What this writer has learnt in 2016

Another year has almost been and gone, zoomed past. I’m sure someone is stealing days and weeks from me and replacing them with vague memories (perhaps there’s a story there.)  Anyway, as 2016 draws to a close it’s time to look back, before looking forward.  So, what have I learnt?  What sage nuggets of wisdom (and some not so sage) will I be taking forward into 2017.  Here goes:

1)  Planning

Earlier this year I paid some money and took part in the James Patterson master class series.  Was it worth it?  Yes, I think it was and one of the main things I learnt is the art of planning.  I use the Scrivener writing program, which is a good start and makes planning a lot easier.  Also, I already had an idea for a novel based on a few short stories featuring (my now) main character.  This was a great opportunity to apply James Patterson’s regime.  So, I spent more time on detailed planning than I have before.  I divided the story into many more chapters than I do normally which worked well.  I played with them, moved some a round, added others and took some out.  All this meant that by the time I came to writing I was confident with the plot.  Reaction by some early readers has been great and I will be publishing early in the New Year.  If you want to read more on the James Patterson methods I wrote a number of blogs on my experience, starting with this one: My writing - I'm going back to basics.

2)  I knew there had to be a reason:  Farting helps reduce high blood pressure and is good for your health.

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Writing - location,location, location.

Recently I’ve been completing my latest project, working title:  Inspector Kirby and Harold Longcoat, a Northumbrian mystery.  The comments from beta readers are good and although there are a couple more to feedback I’ve sent it for proofreading/editing.  Now, if you’re familiar with my other books you’ll know that I write science fiction and as the title of my latest creation suggests, it isn’t.  Yes, it’s a detective story with, as I hope again is hinted at by the title, a supernatural/magical edge to it (it can’t be that straightforward).

This presented me with an interesting challenge.  It is the first time I have used a contemporary location that some people at least will be familiar with.  It also set me thinking that the location is as much a character, as important, in the book as are the people. 

For the complete blog please follow this link 

The fantasy fiction chicken and egg question?

In the UK there have been an interesting series of programs (on the BBC) by Andrew Marr looking in-depth at why we love reading fiction.  The first program concerned the genre of detective stories and the second Fantasy (I haven’t watched the third yet).  Now, as a science fiction writer I found the discussion on fantasy the most interesting as, in many ways, much of it could apply to sci-fi as well.  There was some talk about the escapism etc. and that so much of fantasy is set in almost an alternative middle ages (obviously does not apply to sci-fi), usually with magic added in, in some form or other.  This to me was all pretty standard.  However, what I found most interesting was the concept of deeper meanings in fantasy fiction.

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Science round-up inspiration - 13

Welcome to my end of month round-up of science items that have piqued my interest as they’ve flowed across my social media stream.  As a science fiction writer (and scientist) I keep track of these for both a personal fascination and writing inspiration.  I never cease to be amazed at the advances and discoveries that are happening around the world and I know I’m only aware of a small minority.  Anyway, here’s this month’s selection:

Mars

Every month there are new plans/ideas as to how we will reach and colonise the red planet.  Although it seems the most notable event this month was the failure of the European Space Agency ExoMars lander.  It appears that it’s parachutes did not open early enough and it crash landed into the surface.  Helpfully NASA has released images of the disaster (follow this link – it’s the fourth item down).  This is on the Popular Science site – well worth a look if you don’t know it.

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Is it just me? - Adverbs

I don‘t know maybe it’s an allergy I have, or perhaps it’s more like a food intolerance i.e. when I see a liberal sprinkling of adverbs I become intolerant to them.

For example I began reading a science fiction book two weeks ago.  It started well, I liked the premise and the writing was good.  It soon became apparent that it was going to be a long book (even by scifi standards).  But hey, if it was good, so what?  However, by the time I got 20% in I was becoming irritated with it and by 30% I gave up.  Now there were several reasons behind this.  First was that the story seemed to be going round in circles with people repeating the same arguments and hence the story not getting very far.  Then there were some plot elements that didn’t really make sense to me.  Finally, I had issues with the writing.

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Meet "Bleak" - a human shapeshifter

One of the interesting things about writing any book is how the characters develop.  In some cases they become "friends", no matter how strange they might be.

So let me introduce the title character from 'Bleak - The story of a shapeshifter'.  He's complex and saddled with more than his share of hang-ups.

My latest blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1p9

Science round-up inspiration - 12

Here is my latest my round-up from the world of science.  As always I attach no measure of relative importance to what I include.  They are simply items that have caught my eye as they flow through my social media stream.  This time it’s a little more space based, perhaps because I’m a science fiction author and I’ve been revising a book based way out there in the future.

The journey to Mars – its not all about Mars

William Gurstenmaier (NASA’s associate administrator for human exploration and operations) has been talking about NASAs ambitions for a Mars mission.  What was interesting for me is that for me it’s the first time I’ve read an article that isn’t solely focused on Mars.  A Mars mission is just part of broader mission for the human exploration of the solar system.  They will use robots to build the base and they see robots and humans working together to conquer all the issues that humans will face in that wider exploration.

For the complete blog follow the link

Pluck up courage - it's time for a relaunch

In some ways I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to make the decision to invest in a book relaunch.  I launched Bleak last November and lots of people (and not just friends) have told me they really enjoyed the book.  And yet, I admit sales have been disappointing, to the point where they have dwindled to almost nothing.  I know basically that could be due to three things: a) the book simply doesn’t appeal. b) the cover, blurb etc. are putting people off. c) marketing.

Now given what I said in the beginning I believe the book is good enough and although science fiction is not everyone’s favourite genre, there is an audience for my book, if I can just get them to take a look at it.

So that means I need to work on b) and c).

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Science round-up Inspiration - 11

It’s been a while since I produced one of my end of the month science round-ups.  However, recently a few items have grabbed my attention as a science fiction writer.  As always these are not in any order of scientific importance.  However, as any writer knows it’s these sort of things that start you asking questions that lead to… well who knows where.

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Science fiction - how much world building?

We read a book and we put ourselves in that world, whether it’s Roman Britain, the court of Henry VIII or vast spaceship ploughing its way through a distant galaxy.  That’s one of the joys of reading, escaping to places in our imagination that we can never, ever visit in person.  I use those examples because not so long ago I read Wolf hall, then on my recent holiday another in the excellent ‘Macro and Cato’ series by Simon Scarrow.  The last example is because I write (and read) science fiction and if you want a great example of that particular scenario try Iain M Banks.  I know everyone’s vision of those places is personal and different to everyone else’s.  However, I do enjoy a writer that puts me in the scene and allows me to form that mental picture.

As a writer though knowing how much detail to include is always a difficult decision.  My blog:  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1nY

Science fiction writer + holiday = inspiration

The joy of a holiday to me is that I’m away from all those little chores that have to be done and in a world of things I want to do, which I have to admit on holiday is not a lot.  Yes there are places I want to see, otherwise why travel somewhere new?  One or two are must see’s, the rest, well it’s all new and interesting to me.

There’s also that other thing that holidays give you and that’s time.  In my case more time to read. 

For the full blog - follow this link 

Science fiction and being human

In my last blog I discussed the science of science fiction and how as writers we deal with it or don’t deal with it.  Bottom line?  I know how to use my HD TV, my pc, mobile phone and digital camera.  I might have some very basic idea how they work, but that’s it.  So I think it’ll be the same in the future, we’ll know how to use all that incredible technology, but as today you don’t have to understand it.

One thing that’s for certain is that technology is going to evolve and advance in ways that even the best science fiction writers can’t predict.  But what about us humans?

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Why I write science fiction

In my last blog I questioned if blogging was wasting my time.  I concluded it was, but it wasn’t all the time if that makes sense.  I don’t want to stop blogging, I enjoy it.  However, I did need to reassess my blog, content, timing, frequency etc. so that it both works for me and of course provides entertaining and interesting content for the reader.  So having taken a little blog holiday I’m back.  And for this first in a new era I thought I should go back to the beginning and explain why I feel compelled to write science fiction.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1nj

Blogging - am I wasting my time?

In a recent series of blogs I described my experience of taking the James Patterson master class on writing.  This was triggered by the simple fact that I’m not selling many books, despite the fact that those who have read them have enjoyed them.  And yes, taking that master class has changed the way I think about my writing and book construction.  So having, I feel, made positive progress in that direction I am now looking at the other activities surrounding my writing.  Top of the list is marketing and part of that is blogging i.e. this blog.

For three years now I have blogged every week on writing, science and science fiction and a few other things.  Recently though I have read other blogs that are making me question what I’m doing and why.  

For the full blog - follow the link

My monthly science highlights - 10)

I can’t believe I have now been producing these monthly blog round ups of what’s caught my eye in science for 10 months. From the feedback they 
seem to be appreciated. So here we go with this month’s selection:

• Space missions to look forward to

• More earth like planets found

• Umbrellas in the sky,

• A little hope for a long and healthy life

• The GM crops argument

• Some weird facts and more:

    Follow the link for the full blog

Go on, try it - read some science fiction

I write science fiction, I read science fiction and I watch science fiction.  That’s not all I do I hasten to add.  If you’ve been reading my blog recently you’ll know I’ve been reading a number of detective stories / thrillers and that I’m writing a sort of detective story (OK with a supernatural element to it).  I also enjoy good historical fiction.  In my mind the divide between this and scifi/fantasy is not so great i.e these are about worlds that can seem totally alien to us.  I’ve also watched some great non-scifi movies recently such as:  The Eye in the Sky, Bridge of Spies and the Water Diviner.  Yes, at the same time I’ve seen the new Star Wars and The Martian and I’ve Childhood’s End recorded (the book being the one that got me hooked on science fiction in the first place).  However, in no way do I see myself as a science fiction ‘geek’.

But then you try and talk to most people about science fiction and you get that sympathetic/superior look/reply as if you’ve just admitted you’ve got all the Spice Girl records (I haven’t, not one, honest). 

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My writing - back to basics 5)

I’m nearing the end of the James Patterson Master class set of videos.  I have a routine for them now, I watch them in two’s.  I watch the second one I watched the previous time and a new one.  The first time I watch one of them I take notes, yes to refer to, but for me it also helps plant what I consider those important nuggets in my head.  The second time through I try to just listen and it’s amazing how you then latch onto new words of wisdom.  I’m now onto his thoughts on the thing that we writers must consider besides the actual mechanics of writing (some are perhaps more relevant than others – you’ll understand).  I’ll skip over working with a co-author, only because at the moment I’m not even remotely considering it.

The next three are all things that are perhaps the most difficult for the new/self-publishing author: Getting Published, Book titles and Covers, Marketing i.e. marketing yourself and your treasured work.   

Just follow the link for the full blog

My writing - going back to basics 4)

For those that have been following my blog recently you’ll know that I have signed up for the on-line master class series by the best-selling thriller writer James Patterson.  Now, thrillers are not my thing but the guy has sold millions of books world-wide so knows a thing or two about writing successful commercial fiction.  I’m nearing the end now so what’s changing.

Well I never was a great planner, I tended to write and then see where it took me, which I know works for some people.  However, I think especially for the self-publisher that planning of every scene can add real value.  We perhaps can’t afford the luxury of in-depth and repeated editing.  So working on those scenes, the order, the twists and the impact, in detail before you start the writing I think is a winner.

For more follow the link to my blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1mC

My monthly science highlights - 9)

How time flies when you are enjoying yourself, or at least blogging and before you know it it’s the end of the month and time for my personal round up of nuggets of interest from the world of science.  Again these are not in any order of importance, they are simply what has piqued my interest as numerous headlines flit across social media.  As always I hope you at least find them intriguing, in some cases thought provoking and if you're a writer a little inspiring.

This month the search for ET, Steam powered spacecraft, drones helping to fight disease and more. http://wp.me/s3ycbY-science9 

My writing - going back to basics 3)

At the risk of repeating myself I decided that a little help from an author than has sold millions of books world-wide couldn’t do any harm.  So I signed up for his masterclass and committed in my first blog on this subject to keep you posted as to how it goes and what I think of it.  So is it inspiring - yes it is.  Is it helping – yes.  Or at least I think it is.  It is certainly making me think about every aspect of my story telling.  Not so much perhaps the writing, but the story telling.

My writing - back to basics 2)

In last week’s blog I admitted that my books aren’t selling.  So I'm going to go back to basics with my writing, to see how I could improve that before looking more closely at marketing etc.  The idea being that if I know I have a good product I can then go ahead and sell with confidence.  Also, you never know if I make some changes, improve, get it right, I might just attract the attention of an agent and publisher.  Anyway, I decided that I’d give a masterclass by a best-selling thriller writer a go.  What had I got to lose?  I also said I’d let you know how it goes.  So read more in my latest blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1m6

My writing - I'm going back to basics

I admit it, my books are not selling. 

Well not many anyway.  On my latest novel ‘Bleak – The story of a shape shifter’ I’ve spent some money on promotion but it is not even coming close to paying for itself.  I know this is common for self-published authors and I’ve ready many times that it can take five, seven or ten books before you finally start to see a return.

Am I disheartened?

Yes, well a little anyway.  I’m not expecting to have that best seller, but it would be nice to sell a few more to cover those costs and maybe show some profit. And it’s not all about the money.  I enjoy my writing and as an author I want people to read and appreciate my work.  Those that have read my books tell me they have enjoyed them, even that they couldn’t put them down.  I have had some positive reviews.  All that’s great and tells me that I have something even if I’m not the finished article (If you ever are?).

So why back to basics?   Follow the link to my blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1lW

My monthly science highlights - 8)

The end of the month again and time for another dose of science inspiration. The more I do this, the more I see ideas that only a few years ago were science fiction becoming science fact, or at least being talked about as a serious possibility. So here are a few of the things that have caught my eye in March.  This month's highlights include, amongst others, a new Mars mission, a bug that eats plastic and the possibility of immortality. http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1lP

Writers - carry a camera

I’ve blogged before about the value to a writer of taking photographs, not just how they are good to refer to or use in a blog, such this one, but how it also makes you look at the world a little differently.  Following on from last week’s blog, writing turns you into an observer, I feel that taking photographs enhances that experience.  However, in this blog I’m making the case for carrying camera i.e. an actual device who’s raison d’etre is taking photographs.

For the rest of this blog follow the link: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1lI 

Writing makes you an observer

I started writing in the last year I worked before taking a package and leaving an industry I’d been in for thirty years.  Like big companies do they were reorganising which left me with little to occupy my time.  So I had no excuse but to do what I’d always said I’d do which was to try and complete some of those stories I’d started but never finished.

So I drafted that first book, then a second and a few years ago started this blog (also writing of course).  What I didn’t realise at the time was how all this writing would change the way I look at the world.  Or rather how it would make me an observer of the world around me, rather than being an on-looker as I pass through it.  Or how much joy that unexpected side-effect would bring.

For the full blog follow the link  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1ly

Write because you love writing

I see lots of adverts out there offering the magic formula to success. However, I think to write good fiction you first have to love writing.  My blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1lo 

My monthly science round-up - 7)

A month is a short time in writing and I got caught out by February, so here is my (late) batch of inspiration - the seventh of my monthly picks of what's new in science.  Or at least what's new that has caught my imagination. http://wp.me/s3ycbY-science 

What would aliens make of us?

I find that being an author I have become a more diligent observer. So the upcoming UK/EU vote prompts me to ask what watching aliens might think of us? My blog: wp.me/p3ycbY-1l2

We are someone's ancient history

I love historical fiction, but it is easy to forget that people five hundred or a thousand years ago were much the same as we are today.  As a science fiction writer I wonder what sort of legacy we will leave behind?  What will they make of us?   http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1kR

A travelling writer's blog

Travelling to new places is always an inspiration for writers and good for the imagination.  This time it's mountains, snow and skiing.  My blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1kB

A challenge to celebrity and well-known authors

It is getting harder to find an agent or publisher unless you are a celebrity or already a well known author. I know these are busy people, but I wonder if the next time they are looking for something to read they might try a self-published author?  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1kg 

Monthly science highlights - 6)

My blog: This months collection of the strange, and hopefully interesting, from the world of science -  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1k1

Science fiction and science - chicken and egg?

My blog: Science fiction and science, which comes first and does it matter?  I think they need each other.  http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1jU 

5 more reasons for writing and reading short stories

Read more of them.  Write more of them.  Short stories are great for all sorts of reasons. Don't view short stories as somehow inferior.  For any writer they are a valuable asset.  My blog: http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1jM 

A writer's resolutions for 2016

A new year and a new set of resolutions. Do I keep to them all? No, but it does help me focus on what I want to achieve as a writer in the next twelve months. My latest blog http://wp.me/p3ycbY-1jC