Stuart Aken's Blog, page 317

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Daedal

Image via Wikipedia
Daedal: noun - skilful or ingenious inventor, like Daedalus; a maze or labyrinth. 'The person who devised the first social network was a veritable daedal, a human being with real vision.'

Writing Continues in Spite of it All

After a day off work, I was determined to do some writing today, as it always improves me spiritually, which has  a positive physical effect as well. So, no writing group tonight (though, I wouldn't have been going even if I were feeling well, as the car has developed a leak in the exhaust so that it sounds like a boy racer's ride at present). I've managed to get another 2000 or so words done today; so I'm please with that.
Also, ordered a new printer to replace the one that will no longer work on this system.
Now, time to take yet another rest, in the hope I will continue to improve health wise. CFS is such a pain.

And another picture for your entertainment. This is the beach at Bridlington, just 8 miles up the road from here.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Cabbala

Image via Wikipedia
Cabbala: noun -   (also spelt -Cabala, Cabbala, Kabbala, Qabalah) ancient Jewish tradition of mystical interpretation of the Bible using esoteric methods; oral tradition; esoteric doctrine; mystic interpretation; occult lore.
'Judith reckons herself a real mystic, dealing in some weird cabbala that no one else seems to understand, and making the most unlikely connections in her own mind.'

Writing - Not Today

Regulars will know I rarely write on a Monday, due to longer hours at work and an evening spent at dance classes with my wife. And many will be aware I've been suffering CFS for over 7 years. Unfortunately, this condition, which never completely disappears, has returned this week due to a combination of slight over-exertion and some stress- causing incidents. As a result, I left work early today, so I could take the only action that has any positive effect in these circumstances; i.e. rest.
So, no writing tonight. I've dealt with my emails and followed-up on the author interview from yesterday, as I commit to this with every author interview I present.  But, for now, the only option is more rest. Perhaps tomorrow might permit some actual writing. I shall have to wait and see.
In the meantime, here's another local picture to please, inspire or inform.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Babu

Image via Wikipedia
Babu: noun - a Hindu title of respect, gentleman; Indian clerk or official who can write English; a derogatory term for an Indian who'd had some English education.
'That there Debdan is a real babu, you know; a proper gentleman worthy of real respect, not like those upstart coolies who think they know everything just because they've been to an English school.'

Lesley Cookman, Author, Interviewed.

Please tell us a little about yourself, Lesley.
Former freelance business journalist. I began to write short fiction and pantomimes in the mid nineties,  did an MA in Creative Writing in 2002/3 – putting the cart before the horse, this -  then began the Libby Sarjeant series.
Tell us about Murder to Music in a few sentences. 
The eighth in the Libby series, which are a sweetly old fashioned (!) cosy murder mystery series.
How did you come to write this particular book?
See above!
If you have a favourite character in your novel, why that particular one?
I love all my regular cast of characters.
Where and when is your novel set and why did you make these specific choices?  The series is set in a fictional village in Kent where I live. Readers tell me the village, Steeple Martin, is a character in itself. It has a proper map and everything!
How can people buy your books?
Er… (SA – the easiest way is through her website )
What qualities are needed by a successful writer?
Persistence and a thick hide.
What is your working method? 
Method? What method?
What single biggest mistake do beginners to writing make?
Not to read.
To what extent are grammar and spelling important to a writer?
Very.
How much revision of your MS do you do before you send it off?
I revise all the way through, so when I type "mss ends" it goes straight off to my editor.
To what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?
It's obviously very important. If there was no categorisation, you might buy, say, Fotherington Towers thinking it was about an architectural gem and find out you'd bought a 1920s murder mystery.
Marketing is often considered a chore. What is your opinion on this issue and how do you deal with it?
It is a chore, but a necessary one. The publicist at my publishers does most of it, but I'm very happy to go and talk to people or participate in conferences or festivals. How else are people going to know about your books?
How do you know where to begin any given story? 
I don't! I just plunge in where angels fear to tread and sort it out afterwards.
What sort of displacement activities keep you from actually writing?
What doesn't!
Do you have support from family and friends, or a writing group?
My grown up children have always known what Mum does for a living and take it for granted. I've never belonged to a writing group, although I'm a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and have made lifelong friends there. Any support I need, or information on anything that comes up (the last was "What do you call those iron things you see on the walls of old buildings?") comes from them.
Is presentation of the MS as important as agents and publishers suggest?
YES!
How long does it normally take you to write a novel?
I publish two a year, but I suppose in reality it's about four months.
What are your inspirations?
Countryside, houses and money.
If there's a single aspect to writing that really frustrates you, what is it?
Not being able to get rid of the terror that assails you when you've sent off the latest mss.
Is there an aspect of writing that you really enjoy?
The achievement at the end!
Do you think writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
A bit of both. There are some people who will never be able to write something which is enjoyable to read however many courses they go on.
What are you writing now?  The ninth Libby Sarjeant book, Murder at the Manor.
Do you have a website or blog that readers can visit?
www.lesleycookman.co.uk there is a link to my blog on the website.
Given unlimited resources, what would be your ideal writing environment?
A country cottage with a view, preferably with a little bit of sea.
Where do you actually write?
In my small office, which is spectacularly untidy, in a small house in a small seaside town.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Abbey

Image via Wikipedia
Abbey: noun - the dominion or office of an abbey or abbot; community of monks or nuns; the building(s) occupied by such communities; church that was once an abbey or part of one.
'Abby wondered what it would've been like to live in the abbey in the days when it was inhabited by those monks she'd heard described as the randiest Christians ever.'

Writing Goes Well: Printer Knackered.

The writing continues to go well and I've finished Ch19, which runs to 5043 words and ends on page 190. So, a good day's work there.
Had a great walk with Valerie this morning, taking a 15 mile drive to a local village and walking along single track rural roads and an abandoned railway line with no track. Peaceful and spiritually uplifting. We did just 4 miles and returned home to have lunch in the back garden under a fine warm sun.
This afternoon, Valerie was trying to print from the laptop on my printer in the study. For some inexplicable reason, the printer would not respond. initially it seemed the spooler was at fault but I managed to cure that. Then the system said that there was no printer driver. I jumped through all the hoops and tried all the so-called 'help' solutions, but to no avail. Finally, I decided the best solution was to uninstall and then reinstall the printer, using the CD supplied. Big mistake! It uninstalled in a trice. But, since buying the printer, 3 years ago, I've updated the OS from Vista to Windows 7 and the CD won't install to the new OS. So, I tried online and got precisely nowhere.
Looks like the only solution is to buy a new printer. So, I go online to compare features of the various printers I might want to buy, but can I find a useful site for this? No, they all want to give me price comparisons, when what I need is somewhere that tabulates all the various features so I can quickly assess the most likely to suit my purposes. Is this too much to ask? In the process of looking, however, it's become clear I'm probably best off getting a mono laser for my text and a cheapish all-in-one inkjet for the colour work.
Ah, would that life were simpler!
The picture was taken on our walk this morning.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Zalmoxis

Image via Wikipedia
Zalmoxis: noun – a Thracian sky god who, traditionally, spent time on Earth before becoming the ruler of the underworld. It's probable his make up was influenced by the cult of Osiris in Egypt.
'On his knees, the worshipper begged Zalmoxis to teach him about the immortality of the human soul.'

Writing Progress: 2000 Words

Up relatively early and completed around 2000 words of Ch19; continuing to go well. Remembered I needed to insert a couple of sentences of explanation in Ch17. It's too easy to miss essential information for the reader when you're in creative mode because you live so close to the story as you're developing it.
Had a walk with Valerie after breakfast for exercise and fresh air. Nothing exciting, just a short loop to take in the edge of town and a small section of land set aside as a green space.
Spent time in the garden, trimming the laurels so the magnolia has room to bloom in style. Took some of the height off a fir and reduced the lilac, as it had grown into a very ugly shape and was in danger of obstructing an access path.
Had to rest after this, of course: the only way I can do anything physical is to rest afterwards. But it coincided with today's Grand National, so I saw that live for a change. Hadn't placed a bet, though.
And, now, I have completed the compilation of the love story anthology, sorted the formatting and prepared it for upload to both Smashwords and Kindle, designed a suitable cover picture using a stock photo from that great site, Dreamstime.com, and uploaded the whole to the two sites. Just have to wait for them both to come back with approval and I can let people know it's available to read.

Today's picture is from one of our regular Sunday walks.