Stuart Aken's Blog, page 329

And the Edit Continues

So, now up to chapter 17, will start on page 165 tomorrow. A few more small additions and excisions, and a handful of typos, but otherwise still going well. And, more to the point, I'm enjoying the task, which is reminding me of some of the story elements I'd already allowed to fade from memory.
It's a good story and I hope it'll be one you'll all enjoy once i have it out there on the bookshelves.

Who's Your Favourite Author, and Why?

Cover of THE STONOR EAGLES
It's a bit of a cheat, this one, as I don't have a favourite author, but several whose work I admire and enjoy. William Golding has always impressed with his facility with language and metaphor, especially in The Spire . Graham Greene is a great story-teller and I particularly enjoyed The Power and the Glory . J.K Rowling provides fun and escapist enjoyment whilst encouraging kids to read (always got to be great, hasn't it?) All her Harry Potter books have entertained me. William Horwood provides narratives with which I can easily empathise, especially in his wonderful, The Stonor Eagles . Richard Adams kept me enthralled with his Shardik and, especially Maia, which I've read a few times. The list could go on and on, because I love reading and there are a great number of very good authors out there. I belong to a reading group called Goodreads, and I'd recommend them as a source of information, inspiration and social contact for anyone who loves books and reading.So, who do you read, and why? I'd love to know your preferences and the reasons for them, if you'd like to take the time to comment. Thanks.

Stuart's Word Spot: Science Fiction

Image via Wikipedia
Science fiction: noun - Fiction founded on imagined future scientific, environmental or social changes, often involving space or time travel or alien life. In general use only from E20.
'From H G Wells to

Publishing, Libraries, Reading are all in a Better state than you think.

Timothy McSweeney has produced an article about the current state of publishing. It makes fascinating, and optimistic, reading for anyone involved in books, whether reader, writer or publisher. I'd recommend you visit  the site; just click on the title of this post.

Toni V Sweeney is open for Blogslots and Book Reviews

Toni V Sweeney runs an active website and blog aimed at writers and readers (much like my own). She invites writers, in all genres, to post blogs and offers book reviews on her site. You can contact her here

Stuart's Word Spot: Ra

Image via Wikipedia
Ra: noun – (originally Re, but as Ra in Roman & Greek mythology and as used by Thor Heyerdahl in his book, The Ra Expeditions). An Egyptian sun god and creator deity. Legend has him self-creating from a mound that emerged from the primeval ocean. Usually depicted as a falcon wearing the disc of the sun on his head.
'The early Egyptians believed Ra created the world, in much the same way as later groups credited other deities with this improbable feat, but they had ignorance of science and history as their excuse, of course.'

Still Rolling on with the Edit

Image via WikipediaMonday was a long day at work and it was followed by ballroom dance class with my lovely wife, so nothing done on the edit yesterday.
Today, I was again at work longer than usual, but after dealing with my 73 emails, I managed to get another chapter done tonight. So, page 139 awaits my attention. Mind you, tomorrow night is my writing group night, and I don't intend to miss that opportunity for inspiration, so it might be Thursday before I continue.
Now, if some publisher would just spot my talent and come along with an offer of an advance, I might be able to leave the day job and get on with the real work. Any chance, do you suppose?

Stuart's Word Spot: Qanat

Image via Wikipedia
Qanat: noun - A gently sloping underground channel or tunnel, esp. one constructed to lead water from the interior of a hill to a village below. Thought to originate in pre-Islamic Iran.
'Ahmed crawled on all fours, half in muddy water, as he continued the qanat from the mother well to join the newly sunk access well lower down the slope, eventually bringing fresh water to the village.'

Stuart's Word Spot: Pace

Image via Wikipedia
Pace: noun – step, single move in running or walking, distance covered in one step, a unit of length as the distance from where one foot is put down to where the other is set down, rate of stepping, manner of stepping when walking or running, rate of movement or action, the speed of a story, the speed of a ball in sport, the state of a wicket.
'Peters, a pace bowler of renown, took a pace back before setting out on his run up to deliver the ball over a wicket already feared by the batsman for its pace.'

Progress on the Edit

So far, up to page 128, that means Chapter 14 is next. Still going well. Still finding only a few errors to correct, and enjoying the process. Less done today following a long walk, some website and blog work, and a bit of other reading. (Why do my writing magazines always arrive together, I wonder?)
Tomorrow's a long day at work, so I don't expect to get any done.