Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

On 14/08/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Mars, Progress5 Comments

Another week gone, and the MS stands at 91,987 words, which is a cut of 4340 from last week’s total. It’ll reduce a little further as the rest of the piece is edited. I’ve now edited 64,687 words, which is an increase of 30,902 on last week. And my beta reader’s dealt with 45,469 …

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Searching for the Right Words? Tip #37

On 12/08/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Fiction, Grammar, Word Choice

This series aims to help authors express the full meaning and emotional content of their fiction. As writers, we seek to inspire readers with joy, stoke their terrors, romance them with love, overwhelm them with horror, inflame their passions. This set of posts examines how we might influence mood, illustrating how word choice and …

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My New Kindle has Arrived!

On 11/08/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Reading, Review6 Comments

My old Kindle expired a while back. I replaced the experience with my iPad, but that entails reading from a backlit screen, which isn’t comfortable over long periods, and it’s pretty poor in bright sunshine. So, I took the plunge, removed the padlock from my wallet, and shelled out for a new eReader. Whilst I …

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Searching for the Right Words? Tip #36

On 09/08/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Fiction, Grammar, Word Choice2 Comments

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Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

On 07/08/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Mars, Progress2 Comments

The end of the week and the MS stands at 96,327, which is an increase of 3,910 words. That’ll reduce as I get further into the editing, as I’m aware of certain passages I’ve repeated. I’ve already got 33,785 words edited for my beta reader and she’s started her examination. As usual, she’s found …

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FantastiCon 2016: A Convention with Added Bite!

On 07/08/201609/08/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Fiction, Fundraising

The annual SF/Fantasy/Gaming/Cosplay/Music event FantastiCon 2016, will take place on 19th & 20th November at the Guildhall in Hull UK! Why am I telling you this? Because I’ll be there! Signing books, socialising, meeting readers and possibly doing a reading (TBA). I'd love to meet you there. This is the third year of this convention …

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Searching for the Right Words? Tip #35

On 05/08/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Fiction, Grammar, Word Choice2 Comments

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Searching for the Right Words? Tip #34

On 02/08/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Fiction, Grammar, Word Choice

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Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.

On 31/07/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Mars

The end of another week, and the 2nd rewrite is complete at 92,417 words, which is an increase of 1,159: the total is supposed to diminish when you’re editing! No matter. I had a brief online chat with my publisher this week and sent him the synopsis. We’ve decided on a deadline for completion, …

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Searching for the Right Words? Tip #33

On 29/07/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Fiction, Grammar, Word Choice2 Comments

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Searching for the Right Words? Tip #32

On 26/07/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Fiction, Grammar, Word Choice

This series is intended to help authors express the full meaning and emotional content of their fiction. As writers, we want to inspire readers with joy, stoke their terrors, romance them with love, overwhelm them with horror, inflame their passions. This set of posts examines how we might influence mood, illustrating how word choice …

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Last Week of #eBook Bargains

On 25/07/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction

Final reminder that you can save money on eBooks during July. And a further reduction on my own books for the last week of this promotion. Smashwords is a publishing platform for all formats of eBooks. I’ve several books with them. July is their promotional month, when authors who wish to participate offer discounts. This …

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Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.

On 24/07/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Fiction, Mars, Progress4 Comments

The end of one more week, and I’ve ended up with 91,258 words for the 2nd rewrite. That’s an extra 1,814, mostly in the form of news reports to set the scene. I’m now making sure each narrator remains consistent through his or her contribution. A couple more ‘sources’ of information have been added to …

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Visiting Fellow, by Dave Williamson, Reviewed.

On 24/07/2016 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Fiction, Review

Gentle comedy, interspersed with charmingly naughty sexual encounters and academic forays characterise this novel. Before I go any further, let me stress that this is not erotica; the sex comes with a naivety that arouses smiles rather than passion in the reader. Set in Canada and Tasmania, the novel follows the adventures, trials and triumphs …

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