David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 67
October 15, 2015
Writing - Being a word-smith #wsgilbert
As an amateur singer I have dabbled in various genres, religious, comic opera, concert singing and so on. One of the best word-smiths who, in my opinion was way before his time, was William Schwenck Gilbert, the 'Gilbert' half of Gilbert and Sullivan.
[image error]W S Gilbert (1836 - 1911)
One of the reasons I took to this man's writing was down to his personality. He was certainly an artist and never could have been described as 'easy' and could be summed up in a quote from the man himself,
'My family pride is something inconceivable. I can't help it. I was born sneering.'
In fact like many writers he was prolific at writing, as well as 14 vocal scores with Sullivan, collections of poetry which he illustrated himself, and numerous plays which are said to have inspired Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.
After beginning his working life in the civil service and part-time militia man, Gilbert received a bequest that enabled him to ditch the civil service and write more articles. His first success was a pantomime come parody, The Little Duck and the Great Quack, and it led to many other burlesque which was rich in bad puns as was the fashion, and satire.
[image error]Pirates of Penzance
As with writers throughout the ages Gilbert took many a stab at the establishment. Perhaps it is our lot to be the ruling classes conscience.
In Pirates,
'Frederic is a boy who was apprenticed to pirates by accident because his nurse, Ruth, misheard his father. The father had wanted him to be apprenticed to a pilot, but she thought he said pirate. She joined the pirate band as a maid to help bring him up. The story begins at the end of Frederic term of apprenticeship, when he is twenty-one. He has been planning to marry Ruth, because she is the only woman he has ever seen, and she told him she was beautiful. Then he sees a group of young girls who are the adopted daughters of a Major-General. He wants to marry one of them, but most refuse him. One of them, Mabel, falls in love with him. Since he is no longer bound to be a pirate, Frederic plans to become a policeman who catches pirates and to betray his old band. Meanwhile, the pirates have discovered that since Frederic was born on the twenty-ninth of February, his apprenticeship is not over and, indeed, will not be over until 1940. There is a battle between the pirates and the police, and the pirates almost win, but then the Sergeant of the police tells them "to yield, in Queen Victoria's name!" The pirates do, because, as the king explains, "because with all our faults we love our queen." In the end the pirates are forgiven, because, as Ruth reveals, they are not commoners, rather they were noblemen who went wrong. The General says that "with all our faults, we love our House of Peers." So the pirates marry the adopted daughters of the Major-General, and all is well.'
Similarly in HMS Pinafore there is a love mismatch between the daughter of a noble and a commoner until a wet nurse reveals that the two babies were exchanged at birth and all ended well!!!!
Gilbert was a clever writer and one can imagine him with a twinkle in his eye as he penned his quips but some had him down as a difficult man. He certainly had a rather severe countenance, didn't suffer fools of either sex gladly, but in fact he was unfailingly kind. When taking rehearsals for his play if he over ran he would pay for taxis for his cast to get home safely. This was just one of the generosities he was known for.
Grim's Dyke - Gilbert's house.
W S Gilbert died in 1911 while teaching two young ladies how to swim in his lake at Grim's Dyke. One of the ladies got out of her depth and called for help. Gilbert tried to rescue her but died of heart failure but it is not clear whether it was out in the lake or shortly afterwards.
I leave you with some of his quotes which, in some cases, are as relevant today as when written 150 years ago.
[image error]
'When everyone is somebody then no one is anybody'
'And I always voted at my parties call. And I never thought of thinking for myself a all'
God Bless
[image error]W S Gilbert (1836 - 1911)
One of the reasons I took to this man's writing was down to his personality. He was certainly an artist and never could have been described as 'easy' and could be summed up in a quote from the man himself,
'My family pride is something inconceivable. I can't help it. I was born sneering.'
In fact like many writers he was prolific at writing, as well as 14 vocal scores with Sullivan, collections of poetry which he illustrated himself, and numerous plays which are said to have inspired Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.
After beginning his working life in the civil service and part-time militia man, Gilbert received a bequest that enabled him to ditch the civil service and write more articles. His first success was a pantomime come parody, The Little Duck and the Great Quack, and it led to many other burlesque which was rich in bad puns as was the fashion, and satire.
[image error]Pirates of Penzance
As with writers throughout the ages Gilbert took many a stab at the establishment. Perhaps it is our lot to be the ruling classes conscience.
In Pirates,
'Frederic is a boy who was apprenticed to pirates by accident because his nurse, Ruth, misheard his father. The father had wanted him to be apprenticed to a pilot, but she thought he said pirate. She joined the pirate band as a maid to help bring him up. The story begins at the end of Frederic term of apprenticeship, when he is twenty-one. He has been planning to marry Ruth, because she is the only woman he has ever seen, and she told him she was beautiful. Then he sees a group of young girls who are the adopted daughters of a Major-General. He wants to marry one of them, but most refuse him. One of them, Mabel, falls in love with him. Since he is no longer bound to be a pirate, Frederic plans to become a policeman who catches pirates and to betray his old band. Meanwhile, the pirates have discovered that since Frederic was born on the twenty-ninth of February, his apprenticeship is not over and, indeed, will not be over until 1940. There is a battle between the pirates and the police, and the pirates almost win, but then the Sergeant of the police tells them "to yield, in Queen Victoria's name!" The pirates do, because, as the king explains, "because with all our faults we love our queen." In the end the pirates are forgiven, because, as Ruth reveals, they are not commoners, rather they were noblemen who went wrong. The General says that "with all our faults, we love our House of Peers." So the pirates marry the adopted daughters of the Major-General, and all is well.'
Similarly in HMS Pinafore there is a love mismatch between the daughter of a noble and a commoner until a wet nurse reveals that the two babies were exchanged at birth and all ended well!!!!
Gilbert was a clever writer and one can imagine him with a twinkle in his eye as he penned his quips but some had him down as a difficult man. He certainly had a rather severe countenance, didn't suffer fools of either sex gladly, but in fact he was unfailingly kind. When taking rehearsals for his play if he over ran he would pay for taxis for his cast to get home safely. This was just one of the generosities he was known for.
Grim's Dyke - Gilbert's house.W S Gilbert died in 1911 while teaching two young ladies how to swim in his lake at Grim's Dyke. One of the ladies got out of her depth and called for help. Gilbert tried to rescue her but died of heart failure but it is not clear whether it was out in the lake or shortly afterwards.
I leave you with some of his quotes which, in some cases, are as relevant today as when written 150 years ago.
[image error]
'When everyone is somebody then no one is anybody'
'And I always voted at my parties call. And I never thought of thinking for myself a all'
God Bless
October 14, 2015
Poetry Thursday 182 - This amazing planet.
Sometimes you just have to appreciate what this wonderful planet gives us and here I have chosen to write about three random examples.
Yorkshire Dales
Stunning!Breathtaking views wherever you’re looking.Not an experienced to be missed.Waterfalls – a must see,caves and loads of history.Great train rides and spectacular walks,sights to generate evening talks,of glorious days in God’s own county.© David L Atkinson October 2015
The poem above is taken in part from the comments made by visitors to the Dales. In fact I could have produced an epic poem on the subject but felt that it would be more challenging to be selective while trying to represent what is a beautiful part of the world.
Then back to my animal poetry with two wonderful examples from the global animal kingdom. The first is a creature I'd never heard of but which is a member of the rabbit family. I have a very fuzzy photo of one I saw while visiting Canada a couple of years ago. The noise it makes is totally out of proportion to its size.
[image error]
Ochotona Princeps
In the hills among the rocks,you may glimpse little white socks,or hear a blood-curdling, high pitched scream,like some horror from a dream.
A furry ball that likes climate cold,but stares from distance, aloof and bold.On barren rocks with outlook bleaker,sits the delightful Canadian Pika.© David L Atkinson October 2015
Then there is one of my favourite big cats. I have never seen them in the wild and only from a great distance, asleep, in a safari park. I have seen them closer behind glass in a zoo enclosure and was impressed by their muscle rippling walk and their silence.
[image error]
Panthera Pardus
Spread far and wide across the earth,carefully watching from moment of birth,more numerous than lion, tiger and cheetah,chilling in trees – no fussy eater.
Built for survival and silent – almost,pads quietly round town as a ghost.Looks on humans with respectful regard,the rosette bedecked lee-o-pard.© David L Atkinson October 2015
God Bless
Yorkshire Dales
Stunning!Breathtaking views wherever you’re looking.Not an experienced to be missed.Waterfalls – a must see,caves and loads of history.Great train rides and spectacular walks,sights to generate evening talks,of glorious days in God’s own county.© David L Atkinson October 2015
The poem above is taken in part from the comments made by visitors to the Dales. In fact I could have produced an epic poem on the subject but felt that it would be more challenging to be selective while trying to represent what is a beautiful part of the world.
Then back to my animal poetry with two wonderful examples from the global animal kingdom. The first is a creature I'd never heard of but which is a member of the rabbit family. I have a very fuzzy photo of one I saw while visiting Canada a couple of years ago. The noise it makes is totally out of proportion to its size.
[image error]
Ochotona Princeps
In the hills among the rocks,you may glimpse little white socks,or hear a blood-curdling, high pitched scream,like some horror from a dream.
A furry ball that likes climate cold,but stares from distance, aloof and bold.On barren rocks with outlook bleaker,sits the delightful Canadian Pika.© David L Atkinson October 2015
Then there is one of my favourite big cats. I have never seen them in the wild and only from a great distance, asleep, in a safari park. I have seen them closer behind glass in a zoo enclosure and was impressed by their muscle rippling walk and their silence.
[image error]
Panthera Pardus
Spread far and wide across the earth,carefully watching from moment of birth,more numerous than lion, tiger and cheetah,chilling in trees – no fussy eater.
Built for survival and silent – almost,pads quietly round town as a ghost.Looks on humans with respectful regard,the rosette bedecked lee-o-pard.© David L Atkinson October 2015
God Bless
October 13, 2015
Writing - Is imitation the most sincere form of flattery?
I wrote a poem last week 'I am who I am' (or words to that affect) which was similar to one that I'd read by another writer. At times I have 'borrowed' styles that I've thought suited my writings, but sometimes I wonder how close to plagiarism that is.
The reason I bring the topic up is because of a new series of books outlined below.
Ladybird books for adults
Some quite famous authors have had a go for a variety of reasons. One of my favourite collections of rhymes came from the pen of Roald Dahl with his Revolting Rhymes which are hilarious but nevertheless a re-working of some traditional rhymes.
Now we have Ladybird Books for Adults. The eight books have been written by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris, who have also written for comedy show That Mitchell and Webb Look.The titles include The Shed, The Wife, The Husband, The Hangover, Mindfulness, Dating and The Hipster. But as you can see from the title above not an original idea. There are plenty of spoof titles under the genre.
The point is when does re-working stop and plagiarism begin? I'm not about to go into the legalities but I'm thinking from the point of view of how one sees oneself as a writer if you produce work inspired and styled upon what someone else has produced.
I understand about when copyright ends but are writers who use others' ideas wrong?
If done deliberately is it to make money on the back of someone else's success?
On the other hand aren't we all doing that anyway? That is, re-working the same 7 story lines that are possible.
[image error]
Some people have achieved success in a serendipitous way in that they have written for their family and achieved success. In the case of Charles Dickens he was writing for newspapers and magazines to try and raise money to pay off his father's debts. People liked what they read and he began serialising stories in magazines before eventually producing full length books. Roald Dahl wrote for his children and grandchildren.
[image error]
I think if someone took my work and made money out of it I would be furious and litigation would have to ensue. The fact that my work had been copied would not make me feel flattered in any way but rather traumatised. There is no secret formula for the sources of inspiration that come to an artist but keep your eyes open, read plenty and the ideas will come.
God Bless
The reason I bring the topic up is because of a new series of books outlined below.
Ladybird books for adults
Some quite famous authors have had a go for a variety of reasons. One of my favourite collections of rhymes came from the pen of Roald Dahl with his Revolting Rhymes which are hilarious but nevertheless a re-working of some traditional rhymes.
Now we have Ladybird Books for Adults. The eight books have been written by Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris, who have also written for comedy show That Mitchell and Webb Look.The titles include The Shed, The Wife, The Husband, The Hangover, Mindfulness, Dating and The Hipster. But as you can see from the title above not an original idea. There are plenty of spoof titles under the genre.
The point is when does re-working stop and plagiarism begin? I'm not about to go into the legalities but I'm thinking from the point of view of how one sees oneself as a writer if you produce work inspired and styled upon what someone else has produced.
I understand about when copyright ends but are writers who use others' ideas wrong?
If done deliberately is it to make money on the back of someone else's success?
On the other hand aren't we all doing that anyway? That is, re-working the same 7 story lines that are possible.
[image error]
Some people have achieved success in a serendipitous way in that they have written for their family and achieved success. In the case of Charles Dickens he was writing for newspapers and magazines to try and raise money to pay off his father's debts. People liked what they read and he began serialising stories in magazines before eventually producing full length books. Roald Dahl wrote for his children and grandchildren.
[image error]
I think if someone took my work and made money out of it I would be furious and litigation would have to ensue. The fact that my work had been copied would not make me feel flattered in any way but rather traumatised. There is no secret formula for the sources of inspiration that come to an artist but keep your eyes open, read plenty and the ideas will come.
God Bless
October 12, 2015
Tuesday Food Blog - Savoury mince with parsnip and potato mash
I am reproducing this recipe on here as opposed to the recipe Tab because I can! No seriously - it is a simple and common recipe that doesn't quite merit a place on the Recipe page. The savoury aspect of the mince is the interesting part. It is in part the beginning of a curry paste and adds modicum of heat without being overtly curry.
Savoury mince topped with parsnip and potato mash
IngredientsFor the mince25g/1oz butter¼ onion, finely choppedpinch coriander seeds, crushedpinch cumin seeds, crushedpinch chilli flakespinch ground ginger1 tsp cornflour250g/9oz minced beef1 tbsp tomato purée50ml/2fl oz hot beef stock50ml/2fl oz red wine50g/2oz frozen peas, added to the pan for the last eight minutesfresh parsley, to garnish
For the parsnip and potato mash1 parsnip, peeled and finely chopped½ potato, peeled and finely chopped25g/1oz butter1 tbsp double cream (I used creme fraiche)salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation methodTo make the mince, melt the butter in a medium saucepan, over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the spices and cornflour and stir well. Add the mince, and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned. Add the tomato purée, hot stock, frozen peas and red wine and cook for eight minutes or until slightly thickened. Spoon into an oven proof casserole. Preheat the oven to medium temperature.To make the parsnip and potato mash, place the parsnip and potato into a pan of boiling water and boil for 10 minutes, or until soft. Add the butter, cream, salt and freshly ground black pepper and mash until smooth. Spoon on top of the mince and bake in the oven for half an hour or until the potato has browned.You can garnish with parsley or sliced tomato. The parsnip and creme fraiche give an edge to the mash so I felt that cheese would not have been appropriate. I do enjoy the mash. The parsnip has a distinctly apple sweetness which gives interest to what can be a rather bland topping.
The other aspect of this meal is that you can make it in varying quantities, freeze some and reheat later. For the weekend and a couple of extra days servings I doubled the quantities.
God Bless
October 11, 2015
Writing - What people say.
There is an awful lot of opinion expressed about social media; there's a considerable number of theories about the dangers of social media; there are tons of rubbish written on social media; but, the fact is that it is people writing their thoughts and opinions.
[image error]
Such sites as Trip Advisor, World Travel, booking.com and so on provide a platform for people to express opinions about places that they've visited.
[image error]John Cooper Clarke
Dr John Cooper Clark, punk performance poet, has produced a poem for #NationalPoetryDay about the coast of Britain #lovethecoast. He has worked with a number of people and collected their thoughts about the coast. Here are some of his lines,
Nation’s Ode to the CoastA big fat sky and a thousand shrieksThe tide arrives and the timber creaksA world away from the working weekOu est la vie nautique?That’s where the sea comes in…Dishevelled shells and shovelled sands,Architecture all unplannedA spade n bucket wonderlandA golden space, a Frisbee andThe kids and dogs can run and runAnd not run in to anyoneWay out! Real gone!That’s where the sea comes inImpervious to human speech, idle time and tidal reachSome memories you can’t impeachA nice cuppa splosh and a round of toastA cursory glance at the morning postA pointless walk along the coastThat’s what floats my boat the mostThat’s where the sea comes in….That’s where the sea comes inA really good way of expressing about a part of the natural world. That is not to say that you can easily produce work, either poetry or prose, by cobbling together quotes from people, but with time and effort you can filter out a collective view of somewhere that could help you in your writings.
Ribblehead Viaduct
Yorkshire DalesHaving travelled north from Leeds on the train for half an hour, the scenery opened out to reveal the famous dales with breathtaking views and a seemingly endless vista which was simply stunning. As the train curved through green valleys a view of the Ribblehead viaduct came into view, an imposing structure that is both impressive and interesting.It really doesn't matter what genre you write to, but if you are writing about a place that exists, it is possible to find real human impressions of the place. In the short paragraph above there are the reports from four different people. Obviously, you can visit places yourself but sometimes that isn't possible, and on the social media sites there is a wealth of material available. So as writers don't be too dismissive of sources.God Bless
[image error]
Such sites as Trip Advisor, World Travel, booking.com and so on provide a platform for people to express opinions about places that they've visited.
[image error]John Cooper Clarke
Dr John Cooper Clark, punk performance poet, has produced a poem for #NationalPoetryDay about the coast of Britain #lovethecoast. He has worked with a number of people and collected their thoughts about the coast. Here are some of his lines,
Nation’s Ode to the CoastA big fat sky and a thousand shrieksThe tide arrives and the timber creaksA world away from the working weekOu est la vie nautique?That’s where the sea comes in…Dishevelled shells and shovelled sands,Architecture all unplannedA spade n bucket wonderlandA golden space, a Frisbee andThe kids and dogs can run and runAnd not run in to anyoneWay out! Real gone!That’s where the sea comes inImpervious to human speech, idle time and tidal reachSome memories you can’t impeachA nice cuppa splosh and a round of toastA cursory glance at the morning postA pointless walk along the coastThat’s what floats my boat the mostThat’s where the sea comes in….That’s where the sea comes inA really good way of expressing about a part of the natural world. That is not to say that you can easily produce work, either poetry or prose, by cobbling together quotes from people, but with time and effort you can filter out a collective view of somewhere that could help you in your writings.
Ribblehead Viaduct
Yorkshire DalesHaving travelled north from Leeds on the train for half an hour, the scenery opened out to reveal the famous dales with breathtaking views and a seemingly endless vista which was simply stunning. As the train curved through green valleys a view of the Ribblehead viaduct came into view, an imposing structure that is both impressive and interesting.It really doesn't matter what genre you write to, but if you are writing about a place that exists, it is possible to find real human impressions of the place. In the short paragraph above there are the reports from four different people. Obviously, you can visit places yourself but sometimes that isn't possible, and on the social media sites there is a wealth of material available. So as writers don't be too dismissive of sources.God Bless
October 10, 2015
Writing - 10 things we didn't know last week
Here we go again at the end of a week that has been rich with poetry. The news is somewhat less than poetic.
[image error]
1. Elephants almost never get cancer.
Do I need to eat more?
-------------------------------------
[image error]
2. Actor Brian Blessed delivered a baby in a park, bit through the umbilical cord and then licked the infant's face clean.
I've met Brian Blessed and can only believe that the child would be traumatised for the rest of its life.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
3. Fire ants are surviving historic floods in South Carolina by making rafts.
Of course they are - would you expect anything less from these intelligent little blighters?
-------------------------------------
[image error]
4. Jeremy Corbyn is a life-long reader of Rail Magazine.
Obviously an insomniac.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
5. A third of vegetarians eat meat when drunk on a night out.
There is a moral in that somewhere. Alcohol allows people to be who they really are!
-------------------------------------
[image error]
6. Sea anemones could hold the key to immortality.
I met sea anemones once - I had 17 spines in my foot and didn't feel that good!
-------------------------------------
[image error]
7. Lakes on Mars might have existed long enough for life to evolve.
This tale is so full of s**t. The operative word - might.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
8. The suffragettes learnt the ancient martial art of jiu-jitsu.
Must have been a different brand to Naomi Kobayashi - she would have never been handcuffed to railings.
-------------------------------------
9. Britain is the best country in the world in which to die.
Surely it makes no difference!
-------------------------------------
[image error]
10. The best way to remember a name is to say it to someone else.
David David L L Atkinson Atkinson
-------------------------------------
God Bless
[image error]
1. Elephants almost never get cancer.
Do I need to eat more?
-------------------------------------
[image error]
2. Actor Brian Blessed delivered a baby in a park, bit through the umbilical cord and then licked the infant's face clean.
I've met Brian Blessed and can only believe that the child would be traumatised for the rest of its life.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
3. Fire ants are surviving historic floods in South Carolina by making rafts.
Of course they are - would you expect anything less from these intelligent little blighters?
-------------------------------------
[image error]
4. Jeremy Corbyn is a life-long reader of Rail Magazine.
Obviously an insomniac.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
5. A third of vegetarians eat meat when drunk on a night out.
There is a moral in that somewhere. Alcohol allows people to be who they really are!
-------------------------------------
[image error]
6. Sea anemones could hold the key to immortality.
I met sea anemones once - I had 17 spines in my foot and didn't feel that good!
-------------------------------------
[image error]
7. Lakes on Mars might have existed long enough for life to evolve.
This tale is so full of s**t. The operative word - might.
-------------------------------------
[image error]
8. The suffragettes learnt the ancient martial art of jiu-jitsu.
Must have been a different brand to Naomi Kobayashi - she would have never been handcuffed to railings.
-------------------------------------
9. Britain is the best country in the world in which to die.
Surely it makes no difference!
-------------------------------------
[image error]
10. The best way to remember a name is to say it to someone else.
David David L L Atkinson Atkinson
-------------------------------------
God Bless
October 9, 2015
Writing - How to lists ... !
For those new to my blogs I am a soapbox jumper, quite an enthusiastic example in fact, and a soapbox has presented itself this morning.
My publisher completelynovel.com (search for my books in paperback by entering David L Atkinson) are proactive in helping authors who use their services. Today they've produced an '8 ways of winning short story competitions'. Within the detail it includes 'choosing a good first sentence' and within that there is a list of 40 examples of good first sentences. It could be argued 'a can of worms'.
Let me say this once again. If there was a way of guaranteeing success, either 7 ways or 40 ways, or whatever number; every author who adopted those 'lists' would be successful but they're not.
There are no guarantees.
There is hard work. eg Ray Bradbury
There is luck. - eg J K Rowling
Let me become successful and I will relay as to how I believed it happened but for now the old advice is as good as any,
'write from where you're at'
'write to satisfy your own needs'
'write everyday'
My e-mate Caleb Pirtle has produced a blog on the value of suspense which is excellent and can be found at Venture Galleries.
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
My publisher completelynovel.com (search for my books in paperback by entering David L Atkinson) are proactive in helping authors who use their services. Today they've produced an '8 ways of winning short story competitions'. Within the detail it includes 'choosing a good first sentence' and within that there is a list of 40 examples of good first sentences. It could be argued 'a can of worms'.
Let me say this once again. If there was a way of guaranteeing success, either 7 ways or 40 ways, or whatever number; every author who adopted those 'lists' would be successful but they're not.
There are no guarantees.
There is hard work. eg Ray Bradbury
There is luck. - eg J K Rowling
Let me become successful and I will relay as to how I believed it happened but for now the old advice is as good as any,
'write from where you're at'
'write to satisfy your own needs'
'write everyday'
My e-mate Caleb Pirtle has produced a blog on the value of suspense which is excellent and can be found at Venture Galleries.
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 8, 2015
Writing - The Featherstone Massacre and MH370
As regular followers will know I am at times a political animal. Born and brought up in a Labour household, in a working class region and highly Labour leaning region; that is hardly surprising. I wrote a piece on Keir Hardie recently then came across an article describing a turning point in his clarion call for the setting up of a Labour Party.
I am also at a very interesting stage in the writing of a Flight to Nowhere. The research has changed the direction in which my story is heading.
[image error]
Featherstone, Yorkshire was the scene of the Great Miners Lockout in 1893. Featherstone is an ancient place, it is in the Doomsday Book, and has been a centre for mining coal since the earliest times, around 700 years. There are even sites where the ruins of bell pits pockmark the land, which was then transformed in the 19th century when deep mines were sunk. The coal mined was used for factories and battleships. One of the pits, Ackton Hall, was owned by Samuel Lister, 1st Baron Masham and it was at his pit on the 7th September that during the lockout of miners who were protesting for the need of a living wage, soldiers brought in by Masham shot and killed two and wounded 16. It was by the cemetery where the men were buried that Keir Hardie made an impassioned speech calling for the setting up of a Labour Party.
It is rather ironic that 122 years ago people were dying for the right to a living wage and yet we still don't have a living wage.
[image error]MH370 - Boeing 777
Moving on to today's writing matters my current project, Flight to Nowhere, is progressing well. However, as I have worked towards more technical matters, modern developments have forced me to dig deeper for more up-to-date information. This has re-energised me in the delivery of this, what will be the 9th Steele novel. One of the areas that I delved into are the developments into the autopilot system on Boeing aircraft. No longer is there a chrome switch with the legend 'Autopilot' beneath and a red tell-tale light above, now there is an amazing on board computer that is the Flight Management System. It is into this piece of kit that the routes, with waypoints, beacons etc are preprogrammed and which pilots select when they are setting off to a destination. The pilot doesn't have to do any programming and the only information required is the runway data at the destination airport. That is a gross over-simplification but nevertheless fascinating, the planes are virtually capable of flying themselves.
You'll need to read 'Flight to Nowhere' to find out more!
October 8th National Poetry Day #NationalPoetryDay
My own contributions are on yesterday's blog but the 2nd collection, Words from the Raindrops is available from Amazon
Paperback £4.99
Kindle £4.60
God Bless
I am also at a very interesting stage in the writing of a Flight to Nowhere. The research has changed the direction in which my story is heading.
[image error]
Featherstone, Yorkshire was the scene of the Great Miners Lockout in 1893. Featherstone is an ancient place, it is in the Doomsday Book, and has been a centre for mining coal since the earliest times, around 700 years. There are even sites where the ruins of bell pits pockmark the land, which was then transformed in the 19th century when deep mines were sunk. The coal mined was used for factories and battleships. One of the pits, Ackton Hall, was owned by Samuel Lister, 1st Baron Masham and it was at his pit on the 7th September that during the lockout of miners who were protesting for the need of a living wage, soldiers brought in by Masham shot and killed two and wounded 16. It was by the cemetery where the men were buried that Keir Hardie made an impassioned speech calling for the setting up of a Labour Party.
It is rather ironic that 122 years ago people were dying for the right to a living wage and yet we still don't have a living wage.
[image error]MH370 - Boeing 777
Moving on to today's writing matters my current project, Flight to Nowhere, is progressing well. However, as I have worked towards more technical matters, modern developments have forced me to dig deeper for more up-to-date information. This has re-energised me in the delivery of this, what will be the 9th Steele novel. One of the areas that I delved into are the developments into the autopilot system on Boeing aircraft. No longer is there a chrome switch with the legend 'Autopilot' beneath and a red tell-tale light above, now there is an amazing on board computer that is the Flight Management System. It is into this piece of kit that the routes, with waypoints, beacons etc are preprogrammed and which pilots select when they are setting off to a destination. The pilot doesn't have to do any programming and the only information required is the runway data at the destination airport. That is a gross over-simplification but nevertheless fascinating, the planes are virtually capable of flying themselves.
You'll need to read 'Flight to Nowhere' to find out more!
October 8th National Poetry Day #NationalPoetryDay
My own contributions are on yesterday's blog but the 2nd collection, Words from the Raindrops is available from Amazon
Paperback £4.99
Kindle £4.60
God Bless
October 7, 2015
Poetry Thursday 181 - Barry the Badger and more #NationalPoetryDay
Here we are again. Another Thursday, another batch of verse reflecting some of the ideas that have invaded my mind.
To begin, even though it is autumn, on warm days confused wasps are wakened and are often crotchety.
[image error]
Wasp
What on earth was He doing,when He created this being,for it is of little useother than human abuse?
There is an innate malevolence,even an airborne arrogance,in the way it invades your space,the bane of the human race.
It scarcely takes time to rest,flying around, a stinging pest,buzzing insistently against the windows,attacking the glass with repeated blows.
But what indeed did God intend,when creating that unique blend,of black, yellow and character crossed insect, that is the common wasp?© David L Atkinson October 2015
It is often claimed that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, which is quite often just so much rubbish. Sometimes imitation demonstrates a lack of inspiration. However, I saw a poem similar in form to the one below, which I felt was compelling and so I have unashamedly lifted the style and applied my own subject.
I AM Me
I am who I am.A person with many sides,keep that in mind on your inside,its none of your business – besides,facets that no one derides.
I am who I am.I am he who can hide,who walks with purposeful stride,throughout life in others not to confide,problems behind the walls are denied.
I am who I am.I am he who allows things slide,whose bon homie can’t be denied,seemingly normal to all outside,who is forgot till ennui subsides.
I am who I am.I am he who in honesty prides,who as a surfer, waves of upset rides,who is pushed and pulled on stormy tides,whose life on parallel rails rides.
I am who I am.I am he who for recognition tried,who may have to let that wish subside,but who with every effort cried,and enjoyed the nuggets from inside.© David L Atkinson October 2015
Finally, I have been thinking about writing something for my grandson and have come up with the character Barry the Badger and below is his first appearance.
[image error]
Barry the Badger
He’s not really ‘ard but tries,his heart is soft and kind his eyes.The gait of travel he employsbrings a happy, shuffling noise.
In the woods he is the enforcer,animal colleagues love his power.None should fear the nasty bully,all they need is to call on Barry.© David L Atkinson October 2015
God Bless
To begin, even though it is autumn, on warm days confused wasps are wakened and are often crotchety.
[image error]
Wasp
What on earth was He doing,when He created this being,for it is of little useother than human abuse?
There is an innate malevolence,even an airborne arrogance,in the way it invades your space,the bane of the human race.
It scarcely takes time to rest,flying around, a stinging pest,buzzing insistently against the windows,attacking the glass with repeated blows.
But what indeed did God intend,when creating that unique blend,of black, yellow and character crossed insect, that is the common wasp?© David L Atkinson October 2015
It is often claimed that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, which is quite often just so much rubbish. Sometimes imitation demonstrates a lack of inspiration. However, I saw a poem similar in form to the one below, which I felt was compelling and so I have unashamedly lifted the style and applied my own subject.
I AM Me
I am who I am.A person with many sides,keep that in mind on your inside,its none of your business – besides,facets that no one derides.
I am who I am.I am he who can hide,who walks with purposeful stride,throughout life in others not to confide,problems behind the walls are denied.
I am who I am.I am he who allows things slide,whose bon homie can’t be denied,seemingly normal to all outside,who is forgot till ennui subsides.
I am who I am.I am he who in honesty prides,who as a surfer, waves of upset rides,who is pushed and pulled on stormy tides,whose life on parallel rails rides.
I am who I am.I am he who for recognition tried,who may have to let that wish subside,but who with every effort cried,and enjoyed the nuggets from inside.© David L Atkinson October 2015
Finally, I have been thinking about writing something for my grandson and have come up with the character Barry the Badger and below is his first appearance.
[image error]
Barry the Badger
He’s not really ‘ard but tries,his heart is soft and kind his eyes.The gait of travel he employsbrings a happy, shuffling noise.
In the woods he is the enforcer,animal colleagues love his power.None should fear the nasty bully,all they need is to call on Barry.© David L Atkinson October 2015
God Bless
October 6, 2015
Writing - Henning Mankell RIP
I know it may seem a little morbid to focus on the death of an author, but their legacy is important. Mankell gave us Wallander and, although I wasn't keen on the TV series, it was immensely popular.
[image error]Henning Mankell 1948 - 2015
Henning Mankell was famous for his series centred upon Inspector Kurt Wallander but in fact as well as a crime writer, he was also a children's author and dramatist. He was a prolific writer particularly of screen plays but was not tied to one genre and that is where I have to admit to a degree of envy.
Mr Mankell was popular in Germany and other parts of Europe, he was a left wing political activist and a collaborator with other artists and theatres. Undoubtedly a busy man.
I admit to envy, in a gentle sort of way, about his ability to switch genres. I have managed one novel that is not the adventure type in Cessation. I consider it to be one of my better efforts and perhaps that was a benefit of switching genres because then it has fed back into the writing of more Steele novels, which I believe have also improved. Cessation is a dystopian novel that reflects my concern over the influence, in this case disastrous, of big business on public services.
Other genres that I am tempted towards are Historical and Children's fiction. In fact I have the bones of an historical novel which will be my next project. However, I have a new grandchild and have been asked on a couple of occasions if I am going to write a children's book or two.
If I'm to fulfil these ideas then I need to get cracking and write more quickly! In fact this has been happening over the last couple of weeks which feels very encouraging.
God Bless
[image error]Henning Mankell 1948 - 2015
Henning Mankell was famous for his series centred upon Inspector Kurt Wallander but in fact as well as a crime writer, he was also a children's author and dramatist. He was a prolific writer particularly of screen plays but was not tied to one genre and that is where I have to admit to a degree of envy.
Mr Mankell was popular in Germany and other parts of Europe, he was a left wing political activist and a collaborator with other artists and theatres. Undoubtedly a busy man.
I admit to envy, in a gentle sort of way, about his ability to switch genres. I have managed one novel that is not the adventure type in Cessation. I consider it to be one of my better efforts and perhaps that was a benefit of switching genres because then it has fed back into the writing of more Steele novels, which I believe have also improved. Cessation is a dystopian novel that reflects my concern over the influence, in this case disastrous, of big business on public services.
Other genres that I am tempted towards are Historical and Children's fiction. In fact I have the bones of an historical novel which will be my next project. However, I have a new grandchild and have been asked on a couple of occasions if I am going to write a children's book or two.
If I'm to fulfil these ideas then I need to get cracking and write more quickly! In fact this has been happening over the last couple of weeks which feels very encouraging.
God Bless
