Wrong! A Themed Anthology 2014, Edited by Deborah Owen; Reviewed.

On 25/01/2015 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer

This collection of short fiction from many different authors is based on the following theme: ‘I have a list and a map. What can possibly go wrong?’ And, of course, these creative authors show the reader just what can go wrong. I confess at this point that I’m a guest author for this anthology, but …

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Tips on Word Choice No.19: Ruled by Intellect or Emotion?

On 13/01/2015 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Word Use

Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work? For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. …

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.16

On 12/01/2015 By stuartakenIn Author, charity, Creative Writer

A brief heads-up. I am in the process of moving house, in fact I've just packed the penultimate box and now await the arrival of the removal men and their van tomorrow. We should be in our new home on Wednesday, but no phone line of internet until Friday. Because of this situation, I have …

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Tips on Word Choice: Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? No18

On 06/01/201504/01/2015 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Word Use

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Running and Writing for ME/CFS No.15

On 04/01/2015 By stuartakenIn Author, charity, Creative Writer

The writing first: Still curating the diary entries. But I’m through 2009 now, so just 3 more years of entries to go before I’ll be able to actually start planning and writing the book. Again, this is more likely to be once the house move has completed. Things are moving on that issue and it’s …

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The Cunning Man, by John Yeoman, Reviewed.

On 02/01/201530/07/2017 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Reading, Review

This ‘fictorial’ as the author calls it, should start a trend amongst authors with a desire to help other writers improve their craft. That is precisely what John Yeoman does in this collection of historical mystery stories. He tells a tale and inserts footnote links in the text, these lead to the footnotes, which explain …

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Tips on Word Choice: Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? No17

On 30/12/201428/12/2014 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Word Use

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EU Ereader? Beware VAT Rise in 2015

On 26/12/2014 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer

This is just a brief heads up for those of you who have an Ereader, or were bought one for Xmas. Many of you will be unaware that a change in EU law means that from 1st January 2015 VAT will be added to cost of all digital books, set at the rate applying in …

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Tips on Word Choice: Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? No.16

On 24/12/2014 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer, Word Use2 Comments

Sorry about the delay, this should have been posted Tuesday, but I was somewhat occupied. Some words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work? For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional …

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The Full Fantasy Trilogy is now Published.

On 22/12/2014 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, charity, Creative Writer

For all you fans of fantasy, the third book in my epic fantasy series, A Seared Sky, is now out, completing the trilogy. The books are titled, Joinings, Partings, and Convergence. So, what is A Seared Sky about? It’s an adult epic fantasy. Adult, because of some sexual references though no erotica. I would rate …

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A Top Ten Book Cover

On 15/12/2014 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, Creative Writer

On a website far, far, away, a wonderful example of good taste and brilliance emerged from the mind of a person of quality. On a quest for well-designed, individual book covers, Court Van Haaren looked at over 2,500 and decided 9 were worthy of exposing to the wider public. To my joy, the cover of …

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Raising Money for ME/CFS by Writing and Running #12

On 15/12/2014 By stuartakenIn Author, Book, charity

I meant to post this yesterday, but I was otherwise occupied, so my apologies. I’ve two brothers in hospital, a house move that’s far more problematic than any I’ve experienced (I’ve moved home 14 times!), this new blog I’m trying to develop, and all the other everyday things writers, husbands, fathers et al deal with. …

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