Now that the first draft is finished, I’ve had a rest from it this week. Though, as other writers will appreciate, you never completely let go at this stage. I’ve been tinkering with the character sketches of the new players, adding some new research links, watching a bit of TV related to the subject, and …
Tag: Technology
Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
Whoopee! Hurrah! Gadzooks! And, yeah! The first draft of book 2 of the Generation Mars series is finished. It now stands at 112,061 words, 8,740 more than last week’s total. I actually finished this stage on Monday, but thought I’d wait till today to let you know, since Wednesdays have been my usual days for …
Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
Book 2 of the Generation Mars series now stands at 103,321 words, which is an increase of 9867 on last week’s figure. The novel continues to go well, in spite of a few impediments to progress. I thought I’d have the first draft completed by now. However, along with constant new developments in science and …
Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
The follow-up novel to Blood Red Dust now stands at 81,661 words, which is only 7103 extra since last week. Very poor! However, here come the excuses. Spent a fair amount of time sorting, or trying to sort, my daughter’s Student Loan issues, since she’s in Australia and the UK company dealing with this matter …
Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
Still going well, the follow-up to Blood Red Dust now stands at 63,098 words, an additional 8289 since last week’ update. Another slight change in direction occurred to me during a walk in the forest and this has ramped up the tension significantly. Those characters know how to have fun with me as writer. It’s …
Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
The new book progresses well, now standing at 53,185, which is an additional 12,594 words since the last post here. As often happens when pantster writing, I was suddenly taken on a diversion by a couple of characters the day before yesterday. The developing plot has taken a slightly unexpected turn, but the story is …
Progress on the WIP: #SciFi in the Making.
The new book is progressing well and now stands at 40,591, an increase of 13,318 words this week. The story is moving apace and characters continue to grow and surprise. I’ve done a little more research and learned about some new materials that are currently under development; they’ll be useful in envisioning some new inventions …
Progress on the WIP: SciFi in the Making.
Many readers followed my progress on Blood Red Dust, so I've decided to run a similar series of short blogs for the second book in the series. The new book is underway. I have a small core of characters, some of whom readers met in Blood Red Dust, and others new to the series. The …
Fantasticon 2016 and Other Treats
A book launch, where we sold out of the publisher’s stock! A meeting with Royd Tolkien and lots of other authors. A gathering of enthusiastic and generous people at an event celebrating science fiction, fantasy and gaming. Plus: Visits to relatives and friends in various locations. Visits to Family Research Centres to gather facts for …
Today’s Definitely The Day!
What better place to launch a new science fiction novel than a convention devoted to scifi and fantasy? Well, today (19th November) I’m here at Fantasticon 2016, in Hull, signing copies of my latest book, Blood Red Dust. Set on Mars before the end of this century, it follows the lives of a set of …
Blood Red Dust to Launch 19 November at Fantasticon 2016!
Launched at the brilliant Fantasticon 2016 in Hull on Saturday 19/Sunday 20 November is my latest science fiction novel, Blood Red Dust. (Tickets here) If you can make it to Hull and pop in, I’d be delighted to sign a copy for you. If you can’t be there, you can still obtain a copy in …
Continue reading Blood Red Dust to Launch 19 November at Fantasticon 2016!
Liking is Lovely, but Sharing is Caring.
All of us who blog, or use a website to inform potential readers about our books, are aware of the struggle for exposure, the difficulty of getting our names out there. We indulge in online activity to add value to the lives of others (at least, I hope we do: those interested only in self-promotion …
Returning to the Digital Drama
On 20th September, I wrote a short piece titled ‘Denying Digital Demands’. This is the follow-up. If possible, once a year, I attempt a break from the demands of online life. Usually, it coincides with a holiday away from home. Breaking free from both the everyday and the unending demands of constant connection can refresh …
Denying Digital Demands
Regular readers will know I’m a little ambivalent about the digital world that enfolds and sometimes threatens to overwhelm us. Social media has a lot going for it, but it also absorbs much of our time and attention. There are times when a simpler, less demanding lifestyle calls. A period of spiritual refreshment is needed. …
My New Kindle has Arrived!
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 …

