Justine Allen's Blog, page 79

How do you find the time?

By far the most common question I’ve been asked when my friends and colleagues found out I’d written a sci-fi book (Chronovisor in case I hadn’t mentioned it before) is “How do you find the time?”

In order of reducing frequency, the other questions are;

What’s it about?

How much does it cost?

I haven’t got a Kindle, can I still read it?

How many words are there?

Why sci-fi?

Why?

Okay, I have strange friends. I also have strange colleagues.

The answer for those aspiring writers out there is “one hour at a time”. Lunchtime, bedtime, waiting at the doctors surgery, waiting in the car, early mornings at the in-laws. There was only the occasional luxurious afternoon in the garden, trying to ignore the proliferation of grass and weeds.

Anywhere and anytime. I had the benefit of an iPad to achieve this. Indeed, the first draft of Chronovisor was written using a great little app called “My Writing Spot”. It allows you to break down writing into a chapter at a time, which I found much less daunting. So, a better answer is “one hour at a time; one chapter at a time”.

Now I’m an old hack, I use Pages with all chapters in one file. I think this benefits by having a single word count (carrot or stick, take your pick). Also, I now don’t go back and edit as much. I did have a read of my next book recently, having putting the half-drafted text down for a while. The inconsistencies that should have made me panic, made me laugh instead. I’ll sort them out later.

If you are tied to a PC (I heard that nobody buys PCs any more) never fear. The idea of catching an hour when you can still applies. Be creative; is that episode of Corrie absolutely unmissable? Does the dog need a walk like clockwork? Do the children need so much attention?Okay, that one’s a hard one, as I’m told they’re quite demanding.

Remember, saying you don’t have time is merely an excuse. Happy writing, and good luck!

Filed under: Writing Tagged: Chronovisor, EBook, Kindle, sci-fi, science fiction, time, writing

Plagiarism or coincidence?

So there I was, enjoying a few drinks in celebration of launching my debut novel, Chronovisor, when an inebriated friend came up to me and demanded, “Eh, do you know the game ‘Assassin’s Creed’?”

I took another sip of my well-deserved wine, and looked him in the eye. He wobbled slightly. “Only ’cause I bought it for Dave at Christmas. I can’t stand computer games myself,” I said.

He took a slug of his pint, and smiled in satisfaction. “Aha, because your book is a complete rip-off of the story!” he declared.

Well now. What would you do. 1) Knock said friend out? 2) Accept he’s a blithering idiot, then pat him on the back and tell him he doesn’t know what he’s talking about? 3) Protest that you didn’t know about the storyline of the aforementioned computer game, until you had achieved the very final draft of the book?

Well, the answer – truthfully, with hand on heart – is three. I think I used a combination of two and three in my answer. Before completing the storyline, I spent ages researching the on-line Encyclopaedia of Science Fiction to check I wasn’t using a storyline close to one used already. Ah, she doth protest too much!

Where do I go to settle the question of whether my beloved book is an inadvertent rip off of a popular game? Wikipedia of course. So, here’s all it has to say about the storyline which is in any way similar; “Desmond is forced to use the ‘Animus’, a device that allows him to experience his ancestral memories.”

Remember that with the millions upon millions of books, films, TV shows, plays and computer games existing today, some are going to have similarities. For Chronovisor verses Assassin’s Creed, there is a similar device used to project the hero into the past. However, that’s where it ends, so my dignity is intact.

For all those writers out there who worry that this may happen to them, my message is quite simply don’t worry about it, and enjoy writing.

By the way, sweet vengeance was reaped the next morning via a well deserved hangover inflicted on said friend.

Filed under: Writing Tagged: Assassins Creed, Chronovisor, debut novel, fiction, sci-fi, science fiction, writing

Chronovisor launch: many thanks for all the congratulations

Just a quick blog to say thanks very much for all the kind feedback. My captive Facebook audience have been great, and several copies of Chronovisor have sold already on the UK site. It won’t be long until we’re into double figures!

To my recent blog followers, many thanks for following my ramblings as well as the Bucket List countdown. Although there have been site visits from wide ranging countries, new followers are mostly from America. Welcome, and remember that Chronovisor can be bought from Amazon.com too.

For all other countries, just go to Chronovisor and follow the alternative link when you’re on the Amazon.co.uk site.

That’s all for my thanks blog (wrapped up with shameless additional references to Chronovisor).

Joking apart, although the act of writing is hugely rewarding, it will be you that put the icing on the cake for me by knowing somewhere out there there are people enjoying reading it too!

Filed under: Bucket List Tagged: Bucket List, Chronovisor, Coundown, fiction, Kindle, publishing, Reveal, sci-fi, science fiction, writing

We are go for launch: and the Bucket List item is…

So this is it. You’ve no idea how long I’ve waited to make this public. Only six other human beings on the planet know what I am about to say! Oh, the dogs as well (obviously).

It was a Saturday afternoon in August 2011, when I was walking the dogs. Dave was away sailing, and I was avoiding starting any DIY. It wasn’t that I hated DIY, I just hurt myself every time I did anything. My osteopath tuts at every appointment as it is. So there I was, wondering what to do with myself that was a little more relaxing.

The first thing that popped into my head, was an idea for a science fiction book. Did it occur to me to attend a writing course or try short stories? Well, apparently not. It was a book in my head, and that was that.

To cut a long story short, Chronovisor is the result, and is now available on Amazon Kindle here!

It’s a time-travel yarn following the best science fiction traditions. At 80,000 words, it’s a full novel, and should satisfy any sci-fi aficionados out there.

I’ll blog more about how I got there later, but in the meantime do please download it when you’re looking for your next ebook. If you enjoy it, don’t forget to feedback too. If you don’t enjoy it, the only possible explanation is that science fiction isn’t for you!

Filed under: Bucket List Tagged: Bucket List, Chronovisor, Countdown, fiction, Kindle, publishing, Reveal, sci-fi, science fiction, writing

T minus 0: and the Bucket List item is…

Wait for it……just a moment…..nearly there….and the big revelation of the moment is……sorry just hang on a second whilst I compose myself……as I was saying, the Bucket List item is…..

Oops, I lied. Sorry, you have to wait a little longer. The reveal of the Bucket List item will be today at 18:00 GMT. I’ll be counting down the minutes myself, but will try to avoid the temptation to blog hourly. I think you may all get a bit fed up with me.

So, only twelve more hours to go. I’ll be opening some champaign to celebrate, and I hope you’ll come back to check it out.

Thanks all for following so far!

Filed under: Bucket List Tagged: Bucket List, Countdown, Reveal

T minus 1: win the Lottery?

Why didn’t I think of this earlier? It’s quite obvious when you think about it; win the lottery, and I could knock several items off my Bucket List in one go. If only life was that easy. Firstly, I believe you ‘have to be in it to win it’ or some such strap-line.

I did used to buy tickets until I realised that statistics dictated I would only ever likely be financing someone else’s dream. That, and the supporting a system that encouraged the poorest to part with their last cash that would be better spent on food.

Maybe I just don’t like gambling. I shouldn’t really get on the moral high ground – adults are able to to make their own decisions after all, be it the choice between purchasing food and a scrap of paper.

Anyway, I’m no longer IITWI, so I guess this isn’t the item to come off my Bucket List. In fact, I think I’ll scrap that one altogether. Only one day to go. You’ve got no idea how excited I am, and how bored Mr A is about my Bucket List big reveal. The poor chap has heard of nothing else for months!

Filed under: Bucket List Tagged: Bucket List, Countdown

T minus 2: buy a boat and sail away into the sunset?

See item number three: learn to sail. The problem with buying a boat and sailing away is two-fold: we need to save up the money, and I need to learn to sail. I think I may be hoping to learn on the job. The idea is to sail around Britain, before heading off to sunnier climes. If I’m not a proficient sailor by the time I get around the British coast, Mr A might ditch me for better crew!

For the moment, we’re saving up and viewing lots of boats. So, my bosses don’t have to panic just yet. We’re nearly there, and I hope you’re all still following me. Only two days to go! As I promised, it’ll be worth the wait.

Filed under: Bucket List Tagged: Bucket List, Countdown, Sail away, sunset

T minus 3: learn to sail?

This Bucket List item is up near the top of the wish list, but I do more talking about it than actually doing it! My experience is a(n) (in)Competent Crew course, and a few extra days here and there. My navigation skills are limited to a 16 mile trip from the Hamble in Southampton, to Keyhaven along the coast, and back.

I’m experienced enough to know I’m a fair-weather sailor at heart. This, and the time taken to achieve my Bucket List item, is my excuse for not getting too far. Tomorrow’s discussion would resolve this issue quite quickly. So, for now, learning to sail is left languishing in harbour (sorry about the pun).

Filed under: Bucket List Tagged: Bucket List, Countdown, Sailing, Yacht

T minus 4: fly with Virgin Galactic?

I don’t know what other people think of Richard Branson, but I admire someone who can be rich and successful, whilst making his childhood fantasies come true. I assume his exploits are the result of his childish dreams; heck, the guy enjoys his money, and so many people let it make them miserable. Creating affordable space flight is one such fantastic idea.

The nearest I got to this was seeing Richard Branson at the 2012 Farnborough Air Show. He was leaning out of a mock-up of the SpaceShipTwo (SS2), clutching a model and grinning madly at a crowd of reporters.

Sadly, at $200,000 a ticket, a visit to near-Earth orbit is out of my price-range for the moment. With only four days to go, I wonder which Bucket List item I have managed?

Filed under: Bucket List Tagged: Bucket List, Countdown, Richard Branson, SS2, Virgin Galactic

T minus 5: visit the Colosseum?

The Colosseum in Rome is listed in Wikipedia as one of the ‘new’ seven wonders of the world. Obviously not new as in built recently, but currently in favour. The amphitheater was completed in 80 AD, and was the biggest ever built in the Roman Empire. Did you know the Romans used concrete as well as stone in its construction? Just one of the amazing facts about this monument.

Leaving aside the gory details of the Colosseum’s purpose, it’s the architecture I find attractive. I suppose this Bucket List item could be replaced by a visit to any of the architectural elite in this part of the world; Pompeii, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Parthenon etc.

So, I’m not visiting the Colosseum yet. Let’s try again tomorrow. The Bucket List Big Countdown continues. There’s not long to wait now!

Filed under: Bucket List Tagged: Bucket List, Colosseum, Countdown, Italy, Rome