Stuart Aken's Blog, page 312

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Vac

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Vac: another of the occasional gods. Vac is a Hindu goddess of the spoken word. She is also known as the 'queen of the gods' and is considered the personification of speech. Credited with creating the four Vedas, which are the basis of Hindu mythology, she also personifies truth, which, when you consider she is a weaver of myth, says something about the relationship between some gods and the truth, doesn't it?

Writing: 2000 Words Written.

No report yesterday, as I should have been at my writing group. However, I was too knackered to contribute anything meaningful (what do you mean, 'so, no change there, then'?).
This morning, properly rested and full of beans, I continued with Ch25 and added 2000 words. Whether these turn out to be words of wisdom or worthless words remains to be seen. Only when I exchange my creator's cap for my editor's 'elmet, will I be able to assess the success or otherwise. Still, it all feels as if it's going well, which has to count for something.

Been out to vote, and for a short walk under clouds threatening but failing to deliver proper rain. After more than 3 weeks without any rain, the garden is in real need.

Had enough now. Back at it tomorrow.

Picture shows the chalk cliffs at Flamborough; about twelve miles from home.

Author Interview with Gary Hoover

Hi Gary. Please tell us little about yourself.
I'm fairly boring.  My son just went off to college and now my wife and I sit in bed, with our individual lap-tops, posting rude comments on each other's Facebook pages and giggling.
The most excitement we get is when we go out to watch my son's  friend's band play (Shadowplay http://www.shadowplayrocknroll.com/ ) – I wanted to try to work a plug in for them because they let me use their music in my trailers).  They spent a good part of last summer sleeping on our floor and eating our food, so we figured we should repay them for that service by buying their CD's going to shows, etc.  My wife and I will be at a show, surrounded by 18-20 year olds who are all screaming and jumping up and down and 'slam-dancing' and I'll just be trying not to break a hip.
I know you write fantasy; perhaps you'd you give us some insight into Land of Nod, The Artifact in a few sentences.

The basic story is about a 14 year old boy whose father (who was a brilliant physicist) has disappeared and been presumed dead.  Jeff finds a strange 'portal' in his father's office and begins to suspect that his father passed through the portal to whatever is on the other side.  Jeff himself passes through and finds he is in an alternate world.  The trilogy revolves around the search for his father, but a LOT happens during that search.
How did you come to write this particular book? 
I've always had an interest in fantasy, adventure, escapism.  In a way (and I can't say too much or I'll give away some things that will be revealed in later books) the story itself is an allegory for writing and reading and the way we can enter other worlds when we pick up a good book.  This may sound a bit cheesy, but the basic premise – the mechanics of how he comes to find that other world - actually came to me in a dream.  I woke up thinking:  "That's it!  That's how I can anchor this adventure story that's been bouncing around my brain."  I started writing the next day.
If you have a favourite character in your novel, why that particular one?
There's a character named Dave who is a foul, loudmouthed lout and he will say just about anything that pops into his mind.  I absolutely LOVE him because he can say and do the things that polite society won't allow us to do.  He only gets limited time in the first book, but I will be able to do much more with him in the second book.
Where and when is this novel set and why did you make these specific choices?
It's set in a nameless alternate universe.  I wanted it to be in an alternate universe because that gives me the freedom to do whatever I want to create interesting creatures, characters and situations.  It's nameless because of a specific technique of mine.  Whenever I read a science fiction or fantasy book, I'm always distracted when I read made-up words:  "We need to be on the road to Zesphar soon so we can present the tangoodies to the Philliparians."  Every time I hit a word like that in a story, it takes me out of that world and reminds me it's all made-up.  Sure it's made-up, but the reader doesn't need to be reminded of that.  Of course a real alien world would have very odd words, but I take some license in avoiding overusing them.  I really want it to feel as real as possible and, while there are amazing creatures and situations, I always strive to make characters, interactions and the basics activities feel as real and natural as possible.  I believe that's key to providing an intense experience for the reader because then it doesn't just feel like a story . . . it feels like it's really happening.   
Where can people buy your book?
It's currently only available in eBook format, but it's available at most major outlets and in nearly all formats.  There are links on my main page ( http://www.landofnodtrilogy.com/ ) to most of the outlets carrying it.
What qualities does a writer need to be successful? 
I think it varies greatly.  Not only will every writer have different interests, talents and abilities, but I think nearly everyone has a different idea of 'success'.   But one thing nearly every writer needs is a bit of a thick skin.  Normally people interact with friends, and there are certain things friends won't say.  Once your book is out there, people who don't know you personally will be reading it and commenting about it without the niceties that we're used to in face-to-face interaction. I've been very fortunate in that my book seems to have been received very well, but when 100 people say it's great and 1 says eh, it wasn't anything special, that 1 comment is going to be the one that sticks in the author's head.  "Not special?!?!  What's he mean 'not special'?   My mom always told me I was very special."
What's your working method?
I have absolutely terrible working habits.  I've got extreme ADD (in fact I based the first chapter on the idea that Jeff, also has extreme ADD and the reader sees him going crazy from boredom and frustration – that is relieved when he travels to the new world.  So I'll write a little bit . . . and then get something to eat . . . then write a little bit . . . and check on the score of the game . . . then write a little bit . . . and throw a loaf of bread at my wife (I'm not sure exactly how it started, but throwing bread at one another has sort of become a little tradition with us).  Fortunately, with ADD comes something called 'hyper-focus'.  So when I get in the right zone, everything else tunes out and I become completely immersed in my work.  The trick is to get as much done when I'm in that zone.  I think my ADD also gives me the kind of creativity I need to write the kind of stories I do.
 What's the single biggest mistake made by beginner writers?
That's a complicated one.  I think there are SO many things that can go right and wrong along the way that it's hard to think of any uniquely important ones.  It's a long, slow learning process, and, while you can learn from listening to the sage advice of elders, I think most of it has to be done by trial and error.  With that context in mind, one common mistake is expecting too much too soon.  I'm afraid many beginning writers never become (finishing writers?) because they didn't stick it out beyond the frustrating first steps.
To what extent are grammar and spelling important in writing?
Neither of those are strong areas for me, but I do think they're important.  Most readers (either consumers or publishers ) won't go beyond the first paragraph if the spelling and grammar are poor.  It provides the appearance that the writer isn't very competent and/or didn't spend much time . . . and who wants to read something written by someone like that?

How much do you revise your MS before sending it off?
I have trouble stopping.  No matter how many times I read and revise something, I always go back and find things I don't like that can be improved.  At some point you've got to just say:  "Okay, it may not be perfect, but it's time."
As a writer of fantasy, to what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?
There are just sooo many books out there that writers need to be able to give readers . . . and agents and publishers . . .  an idea of what the book is about as quickly as possible.  And while most books can't be easily categorized into any one genre, that sort of categorization at least provides some information.
Imagine trying to sell a publisher on Moby Dick:  "Well it's the story of a hunt for a white whale.",  "Okay, I'm interested."  "And it examines the relationship between God and man and nature and our place in the universe. . . "  *Eyelids drooping*  "And it's got a lot of action and violence.",  "NOW I'm interested."
The trick is to just get someone interested enough to invest the time to really get to know what the author is doing.  Genre helps that process.
Many authors see marketing as a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?
I absolutely HATE marketing and have no talent for it, but I do what I have to do.  The best book in the world will just sit collecting dust if the author isn't willing to spend time telling people to read it.  I feel uncomfortable pushing my book and probably don't do it nearly as often as I should or could.
How do you know where to begin a given story?
For a good story, particularly one in fantasy or science fiction, I think an author needs to spend time thinking about what happens before and after the most interesting thing and then decide what sections of that they want to reveal.
In Land of Nod, The Artifact, I very specifically wanted to start in our world.  At the beginning of the story, I wanted the reader to share similar knowledge with Jeff and then come along with him on the journey – as a co-traveler.  For that reason, I chose a third-person limited narration.  I didn't want Jeff to narrate because then he would (presumably) be telling the story from some point in the future and would know more than the reader.  And if I had used an omniscient perspective, the reader would know more than Jeff.
What sort of displacement activities keep you from writing?
Hmmm, I think, to be fair, I'm the one who keeps me from writing.  I love motorcycles and cars.  I enjoy reading about gadgets and technology.  I enjoy reading and watching movies.  I have a koi pond and I like to just sit and watch them make fishy lip faces.  Those are the kind of things I do when I should be writing.  Of course I could always say:  "No, I should be writing." . . . but when I don't, the blame lies with me and not the activity.
. . . sometimes just staring at a wall seems more fun than writing.
What support, if any, do you receive from family and friends, or a writing group?
Not much.  I'm pretty pig-headed and have very specific ideas of what I want to accomplish.  I have asked other people to read and give me comments and those comments have provided useful insights, but I don't rely heavily on that sort of feedback.  It's one of those things that I probably should do more than I do.
Do you think presentation of the MS is as important as agents and publishers suggest?
If a man points a gun at you and asks you to dance like a chicken and sing 'It's Raining Men", that request suddenly becomes more important than it would be without the gun.  Whether agents and publishers are justified in asking for a nice presentation is less important than the fact that you won't get anywhere if you don't dance to their tune.
In an ideal world, agents and publishers would look beyond the superficial . . . but this is far from an ideal world.
How long does it take you to write a novel?
I spend roughly a year.  I think it's important to spend some minimum time on it – even if the first draft is done fairly quickly.  As time passes, the author can see things differently and notice things he or she didn't notice before.  A person's brain can play tricks on them and an idea that sounded good at one time (maybe because of a specific event or experience at that time) may lose its point once removed from that event.  And since the reader likely didn't experience that event, maybe it should be axed.
 Who or what inspires you?
Hmmm, I'm not sure I've ever really thought about that specifically.  I'd say just the simple idea of escapism.  I write because I want to escape into another world and I'd like to be able to share that experience with others.
If there's a single aspect of writing you find really frustrating, what is it?
I don't think anything with writing frustrates me (marketing would be a whole different story).  There are times when things just don't come to me, but I don't dwell on those.  I just put it aside and go do something else.
Is there a particular feature of writing that you really enjoy?
Not to sound like a crazed B movie villain . . .  but I enjoy the POWER of being able to do whatever I want within the world I've created.
Do you believe writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
I think there are definitely elements of both required and the ratio will vary.  In my case, I'm more of a natural writer.  When I hear someone talking about what writers need to do, I generally either think:  "Of course, that's common sense."  or  "Maybe for you, but not for me, Jack.", so I'm not a great pupil (did I mention my pig-headedness in a previous question?)
 What are you writing now?
I'm currently about ¾ of the way through the first draft of the second book in the trilogy:  Land of Nod, The Prophet.  That one is going to be fun.  I've always been a sucker for second acts.
Do you have a website or blog readers can visit? 
 My main page is http://www.landofnodtrilogy.com/  I also have pages on Facebook and Goodreads and those are great because they allow me to really interact with people, but there are links to those on my main page.
 Given unlimited resources, where would you do your writing? 
I found a really cool website (and I can't remember the name) but it's a real-estate page that sells nothing but Islands.  You'd be amazed how many Islands there are for sale out there.  I'd also want something on the mainland so I could interact with people and not get to the point that I was conversing with furniture, but it would be great to retreat to the Island to really get things done.
Where do you actually write?
I probably shouldn't admit this, but on my laptop - sometimes in the family room, sometimes in bed - and usually with the TV tuned to a game or the Discovery Channel.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Udder

Image via Wikipedia
Udder: noun -  baggy and often pendulous organ, carrying two or more teats or nipples, in which milk is produced and dispensed in female ungulate mammals, like cows; animal's teat; in plural and informally - a woman's breasts.
'Gloria had to wash the udders of every cow in the herd before they could be milked, otherwise there was a danger of infection from the mechanical milking device that had replaced manual extraction for efficiency.'
'Wow, Henry, see that tart over there; with udders like that, it's a wonder she doesn't fall over. Mind you, she couldn't fall flat on 'er face, could she?'

5 May: The Vote; Alternative or Otherwise.

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Tomorrow, in UK, we vote, some of us in local council elections, all of us in the referendum on alternative voting. Some, of course, won't bother with either. Whether this is idleness, indifference, cynicism, boredom or an underlying distrust of the political system, it's a sad outcome when you consider that people suffered and died so we would have the right to make our feelings known. In many Arab countries, in China, in African states, people are being killed, incarcerated, beaten and tortured simply for expressing views at variance with the current voice of power. It does us little credit to allow laziness or petty reasoning to prevent us exercising those hard-won rights and freedoms. I hope as many as possible will go out there and vote today.
As for the Alternative Vote referendum; the 'No' camp has put out some pretty scary propaganda; the vast majority of it untrue, of course, since it is the current powers that most fear change. A 'No' vote will mean a continuation of the status quo; the seesaw between selfish conservatism and ideologically outdated socialism will carry on, with little positive effect on the vast majority of the electorate as those MPs, certain of a job for life, settle back into the trough and get on with their other jobs at the expense of the country.A 'Yes' vote will probably mean a change, and a change that may possibly be for the better. I'm not suggesting there will be an overnight or even a noticeable change to begin with. But, the alternative voting system, flawed as it is, will at least mean that your MP will have to take your concerns into account, if he or she is to rely on your vote next time round.At present, we can have a government voted in by 23% of the electorate, but the 'No' camp appear to believe it's perfectly acceptable for the country to be run by people who 77% of the country didn't want in power and want to see such inequity continue forever. My own view is that my MP should become the representative he/she is supposed to be; I want this public servant, who is paid a large salary to work for me and you, to do just that: work for me and you. Don't you? 
I hold no brief for any political party; in fact, I believe that party politics is not good democracy. A group of independents would serve us better, in my opinion.
If you'd like to know a little more about this issue, try the following links:
An organisation of activists for change in many areas - http://38degrees.org.uk/
You might find these articles by the BBC helpful:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/13112302
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11243595

Or you could have a look at what the 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns for the referendum have to say:
Yes Campaign:  http://www.yestofairervotes.org/
No Campaign: http://www.no2av.org/ 


But, whatever else you decide, please do make the effort to actually go out there and place your vote. There are millions in the rest of the world risking their lives to take freedoms we take for granted.


My apologies to my international readers, for whom this post is likely to be of little interest.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Tabernacle

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Tabernacle: noun - Jewish History: curtained tent used as a temporary sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness; the Jewish Temple, continuing the sacred functions and associations of the earlier tabernacle; dwelling place, a place of abode; the place where God dwells; the human body when considered the temporary dwelling of the soul or centre of life; ornate canopied structure, as a tomb or shrine; canopied niche or recess for holding an image; Ecclesiastical: ornamented box or container for the pyx (itself a container for consecrated host used in Holy Communion); biblical use, a portable temporary dwelling, hut, tent, booth; temporary place of worship, particularly one used whilst churches were rebuilt following the Great Fire of London in 1666; meeting house or other place of worship; Nautical: socket or support for a ship's mast, hinged at the base to allow it to be lowered to pass under bridges.
'If you talk of the tabernacle out of context, I'll never be sure whether you're referring to the tent used in the desert, the original Temple or simply a place where your god lives; you'll need to be more specific for me.'
'Mary, unlatch the locking pin from the tabernacle so I can lower the mast before we crash into that bridge ahead.'

Writing: 100 Words Today. What?

How can it be that I have done only 100 words? Well, it was a token effort, following a difficult day at the office and the need to thoroughly water the garden, as we have had no rain for three weeks and none forecast until after the weekend. plants are dying. But I was determined to move the story on, even if only a little. And, actually, those few words brought up a new idea, which I'm now ready to expand the next time I take up the thread: probably Thursday, since Wednesday is my writing group night.
So, a very short entry tonight.

The picture is a local vale we walked a few days ago. Walked 4 miles and never met another soul; heaven!

3 May is World Press Freedom Day

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World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3 every year, to remind and inform the international community that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are fundamental to human liberty. The United Nations General Assembly declared 3 May World Press Freedom Day in order to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press. It's also intended to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991. Of course, as is so often the case with the UN and other large bodies intended to legislate worldwide but denied the necessary powers to actually do the job, the freedom of the press is denied in many countries. In some, this is due to a political stance that denies the possibility of opposing points of view, in some, a dictator controls everything the people see and hear, in others the appearance of a free press is so cleverly presented that the citizens are fooled into thinking they receive unbiased news, when, in fact, they are fed the lies and biased opinions of those who control the press machinery. That this happens widely in western countries that see themselves as bastions of free will, is an illustration of the duplicity inherent in most political systems and supported by multinational commerce with an interest in maintaining the status quo.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Short Story

Short Story: noun – a form of fiction in which, ideally, an event or series of events interacts with a character in such a way that the character undergoes some change, small or large; any short piece of fiction not long enough to be considered a novelette or novel; a tale, as opposed to an anecdote; a short form of fiction with a beginning, a middle and an end.
And, instead of an illustrative sentence, seems to make sense to provide an illustrative example. One of my own: Not the Type to Murder His WifeCharles, murder Madge for another woman? Ludicrous. Makes you wonder what they were thinking: the police and the court. He's not the type. Not to murder his wife. Not for passion. Only have to look at him to know he's the very stuff of decency and stolid convention. Hair cropped short and never out of place, Brylcreemed down to a glossy mat. Smart suit, white shirt, dark regimental tie and polished shoes buffed until you can see your face in them. Which, by the way, you're likely to just before said shoe smacks into you, should you dare insult him. Short moustache, permanently stained with nicotine like the tips of the fingers on his right hand. Clean cut nails that can undo small screws or unpick staples.Of course, he did always say, 'Madge has a mind as deep…as a puddle of mud and the soul…of a brown boot.'Big in the Women's Institute, was Madge. Wore tweeds, would you believe? Made real jam, sponge cakes light as air, proper biscuits. Never break a tooth on Madge's cookies. Into good causes: save the local hunt, retirement homes for lame otter hounds, that sort of thing. Pillar of the local church: well in with the vicar and his wife. Big boned woman: heavy. Dark moustache like a line of exclamation marks on her upper lip. Sort of hairy echo of her domineering way of speaking, I suppose. To everyone except Charles.Good to Charles, she was. Devoted. Warmed his slippers, cleaned his pipe, ironed his Telegraph flat. Meat and two veg every day and a proper roast with Yorkshires on Sundays. Every Friday night she'd pour him a scotch, with a tiny drop of water the way he likes it, before she went up to bed. 'I'll be ready and waiting, my dear.''Need more than a ruddy scotch,' he'd say and we'd laugh.Perfect wife. And everyone said they were so well suited.So, folk were shocked when he murdered her. Especially like that. I mean, poor woman, she'd have been mortified. Modest was Madge. Found her in the bath wearing nothing but a natural sponge and an electric fan heater. Hair stood up like stalagmites, they said. Blew all the circuits in the house.And, I ask you, for what? A blonde tart with legs up to her armpits. Skirts; more like pelmets, wouldn't cover a ha'penny, if you know what I mean. And a cleavage fit to hide in. Pretty enough face, for a tart. Mind you, wouldn't do to let Charles hear you call her that. He'd as soon break your neck.Never any violence in Charles. Wouldn't harm a fly, as they say. Gentleman. Always holds the door open for a lady and won't take no cheek. Saw him skelp a young lass once for calling Madge, 'Fatty.' Sorted her out. No, wouldn't stand for anyone giving lip, our Charles.Apparently, Madge caught them at it. Charles and this blonde. Can't picture Charles without clothes. Always see him in pin stripes with razor sharp creases, crisp white shirt, very smart and dashing. Had his socks on, though, she said. English, you know. Just can't see it; not Charles.Madge said he was grunting like a pig! She could be a bit funny sometimes. I think she imagined that bit. Said the tart was moaning fit to bust. And on clean sheets. She'd only changed the bed that morning. Went out to the Institute to enter her jam tarts and came home to him entering a tart. Naked and gasping on her cream fitted cotton: the ones with jacquard lace edges. So nice. She showed me them the day they came from the catalogue. Lovely.Big breasts, of course. And blonde, like I said. They always are. Mind you, Madge said it was peroxide: cuffs and collars, if you understand my meaning. Don't know what men see in them. But then, that's men for you. Hadn't even closed the curtains. I mean, anyone could've seen in if they'd been in the garden, you know: standing on tiptoes. Anyone. I know Brutus would have their leg off but that's no guarantee, is it? Suppose Brutus knew them? He's a lovely dog; friendly enough if you know how to treat him. They were those blue paisley curtains from Harpers in the High Street. The ones they had on offer last March. Very pretty. I helped her hang them.Didn't bat an eyelid, apparently. Made no effort to move after Charles got off her. Madge almost chucked the vase of dahlias at her but she didn't want to make the bed wet. That big crystal one with the fleur-de-lys motif. Charles's dahlias, from the border by the shed in the bottom corner. Lovely shades of red. Always good in the garden, Charles. Just finished, stood, and put his clothes on without a word. Left them to it, she said. Madge didn't know where to look, poor thing. I mean, she wouldn't, would she? Just turned her back and told her to get out.Friday night… this all happened on Wednesday… she poured his scotch as usual. 'I'm going to have a bath, dear. Take your time: I want to luxuriate in that new Sensual Jasmine from the Avon lady. Why not have another, when you've finished? Then I'll have time to warm the bed.'Last words he ever heard her speak, I imagine. Never locked the bathroom door, you know. She told me: open house for Charles. Not any more. Ten years he got. Be out in six with good behaviour. I'll be waiting.Charles is such a lovely man, blonde tarts aside. Madge was good to him and she didn't really deserve that. But it was too good a chance to miss. He need never know. Do his time for the blonde. Come out older and wiser.I expect Madge was a bit shocked, really, to see me standing there with the electric fan heater. Charles must've been a bit shocked, too, when he stumbled through the dark and found her. Of course, I'd gone by then. Actually, her last word was, 'Aghhh!' or something that sounded like that.-ends-Of course, being a Brit, a bit of a rebel, and prone to break the rules, I don't necessarily follow all the conventions noted above. But I hope you enjoy this story, regardless.

Writing: Ch24 Complete & Ch25 Begun.

This morning I finished Ch24, which now runs to 4551 words. All three threads of the story now weaving well together, with the major driving force of the celestial event affecting the action for all groups. As readers, would any of you like more information regarding characters, locations, etc as I continue this diary? As writers, is there anything you'd like me to include, or exclude in this account? Writing epic fantasy is demanding in some ways, requiring extensive imagination and the ability to reside within the envisioned world. On the other hand, current events here on our real world have no part in such fantasy, so, apart from linguistic anachronisms, the writer is less restricted in the use of ideas than is the writer who sets stories in the known world. Many fantasy writers include magical creatures in their stories; dragons and unicorns are common. Many dwell on the physical battles between good and evil. Many rely on esoteric magic elements. There are references to dragons, there is war between good and evil and I do employ a small amount of magic in my novel. But the story is much more about my characters and their interaction within several societies founded on different religions, so that I explore many of the topics that others have neglected.
Whether my story will appeal to many or just a few remains to be seen. I hope for the former, of course: writing is communication and communication without an audience is a little pointless, after all.
So, the rest of my day has been taken up with a pleasant rural walk with Valerie, a short session in the garden, moving a few plants about in preparation for a fairly major project I have planned, and some social networking via Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
I've also started Ch25, just a couple of hundred words, but ready to continue tomorrow after my return to the office after this long weekend break.

The picture, taken at the weekend, is entitled 'Cloudy Sky.' Enjoy.