Stuart Aken's Blog, page 294

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Icauna

Icauna: Another of my occasional god/goddess entries,displayed in the hope of helping people understand that religion is neitherexclusive nor especially mystical.
Icauna is a Romano-Celtic (Gallic) goddess who is knownonly from a single inscription, which was discovered at Auxerre, Yonne, France.She appears to be the patroness or guardian of the Yonne River, named after her.The name may well be derived from Celtic root iskā- forwater and may be intended to describe the 'flowing' action of a river. The Celts were very keen onwater goddesses and made offerings to them, often in the form of discardedweapons, coins and other items with some value, which were tossed into thewaters in the hope of favours from the deities thus petitioned.Call me an old cynic, but Ican't quite cleanse my mind's eye of the picture of some old scoundrel hidingby the banks of such streams, pools and marshes, waiting for the supplicants togo back to their normal activities, leaving the way clear for the scoundrel toretrieve the objects of value so he/she can sell them.
Pic: Trout stream in Driffield.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Lay or lie?

Lay or lie?Ifyou 'lay' something down, you put it in place. The long 'a' sound gives theclue.Ifyou 'lie' down, you recline. Here, the long 'i' sound should help you remember.
Thisis a topic on which reams of paper have been devoured, so I'm not going toexpand on this one. I will, however, give a few examples, in the hope thesewill be of help.
'Laydown and have a rest.''Shelay serene and still in the wild waving grass and dreamt of her heroapproaching on a stallion of purest white.'But:'He laid her on the couch and took advantage of her ready availability.''Goto your room and lie in bed until I come up to tell you a story.''Whenyou lie on the couch like that, you give me ideas.'
Pic: Port Mulgrave, North Yorkshire

The Remains, by Vincent Zandri, Reviewed.

A 30 year old sex crime haunts this story of irrationalrevenge, obsession and predation. Identical twins star, with the living sisterproviding a point of view character, surprisingly well-created by the maleauthor. The unlikely savant hero and the rejected husband make fascinating maleprotagonists in a tale that twists and turns its way to a final, almostinevitable, climax.Along the way, the reader is treated to depictions of theMaine landscape that contain threat as well as charm. The author's insight intothe workings of the savant's restricted genius takes us into a world bothstrange and intriguing. The heroine, although suffering the consequences of herpart in a criminal traumatic incident during childhood, grows through the storyto learn courage and increased self-esteem. It is interesting that, in this novel, which is essentiallya crime thriller, neither the criminal nor the investigating officer take prominentroles. However, the emotional and threatening influence of the sinister madmancause an undercurrent of unease and menace throughout the tale.The denouement, beginning quite early on for this genre,builds through several climaxes, each brining its own tensions and apparentclosure. The final scene is both satisfactorily inevitable and surprising. This is a novel that moves (in both senses of the word),scares and intrigues and is one I'd class as a damned good read.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Synecdoche

Synecdoche: A figure ofspeech in which a part is used to represent the whole.
Examples:
Describing a vehicle as 'wheels''grey beard' for an older man'hands' for workers as in, 'All hands on deck.''the good book' for the Bible'bug' for any kind of insect 'glasses' for spectacles'irons' for shackles used to restrict a prisoner'rubber' for a condom.
Pic: Californian Poppies.

A Daughter of the Forest, by Evelyn Raymond, Reviewed.

This book was not previously known to me but I suspect itmay be an American classic from the last century. The writing style, combinedwith the eclectic and slightly overblown vocabulary, suggests a work of thelate 19th or early 20th century to me.Unprepared as I was for this mode of storytelling, in which thenarrator slips readily from one point of view to another, making thinly-veiledauthorial comments along the way, I almost stopped reading after the firstcouple of chapters. However, there was something intriguing about the innocenceof both characters and storyline that persuaded me to persevere with it. I'mglad I did.The story slowly comes to life, as the interaction of thediverse characters explains central aspects, whilst laying on further layers ofmystery. The simple life of early America in the wilderness is vividlydescribed and contrasts excellently with the later depiction of chaotic andexuberant New York.That the ending was obvious detracts not at all from thislovely little story that leaves the reader feeling uplifted and happier withthe human condition.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Habitation

Habitation: noun -the act of living in or inhabiting; occupation by inhabitants; place of abode, dwellingplace; especially a house or a home; a settlement.
'The communal longhouse, nestling under the towering treesof the rainforest, was a welcome habitation for the tribe, but Jonathan couldnever really come to terms with it as his home.'
Pic: the pond at Little Driffield.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Jealousy or envy?

Jealousy: noun - overwhelmingfear, suspicion, or belief one is, or might be, displaced in someone'saffections; distrust of the faithfulness of a spouse or lover; of God - Hisintolerance of the worship of other gods (which has always struck me as an oddquality in a being supposed to be omniscient and almighty); resentment or envyof another person or his or her possible or actual success, advantage, orsuperiority; rivalry; concern or anxiety for the preservation or well-being ofsomething or someone; vigilance or care in guarding something or someone.Envy: noun - feelingof resentful or discontented longing aroused by another person's betterfortune, situation.
As is so often the case with alternatives in English, itsvocabulary culled from so many different languages, there is some overlap inthe meanings of these two words. However, jealousy is generally used to conveythe emotions felt in areas of possession and protection, and envy generallyexpresses a desire to actually have what the other person has (instead of them,rather than as well as).
'One day, your insane and unfounded jealousy will drive awedge between us, destroy all the love I feel for you, and send me out of yourlife for good.'
'Mary guarded her new baby with that jealousy only the newmother knows.'
'Derek was consumed by envy of his neighbour to the extenthe plotted murder so that he might take all those things he thought the man hadbut didn't deserve.'

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Syllogism

Syllogism: noun - aform of reasoning where a conclusion is deduced from two propositions referred toas the premises, which include a common or middle term absent from theconclusion (e.g. All Ds are Es, all Es are Gs, therefore all Ds are Gs); a typeor method of reasoning or something regarded as such, especially one that isspecious or subtle; an artifice, a trick, often jocular or ironic.
In Aristotle's Prior Analytics, he definessyllogism as 'a discourse in which, certain things having been supposed,something different from the things supposed results of necessity because thesethings are so.' e.g:
Major premise: All women are beautiful.Minor premise: All mothers are women.Conclusion: All mothers are beautiful.
Eachof the three distinct terms represents a category. In the above example, 'women', 'beautiful' and 'mothers'; 'beautiful' is the major term, 'mothers' the minor term. Thepremises also have one term in common with each other, which is known as the middle term; in this example, 'women'. Both of the premises are universal, as is the conclusion.
Pic: Honey bee on garden flowers.

Author Interview with Pandora Poikilos

Who is Pandora Poikilos?
I have received some "get to know you"questions. So, here's a peek at the questions that have been asked, and therandom ones that no one asked but I felt like answering anyways, in noparticular order. 
Most popular question, is Pandora Poikilos areal name? 
Now, if it's real or not, after having itbroadcast all over the internet am I really going to tell one individual whoasks me in a blog comment? Some pseudonyms I have used include, MarjorieAbraham and Andrea Nelson.  
What do you think was the most difficult partof growing up and why?
Not too sure if I'm all grown up (loads more togrow mentally) but I'd have to say the most difficult part is learning thatpeople you trust can betray you for the smallest of returns. 
How old are you?
Old enough, 17 April 1976
What's the ideal dream job for you?
What I have right now. To write. 
HelloPandora, please tell us about you, as a writer.
For aslong as I can remember, I have always wanted to write. My first article waspublished in a local paper when I was 13. Not only did it feel like it was the bestthing in the world, the only time when I feel right with myself is when I amwriting.
Your book'Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out'has been described as Women's Fiction; perhaps you'd you give us some insightinto it in a few sentences.
The bookdeals with Anya's story which is woven into layers of misunderstandings, a rareneurological disorder and an issue that we all deal with, acceptance. Moreimportantly the book deals with moving on. Life has a habit of handing us apause button and sometimes we can't seem to move past it, this book doesn'tshow you how in a step by step way, it is proof that you can move pasttragedy or loss.
How didyou come to write this particular book?
I wasdiagnosed with IIH (Intracranial Hypertension) some years ago. Life has beendifficult to say the least. I had a VP shunt surgery done last year. Writing abook was always a goal I had for myself and there's nothing like brain surgeryto get you going and so the book was finished between pre-surgery jitters andpost-surgery boredom.
Do youhave a favourite character from the book? If so, who and why this particularone?
It wouldbe the chapter and character known as "Calm Amidst the Storm" whichtalks about a friend who holds you up and takes you across the finish line whenall you want to do is drop out of the race.
Where canpeople buy your books?
Amazon,Barnes & Noble and Smashwords for now. More sale venues will be comingsoon. Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Excuse-Brains-Have-Stepped-Out/dp/0983197873/Smashwords- http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53084
What qualities does a writer need to be successful?
Resilience,Humility, Diligence.

What's your workingmethod?
I must have pen and paper.Traditional and old fashioned I know but my words will not come otherwise. Onceit is written out, it is typed out, edited and so on. Also, I do set asidewriting time which is uninterrupted time solely for working on my current book,short stories or my non-fiction pieces (also known as Dora's Essentials).
What's the single biggestmistake made by beginner writers?
They give up too easily. Theywrite to a few B-I-G publishing companies, get turned down and then they tellthemselves it's not worth the effort. Imagine if Dickens believed everythingpeople said about him.
To what extent are grammarand spelling important in writing?
I think it makes the differencebetween an easy read for the reader and a good writer who conveys his story.Neither can happen without good grammar and spelling. Understood, that allbooks cannot be perfect and errors can be found but when you find a spellingerror in every sentence, what does that tell you of the writer and will thereader keep reading?
How much do you reviseyour MS before sending it off?
To the point that looking at itmakes me want to throw up. I only send it off when I am sick of it. As long asI am turning the pages making changes, I'm not done with it and I'm not happywith it. And if I'm not happy about it how will my readers enjoy the book?
As a writer, to whatextent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?
I think it is very useful. Itprovides a sense of direction. You can't just write a book and say I wroteabout 'everything'.
Many authors see marketingas a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?
This a frequent and ongoingdiscussion isn't it? I think to a large extent the publishing industry hasbecome a much wider circle than it used to be. But with this comes a largesupply that may or may not have a demand for it. Hence, the process of coercingthe supply towards the demand. I've had my moments when marketing has reallygot to me but utilising social media has been a wonderful tool in aiding mymarketing efforts. But as with anything in life, social media marketing has tobe consistent before successful results are seen.
What sort of displacementactivities keep you from writing?
Noise. I get distracted easilywith phones ringing, dogs barking. While this is not an activity it definitelyflushes out ideas from my head.
What support, if any, doyou receive from family and friends, or a writing group?
I have a few close friends I cango to and there is my partner (Peas as he is known to my readers) who becomesmy virtual 'punching bag', critic and idea bag. I think it is important for anywriter to have people like these around. It's one thing to have someone closeto you read it and say, "that's a great piece" but it's completelyanother for them to say, "you can do better". Sometimes we becomecomplacent and we need people close to us to nudge us along.
Is presentation of the MSas important as agents and publishers suggest?
I think it is. A well presentedMS usually means effort. If the writer doesn't make an effort on his own MS,again, how will the reader be affected?
How long does it take youto write a novel?
About 3 months, it's the editingthat takes me longer.
Who or what inspires yourwriting?
My partner, Peas. Call him a museif you must but our conversations have sparked more than just one or twochapters of my work.
If there's a single aspectof writing you find frustrating, what is it?
None that I can think of.
Is there a particularfeature of writing that you really enjoy?
Reaching out to people. Nothingin the world tops the feeling of communicating with a reader who has somethingto say about your book.
Do you believe creativewriting is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
I think it's a little of both, apleasant mix if you must. It comes naturally then you tame it with sometraining and chances are, a masterpiece is born.
What are you writing now?
My second novel, Frequent Traveler, which will bereleased on November 6.
Do you have a website orblog where readers can visit?
Sure. My blog is - http://peacefrompieces.blogspot.com/ andmy website is http://pandorapoikilos.com/Contactinfo is as follows
twitter - pandorapoikilos
facebook -pandorapoikilos
google talk - pandorapoikilos

Given unlimited resources,where would you do your writing?
On a beautiful island with veryfew people, a comfortable house and Internet.
Where do you actuallywrite?
Curled up on my sofa with my MP3player in my ears.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Gable

Gable: noun - verticaltriangular portion of wall at the end of a ridged roof, from the level of theeaves to the apex, an architectural member formed as a gable, gable-shapedcanopy over a window or door; triangular-topped end wall of a building; a gableend.
'Hidden deep in quiet rural byways, the cottage had beenextended and added to during the centuries it had been standing, so that it nowfeatured many gable ends, some at right angles to the others.'
Pic: Staithes Harbour, North Yorkshire, featuring a few gable ends on the cottages shown.