David L. Atkinson's Blog, page 72
August 27, 2015
Writer - Poetry, novels and Amazon reviews
While scouting today's news I came across a number of authors and poets who have their birthdays today and it struck me that very few are described simply as being authors. I wondered why that is.
Poetry collection 1
This collection is intensely personal and, to be frank, not a lot of fun. However, it is an expression of emotions. In an effort to demystify the process of writing poetry there is also an element of education.As I have often said I began writing poetry forty years ago and it was my road into writing novels.
Collection 2
I love the front cover of this and the poetry inside is probably more 'grown up'. There is still plenty of angst within the covers but some lighter moments. The reason I like the cover is that no matter which way you view it the book looks tilted, slightly out of kilter! In a sense that then embodies what I feel about what is within the cover.
So back to the idea that not many authors are simply writers of books but quite often poetry as well. For me the poetry is like having playtime at primary school, it gives the opportunity to express our inner selves on the page. I think that when people begin to write poetry they become too concerned with the format rather than what is being expressed. As I learn, which is every day, about writing the freedom that writing poetry allows is stifled by the style concerns. In a sense it is inevitable in the way it is taught in the schools in which I have worked, and I'm as guilty as anyone. The children worry about having to rhyme. The rhyming issue is wide and varied. If you look up the definition of poetry you come up with the following,
'is the expression of ideas and emotions by using a distinctive style and rhythm'
it doesn't say anything about rhyming. On some occasions rhyming helps with the rhythm but you shouldn't stop writing, or believe that you can't write poetry because you can't rhyme. You just need to get those emotions and ideas down and then perhaps re-work what you have done to generate the rhythm.
My best so far?
So then there are the novels. Writing over a longer period of time has similarities to writing poetry. Perhaps the rhythm isn't there and the writing style is whatever your style is, but there is plenty of opportunity to explore ideas and experiment with emotions. I dare to describe writing a novel as producing an epic poem in blank verse because there is a feeling of emotion when I write, which may change during the course of the book. Also there is plenty of opportunity to express emotions and to examine attitudes in the world. I shouldn't be surprised that authors also tend to have poetry within their cv also.
[image error]
On a more practical level I came across some information regarding Amazon and the power of reviews. Apparently if a book receives 20 - 25 reviews it is placed on the Amazon 'also bought' and 'you might like this' lists. After 50 -70 reviews Amazon highlights the book for spotlight positions and for its newsletter.
A serious request - if you have bought and read one of my books please take five minutes out of your busy schedule to go on to your Amazon account, find my book and write a review.
As a point of information it doesn't matter if the book was bought for Kindle or in paperback.
Thank You
God Bless
Poetry collection 1
This collection is intensely personal and, to be frank, not a lot of fun. However, it is an expression of emotions. In an effort to demystify the process of writing poetry there is also an element of education.As I have often said I began writing poetry forty years ago and it was my road into writing novels.
Collection 2
I love the front cover of this and the poetry inside is probably more 'grown up'. There is still plenty of angst within the covers but some lighter moments. The reason I like the cover is that no matter which way you view it the book looks tilted, slightly out of kilter! In a sense that then embodies what I feel about what is within the cover.
So back to the idea that not many authors are simply writers of books but quite often poetry as well. For me the poetry is like having playtime at primary school, it gives the opportunity to express our inner selves on the page. I think that when people begin to write poetry they become too concerned with the format rather than what is being expressed. As I learn, which is every day, about writing the freedom that writing poetry allows is stifled by the style concerns. In a sense it is inevitable in the way it is taught in the schools in which I have worked, and I'm as guilty as anyone. The children worry about having to rhyme. The rhyming issue is wide and varied. If you look up the definition of poetry you come up with the following,
'is the expression of ideas and emotions by using a distinctive style and rhythm'
it doesn't say anything about rhyming. On some occasions rhyming helps with the rhythm but you shouldn't stop writing, or believe that you can't write poetry because you can't rhyme. You just need to get those emotions and ideas down and then perhaps re-work what you have done to generate the rhythm.
My best so far?
So then there are the novels. Writing over a longer period of time has similarities to writing poetry. Perhaps the rhythm isn't there and the writing style is whatever your style is, but there is plenty of opportunity to explore ideas and experiment with emotions. I dare to describe writing a novel as producing an epic poem in blank verse because there is a feeling of emotion when I write, which may change during the course of the book. Also there is plenty of opportunity to express emotions and to examine attitudes in the world. I shouldn't be surprised that authors also tend to have poetry within their cv also.
[image error]
On a more practical level I came across some information regarding Amazon and the power of reviews. Apparently if a book receives 20 - 25 reviews it is placed on the Amazon 'also bought' and 'you might like this' lists. After 50 -70 reviews Amazon highlights the book for spotlight positions and for its newsletter.
A serious request - if you have bought and read one of my books please take five minutes out of your busy schedule to go on to your Amazon account, find my book and write a review.
As a point of information it doesn't matter if the book was bought for Kindle or in paperback.
Thank You
God Bless
August 26, 2015
Poetry Thursday 175 - Cats and Hogs
Don't ask where these things come from, I've really little idea. On Sunday at tea my mind was free, by bedtime I'd created these.
[image error]
Care of Hogs
Small and steady it bumbles along,a prickly bundle intent uponsurvival of the winter months,by eating slugs in their billionths.
Its progress is never rapid or noisy,it snuffles, and chuckles on its hunting spree,to find the slimy sticky slugs,devoured and garnished with a range of bugs.
The hogs needs aren’t many or variedjust a dark, sheltered place to breed.Then when cold it gets to snugglewith prickly relatives in a huddle.
When the spring sets their blood atingling,prickly families again start minglingin the damp, nutritious undergrowth,to leave such places they are loath.
Drive carefully when hedgehogs are about,as they follow a single purposed route,road sense from their nature’s lacking,people must provide what’s missing.
Avoid a three metre hedgehog,Keep control of cat and dog.Don’t use poisons or pesticides,and allow a few small places to hide.© David L Atkinson August 2015
The three metre hedgehog is a term used by Colin Thompson in one of his stories. He wrote three collections, Venus the Caterpillar, Attila the Blue bottle and Sid the Mosquito. Colin began life as an illustrator but then wrote these short stories which the children I read them to, loved.
I have had the good fortune or otherwise to share a section of my life with a number of cats. The personality of those five creatures varied enormously from the aloof master cat to the sneakily obsequious loving critter. The experience generated the poem below.
Cat
The ubiquitous presence of furry felines,in most homes since Egyptian times,is not at the human owners behest,but in the fief of the bewhiskered pest.
It can be cuddly, warm and loving,when requiring its needs fulfilling,but cross the moody beast at your peril,to uncover a hissing, spitting devil.
Cats require you to be efficient staff,to stroke, cosset and at its antics, laugh.If you wish as a proud owner to log,please not a cat - get a dog.© David L Atkinson August 2015
I don't dislike cats but I do prefer dogs.
God Bless
[image error]
Care of Hogs
Small and steady it bumbles along,a prickly bundle intent uponsurvival of the winter months,by eating slugs in their billionths.
Its progress is never rapid or noisy,it snuffles, and chuckles on its hunting spree,to find the slimy sticky slugs,devoured and garnished with a range of bugs.
The hogs needs aren’t many or variedjust a dark, sheltered place to breed.Then when cold it gets to snugglewith prickly relatives in a huddle.
When the spring sets their blood atingling,prickly families again start minglingin the damp, nutritious undergrowth,to leave such places they are loath.
Drive carefully when hedgehogs are about,as they follow a single purposed route,road sense from their nature’s lacking,people must provide what’s missing.
Avoid a three metre hedgehog,Keep control of cat and dog.Don’t use poisons or pesticides,and allow a few small places to hide.© David L Atkinson August 2015
The three metre hedgehog is a term used by Colin Thompson in one of his stories. He wrote three collections, Venus the Caterpillar, Attila the Blue bottle and Sid the Mosquito. Colin began life as an illustrator but then wrote these short stories which the children I read them to, loved.
I have had the good fortune or otherwise to share a section of my life with a number of cats. The personality of those five creatures varied enormously from the aloof master cat to the sneakily obsequious loving critter. The experience generated the poem below.
Cat
The ubiquitous presence of furry felines,in most homes since Egyptian times,is not at the human owners behest,but in the fief of the bewhiskered pest.
It can be cuddly, warm and loving,when requiring its needs fulfilling,but cross the moody beast at your peril,to uncover a hissing, spitting devil.
Cats require you to be efficient staff,to stroke, cosset and at its antics, laugh.If you wish as a proud owner to log,please not a cat - get a dog.© David L Atkinson August 2015
I don't dislike cats but I do prefer dogs.
God Bless
August 25, 2015
Writing - Humour and the Fringe
I've been to the Edinburgh Fringe once! In all fairness it has helped numerous celebrities on their way to stardom but I do feel there are a plethora of very desperate people trying to push their limited talents to some kind of success.
[image error]Edinburgh Fringe
This year is the 65th anniversary of the fringe festival and during that time some great acts have blossomed from these beginnings. People such as Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Michael McIntyre, Graham Chapman, John Cleese and many more. Many of these notables return annually which enriches the quality of the acts that appear in the streets, the back rooms of pubs, little theatres and grander stages. However, rather like selling books, there are some on the fringes (pardon the pun) that only have desperation going for them.
As is the wont of the current day society there has to be some kind of award and for a few years there is the 'Best Joke' award. These are the top ten best jokes as selected by a panel of judges.
The Winner
1. I just deleted all the German names off my phone. It's Hans free" - Darren Walsh
[image error]Darren with his trophy
2. "Kim Kardashian is saddled with a huge arse ... but enough about Kanye West" - Stewart Francis
3. "Surely every car is a people carrier?" - Adam Hess
4. "What's the difference between a 'hippo' and a 'Zippo'? One is really heavy, the other is a little lighter" - Masai Graham
5. "If I could take just one thing to a desert island I probably wouldn't go" - Dave Green
6. "Jesus fed 5,000 people with two fishes and a loaf of bread. That's not a miracle. That's tapas" - Mark Nelson
7. "Red sky at night. Shepherd's delight. Blue sky at night. Day" - Tom Parry
8. "The first time I met my wife, I knew she was a keeper. She was wearing massive gloves" - Alun Cochrane
9. "Clowns divorce. Custardy battle" - Simon Munnery
10. "They're always telling me to live my dreams. But I don't want to be naked in an exam I haven't revised for..." - Grace The Child
Would you volunteer to be the judge of the best joke? I wouldn't for my own safety. The above list has two or three that I find amusing one of which is the winner but humour is such a personal attribute judging what's funny is a risk. This year there is only one that I don't see as funny at all and that is number 8. My favourites are 4, 6 and 7.Like every story that has ever been written many of the jokes are a variation on a theme, like number 10, but in that case imitation is the most sincere form of flattery! Someone famous once said that there are basically only 7 story lines but neglected to add that there are a myriad of variations.
Irrespective of your personal sense of humour, your view of this type of festival or your own aspirations, I would advise everyone to go to the Fringe at least once if for no other reason than to support the people who are putting heart and soul into their art.
God Bless
[image error]Edinburgh Fringe
This year is the 65th anniversary of the fringe festival and during that time some great acts have blossomed from these beginnings. People such as Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Michael McIntyre, Graham Chapman, John Cleese and many more. Many of these notables return annually which enriches the quality of the acts that appear in the streets, the back rooms of pubs, little theatres and grander stages. However, rather like selling books, there are some on the fringes (pardon the pun) that only have desperation going for them.
As is the wont of the current day society there has to be some kind of award and for a few years there is the 'Best Joke' award. These are the top ten best jokes as selected by a panel of judges.
The Winner
1. I just deleted all the German names off my phone. It's Hans free" - Darren Walsh
[image error]Darren with his trophy
2. "Kim Kardashian is saddled with a huge arse ... but enough about Kanye West" - Stewart Francis
3. "Surely every car is a people carrier?" - Adam Hess
4. "What's the difference between a 'hippo' and a 'Zippo'? One is really heavy, the other is a little lighter" - Masai Graham
5. "If I could take just one thing to a desert island I probably wouldn't go" - Dave Green
6. "Jesus fed 5,000 people with two fishes and a loaf of bread. That's not a miracle. That's tapas" - Mark Nelson
7. "Red sky at night. Shepherd's delight. Blue sky at night. Day" - Tom Parry
8. "The first time I met my wife, I knew she was a keeper. She was wearing massive gloves" - Alun Cochrane
9. "Clowns divorce. Custardy battle" - Simon Munnery
10. "They're always telling me to live my dreams. But I don't want to be naked in an exam I haven't revised for..." - Grace The Child
Would you volunteer to be the judge of the best joke? I wouldn't for my own safety. The above list has two or three that I find amusing one of which is the winner but humour is such a personal attribute judging what's funny is a risk. This year there is only one that I don't see as funny at all and that is number 8. My favourites are 4, 6 and 7.Like every story that has ever been written many of the jokes are a variation on a theme, like number 10, but in that case imitation is the most sincere form of flattery! Someone famous once said that there are basically only 7 story lines but neglected to add that there are a myriad of variations.
Irrespective of your personal sense of humour, your view of this type of festival or your own aspirations, I would advise everyone to go to the Fringe at least once if for no other reason than to support the people who are putting heart and soul into their art.
God Bless
August 24, 2015
Tuesday Recipe - Moroccan Fish Stew
Back to cooking. I found this fish stew recipe which seemed quick and easy so I gave it a go.
Moroccan fish stew
Morocco is a country whose cuisine is a mystery to me and so it called for some investigation. In part the cuisine is a result of interactions between this and other nations leading to Italian, Arabian and Berber influences to name a few.
[image error]
Morocco produces a range of Mediterranean fruit and vegetables and the common meats are beef, mutton and lamb, camel and seafood. The spices are wide ranging and varied. In the above recipe I was surprised at the use of qarfa or cinnamon along with some curry spices and the addition of sweetness by adding honey. One of the internationally rated foods is couscous and often features in meals with vegetables and meats.
[image error]
A second national food preparation item is the tagine (or tajine), which is a low formed base with a conical lid, and usually made from pottery. You can buy electric tagines these days but if I am wearing my sceptical hat it seems an unnecessary extravagance for cooking a stew!!! The idea of the conical lid is to encourage as much of the condensation to return to the stew as possible, sort of self-basting. Save yourself some money and use a pan with a good lid!
The dish itself is really tasty but you need to choose a firm fish that isn't going to fall apart too much. I used cod as that was the fish I was brought up with and has the required firmness. Be warned don't cook it for too long!
The recipe is on the tab above.
God Bless
Moroccan fish stew
Morocco is a country whose cuisine is a mystery to me and so it called for some investigation. In part the cuisine is a result of interactions between this and other nations leading to Italian, Arabian and Berber influences to name a few.
[image error]
Morocco produces a range of Mediterranean fruit and vegetables and the common meats are beef, mutton and lamb, camel and seafood. The spices are wide ranging and varied. In the above recipe I was surprised at the use of qarfa or cinnamon along with some curry spices and the addition of sweetness by adding honey. One of the internationally rated foods is couscous and often features in meals with vegetables and meats.
[image error]
A second national food preparation item is the tagine (or tajine), which is a low formed base with a conical lid, and usually made from pottery. You can buy electric tagines these days but if I am wearing my sceptical hat it seems an unnecessary extravagance for cooking a stew!!! The idea of the conical lid is to encourage as much of the condensation to return to the stew as possible, sort of self-basting. Save yourself some money and use a pan with a good lid!
The dish itself is really tasty but you need to choose a firm fish that isn't going to fall apart too much. I used cod as that was the fish I was brought up with and has the required firmness. Be warned don't cook it for too long!
The recipe is on the tab above.
God Bless
August 23, 2015
Writing - Looking after our environment
I don't pretend to be a ranging environmentalist but I do recognise the value of our planet. Having raised three children, a rat, guinea pigs, a rabbit and several cats, I do have regard for more than just humans.
[image error]hedgehog
In amongst the more familiar pets there were also hedgehogs. My daughter was mad keen on protecting the creatures and we became affiliated to a local rescue person. We never had more than a couple of the beasts, they were usually orphans, but they were duly cared for, fed and then returned to the hedgehog lady when large enough for release. Apart from being a bit smelly they were easy enough to care for. No fleas as is often the perceived problem and quiet.
You may have noticed that there aren't so many dead hedgehogs on the roads these days, well there is a good reason. There aren't as many hogs about. In the 1950s there were around 30 million in the UK and now that figure is about 1 million. The reason is mostly down to pesticides, and fences (not cars). It is important because there needs to be a balance in nature and creatures have their predators and are the predators of other animals. If humans 'fiddle' with that balance then things can go wrong. Yet over the period of my life I know of two or three situations in the animal kingdom that have gotten out of hand because of the interference of homo sapiens. I'm thinking of rabbits in Australia as one example.
But hedgehogs have often appeared in literature. A Greek poet in the 7th century wrote, 'A fox knows a great many things were a hedgehog knows only one big thing'.
In the 9th century, Chinese poet Chu Chen Pu wrote
"He ambles along like a walking pincushion,
Stops and curls up like a chestnut burr.
He's not worried because he's so little.
Nobody is going to slap him around"
[image error]Mrs Tiggy Winkle
One of the most famous literary hogs has to be Beatrix Potter's Mrs Tiggy Winkle. She is described as a washerwoman with a little black nose, eyes that twinkle and beneath her cap, PRICKLES. They are a seemingly gentle, quiet and slightly comical characters and ideal for children's stories of which there are many. Check out all major booksellers.
The point is that we humans enjoy our world and what occurs naturally thereon and if we are to share that pleasure with subsequent generations we need to protect every one of those creatures that have made us feel good over the years.
Further Hog Reading
'Barry the Hedgehog' by Colin Thompson'Alice in Wonderland' by Lewis Caroll'Prickly Pig' by Gillian McClure'The Tale of Anabelle Hedgehog' by Stephen Lawhead'The Hodgeheg' by Dick King-Smith
There are many more.
God Bless
[image error]hedgehog
In amongst the more familiar pets there were also hedgehogs. My daughter was mad keen on protecting the creatures and we became affiliated to a local rescue person. We never had more than a couple of the beasts, they were usually orphans, but they were duly cared for, fed and then returned to the hedgehog lady when large enough for release. Apart from being a bit smelly they were easy enough to care for. No fleas as is often the perceived problem and quiet.
You may have noticed that there aren't so many dead hedgehogs on the roads these days, well there is a good reason. There aren't as many hogs about. In the 1950s there were around 30 million in the UK and now that figure is about 1 million. The reason is mostly down to pesticides, and fences (not cars). It is important because there needs to be a balance in nature and creatures have their predators and are the predators of other animals. If humans 'fiddle' with that balance then things can go wrong. Yet over the period of my life I know of two or three situations in the animal kingdom that have gotten out of hand because of the interference of homo sapiens. I'm thinking of rabbits in Australia as one example.
But hedgehogs have often appeared in literature. A Greek poet in the 7th century wrote, 'A fox knows a great many things were a hedgehog knows only one big thing'.
In the 9th century, Chinese poet Chu Chen Pu wrote
"He ambles along like a walking pincushion,
Stops and curls up like a chestnut burr.
He's not worried because he's so little.
Nobody is going to slap him around"
[image error]Mrs Tiggy Winkle
One of the most famous literary hogs has to be Beatrix Potter's Mrs Tiggy Winkle. She is described as a washerwoman with a little black nose, eyes that twinkle and beneath her cap, PRICKLES. They are a seemingly gentle, quiet and slightly comical characters and ideal for children's stories of which there are many. Check out all major booksellers.
The point is that we humans enjoy our world and what occurs naturally thereon and if we are to share that pleasure with subsequent generations we need to protect every one of those creatures that have made us feel good over the years.
Further Hog Reading
'Barry the Hedgehog' by Colin Thompson'Alice in Wonderland' by Lewis Caroll'Prickly Pig' by Gillian McClure'The Tale of Anabelle Hedgehog' by Stephen Lawhead'The Hodgeheg' by Dick King-Smith
There are many more.
God Bless
August 22, 2015
Writing - 10 things we didn't know
It has been quite a political week. Some of the offerings below are not very high brow politics!
[image error]
1. You can't watch Straight Outta Compton in Compton because it doesn't have any cinemas.
That is all supposing that anyone from Compton wants to see the film.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
2. MI5 erroneously suspected novelist Doris Lessing of running a brothel.
Yes - she looks like a typical madam.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea owns 200,000 bees.
Frankly this is a load of rubbish. No one can own bees. They may own hives but whether they are populated or not is up to the delightful little buggers themselves!
---------------------------------------
[image error]
4. A collection of 1,500 cassettes found at the headquarters of senior al-Qaeda leaders included recordings by the Jewish Algerian singer-songwriter Enrico Macias.
Wow!
---------------------------------------
5. People who eat while walking tend to consume more calories.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
6. An asteroid will not collide with Earth between 15 and 28 September.
So where is Bruce Willis and that mucky vest?
---------------------------------------
[image error]
7. US Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders released a spoken-word folk album in 1987.
Far out man!
---------------------------------------
[image error]
8. US Republican presidential contender Scott Walker acquired his bald spot by bumping his head while fixing a kitchen sink.
Really! If you believe that you'll believe anything.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
9. Successful chief executives tend to have wider faces.
No - the eyes are too close together.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
10. David Cameron likes paprika Pringles.
[image error]
You can imagine the conversation between the teenager who took the top photo and the reporter.
Reporter: "Were you really flying Easyjet?"
Teenager: "Yeah!"
Reporter: "Were they Pringles that the PM was eating?"
Teenager: "Yeah"
Reporter: "Now this is really important. What flavour were they?"
Teenager: "I don't know - he didn't offer me one!"
Reporter: "What colour was the packet?"
Teenager: "Yellow I fink!"
From such a conversation it has been ascertained, by one of the intellectuals of the press, that the PM likes paprika flavoured Pringles. Of course it could be that they were the only flavour available!
---------------------------------------
God Bless
[image error]
1. You can't watch Straight Outta Compton in Compton because it doesn't have any cinemas.
That is all supposing that anyone from Compton wants to see the film.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
2. MI5 erroneously suspected novelist Doris Lessing of running a brothel.
Yes - she looks like a typical madam.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea owns 200,000 bees.
Frankly this is a load of rubbish. No one can own bees. They may own hives but whether they are populated or not is up to the delightful little buggers themselves!
---------------------------------------
[image error]
4. A collection of 1,500 cassettes found at the headquarters of senior al-Qaeda leaders included recordings by the Jewish Algerian singer-songwriter Enrico Macias.
Wow!
---------------------------------------
5. People who eat while walking tend to consume more calories.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
6. An asteroid will not collide with Earth between 15 and 28 September.
So where is Bruce Willis and that mucky vest?
---------------------------------------
[image error]
7. US Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders released a spoken-word folk album in 1987.
Far out man!
---------------------------------------
[image error]
8. US Republican presidential contender Scott Walker acquired his bald spot by bumping his head while fixing a kitchen sink.
Really! If you believe that you'll believe anything.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
9. Successful chief executives tend to have wider faces.
No - the eyes are too close together.
---------------------------------------
[image error]
10. David Cameron likes paprika Pringles.
[image error]
You can imagine the conversation between the teenager who took the top photo and the reporter.
Reporter: "Were you really flying Easyjet?"
Teenager: "Yeah!"
Reporter: "Were they Pringles that the PM was eating?"
Teenager: "Yeah"
Reporter: "Now this is really important. What flavour were they?"
Teenager: "I don't know - he didn't offer me one!"
Reporter: "What colour was the packet?"
Teenager: "Yellow I fink!"
From such a conversation it has been ascertained, by one of the intellectuals of the press, that the PM likes paprika flavoured Pringles. Of course it could be that they were the only flavour available!
---------------------------------------
God Bless
August 21, 2015
Writing - Power to the people
I still believe that writers should make a fuss with their pens. The list of writers, I mentioned 2 yesterday, that have been criticised for having opinions and have used their books to attack their states is legion. When I was growing up in the sixties there always seemed to be writers being imprisoned for their radical ideas, principally behind the then 'Iron Curtain'.
[image error]Iron curtain countries
The above gives some indication of which countries were to the east of the Iron Curtain and shows Russia, Romania, Hungary and many more states. The point is they were afraid of the power of writers to influence public opinion. In a sense we are in a similar situation in a much more complex world. With the advent of the internet it is virtually impossible for states to hide life in other countries from their own citizens. This very day North Korea are lobbing shells into South Korea and threatening to escalate if the South don't stop sending propaganda into the North!
The fact is that such states are afraid that their people will realise that the version of life that they are living is fundamentally wrong, but what has that to do with us? Well consider that 1% of the World's population control 95% of the wealth. Look at the phone hacking scandal which has been effectively been pinned on one reporter. The wealthy have 'got away' with the crime because of their connections to media moguls and politicians - my opinion.
Then there is the fracking scandal which is being pushed by the UK government even after evidence from ordinary people living in fracking areas in Australia and America shows threats to health. The bottom line is that the explosion in fracking companies will give the opportunity for the wealthy to earn billions from investment. Don't believe that it is because we need the gas!
These gripes are actually symptoms of a corrupt society benefiting only those in control. Across Europe we are seeing the rise of minority political parties. In France and Greece it is the left wing, in the UK right and far left parties and there are Tea Party Extremists in the USA. The bottom line is that it is because those in power reach a level where they feel untouchable and begin to make decisions which do not take any regard of the welfare of ordinary people. In many ways it is the stuff that revolutions are made from eg. Russian's revolution in 1917 which led to the spread of communism.
Politicians beware!
The books below are mine and as such there are occasions when I have a political point to make. 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
[image error]Iron curtain countries
The above gives some indication of which countries were to the east of the Iron Curtain and shows Russia, Romania, Hungary and many more states. The point is they were afraid of the power of writers to influence public opinion. In a sense we are in a similar situation in a much more complex world. With the advent of the internet it is virtually impossible for states to hide life in other countries from their own citizens. This very day North Korea are lobbing shells into South Korea and threatening to escalate if the South don't stop sending propaganda into the North!
The fact is that such states are afraid that their people will realise that the version of life that they are living is fundamentally wrong, but what has that to do with us? Well consider that 1% of the World's population control 95% of the wealth. Look at the phone hacking scandal which has been effectively been pinned on one reporter. The wealthy have 'got away' with the crime because of their connections to media moguls and politicians - my opinion.
Then there is the fracking scandal which is being pushed by the UK government even after evidence from ordinary people living in fracking areas in Australia and America shows threats to health. The bottom line is that the explosion in fracking companies will give the opportunity for the wealthy to earn billions from investment. Don't believe that it is because we need the gas!
These gripes are actually symptoms of a corrupt society benefiting only those in control. Across Europe we are seeing the rise of minority political parties. In France and Greece it is the left wing, in the UK right and far left parties and there are Tea Party Extremists in the USA. The bottom line is that it is because those in power reach a level where they feel untouchable and begin to make decisions which do not take any regard of the welfare of ordinary people. In many ways it is the stuff that revolutions are made from eg. Russian's revolution in 1917 which led to the spread of communism.
Politicians beware!
The books below are mine and as such there are occasions when I have a political point to make. 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
August 20, 2015
Writing - Mother and daughter literary notables
I have often written about the need for writers to express feelings regarding current affairs but doing so in past times could be risky or lead to ridicule. For two outspoken writers of the Georgian era to be women and in fact mother and daughter was quite unusual to say the least.
[image error]Mary Wollstonecraft (1759 - 1797)
In some respects the story of Wollstonecraft has a modern flavour. She was the daughter of an abusive father and learned to live according to her conscience rather than society's conventions. This ladies idiosyncrasies were quite extreme for the times. She shunned marriage, the trappings of wealth and had her first child out of wedlock. Neither was Wollstonecraft too ashamed to plead with the wife of her lover to be allowed to live with them. Unwilling to compromise on her ideals, she was an advocate of women's rights and remained a supporter of the French Revolution even through its bloodiest phase.When she became pregnant again at the hands of William Godwin, this time they married. Mary gave birth to a daughter, Mary, contracted puerperal fever and died 10 days after having given birth. Her most notable work was A Vindication of the Rights of Women published in 1792.
[image error]Mary Shelley (1797 - 1851)
So Mary Shelley never really knew her mother but her influence on the daughter was plain. Godwin, her father, wasn't particularly forthcoming with the affection that little Mary craved and described her as "singularly bold, somewhat imperious and active of mind", and yet was surprised when she took up with one of his political followers, the already married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Despite Godwin's efforts to shield his daughter from the social ostracism suffered by his wife, she too was made to face controversy and ridicule.So to a degree 'like mother like daughter'.
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The full story is told by Charlotte Gordon in her book Romantic Outlaws and is not a criticism of the mother's book or of Frankenstein but a story of the plight of women in the Georgian era and succeeds in presenting a picture of the difficulties faced by those determined to make use of their intellects and idealism.
God Bless
[image error]Mary Wollstonecraft (1759 - 1797)
In some respects the story of Wollstonecraft has a modern flavour. She was the daughter of an abusive father and learned to live according to her conscience rather than society's conventions. This ladies idiosyncrasies were quite extreme for the times. She shunned marriage, the trappings of wealth and had her first child out of wedlock. Neither was Wollstonecraft too ashamed to plead with the wife of her lover to be allowed to live with them. Unwilling to compromise on her ideals, she was an advocate of women's rights and remained a supporter of the French Revolution even through its bloodiest phase.When she became pregnant again at the hands of William Godwin, this time they married. Mary gave birth to a daughter, Mary, contracted puerperal fever and died 10 days after having given birth. Her most notable work was A Vindication of the Rights of Women published in 1792.
[image error]Mary Shelley (1797 - 1851)
So Mary Shelley never really knew her mother but her influence on the daughter was plain. Godwin, her father, wasn't particularly forthcoming with the affection that little Mary craved and described her as "singularly bold, somewhat imperious and active of mind", and yet was surprised when she took up with one of his political followers, the already married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Despite Godwin's efforts to shield his daughter from the social ostracism suffered by his wife, she too was made to face controversy and ridicule.So to a degree 'like mother like daughter'.
[image error]
The full story is told by Charlotte Gordon in her book Romantic Outlaws and is not a criticism of the mother's book or of Frankenstein but a story of the plight of women in the Georgian era and succeeds in presenting a picture of the difficulties faced by those determined to make use of their intellects and idealism.
God Bless
August 19, 2015
Poetry Thursday 174 - Totally fracked!
The subject of fracking is in the news yet again. The UK government has given permission for more exploratory sites in the North and Midlands. I would suggest they try it in the Cotswolds, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or even Westminster.
[image error]
Fracking awful!
Fracking is good!We need the gas to heat the house,run the oven and cook the scouse.
Fracking is good!We need the jobs for the people,and profits for the great and evil.
Fracking is okay!Earthquakes merely tiny trembles,nothing to make the Earth’s crust crumble.
Fracking is doubtful.Injecting the earth with poisoned water,leaving it there they shouldn’t ought ter!
Fracking is bad.In the future the sick and dyingwill learn the truth - the government’s lying.© David L Atkinson August 2015
The fact is the long term effects of poisoning the groundwater have not had time to filter through. Perhaps the huge corporations will be putting money aside already for when they are sued!!
I have been listening to quite a number of 60's and 70's singles and even the simplest of them have protest lyrics or the theme of love. I came across one which I was unfamiliar with by a group that I hadn't heard of - Rare Bird. The song was called 'Sympathy'.https://youtu.be/j2x8oA5h5Jo - use this to listen to the song.
[image error]Rare Bird
Now when you climb into your bed tonight
And when you lock and bolt the door
Just think of those out in the cold and dark
'Cause there's not enough love to go around
And sympathy is what we need my friend
And sympathy is what we need
And sympathy is what we need my friend
'Cause there's not enough love to go around
No, there's not enough love to go around
Now half the world hates the other half
And half the world has all the food
And half the world lies down and quietly starves
'Cause there's not enough love to go around
And sympathy is what we need my friend
And sympathy is what we need
And sympathy is what we need my friend
'Cause there's not enough love to go around
No, there's not enough love to go around
Not the most inspiring single but the sound is rather bluesy and the
sentiment will probably never die.
I wonder where the protest singers have gone?
God Bless
[image error]
Fracking awful!
Fracking is good!We need the gas to heat the house,run the oven and cook the scouse.
Fracking is good!We need the jobs for the people,and profits for the great and evil.
Fracking is okay!Earthquakes merely tiny trembles,nothing to make the Earth’s crust crumble.
Fracking is doubtful.Injecting the earth with poisoned water,leaving it there they shouldn’t ought ter!
Fracking is bad.In the future the sick and dyingwill learn the truth - the government’s lying.© David L Atkinson August 2015
The fact is the long term effects of poisoning the groundwater have not had time to filter through. Perhaps the huge corporations will be putting money aside already for when they are sued!!
I have been listening to quite a number of 60's and 70's singles and even the simplest of them have protest lyrics or the theme of love. I came across one which I was unfamiliar with by a group that I hadn't heard of - Rare Bird. The song was called 'Sympathy'.https://youtu.be/j2x8oA5h5Jo - use this to listen to the song.
[image error]Rare Bird
Now when you climb into your bed tonight
And when you lock and bolt the door
Just think of those out in the cold and dark
'Cause there's not enough love to go around
And sympathy is what we need my friend
And sympathy is what we need
And sympathy is what we need my friend
'Cause there's not enough love to go around
No, there's not enough love to go around
Now half the world hates the other half
And half the world has all the food
And half the world lies down and quietly starves
'Cause there's not enough love to go around
And sympathy is what we need my friend
And sympathy is what we need
And sympathy is what we need my friend
'Cause there's not enough love to go around
No, there's not enough love to go around
Not the most inspiring single but the sound is rather bluesy and the
sentiment will probably never die.
I wonder where the protest singers have gone?
God Bless
August 18, 2015
Writing - Sometimes books are force fed to us
I went to teacher training college in Bradford, W. Yorkshire in 1968 and can remember some items from my reading list. Books that we were force fed at the behest of someone else's literary taste.
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'Cider with Rosie' was one of those books; others included the Complete Works of Shakespeare, a dictionary and a thesaurus. The Shakespeare was never opened or referred to in 3 years but Cider was. I don't remember the name of the lecturer in English Literature, a lady, but she was obviously smitten by Laurie Lee's writing. It was based on the author's early life in Gloucestershire and captured the atmosphere of the summers, school and growing up in the early part of the twentieth century, post WWI. It was a book that I would never have chosen myself but I was pleased that someone did.Choosing a book for someone is rather like recommending a film or a restaurant, it can turn out to be a disaster. On the other hand if you don't point someone in certain directions they may miss out on something good.Reading 'Cider' didn't tempt me to hunt out more of Lee's work but it was a memorable read.
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The second book recommended during my three years at college was 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding. This dystopian story about a gang of boys on a deserted island who try to govern themselves with disastrous results was published in 1954. Golding explored human nature, individual welfare and their relationship with the common good. I find while writing my Steele novels that how people react to each other in a variety of situations colours the reactions that I create. It is based on my experience of human nature as observed over very many years and interpreted in the light of my own personal experiences. Another indicator that people who write put more of themselves into their work than even they realise.
Coming completely up-to-date I watched a film recently called 'The Maze Runner'
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I must admit to not having read the book of the same title written by James Dashner and published in 2009. It is the first book in a post apocalyptic trilogy and Dashner has produced two prequels since its success.Rather like 'Lord of the Flies' this is another gang of boys who wake up individually in an elevator with the only memory being their names. They live together in a glade surrounded by an enormous concrete wall and an opening that leads to a maze but which is closed daily and anyone caught in there never returns. The group are led by two boys who keep order by enforcing a strict set of rules. Everything begins to change when a new boy, Thomas, comes to the glade via the elevator. He is more inquisitive than the others, a divergent thinker, who shakes the others security in following the rules by asking why? A bit of a metaphor for the place of creative people in a regimented society.I can't say I was that impressed but the tenet of the story were appealing if a little predictable. As with most stories it was an exploration of human relationships which is surely what we all explore at some level whether we write for children or the darker genres.
God Bless
[image error]
'Cider with Rosie' was one of those books; others included the Complete Works of Shakespeare, a dictionary and a thesaurus. The Shakespeare was never opened or referred to in 3 years but Cider was. I don't remember the name of the lecturer in English Literature, a lady, but she was obviously smitten by Laurie Lee's writing. It was based on the author's early life in Gloucestershire and captured the atmosphere of the summers, school and growing up in the early part of the twentieth century, post WWI. It was a book that I would never have chosen myself but I was pleased that someone did.Choosing a book for someone is rather like recommending a film or a restaurant, it can turn out to be a disaster. On the other hand if you don't point someone in certain directions they may miss out on something good.Reading 'Cider' didn't tempt me to hunt out more of Lee's work but it was a memorable read.
[image error]
The second book recommended during my three years at college was 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding. This dystopian story about a gang of boys on a deserted island who try to govern themselves with disastrous results was published in 1954. Golding explored human nature, individual welfare and their relationship with the common good. I find while writing my Steele novels that how people react to each other in a variety of situations colours the reactions that I create. It is based on my experience of human nature as observed over very many years and interpreted in the light of my own personal experiences. Another indicator that people who write put more of themselves into their work than even they realise.
Coming completely up-to-date I watched a film recently called 'The Maze Runner'
[image error]
I must admit to not having read the book of the same title written by James Dashner and published in 2009. It is the first book in a post apocalyptic trilogy and Dashner has produced two prequels since its success.Rather like 'Lord of the Flies' this is another gang of boys who wake up individually in an elevator with the only memory being their names. They live together in a glade surrounded by an enormous concrete wall and an opening that leads to a maze but which is closed daily and anyone caught in there never returns. The group are led by two boys who keep order by enforcing a strict set of rules. Everything begins to change when a new boy, Thomas, comes to the glade via the elevator. He is more inquisitive than the others, a divergent thinker, who shakes the others security in following the rules by asking why? A bit of a metaphor for the place of creative people in a regimented society.I can't say I was that impressed but the tenet of the story were appealing if a little predictable. As with most stories it was an exploration of human relationships which is surely what we all explore at some level whether we write for children or the darker genres.
God Bless
