David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 69
September 25, 2015
Writing - Steele revisited
I'm beginning to get desperate! I have almost 10 000 followers on twitter, over hundred 'friends' on FB I'm well connected on LinkedIn but I haven't sold a book for a couple of months. I hope it isn't a sign that my light is fading! On the other hand it was never that bright anyway. I've written about content on and off this week and I'm rapidly reaching the conclusion that I have tapped into a bit of an 'old-fashioned' well-tapped into section of the market.
In fact that may seem to be so on the surface but Patrick A Steele is not typical of the Marvel style of super hero. His roots are very definitely human, he's not from the aristocracy or a wealthy background but was orphaned and the product of a variety of foster homes. He was in trouble with the law as a teenager and eventually made good thanks to the discipline of the army as a part-time soldier.
The tasks he takes on are rooted in the strong sense of injustice he has developed as a recalcitrant youth. He has developed a number of skills and is often on the edge of the law in managing his outcomes. So if you haven't delved into his mysteries and adventures, with Christmas approaching there are 8 books to get your teeth into. In fact it may be 9 by the coming of the new year.
The books below are mine and as such there are occasions when I have a political point to make which if 'dumbed down' could be lost. Please read them all, learn and enjoy. The books are available through all good booksellers in all formats.
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
In fact that may seem to be so on the surface but Patrick A Steele is not typical of the Marvel style of super hero. His roots are very definitely human, he's not from the aristocracy or a wealthy background but was orphaned and the product of a variety of foster homes. He was in trouble with the law as a teenager and eventually made good thanks to the discipline of the army as a part-time soldier.
The tasks he takes on are rooted in the strong sense of injustice he has developed as a recalcitrant youth. He has developed a number of skills and is often on the edge of the law in managing his outcomes. So if you haven't delved into his mysteries and adventures, with Christmas approaching there are 8 books to get your teeth into. In fact it may be 9 by the coming of the new year.
The books below are mine and as such there are occasions when I have a political point to make which if 'dumbed down' could be lost. Please read them all, learn and enjoy. The books are available through all good booksellers in all formats.
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
September 24, 2015
Writing - UK - made in China! #bullingdon
Christmas is coming,
the goose is getting fat,please put a penny in the old man's hat,if you haven't got a penny,a farthing will do,if you haven't got a farthing,God Bless you!
[image error]
Christmas started around 1st September, although rumour hath it that some supermarkets even pre-empted that date. We haven't even had Harvest Festival or Halloween (Bay! Humbug!).The problem is money of course. The root of all evil.
[image error]George Osborne
Our chancellor is currently in China prostrating himself before the great God MONEY, supposedly helping our economy but really selling the UK out to a country that has the most appalling human rights record. So far this week he's encouraged the Chinese oligarchs to invest in 3 nuclear power stations and now trying to get them to shell out for the ill-conceived HS2 rail service.
WARNING Mr Osborne - Redcar Steel Plant under threat of closure. This plant was British but then taken over by a Thai company. What will happen to HS2 and the power stations if China, whose financial situation is far from secure, pull out?
You may ask what this has to do with Christmas - nothing really except for money, exploitation, undermining of true meanings!
I haven't commented on the European migrant crisis because I have mixed feelings. Those driven from their homes, towns and cities by war and the threat of death I can sympathise with but once they have escaped the war torn area and are in a safe country why continue across more safe countries to get to other countries? When war is over do they not want to go home? Many of these travellers are economic migrants not refugees.
Even this last point is about money. This desire to achieve financial security, and even wealth, is driving the human race to disaster - do I feel another dystopian novel coming on?
As a practising Christian I can see the evil one in the current atmosphere of fiscal greed. It also should be remembered that our Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer (Boris Johnson also) are members of the Bullingdon Club. One of the initiation tasks to gain entry to that club is to burn a £50 note in front of a homeless person! If that is not the embodiment of evil I don't know what is.
This blog may seem to be a bit of a mish mash of topics but when reading concentrate from the poem at the beginning to the Bullingdon Club on the inhumanity that results from the pursuit of making money.
God Bless
the goose is getting fat,please put a penny in the old man's hat,if you haven't got a penny,a farthing will do,if you haven't got a farthing,God Bless you!
[image error]
Christmas started around 1st September, although rumour hath it that some supermarkets even pre-empted that date. We haven't even had Harvest Festival or Halloween (Bay! Humbug!).The problem is money of course. The root of all evil.
[image error]George Osborne
Our chancellor is currently in China prostrating himself before the great God MONEY, supposedly helping our economy but really selling the UK out to a country that has the most appalling human rights record. So far this week he's encouraged the Chinese oligarchs to invest in 3 nuclear power stations and now trying to get them to shell out for the ill-conceived HS2 rail service.
WARNING Mr Osborne - Redcar Steel Plant under threat of closure. This plant was British but then taken over by a Thai company. What will happen to HS2 and the power stations if China, whose financial situation is far from secure, pull out?
You may ask what this has to do with Christmas - nothing really except for money, exploitation, undermining of true meanings!
I haven't commented on the European migrant crisis because I have mixed feelings. Those driven from their homes, towns and cities by war and the threat of death I can sympathise with but once they have escaped the war torn area and are in a safe country why continue across more safe countries to get to other countries? When war is over do they not want to go home? Many of these travellers are economic migrants not refugees.
Even this last point is about money. This desire to achieve financial security, and even wealth, is driving the human race to disaster - do I feel another dystopian novel coming on?
As a practising Christian I can see the evil one in the current atmosphere of fiscal greed. It also should be remembered that our Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer (Boris Johnson also) are members of the Bullingdon Club. One of the initiation tasks to gain entry to that club is to burn a £50 note in front of a homeless person! If that is not the embodiment of evil I don't know what is.
This blog may seem to be a bit of a mish mash of topics but when reading concentrate from the poem at the beginning to the Bullingdon Club on the inhumanity that results from the pursuit of making money.
God Bless
September 23, 2015
Poetry Thursday 179 - A jellyfish and a writer #poetry
An odd couple of poems. Typical of the mind of a writer I suppose. The ideas come and need expressing in whatever order and you, the reader, will make of them what you will.
I begin with the animal theme I began a couple of weeks ago, it could be longer, but with a strange choice. I can't say why but jellyfish sprang to mind sometime on Sunday.
[image error]
Jellyfish
It doesn’t seem to have a function,pulsing through the seas' nutrition,subject to the vagaries of ocean current,dangling, poisonous tendrils a deterrent.
There is in movement a rhythmic beauty,but without organisational duty.Simple randomness at the earth’s whim,and no classification of her or him.
Not exactly human friendly,some can be accidentally deadly,they hardly fulfil a child’s wishfor a pet – the ocean going jellyfish.© David L Atkinson September 2015
The origins of this poem are less metaphysical (is that the right word - I don't care it just feels right) than the reasons for the Jellyfish. I read Caleb Pirtle's blog on Venture Galleries and ping, there was the inspiration. Thanks again Caleb.
A Writer’s Lot
A writer will look at the worldand see the people travelling their days,considers how to lever on to his page.And, with the details, often plays.
A writer looks at his own position,wonders at how that applies,how it can fit in his decision,into the fabric of one of his stories.
A writer looks at his storyline,considers the use of internal turns,wonders about the passage of time,tries to balance with the money he earns.
A writer stops and considers his art,wonders about value and direction,discards the oft quoted fiscal card,and settles on a quality option.
A writer strives for his own perfection,worries about that word or this effect,begins again with more vigorous intention,but from finished pieces, the best select.© David L Atkinson September 2015
God Bless
September 22, 2015
Writing - Call me Dave #DavidCameron
I happen to share a Christian name with our current Prime Minister and don't mind being called 'Dave' but my mother preferred 'David' and that bias still lives with me. On the other hand our PM has had an unauthorised biography written about him with the above title.
[image error]
The book is written by Lord Ashcroft and Isabel Oakeshott and there will undoubtedly be millions of copies bought, no doubt assisted by serialisation in the Daily Mail. As to the literary value of the work, Isabel Oakeshott was a political editor at the Sunday Times so it should be an okay read but that is not what will sell the book, it is the content which is marketable.
As the book is being serialised there will be queues at Waterstones etc for people to get their copies and apart from the revelations about drugs and initiation ceremonies into various upper class 'clubs' there will be another 200 000 words to plough through and it could be a turgid and boring read. BUT the marketing by Biteback Publishing has been astonishingly good made easy by the subject. The book is available from the 12th October.
[image error]Jackie Collins (1937 - 2015)
Best selling author Jackie Collins died of breast cancer this week. She was 77 years old. Ms Collins was a hugely popular author selling over 500 million books and having 40 New York Times awards. She dished the dirt on all things Hollywood which proved highly popular with those of us who suffer from being star struck. She was once quoted as saying that on her tombstone she wanted the words ' She gave a lot of people a lot of pleasure.'
In both the Cameron book and those written by Jackie Collins it was subject matter that provided the push to create sales. If the England football team rocked up at a publishers with autobiographies tucked under their arms their would be more books on the market suitably 'sold' by the marketing departments. You could say the same about pop stars and anyone with a global 'face'. I have read a number of sporting biographies and would say that the quality was no better than mediocre and yet there they are. The world is run based upon profit and anyone producing books has to be able to guarantee their shareholders at least break even. So if you are unknown getting books out there is hard which is why self-publication has rocketed. My colleague, Caleb Pirtle III, quoted a number of interesting statistics which included the fact that sales through bookshops is only around 16% of the market. That fact alone has serious consequences for writers and publishers. He also pointed out that agents are beginning to disappear as no one needs them if publishing their own work.
These are very interesting times for writers like me and a number of friends around the world who are writing. In a sense the market for our works is wide open but we need to find that open niche that suits our style and subject matter.
If you wish to read a scathing article about 'Call Me Dave' log on to http://theleveller.org/2015/09/british-really-laughing/
God Bless
[image error]
The book is written by Lord Ashcroft and Isabel Oakeshott and there will undoubtedly be millions of copies bought, no doubt assisted by serialisation in the Daily Mail. As to the literary value of the work, Isabel Oakeshott was a political editor at the Sunday Times so it should be an okay read but that is not what will sell the book, it is the content which is marketable.
As the book is being serialised there will be queues at Waterstones etc for people to get their copies and apart from the revelations about drugs and initiation ceremonies into various upper class 'clubs' there will be another 200 000 words to plough through and it could be a turgid and boring read. BUT the marketing by Biteback Publishing has been astonishingly good made easy by the subject. The book is available from the 12th October.
[image error]Jackie Collins (1937 - 2015)
Best selling author Jackie Collins died of breast cancer this week. She was 77 years old. Ms Collins was a hugely popular author selling over 500 million books and having 40 New York Times awards. She dished the dirt on all things Hollywood which proved highly popular with those of us who suffer from being star struck. She was once quoted as saying that on her tombstone she wanted the words ' She gave a lot of people a lot of pleasure.'
In both the Cameron book and those written by Jackie Collins it was subject matter that provided the push to create sales. If the England football team rocked up at a publishers with autobiographies tucked under their arms their would be more books on the market suitably 'sold' by the marketing departments. You could say the same about pop stars and anyone with a global 'face'. I have read a number of sporting biographies and would say that the quality was no better than mediocre and yet there they are. The world is run based upon profit and anyone producing books has to be able to guarantee their shareholders at least break even. So if you are unknown getting books out there is hard which is why self-publication has rocketed. My colleague, Caleb Pirtle III, quoted a number of interesting statistics which included the fact that sales through bookshops is only around 16% of the market. That fact alone has serious consequences for writers and publishers. He also pointed out that agents are beginning to disappear as no one needs them if publishing their own work.
These are very interesting times for writers like me and a number of friends around the world who are writing. In a sense the market for our works is wide open but we need to find that open niche that suits our style and subject matter.
If you wish to read a scathing article about 'Call Me Dave' log on to http://theleveller.org/2015/09/british-really-laughing/
God Bless
Writing - Call me Dave
I happen to share a Christian name with our current Prime Minister and don't mind being called 'Dave' but my mother preferred 'David' and that bias still lives with me. On the other hand our PM has had an unauthorised biography written about him with the above title.
[image error]
The book is written by Lord Ashcroft and Isabel Oakeshott and there will undoubtedly be millions of copies bought, no doubt assisted by serialisation in the Daily Mail. As to the literary value of the work, Isabel Oakeshott was a political editor at the Sunday Times so it should be an okay read but that is not what will sell the book, it is the content which is marketable.
As the book is being serialised there will be queues at Waterstones etc for people to get their copies and apart from the revelations about drugs and initiation ceremonies into various upper class 'clubs' there will be another 200 000 words to plough through and it could be a turgid and boring read. BUT the marketing by Biteback Publishing has been astonishingly good made easy by the subject. The book is available from the 12th October.
[image error]Jackie Collins (1937 - 2015)
Best selling author Jackie Collins died of breast cancer this week. She was 77 years old. Ms Collins was a hugely popular author selling over 500 million books and having 40 New York Times awards. She dished the dirt on all things Hollywood which proved highly popular with those of us who suffer from being star struck. She was once quoted as saying that on her tombstone she wanted the words ' She gave a lot of people a lot of pleasure.'
In both the Cameron book and those written by Jackie Collins it was subject matter that provided the push to create sales. If the England football team rocked up at a publishers with autobiographies tucked under their arms their would be more books on the market suitably 'sold' by the marketing departments. You could say the same about pop stars and anyone with a global 'face'. I have read a number of sporting biographies and would say that the quality was no better than mediocre and yet there they are. The world is run based upon profit and anyone producing books has to be able to guarantee their shareholders at least break even. So if you are unknown getting books out there is hard which is why self-publication has rocketed. My colleague, Caleb Pirtle III, quoted a number of interesting statistics which included the fact that sales through bookshops is only around 16% of the market. That fact alone has serious consequences for writers and publishers. He also pointed out that agents are beginning to disappear as no one needs them if publishing their own work.
These are very interesting times for writers like me and a number of friends around the world who are writing. In a sense the market for our works is wide open but we need to find that open niche that suits our style and subject matter.
If you wish to read a scathing article about 'Call Me Dave' log on to http://theleveller.org/2015/09/british-really-laughing/
God Bless
[image error]
The book is written by Lord Ashcroft and Isabel Oakeshott and there will undoubtedly be millions of copies bought, no doubt assisted by serialisation in the Daily Mail. As to the literary value of the work, Isabel Oakeshott was a political editor at the Sunday Times so it should be an okay read but that is not what will sell the book, it is the content which is marketable.
As the book is being serialised there will be queues at Waterstones etc for people to get their copies and apart from the revelations about drugs and initiation ceremonies into various upper class 'clubs' there will be another 200 000 words to plough through and it could be a turgid and boring read. BUT the marketing by Biteback Publishing has been astonishingly good made easy by the subject. The book is available from the 12th October.
[image error]Jackie Collins (1937 - 2015)
Best selling author Jackie Collins died of breast cancer this week. She was 77 years old. Ms Collins was a hugely popular author selling over 500 million books and having 40 New York Times awards. She dished the dirt on all things Hollywood which proved highly popular with those of us who suffer from being star struck. She was once quoted as saying that on her tombstone she wanted the words ' She gave a lot of people a lot of pleasure.'
In both the Cameron book and those written by Jackie Collins it was subject matter that provided the push to create sales. If the England football team rocked up at a publishers with autobiographies tucked under their arms their would be more books on the market suitably 'sold' by the marketing departments. You could say the same about pop stars and anyone with a global 'face'. I have read a number of sporting biographies and would say that the quality was no better than mediocre and yet there they are. The world is run based upon profit and anyone producing books has to be able to guarantee their shareholders at least break even. So if you are unknown getting books out there is hard which is why self-publication has rocketed. My colleague, Caleb Pirtle III, quoted a number of interesting statistics which included the fact that sales through bookshops is only around 16% of the market. That fact alone has serious consequences for writers and publishers. He also pointed out that agents are beginning to disappear as no one needs them if publishing their own work.
These are very interesting times for writers like me and a number of friends around the world who are writing. In a sense the market for our works is wide open but we need to find that open niche that suits our style and subject matter.
If you wish to read a scathing article about 'Call Me Dave' log on to http://theleveller.org/2015/09/british-really-laughing/
God Bless
September 21, 2015
Tuesday Food Blog - Mary Berry's Express Lasagne
As a product of the 'use up' era of the 20th century I had some frozen sheets of lasagne in the freezer that needed using up so began searching for something different to the usual beef mince version.
Straight from the oven
My search was largely successful as in a relatively short time I came up with this recipe from Mary Berry. The lady is one of the older celebrity cooks that appear regularly on our screens but she has some great ideas.
Showing the layers
The 'express' description is probably down to the fact that you don't prepare a cheese sauce and in all fairness it doesn't take as long as the standard version.
The layers are made up of a pork and spinach layer, passata and lasagne sheets all topped off with a liberal sprinkling of mature cheddar cheese. There are a variety of enriching ingredients such as creme fraiche, a red chilli and chestnut mushrooms which you will see on the recipe which is to be found on the relevant TAB at the top of this page.
Now Mary Berry uses pork and spinach but, as I don't like spinach, I used a leek instead. I have created pork and leek pies before now and with creme fraiche so felt confident to use this pie filling as the meat layer. I had a spare mushroom or two so they went into the passata. It all went very well and I can recommend the recipe.
God Bless
Straight from the oven
My search was largely successful as in a relatively short time I came up with this recipe from Mary Berry. The lady is one of the older celebrity cooks that appear regularly on our screens but she has some great ideas.
Showing the layers
The 'express' description is probably down to the fact that you don't prepare a cheese sauce and in all fairness it doesn't take as long as the standard version.
The layers are made up of a pork and spinach layer, passata and lasagne sheets all topped off with a liberal sprinkling of mature cheddar cheese. There are a variety of enriching ingredients such as creme fraiche, a red chilli and chestnut mushrooms which you will see on the recipe which is to be found on the relevant TAB at the top of this page.
Now Mary Berry uses pork and spinach but, as I don't like spinach, I used a leek instead. I have created pork and leek pies before now and with creme fraiche so felt confident to use this pie filling as the meat layer. I had a spare mushroom or two so they went into the passata. It all went very well and I can recommend the recipe.
God Bless
September 20, 2015
Writing - A Labour of love
I have always been a political animal without being a soapbox mounting tub thumper. As a student I was tempted by the idealism of communism when that seemed to be the fairest way for humans to share this earth, and now I'm retired I've returned to consider the political world in which we live.
[image error]Jeremy Corbyn
I am also a practising Christian and as such seem to have developed a strong sense of injustice. The above information coupled with the fact that the world seems to be under greater control by a smaller and smaller group of the super rich has alarm bells ringing as to the plight of the majority of us who are less fortunate.Jeremy Corbyn became leader of the Labour Party just over a week ago and the furore in the supposedly unbiased media has been almost embarrassing. The leader is always referred to as the ageing left winger. David Cameron is never referred to as a middle-aged right winger.
[image error]Keir Hardie (1856 - 1915)
Keir Hardie died a hundred years ago this year and his biography shows a pattern of life so many experienced in the Victorian era and yet which has similarities with the world today. Hardie was the first leader of the Labour Party.Hardie was illegitimate, brought up in poverty with no formal schooling, though his parents taught him to read and write.By the time he was 10 he was working 10 hour shifts down a mine as a 'trapper' opening and closing a door to help maintain the miners' air supply. Despite these disadvantages, Hardie became first a union official and then, in August 1892, the independent labour MP for West Ham South. He took his seat in Westminster but refused to wear the 'uniform' of black frock coat, starched wing collar and black top hat. Instead he wore a tweed suit and a deer stalker hat for which he was lambasted in the press as 'cloth cap in Parliament'. Interesting that today's media are frequently guilty of attacking what Corbyn wears!
[image error]Founders of the ILP
The Independent Labour Party (ILP) was formed in 1893 by the above group of people that included Hardie. They formed the party because they disagreed with the Liberals over economic policy and the treatment of the poor. This new party worried the Liberals as they feared it would capture the votes of the working class voters.Hardie spent the next five years building up the Labour Party, touring the country and finally getting arrested at a women's suffrage meeting. He was released quickly by the Home Secretary who feared embarrassment at having detained the leader of the ILP.After many machinations by the Liberals and the ILP to form a pact to bring down the deeply unpopular Conservative government the Labour Party was formed in 1906 and in the General Election of that year had 29 MPs elected.
[image error]Women's Suffrage
In 1908 Hardie resigned as leader of the Labour Party. He spent the rest of his life campaigning for women's rights, self-rule for India and the end of segregation in South Africa. As a pacifist he was appalled by the First World War and tried to organise an international general strike to end the war.
Hardie died in a Glasgow hospital in 1915 after a series of strokes.
[image error]
Jeremy Corbyn has been described as a left winger when in fact he is what I would describe as a humanist. It seems that he identifies unfairness in society and his policies are designed to restore some kind of balance between the rich and the poor. It would appear that Corbyn sees the same injustices that Hardie identified and he has found support in the country. All power to his elbow.
God Bless
[image error]Jeremy Corbyn
I am also a practising Christian and as such seem to have developed a strong sense of injustice. The above information coupled with the fact that the world seems to be under greater control by a smaller and smaller group of the super rich has alarm bells ringing as to the plight of the majority of us who are less fortunate.Jeremy Corbyn became leader of the Labour Party just over a week ago and the furore in the supposedly unbiased media has been almost embarrassing. The leader is always referred to as the ageing left winger. David Cameron is never referred to as a middle-aged right winger.
[image error]Keir Hardie (1856 - 1915)
Keir Hardie died a hundred years ago this year and his biography shows a pattern of life so many experienced in the Victorian era and yet which has similarities with the world today. Hardie was the first leader of the Labour Party.Hardie was illegitimate, brought up in poverty with no formal schooling, though his parents taught him to read and write.By the time he was 10 he was working 10 hour shifts down a mine as a 'trapper' opening and closing a door to help maintain the miners' air supply. Despite these disadvantages, Hardie became first a union official and then, in August 1892, the independent labour MP for West Ham South. He took his seat in Westminster but refused to wear the 'uniform' of black frock coat, starched wing collar and black top hat. Instead he wore a tweed suit and a deer stalker hat for which he was lambasted in the press as 'cloth cap in Parliament'. Interesting that today's media are frequently guilty of attacking what Corbyn wears!
[image error]Founders of the ILP
The Independent Labour Party (ILP) was formed in 1893 by the above group of people that included Hardie. They formed the party because they disagreed with the Liberals over economic policy and the treatment of the poor. This new party worried the Liberals as they feared it would capture the votes of the working class voters.Hardie spent the next five years building up the Labour Party, touring the country and finally getting arrested at a women's suffrage meeting. He was released quickly by the Home Secretary who feared embarrassment at having detained the leader of the ILP.After many machinations by the Liberals and the ILP to form a pact to bring down the deeply unpopular Conservative government the Labour Party was formed in 1906 and in the General Election of that year had 29 MPs elected.
[image error]Women's Suffrage
In 1908 Hardie resigned as leader of the Labour Party. He spent the rest of his life campaigning for women's rights, self-rule for India and the end of segregation in South Africa. As a pacifist he was appalled by the First World War and tried to organise an international general strike to end the war.
Hardie died in a Glasgow hospital in 1915 after a series of strokes.
[image error]
Jeremy Corbyn has been described as a left winger when in fact he is what I would describe as a humanist. It seems that he identifies unfairness in society and his policies are designed to restore some kind of balance between the rich and the poor. It would appear that Corbyn sees the same injustices that Hardie identified and he has found support in the country. All power to his elbow.
God Bless
September 19, 2015
Writing - 10 things we didn't know last week 18/09
A strange mixture this week without any overarching theme but certainly strange.
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1. A seal can surf on a humpback whale.
You have to take a ride from wherever you can get it.
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2. Liberals swear more on Twitter than conservatives.
Slack jawed as well as political slackness.
--------------------------------
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3. Portsmouth is the luckiest city in the UK.
Humbug - its down south! What element of that is lucky?
--------------------------------
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4. Giraffes spend their evenings humming to each other.
How sweet as long as they aren't tone deaf.
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5. Bill Cosby was the first choice to play Sam Malone in Cheers, ahead of Ted Danson.
Congrats Ted!
--------------------------------
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6. An "invisibility cloak" has been invented that could turn beer bellies into six-packs.
Now you see me.
--------------------------------
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7. Coffee drunk late at night resets the internal body clock and can give you jet lag.
Great! Without the benefit of going somewhere nice.
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8. The nostril is one of the most painful places on the body for a bee sting.
Ouch!!
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9. The company which owns the rights to Happy Birthday To You makes an estimated $2m per year from usage fees.
I sang it on Wednesday for free!
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10. In their spare time, US fighter pilots play a mash-up of pool and rugby called crud.
Spare time - why do they need that?
--------------------------------
God Bless
[image error]
1. A seal can surf on a humpback whale.
You have to take a ride from wherever you can get it.
--------------------------------
[image error]
2. Liberals swear more on Twitter than conservatives.
Slack jawed as well as political slackness.
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3. Portsmouth is the luckiest city in the UK.
Humbug - its down south! What element of that is lucky?
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4. Giraffes spend their evenings humming to each other.
How sweet as long as they aren't tone deaf.
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5. Bill Cosby was the first choice to play Sam Malone in Cheers, ahead of Ted Danson.
Congrats Ted!
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6. An "invisibility cloak" has been invented that could turn beer bellies into six-packs.
Now you see me.
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7. Coffee drunk late at night resets the internal body clock and can give you jet lag.
Great! Without the benefit of going somewhere nice.
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8. The nostril is one of the most painful places on the body for a bee sting.
Ouch!!
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9. The company which owns the rights to Happy Birthday To You makes an estimated $2m per year from usage fees.
I sang it on Wednesday for free!
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10. In their spare time, US fighter pilots play a mash-up of pool and rugby called crud.
Spare time - why do they need that?
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God Bless
September 18, 2015
Writing - A.I. and stories re-worked.
This week the BBC have been looking into Artificial Intelligence and at the same time the 'Horrible Histories' team have produced a new work entitled 'Bill' about the earlier life of William Shakespeare.
Stephen Hawking has warned the human race to beware of the development of A.I. but scientists continue to experiment and test. Prizes are awarded for robot building and simple robots in the form of furry seals have been introduced into care homes to provide the elderly with something that they can love and from which they can receive limited responses. That is happening now as I write along with intelligent machines milking cows, and we have to remember that cars have been part built by robots for years.
[image error]Robot authors
One of the reasons that I have written a book which is not of the Steele variety was because I wanted to refresh my writing and escape from being too formulaic. It is something all authors can end up being and, although I have no strong feelings on the drawbacks or benefits, I wanted to show myself that I could adopt a different style. If we are all writing to a formula it would be easier for the process to be carried out by A.I.
[image error]
Now don't get me wrong I have no objection to the characters and the way in which history is portrayed by this fun-loving bunch, it provides a way in to history for children and as such is not a bad thing. However, having read digests of stories for GCE and used HH in my teaching, I think you have to introduce the 'real thing' as soon as possible.
'Dumbing down' stories is okay to a degree but the story in its entirety is what should be the focus of whatever strategy is used to engage new readers.
The books below are mine and as such there are occasions when I have a political point to make which if 'dumbed down' could be lost. Please read them all, learn and enjoy. The books are available through all good booksellers in all formats.
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
Stephen Hawking has warned the human race to beware of the development of A.I. but scientists continue to experiment and test. Prizes are awarded for robot building and simple robots in the form of furry seals have been introduced into care homes to provide the elderly with something that they can love and from which they can receive limited responses. That is happening now as I write along with intelligent machines milking cows, and we have to remember that cars have been part built by robots for years.
[image error]Robot authors
One of the reasons that I have written a book which is not of the Steele variety was because I wanted to refresh my writing and escape from being too formulaic. It is something all authors can end up being and, although I have no strong feelings on the drawbacks or benefits, I wanted to show myself that I could adopt a different style. If we are all writing to a formula it would be easier for the process to be carried out by A.I.
[image error]
Now don't get me wrong I have no objection to the characters and the way in which history is portrayed by this fun-loving bunch, it provides a way in to history for children and as such is not a bad thing. However, having read digests of stories for GCE and used HH in my teaching, I think you have to introduce the 'real thing' as soon as possible.
'Dumbing down' stories is okay to a degree but the story in its entirety is what should be the focus of whatever strategy is used to engage new readers.
The books below are mine and as such there are occasions when I have a political point to make which if 'dumbed down' could be lost. Please read them all, learn and enjoy. The books are available through all good booksellers in all formats.
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
September 17, 2015
Writing - Every story I write is a mystery
The title of this blog is not a reference to the genre in which I write but rather it is about the process I find most comfortable when producing a book.
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I have often described the process, or non-process if you like, that I adopt. It isn't unique! Ian Rankin (Rebus novels) is another non-planner. The reason I write about it again is because of the joy.
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Joy is an old-fashioned word to some perhaps I should be writing 'Brill', 'Rad' or 'Wicked'! I am of the era where the old-fashioned was de riguer, and quite fashionable. Having said that I was raised when the word 'gay' had nothing to do with homosexual groups.
The point is there are loads of mysteries when you write. As I begin to deposit words, not with quill on vellum, quite often I can only see into the situation that I've just created. As it develops through the keys I hit, doors appear in my mind that are possible ways forward into the next section of my writing. However, I do not always know what is on the other side of those doors until I'm part way through. The joy of which I speak is in the finding a way through the mystery.
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The story that I am writing just now is about a missing aircraft, or is it really missing? Is it that the authorities want us to believe it crashed into the sea or is the truth something different that even the powers-that-be do not know about? As a sampler that in my mind deepens rather than explains the mystery, one piece of wreckage has been found on Reunion Island. It was supposedly to be tested by French authorities to ascertain that it was part of the stricken plane MH370. Two things have happened since the piece was taken to France. Firstly, the confirmation was inconclusive and no more wreckage has been found. The reasons could be wide and varied but for me as they say 'the plot thickens'!
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There are many such stories some of which are surfacing around the assault on the World Trade Centre in New York. Strange that a Chinese company bought buildings insurance and then moved out a week before the disaster; then there is the mystery surrounding Building 7 which collapsed several hours after the twin towers but was fortunately empty, as the security agency that had used the building had left a short time before 9/11.
The sources of inspiration from real events are only limited by your own imagination. Now because I'm writing a story based upon a real life event I'm finding constraints that I am not used to!
Writing is never dull!!
God Bless
[image error]
I have often described the process, or non-process if you like, that I adopt. It isn't unique! Ian Rankin (Rebus novels) is another non-planner. The reason I write about it again is because of the joy.
[image error]
Joy is an old-fashioned word to some perhaps I should be writing 'Brill', 'Rad' or 'Wicked'! I am of the era where the old-fashioned was de riguer, and quite fashionable. Having said that I was raised when the word 'gay' had nothing to do with homosexual groups.
The point is there are loads of mysteries when you write. As I begin to deposit words, not with quill on vellum, quite often I can only see into the situation that I've just created. As it develops through the keys I hit, doors appear in my mind that are possible ways forward into the next section of my writing. However, I do not always know what is on the other side of those doors until I'm part way through. The joy of which I speak is in the finding a way through the mystery.
[image error]
The story that I am writing just now is about a missing aircraft, or is it really missing? Is it that the authorities want us to believe it crashed into the sea or is the truth something different that even the powers-that-be do not know about? As a sampler that in my mind deepens rather than explains the mystery, one piece of wreckage has been found on Reunion Island. It was supposedly to be tested by French authorities to ascertain that it was part of the stricken plane MH370. Two things have happened since the piece was taken to France. Firstly, the confirmation was inconclusive and no more wreckage has been found. The reasons could be wide and varied but for me as they say 'the plot thickens'!
[image error]
There are many such stories some of which are surfacing around the assault on the World Trade Centre in New York. Strange that a Chinese company bought buildings insurance and then moved out a week before the disaster; then there is the mystery surrounding Building 7 which collapsed several hours after the twin towers but was fortunately empty, as the security agency that had used the building had left a short time before 9/11.
The sources of inspiration from real events are only limited by your own imagination. Now because I'm writing a story based upon a real life event I'm finding constraints that I am not used to!
Writing is never dull!!
God Bless
