Science Fiction – The Division #1
Spare part or no, Anderson was the commander and it was his choices that were going to help dictate mankind’s destiny of explorers in the universe.
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea – Special Naming Conventions
Do any of you writers out there use any special conventions for naming a character, place or object. I seem to be developing it as a habit. In my last novel I named a hotel after a small hillside where I used to live. And in The Brittle Sea...
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea – Rewrites
With a first tranche of editing completed and rewrites finished, I have a few new chapters I want to add in and expand on one other chapter. So that now leaves me at 96k words, so I should end up at around 120k when I’m finished. Then...
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea – Front Cover
Okay, dear reader, and any writers who may be reading this. Above is my latest attempt at a front cover for The Brittle Sea. I have a simple question, or two, for you. What does this cover say to you, does it invoke feelings of drama...
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea – Blackmore’s Lament
Extract from The Brittle Sea Henson gave a rueful smile. “Suffice to say I fell in love with her. She captivated me and she knew it. She exploited me ruthlessly and mercilessly. I ruined the family fortune, lost the family house and broke...
The Music Years: 1971 John Kongos
I have a confused area in my brain that is called the 1970s. It wasn’t so much sex and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll that had me reeling, it’s simply my brain seems to have attributed certain sounds with certain places. Take for...
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea: Read Through Update #3
My first read through is complete and I’ve found about 130 typos and silly mistakes. But also I’ve identified three rewrites. I’m estimating the final draft will be about 100,000 words long. Which I’m thinking is going to...
Writing a Novel Set in A Location You’ve Never Visited
It’s long been an adage that writers should write about what they know. It’s generally true that if you have never visited the location of your book, you won’t know what to write to make it seem authentic. So if you set your...
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea: Read Through Update #2
Thirty percent into reading ‘The Brittle Sea’ for the first time, and I’m surprised at how well it reads. But then, I’m biased, I wrote it. I am finding it easier to edit and read through and then re-edit or re-write...
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea: Beta Read Through
I’ve had about 8 hours sleep now, in the last 48 hours, must admit the editing took a lot out of me, especially with the really hot and muggy weather we have been experiencing. Now though the first level of editing is completed and...
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea: 3rd Draft Progress Report #4 Music to Edit By
Someone once asked what music I listen to when I’m writing. I don’t listen to any music, I like silence when I’m writing. But when I’m editing, that’s a different kettle of fish. I like to listen to 1970s rock music...
Historical Fiction – The Brittle Sea: 3rd Draft Progress Report #3
Dear reader, I am 35% of the way through the first edit. Next on the agenda after the initial edit is to do a read through and make sure everything fits into place and it reads well. But I will still have to go back to the beginning and do...
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