David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 65
November 4, 2015
Poetry Thursday 185 - November mist
I opened the curtains and looked out on a seen that can be described in one word - grey.
[image error]
Mist
A grey cloak slung haphazardlyround the shoulders of England,deadening the sounds made dailyby routine behaviours.
A cloying blanket of wetnesscovering the land from north to south,as a grey, shimmering evening dressintended for no ball I have ever known.
A veil as dense as Dickens prose,yet wistful, almost untouchableleaving droplets on leaves and nose,a wetness unavoidable.
Lingering till lunch when the sun triesto burn through the curtain,but autumn weakness allows a yellow butterflieswing of fleeting colour.
By dusk the veil darkens once again,deadening the world’s reactions,and breaking the connections in the brainto lack lustre form and mental apathy.© David L Atkinson November 2015
I think that inspiration is facilitated in unusual situations like extremes of weather. That may also be mirrored by unusual emotions or out of the ordinary views both physical and metaphysical.
[image error]
Whales
Why would nations wish to hunt these creatures?No animosity in their gentle features,but physically massive and movement slow,with a tendency to avoid by going below.
A population almost uniformly grey,as with the mist in which they play. Safe from the eyes of predatory huntersdifficult to find by tourist punters.
Surely the epitome of God's own gentlenessa leviathan allowing human closeness.A great, brave beast from head to tail,the almost ubiquitous and intelligent whale.© David L Atkinson November 2015
Yes it was misty once again on the day we sailed out of Boston at around 07:30 to go whale watching. As in the poem above the day was correctly described as 'grey' - the sea, mist and whales were all that colour. The whales were mostly humpbacks and they toyed with us and our cameras staying on the edge of what would have been a good view, waving the occasional flipper and slapping massive flukes on the surface of the placid sea. It was a delightful experience.
God Bless
[image error]
Mist
A grey cloak slung haphazardlyround the shoulders of England,deadening the sounds made dailyby routine behaviours.
A cloying blanket of wetnesscovering the land from north to south,as a grey, shimmering evening dressintended for no ball I have ever known.
A veil as dense as Dickens prose,yet wistful, almost untouchableleaving droplets on leaves and nose,a wetness unavoidable.
Lingering till lunch when the sun triesto burn through the curtain,but autumn weakness allows a yellow butterflieswing of fleeting colour.
By dusk the veil darkens once again,deadening the world’s reactions,and breaking the connections in the brainto lack lustre form and mental apathy.© David L Atkinson November 2015
I think that inspiration is facilitated in unusual situations like extremes of weather. That may also be mirrored by unusual emotions or out of the ordinary views both physical and metaphysical.
[image error]
Whales
Why would nations wish to hunt these creatures?No animosity in their gentle features,but physically massive and movement slow,with a tendency to avoid by going below.
A population almost uniformly grey,as with the mist in which they play. Safe from the eyes of predatory huntersdifficult to find by tourist punters.
Surely the epitome of God's own gentlenessa leviathan allowing human closeness.A great, brave beast from head to tail,the almost ubiquitous and intelligent whale.© David L Atkinson November 2015
Yes it was misty once again on the day we sailed out of Boston at around 07:30 to go whale watching. As in the poem above the day was correctly described as 'grey' - the sea, mist and whales were all that colour. The whales were mostly humpbacks and they toyed with us and our cameras staying on the edge of what would have been a good view, waving the occasional flipper and slapping massive flukes on the surface of the placid sea. It was a delightful experience.
God Bless
November 3, 2015
Writing - Should you 'like' the work you produce? #mh370
As I get ever closer to the completion of my ninth Steele novel I am wondering how much I like what I have produced. This idea was fuelled when I read that J K Rowling states she has written a children's book which she says she loves.
[image error]
Now I don't want to give the impression that I'm having doubts about writing or that I'm striving for absolute perfection. I go through a writing process that suits me and I'm usually quite satisfied with the outcome but with this latest effort it is slightly different.
[image error]MH370
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of this plane 18 months ago just seems to go on and on but I saw in it the possibility of a story. I have never used a real event to such end before and perhaps that is part of the reason that I feel differently about this project.
[image error]
Of course being a bit of a conspiracy theorist there is also an element of excitement for me about this story. The story I have written is based around a possible reason why the plane was 'stolen' and its future use and by writing in this way I've combined a couple of the many theories expostulated in the media and elsewhere.
[image error]Polish
The fact is the story has romped along well enough but as I polish there is a need to re-write sections and that is not usual for me.
[image error]horns of a dilemma
So that is the dilemma in which I find myself. On the one hand I'm excited at the production of the story with the aforementioned source of inspiration, but on the other is the quality what it should be?
The answer is quite straight forward - I need to be more careful when polishing the work to achieve the highest standard and then I will be happy and excited!!!
God Bless
[image error]
Now I don't want to give the impression that I'm having doubts about writing or that I'm striving for absolute perfection. I go through a writing process that suits me and I'm usually quite satisfied with the outcome but with this latest effort it is slightly different.
[image error]MH370
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of this plane 18 months ago just seems to go on and on but I saw in it the possibility of a story. I have never used a real event to such end before and perhaps that is part of the reason that I feel differently about this project.
[image error]
Of course being a bit of a conspiracy theorist there is also an element of excitement for me about this story. The story I have written is based around a possible reason why the plane was 'stolen' and its future use and by writing in this way I've combined a couple of the many theories expostulated in the media and elsewhere.
[image error]Polish
The fact is the story has romped along well enough but as I polish there is a need to re-write sections and that is not usual for me.
[image error]horns of a dilemma
So that is the dilemma in which I find myself. On the one hand I'm excited at the production of the story with the aforementioned source of inspiration, but on the other is the quality what it should be?
The answer is quite straight forward - I need to be more careful when polishing the work to achieve the highest standard and then I will be happy and excited!!!
God Bless
November 2, 2015
Tuesday Food Blog - Low carbohydrate v low fat
Now I'm not trying to teach my 'grandmother to suck eggs' but I attended school and learnt about the human body and its dietary needs. Perhaps they don't teach that any more.
Human evolution
From a purely dietary point of view I was taught several relevant and important facts.
The human animal is an omnivore and that means we are designed to eat plants and other animals.
[image error]Appendix
For many years we have been taught that the appendix is largely vestigial and contained bacteria that aided in the digestion of cellulose found in the cell walls of plants. That definition is under question since 2003 when it was believed to be a 'safe house' for good bacteria in times of illness.
[image error]A Balanced Diet
The above pie chart - no pun intended - was what we were taught about basic diet that humans require to maintain good health. In fact it was the announcement of yet another piece of research which sparked today's subject. Some bright spark scientists have found out that low carbohydrate diets are better than low fat diets. Thinking about it this is purely logical - just look at the chart above. We eat more carbohydrates, so eating less is easier than cutting out fats although both are possible.
[image error]Proteins
I also remember being taught that there were different types of protein - first and second class. First class proteins come from animals and contain the essential amino acids that the body can't manufacture but are required for good health. Second class proteins come from plants and although they contain some of the amino acids they don't have everything that we need.
Advice to vegetarians is to watch for signs of protein deficiency.
Also there was a warning that many girls and young women are suffering from iron deficiencies because they are not getting enough red meat. This was on the back of last week's research collated by WHO that stated that red meat and processed meat were carcinogens.
[image error]
Is it any wonder that we are in a state of hair tearing with all of this conflicting and 'fashion' driven dietary advice?
I think I prefer to go back to the sixties advice which was to eat in proportion 3 portions of carbohydrate: to 1 portion of protein: and, 1 portion of fats.
God Bless
Human evolution
From a purely dietary point of view I was taught several relevant and important facts.
The human animal is an omnivore and that means we are designed to eat plants and other animals.
[image error]Appendix
For many years we have been taught that the appendix is largely vestigial and contained bacteria that aided in the digestion of cellulose found in the cell walls of plants. That definition is under question since 2003 when it was believed to be a 'safe house' for good bacteria in times of illness.
[image error]A Balanced Diet
The above pie chart - no pun intended - was what we were taught about basic diet that humans require to maintain good health. In fact it was the announcement of yet another piece of research which sparked today's subject. Some bright spark scientists have found out that low carbohydrate diets are better than low fat diets. Thinking about it this is purely logical - just look at the chart above. We eat more carbohydrates, so eating less is easier than cutting out fats although both are possible.
[image error]Proteins
I also remember being taught that there were different types of protein - first and second class. First class proteins come from animals and contain the essential amino acids that the body can't manufacture but are required for good health. Second class proteins come from plants and although they contain some of the amino acids they don't have everything that we need.
Advice to vegetarians is to watch for signs of protein deficiency.
Also there was a warning that many girls and young women are suffering from iron deficiencies because they are not getting enough red meat. This was on the back of last week's research collated by WHO that stated that red meat and processed meat were carcinogens.
[image error]
Is it any wonder that we are in a state of hair tearing with all of this conflicting and 'fashion' driven dietary advice?
I think I prefer to go back to the sixties advice which was to eat in proportion 3 portions of carbohydrate: to 1 portion of protein: and, 1 portion of fats.
God Bless
November 1, 2015
Writing - Death at the parsonage
I've heard it said that you can't achieve success without having suffered in some way. This saying can take different forms depending on the situation.
As a young single man entering the teaching profession I was informed that I wouldn't be a complete teacher until I was married and with children of my own.
The story of the Brontes is one rich with tragedy, ideal fuel for writing whether you agree with the above premise or not.
[image error]
When the Brontes moved to Haworth in 1820, the physical isolation of the property mirrored the social isolation of the family from the village. It was also the point at which things started to go awry for the family. A year after moving to Haworth Maria Bronte (mother), Patrick's wife, died which made it even more difficult for the family to integrate with the village, leaving six small children ranging from 20 months to seven years old.Elizabeth Bramwell moved to the parsonage to look after the children. In 1825 the family suffered more anguish when the two eldest, Maria (11) and Elizabeth (10), died of TB within six weeks of each other. Losing their mother and two eldest sisters must have had a profound effect on the remaining children. Overnight the middle child, Charlotte, became the eldest but with little instinct for being a 'little mother'. Instead the children, three girls and Bramwell retreated into a make believe created world that involved stories and craft activities. They sewed miniature books and wrote stories which led into a world of writing.
[image error]Patrick Bronte
Patrick Bronte, a published and enthusiastic author, their father must have been an inspiration to the children. He encouraged the girls to learn to read and they attended school at various times in their lives. In fact they grew up with the certain knowledge that they would have to earn a living at some point. Teaching was the acceptable profession for genteel young ladies. However, they didn't like being away from the family, which is understandable and so fashioned a system where one of the girls would work while the others were at home. Throughout this time they wrote prolifically and eventually took the leap of publishing their works using money left by their Aunt Bramwell who died in 1842. They used the pseudonyms Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily) and Acton (Anne) Bell. It took five years for them to achieve any level of success and that was with Charlotte's Jane Eyre, whereas Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey were initially less well received.
[image error]Branwell Bronte
Tragedy struck once again in 1848 when Branwell, who suffered from alcohol and opium addiction died suddenly in September that year aged 31. At the same time it was realised that Emily was seriously ill with TB and she died three months after her brother. The illness wasn't leave the family as then Anne was diagnosed with the disease. They moved her to the seaside, Scarborough, but she died in 1849. Charlotte was left devastated and often paced round the dining table as the others had. Eventually she married curate Arthur Bell Nicholls but it was hardly a love match as that of Jayne Eyre and Mr Rochester. She just about liked him enough. The tragedy had not ceased its grip on the Bronte family as shortly afterwards, 9 months of marriage, Charlotte died as a result of pregnancy related complications.Patrick commissioned Elizabeth Gaskell to write Charlotte's biography but in fact the families history was every bit as interesting as any novel.
[image error]Bronte Parsonage
God Bless
As a young single man entering the teaching profession I was informed that I wouldn't be a complete teacher until I was married and with children of my own.
The story of the Brontes is one rich with tragedy, ideal fuel for writing whether you agree with the above premise or not.
[image error]
When the Brontes moved to Haworth in 1820, the physical isolation of the property mirrored the social isolation of the family from the village. It was also the point at which things started to go awry for the family. A year after moving to Haworth Maria Bronte (mother), Patrick's wife, died which made it even more difficult for the family to integrate with the village, leaving six small children ranging from 20 months to seven years old.Elizabeth Bramwell moved to the parsonage to look after the children. In 1825 the family suffered more anguish when the two eldest, Maria (11) and Elizabeth (10), died of TB within six weeks of each other. Losing their mother and two eldest sisters must have had a profound effect on the remaining children. Overnight the middle child, Charlotte, became the eldest but with little instinct for being a 'little mother'. Instead the children, three girls and Bramwell retreated into a make believe created world that involved stories and craft activities. They sewed miniature books and wrote stories which led into a world of writing.
[image error]Patrick Bronte
Patrick Bronte, a published and enthusiastic author, their father must have been an inspiration to the children. He encouraged the girls to learn to read and they attended school at various times in their lives. In fact they grew up with the certain knowledge that they would have to earn a living at some point. Teaching was the acceptable profession for genteel young ladies. However, they didn't like being away from the family, which is understandable and so fashioned a system where one of the girls would work while the others were at home. Throughout this time they wrote prolifically and eventually took the leap of publishing their works using money left by their Aunt Bramwell who died in 1842. They used the pseudonyms Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily) and Acton (Anne) Bell. It took five years for them to achieve any level of success and that was with Charlotte's Jane Eyre, whereas Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey were initially less well received.
[image error]Branwell Bronte
Tragedy struck once again in 1848 when Branwell, who suffered from alcohol and opium addiction died suddenly in September that year aged 31. At the same time it was realised that Emily was seriously ill with TB and she died three months after her brother. The illness wasn't leave the family as then Anne was diagnosed with the disease. They moved her to the seaside, Scarborough, but she died in 1849. Charlotte was left devastated and often paced round the dining table as the others had. Eventually she married curate Arthur Bell Nicholls but it was hardly a love match as that of Jayne Eyre and Mr Rochester. She just about liked him enough. The tragedy had not ceased its grip on the Bronte family as shortly afterwards, 9 months of marriage, Charlotte died as a result of pregnancy related complications.Patrick commissioned Elizabeth Gaskell to write Charlotte's biography but in fact the families history was every bit as interesting as any novel.
[image error]Bronte Parsonage
God Bless
October 31, 2015
Writing - 10 things for the end of October
Another week of dubious research and spurious facts intended to entertain.
[image error]
1. Dancing to Gangnam Style could raise people's pain thresholds.
I don't know about raising them, the accompanying noise will test pain thresholds to the limit!
---------------------------------------
2. Pregnancies conceived in December have the best chance of success.
Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle night and day!
---------------------------------------
[image error]
3. Electric eels curl up to deliver double strength shocks.
Ouch!
---------------------------------------
4. There is 0% VAT on pistachio nuts in the UK when in their shells. But full VAT on salted peanuts when out of their shells.
A reward for the extra work?
---------------------------------------
[image error]
5. Anaesthetic blunts painful memories recalled before you go under.
How do they know that?
---------------------------------------
[image error]
6. Puffins are now as endangered as the African elephant.
But they are without ivory, they don't live in Africa, they burrow, and swim.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
7. Processed meats such as bacon, sausages and ham do cause cancer.
I object most strenuously. WHO didn't carry out the research they cobbled together findings from other people's work which suggests if they had selected a different set of results they would be claiming that those meats are safe and also that the moon is made of green cheese.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
8. Low-fat diets are not as effective as low-carbohydrate or Mediterranean diets for losing weight.
It also makes more sense as we eat much more carbohydrate than fat.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
9. Gardening in an allotment for 30 minutes a week improves self-esteem, calms anger and eases depression.
Depends on the state of the allotment, I had a garden that had the opposite action.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
10. The brains of people with sexist attitudes look different to those who believe in gender equality.
Men are from Mars!!
---------------------------------------
God Bless
[image error]
1. Dancing to Gangnam Style could raise people's pain thresholds.
I don't know about raising them, the accompanying noise will test pain thresholds to the limit!
---------------------------------------
2. Pregnancies conceived in December have the best chance of success.
Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle night and day!
---------------------------------------
[image error]
3. Electric eels curl up to deliver double strength shocks.
Ouch!
---------------------------------------
4. There is 0% VAT on pistachio nuts in the UK when in their shells. But full VAT on salted peanuts when out of their shells.
A reward for the extra work?
---------------------------------------
[image error]
5. Anaesthetic blunts painful memories recalled before you go under.
How do they know that?
---------------------------------------
[image error]
6. Puffins are now as endangered as the African elephant.
But they are without ivory, they don't live in Africa, they burrow, and swim.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
7. Processed meats such as bacon, sausages and ham do cause cancer.
I object most strenuously. WHO didn't carry out the research they cobbled together findings from other people's work which suggests if they had selected a different set of results they would be claiming that those meats are safe and also that the moon is made of green cheese.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
8. Low-fat diets are not as effective as low-carbohydrate or Mediterranean diets for losing weight.
It also makes more sense as we eat much more carbohydrate than fat.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
9. Gardening in an allotment for 30 minutes a week improves self-esteem, calms anger and eases depression.
Depends on the state of the allotment, I had a garden that had the opposite action.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
10. The brains of people with sexist attitudes look different to those who believe in gender equality.
Men are from Mars!!
---------------------------------------
God Bless
October 30, 2015
Writing - What happens when your hero ages?
The undisputed fact of living on this earth is that time passes. We all get older. What happens then if you have earth based heroes and they age?
[image error]Ageing superheroes
The question arises because of the advent of the latest Star Wars film 'The Force Awakens' due to be released pretty soon. People are somewhat surprised that Luke Skywalker hasn't yet appeared in any of the trailers.
[image error]Skywalker now?
Of course it depends on how you want to handle your stories, what sort of longevity you are going to attribute to them, or will you kill them off?
I have thought long and hard about Steele and how many books with him as the lead character. Initially I decided upon 10 Steele novels but that is not to say that I will kill him off when I get to that magic number. On the other hand, even though he has developed over the 9 books written so far, he lives in 'real time' and will age. The stories have taken a slightly different line in book 8 and 9 but this doesn't mean that he is going to continue. As a writer I want to try something different.
The next project I have in mind is a historical story based upon a real event and it is with a mixture of trepidation and excitement that I approach this new departure. Of course it may not work for me and perhaps I'll need to return to Steele. Perhaps he has become a bit of a comfort blanket.
If you are intending to age your lead character you have a duty to your readers to go gently. Readers buy into the characters we create and we could lose custom or even cause upset. In the case of the Star Wars film fans have become so intrigued about Skywalker that they have started to create scenarios to justify his none appearance.
Have a careful read of the Steele novels, try and ascertain the developments that have taken place over the course of the stories and let me know if you're enjoying where he is going.
Steele My hero was created post recession and so has no concept of how 'good' things were pre-2008. In 'I Have To Get It Right' when he began to flex his muscles he was working in an accountant's office. Then after the Gurentai took him under their wing and removed all of his financial worries, it was justice that was his major concern. He did become involved in international relations in 'The 51st State' but it was for the maintenance of a respectful distance between countries, rather than economic reasons. His trips into the USA had repercussions which can be read about in 'The Biter Bit' but then by the time things began to change in 2011 and the recession was really biting, Steele was trying to make sense of the state of the nation in 'A Changed Reality' and coming up against some really nasty people taking advantage of the shortage of money. By the time the USA are out of their recession Steele's steps are still being dogged by an unknown enemy from the same country. In 'Inceptus' we also find out more about what makes the man tick. The most recent Steele book 'Castled' where Steele is once again at risk from unseen enemies. It would seem that he has become quite recession proof!The most recent addition to the Steele family is Earth plc in which our hero is concerned with political and emotional issues in this crime fighting adventure.
All books are available in paperback or ebook through Amazon, Smashwords and all good book shop websites.
Cessation
This is a dystopian story that hinges directly on the state of the nation as a result of fiscal mismanagement. Having said that it is more a story of human relations, privations, love and loss.
Poetry - there are also two thoughtful collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind
and
Words from the Raindrops
God Bless
[image error]Ageing superheroes
The question arises because of the advent of the latest Star Wars film 'The Force Awakens' due to be released pretty soon. People are somewhat surprised that Luke Skywalker hasn't yet appeared in any of the trailers.
[image error]Skywalker now?
Of course it depends on how you want to handle your stories, what sort of longevity you are going to attribute to them, or will you kill them off?
I have thought long and hard about Steele and how many books with him as the lead character. Initially I decided upon 10 Steele novels but that is not to say that I will kill him off when I get to that magic number. On the other hand, even though he has developed over the 9 books written so far, he lives in 'real time' and will age. The stories have taken a slightly different line in book 8 and 9 but this doesn't mean that he is going to continue. As a writer I want to try something different.
The next project I have in mind is a historical story based upon a real event and it is with a mixture of trepidation and excitement that I approach this new departure. Of course it may not work for me and perhaps I'll need to return to Steele. Perhaps he has become a bit of a comfort blanket.
If you are intending to age your lead character you have a duty to your readers to go gently. Readers buy into the characters we create and we could lose custom or even cause upset. In the case of the Star Wars film fans have become so intrigued about Skywalker that they have started to create scenarios to justify his none appearance.
Have a careful read of the Steele novels, try and ascertain the developments that have taken place over the course of the stories and let me know if you're enjoying where he is going.
Steele My hero was created post recession and so has no concept of how 'good' things were pre-2008. In 'I Have To Get It Right' when he began to flex his muscles he was working in an accountant's office. Then after the Gurentai took him under their wing and removed all of his financial worries, it was justice that was his major concern. He did become involved in international relations in 'The 51st State' but it was for the maintenance of a respectful distance between countries, rather than economic reasons. His trips into the USA had repercussions which can be read about in 'The Biter Bit' but then by the time things began to change in 2011 and the recession was really biting, Steele was trying to make sense of the state of the nation in 'A Changed Reality' and coming up against some really nasty people taking advantage of the shortage of money. By the time the USA are out of their recession Steele's steps are still being dogged by an unknown enemy from the same country. In 'Inceptus' we also find out more about what makes the man tick. The most recent Steele book 'Castled' where Steele is once again at risk from unseen enemies. It would seem that he has become quite recession proof!The most recent addition to the Steele family is Earth plc in which our hero is concerned with political and emotional issues in this crime fighting adventure.
All books are available in paperback or ebook through Amazon, Smashwords and all good book shop websites.
Cessation
This is a dystopian story that hinges directly on the state of the nation as a result of fiscal mismanagement. Having said that it is more a story of human relations, privations, love and loss.
Poetry - there are also two thoughtful collections of poetry available solely through Amazon.
The Musings of a Confused Mind
and
Words from the Raindrops
God Bless
October 29, 2015
Writing - What influences writing #babyboomer
Influences on writing are unique to every writer. Stephen King refers back to his experiences from being involved with music. Life influences what we write.
So how would you answer a question about what aspects of life have influenced your writing? Here are some thoughts from authors asked just that.
Alan Black - Best selling SF writer
No matter what an author says, everything in their life from what they had for breakfast to their near death experience at the hands of a sexual predator has influenced their writing.
B C Stone - Murder mystery author
We all bring a lot of ourselves to writing, consciously or not. My own quirk is that I prefer to have visited, even more so, have lived in, the locale where my novels are set, though with so much information online I don’t think this is absolutely necessary in all cases.
Jack Woodville London - author, historian and trial attorney
Certainly as a child of Depression – and World War II – era parents and myself a Vietnam war army officer I am absorbed with the questions how our cultural norms have gone from impoverished to heroic to wealthy to entitled while creating a whole new class system built on wealth and consumerism rather than on merit and honour.
[image error]
So what has influenced my writing? The above authors, and others I considered, concur with the view that we bring our lives to what we write in varying degrees. Seems logical enough. I was born in the baby boomers era and consider myself as fortunate to have lived through the flower power era which, apart from the psychedelic style, was typified by protesting.
[image error]CND
CND - Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament wasn't the only protest that went on although it was the one attracting most publicity, but all of them were largely peaceful. There were the riots in the USA in Selma that helped Martin Luther King rise to fame; make love not war; anti-Vietnam war marches and more took place. There was a general feeling that the general population was having the wool pulled over its collective eyes by governments around the western world.
My own father often said that you shouldn't believe everything you read in the newspapers. Edward Snowden is yet another protester vilified as a spy and yet all he was doing was blowing the whistle on inappropriate behaviours of the USA and UK governments.
If, as a self-published author, I was asked what was the main influence on my work I would have to say that I have a disbelief in the veracity of government bodies, both local council and national, and of large corporations. I believe that they are self-serving and the people who end up paying for their errors are the ordinary wage earners.
[image error]Christianity
I was brought up in the Christian faith. My formative years were partly spent as an observer watching Irish people kill each other and some of us in the name of religion, and as a result I sympathise with ordinary Muslims experiencing the same senseless slaughter. In the song 'Imagine' John Lennon one of the verses he makes a plea,
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace
'And no religion too' speaks volumes as over the centuries around
the world there are usually only two causes for war, land and
religion.
CtK
Yet I attend church regularly and support the teachings of all the world's major religions - that is in fact to live in peace and mutual respect.
[image error]Music
Then of course there is music both as a listener and a performer. I believe that music was once accurately described as 'what emotions sound like'. I couldn't agree more. In thinking about this factor I tried to imagine a world without music and failed. Most of us listen to some kind of music at least once a day. I am no exception and couldn't imagine a life without it.
These are the major factors that I believe have influence on my writing, they are not the only ones but I believe the most significant. At times other things may relegate the above briefly, sport is an example, but for the most part I return to the above. If you are a budding writer having influences is just part of humanity and you can't deny them. We can't aspire to be a different writer when we are not that person so enjoy who you are and wallow luxuriously in the attitudes that brings.
God Bless
So how would you answer a question about what aspects of life have influenced your writing? Here are some thoughts from authors asked just that.
Alan Black - Best selling SF writer
No matter what an author says, everything in their life from what they had for breakfast to their near death experience at the hands of a sexual predator has influenced their writing.
B C Stone - Murder mystery author
We all bring a lot of ourselves to writing, consciously or not. My own quirk is that I prefer to have visited, even more so, have lived in, the locale where my novels are set, though with so much information online I don’t think this is absolutely necessary in all cases.
Jack Woodville London - author, historian and trial attorney
Certainly as a child of Depression – and World War II – era parents and myself a Vietnam war army officer I am absorbed with the questions how our cultural norms have gone from impoverished to heroic to wealthy to entitled while creating a whole new class system built on wealth and consumerism rather than on merit and honour.
[image error]
So what has influenced my writing? The above authors, and others I considered, concur with the view that we bring our lives to what we write in varying degrees. Seems logical enough. I was born in the baby boomers era and consider myself as fortunate to have lived through the flower power era which, apart from the psychedelic style, was typified by protesting.
[image error]CND
CND - Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament wasn't the only protest that went on although it was the one attracting most publicity, but all of them were largely peaceful. There were the riots in the USA in Selma that helped Martin Luther King rise to fame; make love not war; anti-Vietnam war marches and more took place. There was a general feeling that the general population was having the wool pulled over its collective eyes by governments around the western world.
My own father often said that you shouldn't believe everything you read in the newspapers. Edward Snowden is yet another protester vilified as a spy and yet all he was doing was blowing the whistle on inappropriate behaviours of the USA and UK governments.
If, as a self-published author, I was asked what was the main influence on my work I would have to say that I have a disbelief in the veracity of government bodies, both local council and national, and of large corporations. I believe that they are self-serving and the people who end up paying for their errors are the ordinary wage earners.
[image error]Christianity
I was brought up in the Christian faith. My formative years were partly spent as an observer watching Irish people kill each other and some of us in the name of religion, and as a result I sympathise with ordinary Muslims experiencing the same senseless slaughter. In the song 'Imagine' John Lennon one of the verses he makes a plea,
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace
'And no religion too' speaks volumes as over the centuries around
the world there are usually only two causes for war, land and
religion.
CtK
Yet I attend church regularly and support the teachings of all the world's major religions - that is in fact to live in peace and mutual respect.
[image error]Music
Then of course there is music both as a listener and a performer. I believe that music was once accurately described as 'what emotions sound like'. I couldn't agree more. In thinking about this factor I tried to imagine a world without music and failed. Most of us listen to some kind of music at least once a day. I am no exception and couldn't imagine a life without it.
These are the major factors that I believe have influence on my writing, they are not the only ones but I believe the most significant. At times other things may relegate the above briefly, sport is an example, but for the most part I return to the above. If you are a budding writer having influences is just part of humanity and you can't deny them. We can't aspire to be a different writer when we are not that person so enjoy who you are and wallow luxuriously in the attitudes that brings.
God Bless
October 28, 2015
Poetry Thursday 184 - Arachnids and government bullies
Just to show that not all animal poetry is soft and fluffy.
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Arachnid
A creature with wide ranging powers,that hunts alone in the darkest hours,laying its traps for the unsuspecting,embracing them in a grasp unyielding.
Once caught a creature stored in its larder,for when food is scarce and times are harder.Then drained of all internal juices,and discarded, those parts without uses.
But our predator has a dangerous weakness,in the bath with walls of sleekness.Once inside nothing can save her,the solitary eight-legged house spider.
© David L Atkinson October 2015
Don't you just love spiders! Well I do and yes the detritus beneath their larder is messy but dry.
The source of inspiration for this next offering is from the tax benefit cuts that will seriously affect the lives of many families all of whom are from the lower paid sectors of society. Yes I'm soapbox jumping again!
Tax Cuts
How can those with so much be so heartless?Continually robbing the poor to line their coffers,wallowing in great pools of largesse,knuckles white with the effort of retention.
They think themselves as good Christians,yet hoard their wealth to fevered bosoms,worshipping burgeoning piles of Mammon,indifferent to the plight of others.
They claim that wages are rising,people will receive more money – eventually.Fiscal experts find that surprising,as what is being taken is legion.
The Lords find themselves under threat.They dared to oppose personified wealth!Causing government to carp and fret,over how to make Lords toothless.
The best we can hope for is temporary reprieve,they will achieve their noxious fiscal target.Common man’s cloth from a poorer weave,while they recline in ill-earned ermine.© David L Atkinson October 2015
God Bless
[image error]
Arachnid
A creature with wide ranging powers,that hunts alone in the darkest hours,laying its traps for the unsuspecting,embracing them in a grasp unyielding.
Once caught a creature stored in its larder,for when food is scarce and times are harder.Then drained of all internal juices,and discarded, those parts without uses.
But our predator has a dangerous weakness,in the bath with walls of sleekness.Once inside nothing can save her,the solitary eight-legged house spider.
© David L Atkinson October 2015
Don't you just love spiders! Well I do and yes the detritus beneath their larder is messy but dry.
The source of inspiration for this next offering is from the tax benefit cuts that will seriously affect the lives of many families all of whom are from the lower paid sectors of society. Yes I'm soapbox jumping again!
Tax Cuts
How can those with so much be so heartless?Continually robbing the poor to line their coffers,wallowing in great pools of largesse,knuckles white with the effort of retention.
They think themselves as good Christians,yet hoard their wealth to fevered bosoms,worshipping burgeoning piles of Mammon,indifferent to the plight of others.
They claim that wages are rising,people will receive more money – eventually.Fiscal experts find that surprising,as what is being taken is legion.
The Lords find themselves under threat.They dared to oppose personified wealth!Causing government to carp and fret,over how to make Lords toothless.
The best we can hope for is temporary reprieve,they will achieve their noxious fiscal target.Common man’s cloth from a poorer weave,while they recline in ill-earned ermine.© David L Atkinson October 2015
God Bless
October 27, 2015
Writing - Informative afterwords
It is an interesting fact that authors sometimes feel the need to place at the end of their fiction, factual information to underpin their stories. Dan Brown did it with the Da Vinci Code for example.
[image error]MH370
I am very close to writing the end of Flight to Nowhere which is a Steele novel developed around a theory concerning Malaysian flight MH370. It is undoubtedly a piece of fiction but I am considering a factual summary of the events surrounding the disappearance of the aeroplane.
I have read many historical novels which have informative afterwords or epilogues to support the fiction that preceded them.
[image error]
Is it necessary to write such an epilogue?
It is a term that throws me back to my childhood when the epilogue on TV was what preceded the National Anthem before the little white dot disappeared from the centre of the screen. Now for those born after about 1965 there should be an explanatory epilogue to the previous sentence!It could be argued that if the story was well written that an epilogue should be unnecessary, but by writing this factual type of final section, the reader has the option of reading it or not. Also some may feel that they have had their appetite's whetted for more information by the story and so the epilogue has a positive place.
[image error]
What do we expect to achieve by writing such a section?
This is more about the relationship between the reader and the author. If the author is expecting to sell more books by adding factual information, they may be disappointed, on the other hand if the reader finds a section that demonstrates the author cares that his readers are given all the information they deserve, you never know. Once again there is no compulsion for the reader to delve into that section.
Afterword
Definition: a concluding section or commentary.
Of course you could have someone else write your afterword or, in the case of a factual piece, credit the source of the information. I have in fact produced an epilogue in a previous story but which was part of the fiction. Stieg Larsson uses that ploy in his Lisbeth Salander trilogy. However, on this occasion, the piece will be true and there is much research to be done to achieve factual verisimilitude.
My sources so far have been news reports from various media sources. In using such sources it soon awakens you to the different spin one source will put on a story in comparison with another. This type of research has to be undertaken more carefully as a result and is probably the reason we have so many conspiracy theorists and a growing number of 'preppers'!
So as I begin one of the fictional final chapters there is an inexplicable bubble of excitement inside me at trying to collate all the information that has been written about the demise of flight MH370.
God Bless
[image error]MH370
I am very close to writing the end of Flight to Nowhere which is a Steele novel developed around a theory concerning Malaysian flight MH370. It is undoubtedly a piece of fiction but I am considering a factual summary of the events surrounding the disappearance of the aeroplane.
I have read many historical novels which have informative afterwords or epilogues to support the fiction that preceded them.
[image error]
Is it necessary to write such an epilogue?
It is a term that throws me back to my childhood when the epilogue on TV was what preceded the National Anthem before the little white dot disappeared from the centre of the screen. Now for those born after about 1965 there should be an explanatory epilogue to the previous sentence!It could be argued that if the story was well written that an epilogue should be unnecessary, but by writing this factual type of final section, the reader has the option of reading it or not. Also some may feel that they have had their appetite's whetted for more information by the story and so the epilogue has a positive place.
[image error]
What do we expect to achieve by writing such a section?
This is more about the relationship between the reader and the author. If the author is expecting to sell more books by adding factual information, they may be disappointed, on the other hand if the reader finds a section that demonstrates the author cares that his readers are given all the information they deserve, you never know. Once again there is no compulsion for the reader to delve into that section.
Afterword
Definition: a concluding section or commentary.
Of course you could have someone else write your afterword or, in the case of a factual piece, credit the source of the information. I have in fact produced an epilogue in a previous story but which was part of the fiction. Stieg Larsson uses that ploy in his Lisbeth Salander trilogy. However, on this occasion, the piece will be true and there is much research to be done to achieve factual verisimilitude.
My sources so far have been news reports from various media sources. In using such sources it soon awakens you to the different spin one source will put on a story in comparison with another. This type of research has to be undertaken more carefully as a result and is probably the reason we have so many conspiracy theorists and a growing number of 'preppers'!
So as I begin one of the fictional final chapters there is an inexplicable bubble of excitement inside me at trying to collate all the information that has been written about the demise of flight MH370.
God Bless
October 26, 2015
Tuesday food blog - Another fish pie and more humbug from WHO
I know! I know! You are fed up of my fish pies well buy a book and log out!!!!! :)
Another fish pie
As today's news is full of the World Health Organisation's pronouncement about cancer risks as a result of eating red and processed meat, fish pie seemed to be a reasonable alternative.Once again I will not bother putting the recipe on the TAB as the basic recipe is unsurprising. However, there are variations in this one that are definitely flavour enhancers.
[image error]Dill
To begin with I cook the fish in milk, with butter and a herb or two, and seasoned. When the fish is cooked the milk forms the basis of a sauce. On this occasion I was out of parsley so used dill and then whisked the milk base in a pan with some flour using a balloon whisk to reduce the likelihood of lumps. So the pie had a dill sauce.
Or should that be 'Bacon smell I'
I had a rasher of bacon left in the fridge and felt that I remembered reading a recipe for this dish with the evil processed meat included in it. I checked, found that I wasn't mistaken and so chopped the bacon into small pieces and fried it off in vegetable oil.
Sweetcorn
In that obscurely remembered recipe there was also sweetcorn and so I reached for the Jolly Green Giant - Ho! Ho! Ho! - and half a can was tipped into the mix.
[image error]Mashed potato
Finally there was the mashed potato topping. As is my want I made it with creme fraiche and butter as I like the tanginess which you don't get with milk or ordinary cream.
The finished pie is very tasty and the additional items produce a wider range of flavours that do compliment each other. You may feel that I'm biased as fish pie is definitely a comfort food for me, but including it also demonstrates how different tastes can be the subject of experimentation. After all variety is the spice of life.
[image error]
World Health Organisation
There is much fuss and cafuffle in the news today because the WHO have stated that research shows a link between processed and red meat and cancer. It should be said that WHO have NOT carried out the research. What they have done is cobble together the findings of various scientists and produced a sweeping generalisation. That isn't to say that there is no link but when such an auspicious organisation puts its weight behind such pronouncements they should at least carry out the research themselves.
What WHO don't say is that there is research to show that it is very difficult to prove a causal link between meat and cancer. However, what they have done is to elevate red meat and processed meat to the level of cigarettes. Listening to another scientist this morning that action is plain foolish. Of course the government controlled media don't mention the pitfalls in the announcement. In fact the WHO and our own UK Health authorities don't agree on the threshold for safe daily amounts of red and processed meat. In the UK it is 70g/day, the WHO say 50g/day.
Not so much a conspiracy theory more a following of logic. If you set up an official body and invite applications to work for it you are going to receive queries from people who are followers of vegetarianism, vegans and anti-animal cruelty supporters. Therefore when they carry out research, or in this case collect the research of others, it will be with that bias. What they need is to employ a range of people with varying perspectives and then we - joe public - might receive valuable advice instead of the usual twisted bollocks in which we can't put our trust.
God Bless
Another fish pie
As today's news is full of the World Health Organisation's pronouncement about cancer risks as a result of eating red and processed meat, fish pie seemed to be a reasonable alternative.Once again I will not bother putting the recipe on the TAB as the basic recipe is unsurprising. However, there are variations in this one that are definitely flavour enhancers.
[image error]Dill
To begin with I cook the fish in milk, with butter and a herb or two, and seasoned. When the fish is cooked the milk forms the basis of a sauce. On this occasion I was out of parsley so used dill and then whisked the milk base in a pan with some flour using a balloon whisk to reduce the likelihood of lumps. So the pie had a dill sauce.
Or should that be 'Bacon smell I'
I had a rasher of bacon left in the fridge and felt that I remembered reading a recipe for this dish with the evil processed meat included in it. I checked, found that I wasn't mistaken and so chopped the bacon into small pieces and fried it off in vegetable oil.
Sweetcorn
In that obscurely remembered recipe there was also sweetcorn and so I reached for the Jolly Green Giant - Ho! Ho! Ho! - and half a can was tipped into the mix.
[image error]Mashed potato
Finally there was the mashed potato topping. As is my want I made it with creme fraiche and butter as I like the tanginess which you don't get with milk or ordinary cream.
The finished pie is very tasty and the additional items produce a wider range of flavours that do compliment each other. You may feel that I'm biased as fish pie is definitely a comfort food for me, but including it also demonstrates how different tastes can be the subject of experimentation. After all variety is the spice of life.
[image error]
World Health Organisation
There is much fuss and cafuffle in the news today because the WHO have stated that research shows a link between processed and red meat and cancer. It should be said that WHO have NOT carried out the research. What they have done is cobble together the findings of various scientists and produced a sweeping generalisation. That isn't to say that there is no link but when such an auspicious organisation puts its weight behind such pronouncements they should at least carry out the research themselves.
What WHO don't say is that there is research to show that it is very difficult to prove a causal link between meat and cancer. However, what they have done is to elevate red meat and processed meat to the level of cigarettes. Listening to another scientist this morning that action is plain foolish. Of course the government controlled media don't mention the pitfalls in the announcement. In fact the WHO and our own UK Health authorities don't agree on the threshold for safe daily amounts of red and processed meat. In the UK it is 70g/day, the WHO say 50g/day.
Not so much a conspiracy theory more a following of logic. If you set up an official body and invite applications to work for it you are going to receive queries from people who are followers of vegetarianism, vegans and anti-animal cruelty supporters. Therefore when they carry out research, or in this case collect the research of others, it will be with that bias. What they need is to employ a range of people with varying perspectives and then we - joe public - might receive valuable advice instead of the usual twisted bollocks in which we can't put our trust.
God Bless
