Brexit and the writer - reality is stranger than fiction

I guess even if you don’t live in the UK you’ll be aware we’re going through something of an upheaval called Brexit.  Now, before I go any further I emphasise in this post I am not taking sides, or expressing a political bias.  These are my feelings, on those elected to represent us in this matter and how that relates to my own work.  I am intrigued as to how these political characters and the stories they are telling compare to any of my fictional characters and my stories in general. 

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The walking writer

I’ve just returned from four days walking in the English (just in case there’s another) Lake District.  It’s an annual pilgrimage I make with a good friend of mine.  I’ve blogged before on the benefits of walking for the writer.  However, this is about as serious as my walking gets.

I know it’s beautiful, but I forget just how much.  And making the effort to climb those mountains and walk those felIs adds whole new levels to that beauty.  It seems as with most things in life, putting a little effort enhances the experience.  If you’ve walked in the Lake District you’ll know what I mean.  If you haven’t and you get the chance, go.  You won’t regret it, although some level of fitness is required.  These are no leisurely strolls.

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Science fiction- how it works

I have recently returned from a ski holiday.  We’d just boarded the plane taxied out when they announced the need to have something checked.  We taxied back and then were told there would be a twenty minute delay.  A groan echoed around the aircraft.  The fact that we were all sitting in a metal tube that in a short space of time would fly us a distance that a few generations ago would have taken weeks to complete was irrelevant.  Also, that it would be at an altitude that is inconsistent with life in normal circumstances, while sipping our drinks and watching moving pictures on hand held devices was forgotten.  All this had me thinking of our relationship with science and technology and the science of science fiction.

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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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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 

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

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

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