Intellectual: YouthfulEmotional: Young
‘Many of the troops we send to the front are youthful and lack experience, making them easier to order into hopeless battle.’

‘Make ‘em young and I’ll give you a fighting force with the guts, passion and bravado that only comes from inexperience.’Related articles [image error] Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #7

Taste of Treason, by April Taylor, Reviewed.

Taste of Treason is the second book in the Tudor Enigma series. The books are a mix of alternative history and fantasy, but that description fails to do them justice.
Well written and comprehensively researched, the stories take the reader back to the days following the death of Henry VIII. Except that in these stories, Henry has a male heir, Henry IX is on the throne, and Anne Boleyn is alive and well.
In Taste of Treason, Luke, an apothecary working not far from Hampton Court Palace, has been engaged as an Inquirer by Anne. He is an Elemancer; a man with certain magical powers. He is also a man with a conscience who gives his time and cures generously to the poor of the area. Young and handsome, he has yet to understand the joys and benefits to be had from female company, though he has admirers.
I won’t give a synopsis here, except to let you know that Royal lives are in danger and the future stability of the Realm is dependent on Luke’s success in discovering the nature, identity and purpose of the Sunderer bent on causing as much trouble as possible. He must fight this powerful evil whilst maintaining a low profile, defending his friends from an ambitious and unscrupulous witch finder, and dealing with the unreasonable demands of the Royals for whom he works.
As always with April Taylor’s writing, the characters are real and flawed. It is easy to empathise with the main protagonists, and the lesser characters are drawn with equal facility. The story moves at a good pace from the beginning and drives toward a stunning and increasingly intense denouement. Although I was initially obliged to read the story over a number of short sessions, I was unwilling to put the book down once I’d started on this last portion.
The author uses language that is both accessible and appropriate to the time of the story. She has developed a style that perfectly fits the story and its time. Her descriptions of the various potions concocted by the apothecary are full of detail, making the whole believable. Dog lovers will appreciate Luke’s loyal companion. And history buffs will enjoy the details that describe the society and way of life of the times. The romantics will love the developing relationships.

So, if you like a splash of romance and magic blended with some history you’ll love this book. I’ve read and enjoyed the first book, and now the second. I look forward to the next in the series.Related articles [image error] Never In Her Proper Place: The Feminism of Anne Boleyn [image error] Book Review - The Wives of Henry VIII as told by Antonia Fraser (1992) [image error] This Day in History: October 30th- A King, His Wife, and The Act of Supremacy

Writing and Running for ME/CFS #7

[image error] Writing (Photo credit: Wikipedia)The running continues to go well. This week, I started a new programme. So, a 10 minute run on Tuesday and another on Friday. Nothing for today, but tomorrow I start on 3 runs per week. I seem to be managing the training okay for the moment and I'm certainly getting fitter as the weeks go by.

The writing is also progressing. I've asked my wife and my daughter to produce some of their own words to describe how they felt during the course of my ME/CFS. I want to try to make the book as helpful to as many people as possible, and a view from a carer and a child of a sufferer should help with those perspectives.
I've started curating the diary entries, a fairly major task in itself. There are long periods without entries, of course, but i think the periods where there are entries will help form a more complete picture of the condition and its effects on me and my family.

So, progress continues. Life is a little hectic at present, with the house sold and the process of moving starting. Also, made a visit to Manchester on Friday/Saturday, so Kate to attend a job interview there.
Related articles [image error] Writing and Running for ME/CFS #6 [image error] My Marathon story - by Geraldine Bilson

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #9

The Earth seen from Apollo 17. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Some words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: CircularEmotional: Round
Many people think the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is circular, but it is, of course, elliptical.
‘Round as pink grapefruit, they’re crowned with roseate cherries.’
Intellectual: DiscloseEmotional: Explain
Ephraim was instructed to disclose the source of the information he had used to write his exclusive report.
‘You gonna explain where you got that gen, Mandy?’
Intellectual: PharmaceuticalsEmotional: Medicine
Many pharmaceuticals have undesirable side effects that render the drugs almost as unpleasant as the conditions they are intended to treat.

‘This medicine will make you better. I know it will, as I made it myself from natural substances.’Related articles [image error] Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #5

Writing and Running for ME/CFS #6

Progress for the 8 week period.A rather peculiar week. My daughter had a minor mishap with her car on Thursday, which rendered it
unusable and in need of repair. We dashed the 12 miles to her place of work to get her safely home at 02:00 and this rather disrupted plans, especially as she works odd shifts and public transport won't serve her for those. So Dad has had to become taxi driver until the car is repaired.
The event didn't impact on my running, but it did have an effect on my writing.

The running has gone to plan and I've now completed the challenge, which was to run for 20 minutes by the end of the 8 week period. I also lost 4 lbs in weight. A bit more wouldn't go amiss, but it'll come off over the weeks, no doubt. So, that's the first level of fitness achieved.

I've started a new plan, which commences on Tuesday. No walking on this  one; all running. So I'm going to get fitter more quickly, and it lasts the whole period from now until the projected day of the actual half marathon I'm aiming for. More on that target once the ballot has been held and I've got a place!

The writing of the account of my experience of ME/CFS?
Well, I did manage a few notes. We're in the process of selling the house at present, so it's difficult to get into the sort of routine I prefer when I'm creating a new piece. But this will all settle with time. It's a little hectic, but I'll get there.
Related articles [image error] The Joy of Running [image error] Running is a Life-Saver, Study Finds

#BookADayUK; A Reader Event For October. Last Day

Odd Thomas (novel) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Well, it's been a bit of a marathon, but hopefully has made some readers consider using their local independent bookshop (if you're lucky enough to have one!) to purchase their books. The Books Are My Bag.com promotion has lasted the entire month of October, and I've tried to post on each theme as it's occurred.

Todays, more or less inevitably, I suppose, is 'Spookiest read'. Spookiest? Well, I've read a lot of books that have set my nerves jangling, made me look over my shoulder for that vague sound behind me, got me twitching the curtains to see who is lurking in the back garden. Can I recall the title of a single one? Not today (but it has been a rather peculiar day with an early morning journey to rescue my daughter after she crashed her car - no injury, but a bit of a bent car. Didn't get to bed until 03:15 and then up at 08:00 to get the car recovered and into the garage for repairs!).

So, it looks as though I've had to call on Goodreads to remind me. And I've come up with Dean Koontz and Odd Thomas. Let's face it, a book about a guy who sees dead people is pretty spooky. It's a good read and I'd recommend you try it.
Related articles [image error] The Story Behind the Story (Part I) [image error] #BookADayUK; A Reader Event For October. Day 7 [image error] #BookADayUK; A Reader Event For October. Day 27