My monthly science highlights - 5)

What do Tim Peake, global warming and the Death Star all have in common?  Yes, they're all in my last science highlights of 2015.  So read on for interest and inspiration.   http://wp.me/s3ycbY-5048 

25 things I've learnt in 2015

Christmas is almost here, so in time honoured tradition it's time to look back over the last year - to reflect and to provide inspiration for the new year to come. My blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1jb

2015 - Inspiration from One writer's year

Every year provides new sources of inspiration for the writer - here are some of mine from 2015. My latest blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1iX

Writers - read more and wider

Go on! be a devil and try something different.  When it comes to choosing that next book it is easy to stick to what you know. However, as writers there are great rewards in looking a little wider.  My latest blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1iN

New books - what now? part 1)

I'm now publishing new books.  However, as a self publisher I know the hardest part is the marketing. This time I'm trying harder.  So here is what I'm doing:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1ia

The future is - Rubbish?

As a science fiction writer I wonder about what we are doing to our future.  It seems there is endless scope for those post apocalypse visions. I also wonder if future generations will forgive us for our wasteful use of valuable resources and the mountains of rubbish we are happy to create. http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1ix

VW - Global corporations and the future

We all live on the same crowded planet.  How did they think they could keep this a secret?  Sometimes you just wonder how large corporations can get it so wrong? My blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1gS

Future housing - the only way is up

We all seems to agree that more housing is needed to meet current and future needs. However, we don't seem able to agree on where, or what form it should take.  My blog http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1hX 

My monthly science highlights - 2)

Looking for inspiration? Try the second of my personal selection of random facts and theories from this month in science.  As I said last time they’re not in any order.  Nor are they necessarily of mind boggling importance, they are just things that have caught my eye this month in some of the news feeds I follow.  The first two hold out the possibility of life on other worlds, the second highly intelligent life.  As for the others, hope, fingers crossed and something to look at:

My blog: My monthly science highlights - 2)  

 http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1hO

Science fiction writers - must try harder?

Science fiction seems to be at a low ebb in terms of readership.  However, the success of 'The Martian' in book and film shows there is still an appetite for good sci-fi.

Most science fiction I read these days seems to be all about wars, and fighting. I ask, is that enough for modern audiences?' :  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1hn

Writers - just get out there

As writers we spend a considerable amount of time in self-imposed solitary confinement. So sometimes we just need to get out there. A weekend away on a narrow boat was both therapeutic and inspiring for the writer me - my latest blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1h2

Blogging 'how to' part 3 - being patient!

My third and final 'how to' on blogging. This time concentrating on blogging rather than the blog, oh, and being patient:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1gp

Blogging - some practical' how to', part 2)

The second of my basic advice blogs on starting blogging, aimed at those thinking about it or those who've been through it and wish to sympathise: wp.me/p3ycbY-1gf 

Blogging - some practical 'how to' - part 1)

Last week's blog, 'what I've learned in two years of blogging' proved very popular and raised a number of questions on the practicalities of blogging.  So this week I thought I'd try to answer a few of those:  wp.me/p3ycbY-1g5 

Blogging - what I've learned so far

I've been blogging now for over two years. I'm not sure what I expected when I started, but I'm still going. Here's why. http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1fX

Science fiction, small creatures and alien life.

This week's blog was inspired by watching a creature smaller than a pin head crawling across my bathroom floor  So I ask, are we as writers and readers of science fiction being lazy with our aliens? http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1fO

What will future generations make of us?

When we look at the past we do so with our 21st century moral compass. However, I'm not sure future generations will look on us so kindly either. http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1fd

What is the right price for a kindle book?

I published my first Kindle book at $2.99. There wasn't a lot of logic behind that. Now I'm launching again and have the same pricing decision to make.  My blog:
http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1eW

Information technology - who's in charge?

It is all around us and we can't live without it. But who is running who? My latest blog: Information technology - who's in charge: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1f4

Stuck? Writing something, anything, helps

I've been struggling with making progress on the third book in a series I'm writing.  I've come to a conclusion: Writing something, anything, helps.  wp.me/p3ycbY-1eF

The natural world - be amazed.

As a writer I think it is important that I understand the world around me.  As a human being, well, it is just important.  At some point many of us stop being amazed by the natural world. If we could recapture that fascination perhaps we'd be less likely to destroy it.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1ev 

Fortitude - a lesson from the canal builders

Sometimes in this modern world it is far too easy to give up on something.  Or we look at all the reasons not to go ahead with a project rather than see the benefits.  I think we can all learn something from the canal builders   http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1em

The Universe - 15 mind boggling facts

As a science fiction writer I find some of the facts about our universe both mind boggling and inspiring.  It convinces me that out there anything is possible.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1e1

Writers - lots in my summary blog

This weeks blog is a cornucopia for all writers.  A  summary with links to many of my writing blogs.  Dip in and see what you can find.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1dM  

Technology - my love/hate relationship with it

As a self published author I rely on technology in various forms.  When it works as it should, great.  But as we all know it doesn't always work as it should and then....  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1dl

Photography is a writer's friend - part 2)

Last week I concentrated on how composing and taking photographs  was a help to writers.  This week I look at the photographs themselves and how we can use them.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1dl

Photography is a writer's friend

I have always been interested in photography. However, I didn't appreciate how useful it could be to me as a writer. http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1da

An author blog - what it can and can't do for you, part 2)

Writing any blog requires commitment and dedication, and sometimes you wonder if it's worth it.  My advice - stick with it, it will bring it's own rewards:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1cX

An author blog - what it can and can't do for you, part 1)

I've had an author blog for nearly two years. Is it worth it? Yes, but not in ways I perhaps thought when I started. http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1cP 

Robots - are they making us lazy?

Intelligent machines are having an ever increasing impact on our lives, but not always for the better.  My blog:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1cF

Why we need space exploration

When there is so much wrong with our world I often hear the question 'why spend money on space exploration?'.  Here is my answer:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1cz

Go on - read some fantasy

Last week I extolled the values of great science fiction.  This week I'm doing the same for fantasy - so go on, put aside those prejudices of 'genre' fiction and read some fantasy: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1cq

Go on - read some science fiction

Some people say 'I don't read science fiction', why? There are so many worlds to discover. So go on, fire your imagination, try some:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1ca

New book launch - learning from past mistakes

Last week I wrote of the rather haphazard book launch for my first two novels. For my next soon-to-be book launch I have more activities planned.  However, knowing that I need to vastly improve on my launch activities for my new book and putting together a coherent program are two different things.  My blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1bV 

A new writer – Planning (not) for a book launch

In many ways writing the book is the easy bit, at least you have an idea how to do that and where the story is taking you. But with book marketing....My latest blog:

 http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1bN

Writers and the dilemma of social media

As Indie authors the use of social media is essential to get the message of our books and blogs out there. But which ones and how?  I still find this a bit of a minefield.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1bG 

The responsibilities of a self publishing author

Self-publishing has never been easier.  Agents and publishing houses are no longer the sole custodians of what constitutes a 'good book'.  However, with that, as the writers of those books we must accept certain responsibilities. http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1bC

Free Download - 'A Companion to the Future'

This week's blog is about the launch of my free download, 'A Companion to the Future'.  It covers topics such as: Technologies of the future, our relationships with them and the impact they will have on our lives; What our future societies might look like; The role and impact of science fiction.  There are also a few articles that I hope will make you smile. This is aimed at any one with an interest in our future, as well as anyone who writes or reads science fiction.

http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1bh

Is technology freeing us or restricting us - part 3)

 My third and final (for now) blog on the subject.  In this I remind myself of just how far technology has come in so short a time. http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1b3

Is technology freeing us or wasting our time - part 2

I hadn't intended writing a part 2, but there was just too much material for a single rant.  Have a read and rant in reply: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1aD

Is technology freeing us or wasting our time?

If you are reading this or following my blog you have bought into the technology that enables this to happen and everything that goes along with it.  I just wonder what it is really doing for us.  My blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1aw
 

A writer's resolutions for 2015

Yes I know it's a bit of cliche at this time of year.  But these are things as a writer I need to do this year.  So here goes  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1al