For reasons that are unlikely to become clear at the movement, I have just finished watching a set of responses on the website Confused Matthew.com. I won't bore you with the details but it does allude to something I do want to talk about. So first a bit of background:
Confused Matthew is a film reviewer. He has some strong views about certain films. He reviewed 2001 a Space Odyssey. He concluded that it was a film about nothing. Then a you tube user Chasemelendez responded to this. This user vehemently opposes Confused Matthew's view. Chase's response, and the original review, are simply opinions. Yet somehow these opinions, certainly from Chase, are stated as fact and that is what I want to talk about.
My likes and dislikes, particularly in school, were almost always out side of the norm. I am a big science fiction fan and can quote large potions of dialogue and recognise certain episodes by a few seconds of footage. Yes this makes me a nerd, or is it geek, well I no longer care.
In school I was, I hesitate to say bullied for, but certainly teased for liking science fiction. Some how in the minds of children, this was in high school, science fiction was bad. In fact, and I can't remember the exact quote, I have heard it said that Battlestar Galactica can't be science fiction 'because its good'.
So I have this to say. Like what you like. This is not something you need to apologise for. Thinking of school again we once had a pot luck quiz - on one of those end of year things - and the question was asked: Who played Captain Kirk in Star Trek? - In that moment I was everyone's friend.
As a general rule in school I found myself thinking, 'Ever be a friend or not.' In a strange way flip flopping between these two extremes is more annoying than having people hate you.
I'm rambling. Here's a video.
This video is tangentially related to what I've been talking about. True its tangential but I just like to plug Sfdebris and his reviews.
This video is about Threshold. This is a Star Trek: Voyager episode. In Star Trek circles this is considered the worse Voyager episode and possible the worst thing with the Star Trek name (though that might belong to Enterprise's A Night in Sickbay) but that's not what I'm discussing. He talks about opinions and the importance of respecting the opinions of others.
I don't like football. However if I one day had a girlfriend who loved it and wanted to go and see it in Brazil. Then I'd go along and enjoy the sights while she sat in the stadium. Similarly at home I can go in another room and write.
So to round of this rambling let me bring this back to what I started with. Don't worry about what others like. The videos I mentioned at the beginning are simply opinions. Some people feel threatened when someone else says that they dislike the other person's favourite thing,
"I'd Really Rather You Didn't Act Like A Sanctimonious Holier-Than-Thou Ass When Describing My Noodly Goodness. If Some People Don't Believe In Me, That's Okay. Really, I'm Not That Vain. Besides, This Isn't About Them So Don't Change The Subject." Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Happy New Year.
Thursday 23 December 2010
Sunday 19 December 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-12-19
I Don't Believe It
The snow here in Cardiff is incredible. If you added up all the snow from all the 18ths of December (counting from yesterday) from my lifetime it would not equal this amount of snow.
Unfortunately I've grown up. At one time I would have loved snow like this and now I tend to think 'damn the snow!' It has prevented me from getting to two parties all ready.
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that grumbling about the weather is just so British and pointless. You are of course right.
My idea of adding cooking information to this blog is probably a strange one. Nevertheless I wanted to add more cookery information to this blog. I made a chow mein. It was remarkable how painless it was. I didn't follow a recipe and it was almost as simple as a throw it together slow cooked meal.
Finley chopped onions (400g)
Chicken (2 breast - cubed)
Carrots (400g - finely chopped)
Noodles (I use rice noodles from Tesco)
Peas (About two hand fulls
Soy Sauce
Vinegar
Water
Oil
Fry the onions keep stirring until they are nicely cooked and the chicken and fry until golden-brown. Throw in the carrots then add soy, vinegar and water. You don't want too much of this. I add in tea spoons. Three, three and three. When the carrots have began to cook throw in the peas. The noodles should be added as the last thing. Mix it around until the noodles are cooked. Hopefully you should have a nice dinner.
Okay no writing again on this writers blog but I will be back next week.
The snow here in Cardiff is incredible. If you added up all the snow from all the 18ths of December (counting from yesterday) from my lifetime it would not equal this amount of snow.
Unfortunately I've grown up. At one time I would have loved snow like this and now I tend to think 'damn the snow!' It has prevented me from getting to two parties all ready.
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that grumbling about the weather is just so British and pointless. You are of course right.
My idea of adding cooking information to this blog is probably a strange one. Nevertheless I wanted to add more cookery information to this blog. I made a chow mein. It was remarkable how painless it was. I didn't follow a recipe and it was almost as simple as a throw it together slow cooked meal.
Finley chopped onions (400g)
Chicken (2 breast - cubed)
Carrots (400g - finely chopped)
Noodles (I use rice noodles from Tesco)
Peas (About two hand fulls
Soy Sauce
Vinegar
Water
Oil
Fry the onions keep stirring until they are nicely cooked and the chicken and fry until golden-brown. Throw in the carrots then add soy, vinegar and water. You don't want too much of this. I add in tea spoons. Three, three and three. When the carrots have began to cook throw in the peas. The noodles should be added as the last thing. Mix it around until the noodles are cooked. Hopefully you should have a nice dinner.
Okay no writing again on this writers blog but I will be back next week.
Wednesday 15 December 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-12-15
Soup
Well this is a little later than planed. I was ill on Sunday but there it is in all its anti-glory. It actually tastes a lot better than it looks.
What is in it? I hear you ask?
No.
Well just in case your interested.
400g Onions
400g Carrots
Nub of Ginger
Tin of Chick peas
Tin of Tomatoes
1 Tbsp Spicy Power
Water
Stock cube.
As this is a slow cooked meal it is very easy to make.
1) Peal and finely chop the onions,
2) Peal and chop the carrots,
.normally I chop carrots into rings and then into quarters,
3) Peal the ginger and then cut thinly,
4) Open the tin of Chick Peas,
5) Open the tin of tomartoes,
6) Put the onions,carrots, ginger, chick peas and tomatoes in the slow cooker,
7) Pour water over the meal (this depends on the size of the slow cooker - for mine this makes enough for five.) and add the spices (whatever you like)
8) Add stock cube - no need to crumble it. - (you can throw some frozen veg in at this stage if you like)
9) Add the lid - cook for seven hours - and blend.
Blending is not absolutely necessary. This was quite a nice soup.
Slow cooking is very simple and effective. Almost any ingredients will work and you can just throw them in. I'd recommend at least five hours. This can even work for meat. Though I'd say that beef could do with closer to nine hours. Poultry is fine after five hours.
Happy Cooking.
Well this is a little later than planed. I was ill on Sunday but there it is in all its anti-glory. It actually tastes a lot better than it looks.
What is in it? I hear you ask?
No.
Well just in case your interested.
400g Onions
400g Carrots
Nub of Ginger
Tin of Chick peas
Tin of Tomatoes
1 Tbsp Spicy Power
Water
Stock cube.
As this is a slow cooked meal it is very easy to make.
1) Peal and finely chop the onions,
2) Peal and chop the carrots,
.normally I chop carrots into rings and then into quarters,
3) Peal the ginger and then cut thinly,
4) Open the tin of Chick Peas,
5) Open the tin of tomartoes,
6) Put the onions,carrots, ginger, chick peas and tomatoes in the slow cooker,
7) Pour water over the meal (this depends on the size of the slow cooker - for mine this makes enough for five.) and add the spices (whatever you like)
8) Add stock cube - no need to crumble it. - (you can throw some frozen veg in at this stage if you like)
9) Add the lid - cook for seven hours - and blend.
Blending is not absolutely necessary. This was quite a nice soup.
Slow cooking is very simple and effective. Almost any ingredients will work and you can just throw them in. I'd recommend at least five hours. This can even work for meat. Though I'd say that beef could do with closer to nine hours. Poultry is fine after five hours.
Happy Cooking.
Saturday 11 December 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-12-11
When I was in high school a stupid thing used to happen. We would be called into assembly and the teachers would then tell us about the importance of attending assemblies. This was almost literally preaching to the choir.
Why am I talking about this?
Because I'm about to talk about attracting readers to this blog. Simply put I want more readers. I want to have some sort of web profile. And the only way I can do this is to post information with those that already read this blog. So How can I increase my web presence?
"You could try interesting content."
The giraffe has a point. - Was that too random?
So, what would qualify as interesting?
Many of the people I watch on You Tube - I know slightly different thing - have content almost entirely from their views. Obviously it can't start that way. So how does it start. Naturally I'm not expecting an answer here but it would be interesting to find out.
So I want to start on the road to something that will attract more attention.
There are some cheep and cheerful ways of doing this. I could, for instance, just write words from google's top search list. Which would be misleading when people arrived and found nothing to do with those words.
Food.
Food could be something I could write about. Would that be of interest. Mostly I cook slow cooked meals. These are really simple and if you know about them it really starts to make the 'I can't cook." claim sound ridicules.
So perhaps that is what I'll do. So. If you've stumbled upon this blog by accident tell me what you'd like to see. Is there some story related thing you'd like.
Write a story with three items, for instance.
This is just scribblings. I hope that for you, the reader, it has been interesting too. Let me know what I can do.
So tomorrow I'll try posting a food related post.
We shall see where this goes.
Why am I talking about this?
Because I'm about to talk about attracting readers to this blog. Simply put I want more readers. I want to have some sort of web profile. And the only way I can do this is to post information with those that already read this blog. So How can I increase my web presence?
"You could try interesting content."
The giraffe has a point. - Was that too random?
So, what would qualify as interesting?
Many of the people I watch on You Tube - I know slightly different thing - have content almost entirely from their views. Obviously it can't start that way. So how does it start. Naturally I'm not expecting an answer here but it would be interesting to find out.
So I want to start on the road to something that will attract more attention.
There are some cheep and cheerful ways of doing this. I could, for instance, just write words from google's top search list. Which would be misleading when people arrived and found nothing to do with those words.
Food.
Food could be something I could write about. Would that be of interest. Mostly I cook slow cooked meals. These are really simple and if you know about them it really starts to make the 'I can't cook." claim sound ridicules.
So perhaps that is what I'll do. So. If you've stumbled upon this blog by accident tell me what you'd like to see. Is there some story related thing you'd like.
Write a story with three items, for instance.
This is just scribblings. I hope that for you, the reader, it has been interesting too. Let me know what I can do.
So tomorrow I'll try posting a food related post.
We shall see where this goes.
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-12-08
Yacht
"What a stupid language," the writer said. He said it out loud as he tried to think up a story about yachts. On a whim he looked it up on a Google image search and then Google definitions. And a yacht is a large luxurious ship or a smaller vessel that requires a high degree of physicality to operate.
Another idea came to his mind. A Captain's yacht. Perhaps that is just a Star Trek invention!
The idea for a story did not come. Perhaps he was thinking to hard. He close this eyes and decided to write what came to mind.
Peter set foot aboard the yacht. It was grand. He had a beautiful cabin overlooking the sea. It was positioned just below the bridge. He stretched out on the sofa and watched as the ship set off. He had been awaiting this cruise for sometime. He had been saving his money. Now the time had come. His novel had sold millions and he owned a beautiful boat.
The author realised he had no ideas. He was sitting on a rowing boat on a small lake. But he could dream.
"What a stupid language," the writer said. He said it out loud as he tried to think up a story about yachts. On a whim he looked it up on a Google image search and then Google definitions. And a yacht is a large luxurious ship or a smaller vessel that requires a high degree of physicality to operate.
Another idea came to his mind. A Captain's yacht. Perhaps that is just a Star Trek invention!
The idea for a story did not come. Perhaps he was thinking to hard. He close this eyes and decided to write what came to mind.
Peter set foot aboard the yacht. It was grand. He had a beautiful cabin overlooking the sea. It was positioned just below the bridge. He stretched out on the sofa and watched as the ship set off. He had been awaiting this cruise for sometime. He had been saving his money. Now the time had come. His novel had sold millions and he owned a beautiful boat.
The author realised he had no ideas. He was sitting on a rowing boat on a small lake. But he could dream.
Sunday 5 December 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-12-05
Xenoglossia
Once again the imagination fails to be sparked by this word. Ironically I've just been watching a Stargate SG-1 episode, 'The Fifth Race', where Colonel O'Neill has this ability.
'Xenoglossia is the putative paranormal phenomenon in which a person is able to speak or write a language he or she could not have acquired by natural means.' - is the definition according to faithful Wikipedia.
Wouldn't that be a great thing? I'd love to be able to just innately pick up a language like that. However as I proved the other day I even seem to have problems with English!
I had some work read out in class last week and there were, unfortunately, a lot of mistakes in it. Most of these were centered around speech. Somehow language changes around speech. Maybe I'm just being dense but it does seem like the rules of punctuation are changed when speech marks are involved. Well I've edited the chapter now and will actually get back to writing. As any writer will know editing is bad and boring.
Here is a picture of me holding magazines.
This is writing magazine. As you can see they are still in their cellophane wrapping. Don't let that fool you. These have very good articles for the budding writer. Advice, interviews; the works. I just don't always get around to reading them. However one interesting thing I read in the previous issue was a way to get round getting stuck. Basically it said to meander. To describe more thoroughly. Or even to kill a character. This allows for something to be written, rather than giving up, and in the process the path of the novel become clear.
Well once again this hasn't been a story. However I have high hopes for the next world which is - Yacht. I am sure to think of something for that.
Bye.
Once again the imagination fails to be sparked by this word. Ironically I've just been watching a Stargate SG-1 episode, 'The Fifth Race', where Colonel O'Neill has this ability.
'Xenoglossia is the putative paranormal phenomenon in which a person is able to speak or write a language he or she could not have acquired by natural means.' - is the definition according to faithful Wikipedia.
Wouldn't that be a great thing? I'd love to be able to just innately pick up a language like that. However as I proved the other day I even seem to have problems with English!
I had some work read out in class last week and there were, unfortunately, a lot of mistakes in it. Most of these were centered around speech. Somehow language changes around speech. Maybe I'm just being dense but it does seem like the rules of punctuation are changed when speech marks are involved. Well I've edited the chapter now and will actually get back to writing. As any writer will know editing is bad and boring.
Here is a picture of me holding magazines.
This is writing magazine. As you can see they are still in their cellophane wrapping. Don't let that fool you. These have very good articles for the budding writer. Advice, interviews; the works. I just don't always get around to reading them. However one interesting thing I read in the previous issue was a way to get round getting stuck. Basically it said to meander. To describe more thoroughly. Or even to kill a character. This allows for something to be written, rather than giving up, and in the process the path of the novel become clear.
Well once again this hasn't been a story. However I have high hopes for the next world which is - Yacht. I am sure to think of something for that.
Bye.
Thursday 2 December 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-12-02
Happy December!
The countdown to Christmas has begun. I know I'm an adult now because that thought more produces fear rather than excitement! I used to count the days - not so any more. Now Christmas seems far too close. I still have university to think about.
Speaking of which the cold weather, we've had snow in this par of Wales, has caused problems at university. The servers have been down and hence printing has been a problem. The story is that the pipe bust and crapped out the server. They're predicting that it could be a couple of weeks before its all up and running again.
How quickly we come to rely on technology! Luckily the Atrium, the Cardiff site for the University of Glamorgan, was working - well sort of. Printing was possible - just, just not in the way it usually is. To be honest I don't completely understand the technical issues involved. Anyway the long and short of it is that I was able to print my timed assignment and hand it in - woo whoo!
It was nice though to see the comradery between the students. Information was posted on Facebook and we were able to discuss the situation. However there was little information to give out as we couldn't email our tutors!
I'll be back later in the well with a dictionary story.
Some people become so expert at reading between the lines they don't read the lines. -Margaret Millar, novelist (1915-1994) Wordsmith.org
The countdown to Christmas has begun. I know I'm an adult now because that thought more produces fear rather than excitement! I used to count the days - not so any more. Now Christmas seems far too close. I still have university to think about.
Speaking of which the cold weather, we've had snow in this par of Wales, has caused problems at university. The servers have been down and hence printing has been a problem. The story is that the pipe bust and crapped out the server. They're predicting that it could be a couple of weeks before its all up and running again.
How quickly we come to rely on technology! Luckily the Atrium, the Cardiff site for the University of Glamorgan, was working - well sort of. Printing was possible - just, just not in the way it usually is. To be honest I don't completely understand the technical issues involved. Anyway the long and short of it is that I was able to print my timed assignment and hand it in - woo whoo!
It was nice though to see the comradery between the students. Information was posted on Facebook and we were able to discuss the situation. However there was little information to give out as we couldn't email our tutors!
I'll be back later in the well with a dictionary story.
Some people become so expert at reading between the lines they don't read the lines. -Margaret Millar, novelist (1915-1994) Wordsmith.org
Saturday 27 November 2010
Dictionary Storise 2010-11-27
Wacky
Wacky, wild and zany.
Some words in the dictionary fail to inspire any idea! I know some wacky people but would call them bubbly. This is a ramble and an unproductive ramble. So let me share with you some wacky people from Rocketboom.
This is a web show about all sorts of interesting things. Without Rocketboom I might actually have to give careful consideration to getting a life.
Speaking of which I am meeting some friends this evening. Its for a Christmas party (ish thing) my friend had the very good idea of having it now! So that we avoid the Christmas madness!
So I better get ready.
Maybe I'll upload some pictures afterwards.
The next dictionary story will be about xanthoma - a skin discolouration - err! Might skip that one.
Wacky, wild and zany.
Some words in the dictionary fail to inspire any idea! I know some wacky people but would call them bubbly. This is a ramble and an unproductive ramble. So let me share with you some wacky people from Rocketboom.
This is a web show about all sorts of interesting things. Without Rocketboom I might actually have to give careful consideration to getting a life.
Speaking of which I am meeting some friends this evening. Its for a Christmas party (ish thing) my friend had the very good idea of having it now! So that we avoid the Christmas madness!
So I better get ready.
Maybe I'll upload some pictures afterwards.
The next dictionary story will be about xanthoma - a skin discolouration - err! Might skip that one.
Monday 22 November 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-11-22
Happy Thanksgiving.
Being British I don't know much about the celebration. I understand that a lot of turkey is involved. So that's always good! And looking up Thanksgiving I've found that Canada has a thanksgiving as well. This I never knew so a very belated happy thanksgiving to you as well.
Are presents given at thanksgiving? Not according to Yahoo answers. Which I suppose is a relief as Christmas already costs a lot - not to mention that some people are difficult to buy for. I've started to get my presents and should be ready for the big day.
Around this time last year, actually the week before Christmas day, I was in Nepal.
This was for a pilgrimage. Is this getting more confusing? I'm a Buddhist and while it may sound like a contradiction to be celebrating Christmas, and not meaning to offend anyone, there has been a celebration at this time of year long before Christmas.
Spending time in Nepal last year, though I didn't necessarily think so at the time, was good. It was good in its self but also I missed the crazy frenzy inducing advertisements! I doubt I'll be going again soon as mum and dad paid last year - I am horribly poor.
Last night as I walked down to my parents house I took this picture of the moon.
Annoyingly the clouds kept hiding it. Pictures make the blog and I'm beginning to see why my brother likes to take his camera wherever he goes. As time goes on I will find more interesting pictures and maybe even ones for the Dictionary Stories - which haven't been done in a while.
Tomorrow I'm back in Uni tomorrow. I'm reading out another chapter of Heliopolis.
There will be another post soon.
Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~E.L. Doctorow
Being British I don't know much about the celebration. I understand that a lot of turkey is involved. So that's always good! And looking up Thanksgiving I've found that Canada has a thanksgiving as well. This I never knew so a very belated happy thanksgiving to you as well.
Are presents given at thanksgiving? Not according to Yahoo answers. Which I suppose is a relief as Christmas already costs a lot - not to mention that some people are difficult to buy for. I've started to get my presents and should be ready for the big day.
Around this time last year, actually the week before Christmas day, I was in Nepal.
This was for a pilgrimage. Is this getting more confusing? I'm a Buddhist and while it may sound like a contradiction to be celebrating Christmas, and not meaning to offend anyone, there has been a celebration at this time of year long before Christmas.
Spending time in Nepal last year, though I didn't necessarily think so at the time, was good. It was good in its self but also I missed the crazy frenzy inducing advertisements! I doubt I'll be going again soon as mum and dad paid last year - I am horribly poor.
Last night as I walked down to my parents house I took this picture of the moon.
Annoyingly the clouds kept hiding it. Pictures make the blog and I'm beginning to see why my brother likes to take his camera wherever he goes. As time goes on I will find more interesting pictures and maybe even ones for the Dictionary Stories - which haven't been done in a while.
Tomorrow I'm back in Uni tomorrow. I'm reading out another chapter of Heliopolis.
There will be another post soon.
Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~E.L. Doctorow
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-11-16
Hello!
Okay so its not Sunday. Somehow I knew that my plan to post every week would fail. By way of an apology here is an image of Kathmandu.
One of these days the image will have something to do with the post. And one day pigs might fly.
University is going well and Christmas is scarily close. Happily their are no deadlines this side of Christmas! Tomorrow I will take my plan (final hopefully) for my script to my tutor. In theory I'll get the green light and all will be right with the world - or my small corner of it - okay scratch that - one thing will be right with my world. I have a tendency to go on. The idea of this was that I would get talking to people. Actually its just me sitting at my computer.
Darn.
Also for university I'm working on a critical essay. It'll be on Across the Wall by Garth Nix. If you like fantasy and haven't read any of his books I can recommend him as an author. He is easily as good as JK Rowling and Philip Pullman and actually I'd say better.
Here's another random picture in case the first didn't work.
The essay will be about the idea of world building. As I write fantasy it can be difficult establishing the world for one simple reason: those in the world know about it and are not going to go around discussing every day things. Some conversations actually say nothing...
"Did you get the...doodad?"
"Yes," I'll say, "I put it in the..." then I'll click my fingers. No the words don't come, "the oogemawhatsit."
That is not a verbatim conversation I've had but its close. Obviously a silly example but suppose you'd invented the car for a novel. You can't say 'he got into the car.' and 'he got into the box on wheels sounds silly'!
That essay might actually be fun to write. Like I said deadlines are a long way off!
'I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.' Douglas Adams.
Okay so its not Sunday. Somehow I knew that my plan to post every week would fail. By way of an apology here is an image of Kathmandu.
One of these days the image will have something to do with the post. And one day pigs might fly.
University is going well and Christmas is scarily close. Happily their are no deadlines this side of Christmas! Tomorrow I will take my plan (final hopefully) for my script to my tutor. In theory I'll get the green light and all will be right with the world - or my small corner of it - okay scratch that - one thing will be right with my world. I have a tendency to go on. The idea of this was that I would get talking to people. Actually its just me sitting at my computer.
Darn.
Also for university I'm working on a critical essay. It'll be on Across the Wall by Garth Nix. If you like fantasy and haven't read any of his books I can recommend him as an author. He is easily as good as JK Rowling and Philip Pullman and actually I'd say better.
Here's another random picture in case the first didn't work.
The essay will be about the idea of world building. As I write fantasy it can be difficult establishing the world for one simple reason: those in the world know about it and are not going to go around discussing every day things. Some conversations actually say nothing...
"Did you get the...doodad?"
"Yes," I'll say, "I put it in the..." then I'll click my fingers. No the words don't come, "the oogemawhatsit."
That is not a verbatim conversation I've had but its close. Obviously a silly example but suppose you'd invented the car for a novel. You can't say 'he got into the car.' and 'he got into the box on wheels sounds silly'!
That essay might actually be fun to write. Like I said deadlines are a long way off!
'I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.' Douglas Adams.
Monday 1 November 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-11-01 & 2010-11-07
The other day I submitted a novel synopsis to Penguin. They have had an open submission for the September-October period. As is typical of me I waited to the last moment to submit but it is now done.
I must thank dad for telling me about it, and oddly not the university, and thank mum for spending two hours going over the work with me!
On another subject the results to the Bridport prize are being announced this month. As I haven't been contacted I shall submit that story, called Itchy, to a magazine. If I'm successful I'll post the information hear. Unfortunately I can't upload it now because magazines often ask for exclusivity.
Moving on...
I'm not so good at the writing and posting in one go thing. However I'm sure my reader would like more regular posts - and more interesting posts but you can't expect miracles!
So I will try my best to post once a week from now on, we'll see how long that goes on for, and make it interesting.
Recently I've been writing a script with a race called Stegoraptors. I used this name, rather than Griptogoday, which was the original, as it is more easily pronounced. Also it has the advantage of 'realism' because after all we can't speak dog! The problem it creates is that how in dialogue do you refer to them. Or do you just give them random human names like Shepard, Stargate Atlantis, does for the Wraith.
I must thank dad for telling me about it, and oddly not the university, and thank mum for spending two hours going over the work with me!
On another subject the results to the Bridport prize are being announced this month. As I haven't been contacted I shall submit that story, called Itchy, to a magazine. If I'm successful I'll post the information hear. Unfortunately I can't upload it now because magazines often ask for exclusivity.
Moving on...
I'm not so good at the writing and posting in one go thing. However I'm sure my reader would like more regular posts - and more interesting posts but you can't expect miracles!
So I will try my best to post once a week from now on, we'll see how long that goes on for, and make it interesting.
Recently I've been writing a script with a race called Stegoraptors. I used this name, rather than Griptogoday, which was the original, as it is more easily pronounced. Also it has the advantage of 'realism' because after all we can't speak dog! The problem it creates is that how in dialogue do you refer to them. Or do you just give them random human names like Shepard, Stargate Atlantis, does for the Wraith.
Saturday 9 October 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-10-09
Well I'm back at university now. I've been back for two weeks now and will be reading some work out next week. I'm working on two novels.
The first is the one I started posting here, then abandoned like.... okay no metaphor comes to mind. Sorry about that but I caught up with myself.
The second is a science fiction novel. There were many kinks in this story. Partly it was the fact that I wanted to tell a story across the galaxy. So I needed a place where many, maybe all, of the characters can go. This cannot be, metaphorically speaking, the Enterprise. Instead its a planet.
This planet is a port of call for diplomats, hustlers - all right it might have been influenced by Babylon 5. The problem with Babylon 5 is that it is so well done. What I mean by this is that as it is so well done it is difficult not to step on its toes when writing a story set in space.
For instance:
Rotating ships for gravity makes sense - artificial gravity might be possible but with current science we just don't know.
A place for people to meet and discuss culture also makes sense - we have the UN today, okay they don't discuss religion in the same way as B5 but their is the idea of cultures working together. Star Trek on the other hand seems to have very little idea of galactic politics.There is no feeling that the Cardassians and the Romulans have any official relationship. (There is the non-aggression pact in DS9 but thats about all.)
"Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe." Nicolaus Copernicus
*The above image is used in accordance with NASA's terms of use. I have no relationship with NASA.
The first is the one I started posting here, then abandoned like.... okay no metaphor comes to mind. Sorry about that but I caught up with myself.
The second is a science fiction novel. There were many kinks in this story. Partly it was the fact that I wanted to tell a story across the galaxy. So I needed a place where many, maybe all, of the characters can go. This cannot be, metaphorically speaking, the Enterprise. Instead its a planet.
This planet is a port of call for diplomats, hustlers - all right it might have been influenced by Babylon 5. The problem with Babylon 5 is that it is so well done. What I mean by this is that as it is so well done it is difficult not to step on its toes when writing a story set in space.
For instance:
Rotating ships for gravity makes sense - artificial gravity might be possible but with current science we just don't know.
A place for people to meet and discuss culture also makes sense - we have the UN today, okay they don't discuss religion in the same way as B5 but their is the idea of cultures working together. Star Trek on the other hand seems to have very little idea of galactic politics.There is no feeling that the Cardassians and the Romulans have any official relationship. (There is the non-aggression pact in DS9 but thats about all.)
"Finally we shall place the Sun himself at the center of the Universe." Nicolaus Copernicus
*The above image is used in accordance with NASA's terms of use. I have no relationship with NASA.
Monday 20 September 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-09-20
Hello.
Its been almost a week since I've posted here so here we go. I promised pictures of Tenby so in typical clunky fashion lets start with a picture of Narberth.
Narberth is just a short drive from Tenby. This picture is of Sospan Fach a restaurant we went to three times whiles there. It is possibly one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. We had paninis on sesame seed bread. Take a look at the website for your self
www.sospan-fach.co.uk
If you ever find yourself near Narberth try out this restaurant!
Yes I've noticed that its now the 1st October. Sorry for the latest of this post. I hope to be posting more frequently form now on but I am now back at university.
'Don't Panic.' Hitch hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. - Douglas Adams
Its been almost a week since I've posted here so here we go. I promised pictures of Tenby so in typical clunky fashion lets start with a picture of Narberth.
Narberth is just a short drive from Tenby. This picture is of Sospan Fach a restaurant we went to three times whiles there. It is possibly one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. We had paninis on sesame seed bread. Take a look at the website for your self
www.sospan-fach.co.uk
If you ever find yourself near Narberth try out this restaurant!
Yes I've noticed that its now the 1st October. Sorry for the latest of this post. I hope to be posting more frequently form now on but I am now back at university.
'Don't Panic.' Hitch hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. - Douglas Adams
Tuesday 14 September 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-09-14
Hello everyone,
I'm just recently back from holiday. Went to Tenby as usual. My family and I have been their every year for the last - ten or so - no longer than that. Now you may be thinking two things; Why go to the same place every year and, connected to that, doesn't it get a little boring.
Well I'll answer the second question first.
No. It is that simple. Tenby has now become a home away from home. We can be their in just a couple of hours from Cardiff and when we're their it is like being in our second home.
I have gone on trips abroad before now and to be honest I never find them that relaxing. The problem is air ports. As anyone who's ever flown will know you have to be at the air port hours before your flight. So factor in an early rise - hours at the air port - hours in the air - a coach trip from London to Cardiff and you've almost forgotten, or rather certainly don't feel, how relaxing the holiday was.
So on arriving in Tenby we know the score. We know the good restaurants, places to go for the day and so on. So we don't feel a great need to go out every day. Some days we will just go out into the town, or along the beach - there are many in Tenby - and that is great. I imagine if we went somewhere different we might well feel the need to get up early and out every day.
So why do we go to the same place every year?
It is difficult to say how it all started. We began by camping but have also stayed in a caravan but more recently its been in a flat - like this year. I guess we just found we loved Tenby.
This year we had a great view of the sea. It was wonderful because the view changed every morning as the sea went in and out.
Later in the week I'll be uploading some of my dad and brother's pictures of the holiday.
See you soon.
I'm just recently back from holiday. Went to Tenby as usual. My family and I have been their every year for the last - ten or so - no longer than that. Now you may be thinking two things; Why go to the same place every year and, connected to that, doesn't it get a little boring.
Well I'll answer the second question first.
No. It is that simple. Tenby has now become a home away from home. We can be their in just a couple of hours from Cardiff and when we're their it is like being in our second home.
I have gone on trips abroad before now and to be honest I never find them that relaxing. The problem is air ports. As anyone who's ever flown will know you have to be at the air port hours before your flight. So factor in an early rise - hours at the air port - hours in the air - a coach trip from London to Cardiff and you've almost forgotten, or rather certainly don't feel, how relaxing the holiday was.
So on arriving in Tenby we know the score. We know the good restaurants, places to go for the day and so on. So we don't feel a great need to go out every day. Some days we will just go out into the town, or along the beach - there are many in Tenby - and that is great. I imagine if we went somewhere different we might well feel the need to get up early and out every day.
So why do we go to the same place every year?
It is difficult to say how it all started. We began by camping but have also stayed in a caravan but more recently its been in a flat - like this year. I guess we just found we loved Tenby.
This year we had a great view of the sea. It was wonderful because the view changed every morning as the sea went in and out.
Later in the week I'll be uploading some of my dad and brother's pictures of the holiday.
See you soon.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-09-31
Well its the end of August so I suppose that that means that summer is almost over. Hope you've all been out enjoying the great (or mediocre) weather. And apologies to those in the southern hemisphere as I'm not entirely sure which season you are saying goodbye to.
In any event its been a most productive summer. I'm written in the region of seventy thousand words (not counting short stories (I think)) and maybe I'll have the novel finished by the end of the year. With the year of university coming I should be able to continue with it.
I'll also be writing a script for university and I'm hoping that they'll let me do a science fiction film - with Avatar and the travesty that was Star Trek - they can't very well say their is no money to be made in it!
I'll be off on holiday soon - Tenby as usual. Might actually upload some pictures of the trip.
Have a wonderful last few days of summer.
"For a first half closer, you must have a hit. a palpable hit". Well, they thought of having "Summer is a-cumin in" but this had got itself on the banned list. People had been singing cuccu rather too lewdly." Michael Flanders.
In any event its been a most productive summer. I'm written in the region of seventy thousand words (not counting short stories (I think)) and maybe I'll have the novel finished by the end of the year. With the year of university coming I should be able to continue with it.
I'll also be writing a script for university and I'm hoping that they'll let me do a science fiction film - with Avatar and the travesty that was Star Trek - they can't very well say their is no money to be made in it!
I'll be off on holiday soon - Tenby as usual. Might actually upload some pictures of the trip.
Have a wonderful last few days of summer.
"For a first half closer, you must have a hit. a palpable hit". Well, they thought of having "Summer is a-cumin in" but this had got itself on the banned list. People had been singing cuccu rather too lewdly." Michael Flanders.
Thursday 12 August 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-08-12
Vacancy
Another departure from a formal story. However for this word I feel I want to discuss it. 'Vacancy' the word that is the bane of all those searching for work. I know that that might sound like a contradiction in terms. I however have been trying to find a job for a long time. Its really annoying - mainly because most places never get back to you! So you always wonder has my application been rejected or are they still processing.
To quote Xander Harris 'I'm just expecting thin slips of paper with the words 'No Way' written in crayon.' Seriously I wouldn't be surprised if companies wrote to me saying 'no' preempting my application!
So I guess my only option is to keep at it. I feel the job center web site calling. I hope to be published one day because this job thing seems dire!
How about you? Have you had trouble with finding a job?
Another departure from a formal story. However for this word I feel I want to discuss it. 'Vacancy' the word that is the bane of all those searching for work. I know that that might sound like a contradiction in terms. I however have been trying to find a job for a long time. Its really annoying - mainly because most places never get back to you! So you always wonder has my application been rejected or are they still processing.
To quote Xander Harris 'I'm just expecting thin slips of paper with the words 'No Way' written in crayon.' Seriously I wouldn't be surprised if companies wrote to me saying 'no' preempting my application!
So I guess my only option is to keep at it. I feel the job center web site calling. I hope to be published one day because this job thing seems dire!
How about you? Have you had trouble with finding a job?
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-09-11
Ubiquitous
"Ubiquitous," Inspector Bajak said.
"Everywhere?" Chief Inspector Bronikowski said.
"Yes ma'am," Bajek said. She hoped she'd hidden the slight curl of her lips. She was unsure if Bronikowski had asked the question for confirmation or because she didn't know the meaning of the word. She took one hand from behind her back and rubbed her right eye.
"What's your next move?"
"Ma'am?"
"This has been your operation. You've been gathering intelligence for nearly two months. Don't you want to see this through?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Then take an armed team and make the arrest."
Bajek left the Chief Inspector's office to be met by Inspector Munet. He smiled a small smile as he looked at Bajek. As they crossed the precinct they kept the conversation to business.
"Well," Munet asked once they were in the small anteroom.
"Inconclusive," Bajak said, "don't know if she didn't know know the word or just couldn't believe the size of the operation."
"We'll I'll bet she didn't know the word," Munet said, "here you go," he handed Bajek a £5 note, "so what's my word?"
"Inconclusive," Bajek said.
"Ubiquitous," Inspector Bajak said.
"Everywhere?" Chief Inspector Bronikowski said.
"Yes ma'am," Bajek said. She hoped she'd hidden the slight curl of her lips. She was unsure if Bronikowski had asked the question for confirmation or because she didn't know the meaning of the word. She took one hand from behind her back and rubbed her right eye.
"What's your next move?"
"Ma'am?"
"This has been your operation. You've been gathering intelligence for nearly two months. Don't you want to see this through?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Then take an armed team and make the arrest."
Bajek left the Chief Inspector's office to be met by Inspector Munet. He smiled a small smile as he looked at Bajek. As they crossed the precinct they kept the conversation to business.
"Well," Munet asked once they were in the small anteroom.
"Inconclusive," Bajak said, "don't know if she didn't know know the word or just couldn't believe the size of the operation."
"We'll I'll bet she didn't know the word," Munet said, "here you go," he handed Bajek a £5 note, "so what's my word?"
"Inconclusive," Bajek said.
Monday 9 August 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-08-09
Hi anyone. This will be something of a departure from what I usually write (unless I can shoe horn a flimsy excuse in to this somehow!) Today I want to talk about food. Food is my weakness as sometimes I may nibble on a cracker or something just because I can't thing of anything to do - sad I know.
Part of the reason for not being able to think of anything to do is that most things need money! The only reasonable way to have money is to work and if you work you won't have time! Good old catch 22!
I cook most days and my brother tells me I'm quite good at it. Mostly I use a slow cooker which is a great and easy way to make a meal. You can chop up vegetables, meat and throw them in, set it to cook come back at least five hours later and you have a meal. I should also mention that liquid is always needed in such a meal.
Why am I talking about this?
The truth is I don't even know. I want to post regular things here and so it seems a good idea to talk about something. I know that pictures would be good - but what of? Me seated at a computer typing?
I'd love to put up stories the problem with that is that magazines and competitions often want exclusivity.
However there is one story I wrote fairly recently that doesn't fall into that category so here it is. This was for a fan fic competition.
The Trouble with Winged Cats
The nacelles of the USS Endeavour had been flung several kilometres when the ship crashed. They had hurled through the air and smacked into the side of a volcano, busting into flames. The pylons themselves could still move like the leg stumps of a Tarkalean Salamander before it regrew its limbs.
The injuries among the crew had been light and there was little else to do but await rescue. While the captain was on leave, command fell to the executive officer – Lieutenant commander Wesley Crusher. He stood outside of the ship and surveyed the damage.
“The captain's not going like this.”
“You destroyed his ship!” Lieutenant Ayala exclaimed. “I'd say he'll be rather peeved. I hate Intrepid class starships!”
“Come on let's...”
Crusher was interrupted by a rustling in the trees. He placed a hand on his phaser as a creature came towards them. It was built like a rhinoceros but had a wide jaw like a crocodile. It charged. Crusher drew his phaser and pressed the trigger.
Nothing.
“Run!” Crusher cried. They ran. Crusher slapped his com-badge and requested an emergency beam out. The blue transporter beam took them, leaving the charging creature bemused.
Crusher thanked the transporter chief as they materialised, and headed for the bridge.
“Sir,” Ensign Mathewson said, “we have a problem.” Mathewson activated the view screen which showed hundreds of the rhinoceros-crocodiles heading towards the ship.
“We tried repelling them with the phasers but something prevents them from working in this environment.”
“We know,” Crusher said, “why did you do that? Surely they can't cause any damage to the ship?”
“If they charge together they could easily break through the hull.”
“Torpedoes?”
“They're too close. We'd just end up blowing ourselves up.”
“Ah,” said Crusher.
“Ah indeed,” said Ayala.
The monochromatic environment of the holodeck was a welcome break after hours of working on the phaser problem. The rhinoceros-crocodiles hadn't moved from their position.
Crusher enjoyed the ridiculousness of the holodeck; the over-the-top villains, the sexy slave girls and the complete lack of scientific accuracy or internal consistency. He ran along the rocky environment checking behind him and firing periodically.
“Those robots couldn't catch a cold on Breen!” Ayala said.
“Got to get in to the spirit of things – it's all make believe anyway!”
Ayala remained unconvinced. He shot behind him and one of the robots burst into orange flames. “I do love the splash of colour though!”
“Thought it added something.”
They hid for a couple of minutes behind a convenient outcrop of rock. The jittering, non-threatening robots shuffled past them.
“Now what?” Ayala asked.
“Now we head towards the fortress, rescue the damsels in distress and avoid Chaotica's death squads.”
Before they could move on to the fortress a call came over the comm, “Commander Crusher please report to the bridge,”
Crusher acknowledged the signal and ordered the program saved and closed. They were once again standing in their uniforms on the silver hologrid.
As Crusher stepped onto the bridge Mathewson was looking pensive. Standing next to him was Nicola Coats. She was the six year old daughter of the ship's chief engineer.
“Hello,” Crusher smiled.
“Hello,” she said. “I have an idea.”
“Go ahead,” Crusher said.
After Nicola had told Crusher her idea Ayala asked to speak with him in the ready room.
“Let me guess,” Crusher said, as the doors hissed shut, “you don't like this idea.”
“It's insane!”
“You have a better idea?”
“No,” Ayala said, “but that doesn't mean we should do this either.”
“When I was on the Enterprise,” Crusher began, “I...”
“Saved the ship every other week!” Ayala said.
“Well yeah,” Crusher smiled. “Those poor schlups would be dead without me. Without my repulsor beam...”
“It was you who caused the problem in the first place!”
“Oh, you knew about that one,” said Crusher sheepishly. “This plan could work. You know how often a holodeck malfunctions. Why not put it to good use? Please set up the holographic perimeter.”
“Aye sir.”
The rhinoceros-crocodile creatures ignored the team setting up the perimeter. Crusher and Ayala met in the hololab to design their attacking force.
“We need a predator of some sort.”
“Nothing could penetrate their hides!”
“We only need to scare them,” Crusher said. “Computer, show me a tiger.”
There was a stuttering sound and the noise or a typewriter typing before an image was finally projected. At first they could see nothing. Then they heard a sound.
“Meow.”
As they looked over the edge of the control console they saw a small tabby cat. It sat down and began to lick itself.
“Is it me or is that not terribly threatening?” Ayala asked.
“At least it's a cat.”
“Let me try something,” Ayala said. “Computer, show me a unicorn.”
The computer stuttered again and a floating sea creature appeared. It had a long horn but certainly wasn't a unicorn.
“That's a narwhal!” exclaimed Ayala.
“Something is definitely wrong...”
The narwhal moved towards the small cat. Its jaw opened wider than should have been possible and it devoured the cat with a burp. Suddenly the narwhal's flippers changed to hairy legs and it began to prowl around.
Ayala said, “Computer, show me an albatross and a pterodactyl.”
The computer made its stuttering noises again and projected two flying creatures – a sparrow and a pegasus. The pegasus charged forward and batted the sparrow into its mouth with a wing. Then the narwhal-cat and pegasus turned their attention to each other. They padded the ground and charged. As they collided they mushed together like two balls of clay and became one creature. It was mostly cat with green eyes and fur but somehow it had grown to be about two metres high – it had the wings of the pegasus and the horn of the narwhal.
“We have our mount,” Crusher said. “What do you think?”
“I think you're mad, sir.”
“Computer, save, copy and paste the current hologram.”
The computer made stuttering gutteral noises and they heard the noise of the holo projectors.
“What happened?” Ayala asked.
Crusher looked dumbfounded. The process had not created another cat-pegasus-narwhal. Crusher stared at his friend.
“Don't look at your hands,” Crusher said.
Gingerly Ayala did just that – they were green. “What the hell!”
“You appear to have the holo-skin of an...”
“Orion?”
“An ogre,” Crusher spluttered, unable to contain his mirth.
Ayala ran his hands over his head. His ears were now pointing outwards. His hair had vanished and he was dressed in armour with spiked shoulder pads.
“I'll fix it,” Crusher said.
“No!” Ayala said. His voice had deepened. “At least I can fight like this.”
Crusher nodded and considered that they still needed weapons. He crossed to the creature and tentatively petted it. The cat purred and lowered itself so that Crusher could get on its back. He spoke commands to the computer to get weapons. After questions regarding definition of weapons it eventually gave Ayala a battleaxe and Crusher a long glistening spear.
“What are you wearing?” Ayala asked.
Crusher looked down. He hadn't noticed that the hololab had changed his appearance too. His black uniform had transformed into dark blue hot pants and a sweatshirt sporting a smiling clown face.
“Let's sort this out,” he said. “These things are chafing.”
They were beamed, and the holograms were transferred, outside of the ship. Ayala's ogre form remained.
“I hope you can undo this,” he said.
“Don't worry,” replied Crusher. “When we leave the holofield you should be back to normal.”
“Should?”
“Get up here.”
Ayala jumped up on the cat behind Crusher. With a single pat from Crusher the creature spread its wings and took to the sky. They flew low towards the rhinoceros-crocodiles but the creatures didn't even flinch.
“What are they waiting for?” Crusher asked.
“That,” Ayala said. Crusher turned the beast round to look over the Endeavour. Lava was spreading out from the volcano.
“How did we not notice that?” Crusher exclaimed.
“Funky ore?”
“We've got to stop it before it reaches the Endeavour.”
“How? We are riding a monstrosity.”
“Ever herded sheep?”
“Your suggesting we use the creatures as a barrier? That's like using a bucket with a hole in to stop the Titanic from sinking.”
“I must be losing my edge. You got any ideas?”
“No,” Ayala said, “but then I didn't save the flagship every other week in my youth!”
“At least my captain was sane.”
“True. What are we going to do?”
Crusher didn't know. He hated the feeling and searched his brain but could think of nothing.
“What about the destructo beam,” Ayala said.
“Sorry?”
“Captain Proton's rocket.”
“I know what it is,” said Crusher. “What are you suggesting?”
“Well in Attack of the Spiders he divert a lava flow.”
“Good idea,” Crusher said, “But the way the computer is behaving we can't be sure we'll get the rocket.”
“Indeed.” Ayala said. “What does that spear of yours do? It has to be in the database.”
Crusher slapped his com-badge, “Crusher to Endeavour.”
Little Nicola Coats told them that the spear had come from a fantasy game and was the weapon of choice for a goblin to terrorise medieval villages. Nicola was able to give a detailed description of what it could do.
“This'll work,” Crusher said.
“Yes. We'll need more holo-emitters.”
Teams of two were sent to the hololab to prep for their mission. The voice recognition system still malfunctioned and a hodgepodge of four groups materialised outside the ship. Two ensigns rode a fell beast, two others rode a mix of a roc and a penguin, another pair an ostrich with the wings of a pterodactyl, and finally a pair that looked embarrassed as they sat astride an overgrown sparrow.
“Excellent,” Crusher said, “follow me.”
The flight of weird creatures followed behind Crusher's monstrosity. Each carried a sack of holo-emitters. They flew to the edge of the holofield – a few metres further forward and their mounts could disappear.
“Here,” Crusher said.
Ayala pulled out a small holo-emitter. He tapped a control then flung it down. The emitter let out a small parachute as it glided just a little off target.
“Next,” Crusher said.
All four members of the flight dropped their emitters in co-ordination. As each set was let go the area in which they could fly increased. They were soon able to fly around the entire lava flow.
“Ready?” Ayala asked.
“Ready,” Crusher took a deep breath, gripped the cat with his thighs and kicked it off. The cat-pegasus flew towards the lava flow. Crusher took aim. They came in closer. And closer.
Crusher threw the spear. It shot down to the ground and embedded, more or less, where he had aimed. It made a small crater of earth, which became a trench as it turned back on itself and then back across the lava flow towards the mountains. Crusher watched as the lava was turned away from the Endeavour.
“Maybe we should think of a more permanent solution,” Ayala said, “and stop me from being a ogre and you from wearing that ridiculous top!”
Personal Log Stardate 56954.5. I've been reassigned to head up a new division of Starfleet security. Out job will be to investigate the viability of holographic defences. Our departmental symbol will be a cat-pegasus-narwhal.
Hope that that gave you some mild enjoyment.
See you soon.
"Do'h." Homer Simpson
Part of the reason for not being able to think of anything to do is that most things need money! The only reasonable way to have money is to work and if you work you won't have time! Good old catch 22!
I cook most days and my brother tells me I'm quite good at it. Mostly I use a slow cooker which is a great and easy way to make a meal. You can chop up vegetables, meat and throw them in, set it to cook come back at least five hours later and you have a meal. I should also mention that liquid is always needed in such a meal.
Why am I talking about this?
The truth is I don't even know. I want to post regular things here and so it seems a good idea to talk about something. I know that pictures would be good - but what of? Me seated at a computer typing?
I'd love to put up stories the problem with that is that magazines and competitions often want exclusivity.
However there is one story I wrote fairly recently that doesn't fall into that category so here it is. This was for a fan fic competition.
The Trouble with Winged Cats
The nacelles of the USS Endeavour had been flung several kilometres when the ship crashed. They had hurled through the air and smacked into the side of a volcano, busting into flames. The pylons themselves could still move like the leg stumps of a Tarkalean Salamander before it regrew its limbs.
The injuries among the crew had been light and there was little else to do but await rescue. While the captain was on leave, command fell to the executive officer – Lieutenant commander Wesley Crusher. He stood outside of the ship and surveyed the damage.
“The captain's not going like this.”
“You destroyed his ship!” Lieutenant Ayala exclaimed. “I'd say he'll be rather peeved. I hate Intrepid class starships!”
“Come on let's...”
Crusher was interrupted by a rustling in the trees. He placed a hand on his phaser as a creature came towards them. It was built like a rhinoceros but had a wide jaw like a crocodile. It charged. Crusher drew his phaser and pressed the trigger.
Nothing.
“Run!” Crusher cried. They ran. Crusher slapped his com-badge and requested an emergency beam out. The blue transporter beam took them, leaving the charging creature bemused.
Crusher thanked the transporter chief as they materialised, and headed for the bridge.
“Sir,” Ensign Mathewson said, “we have a problem.” Mathewson activated the view screen which showed hundreds of the rhinoceros-crocodiles heading towards the ship.
“We tried repelling them with the phasers but something prevents them from working in this environment.”
“We know,” Crusher said, “why did you do that? Surely they can't cause any damage to the ship?”
“If they charge together they could easily break through the hull.”
“Torpedoes?”
“They're too close. We'd just end up blowing ourselves up.”
“Ah,” said Crusher.
“Ah indeed,” said Ayala.
The monochromatic environment of the holodeck was a welcome break after hours of working on the phaser problem. The rhinoceros-crocodiles hadn't moved from their position.
Crusher enjoyed the ridiculousness of the holodeck; the over-the-top villains, the sexy slave girls and the complete lack of scientific accuracy or internal consistency. He ran along the rocky environment checking behind him and firing periodically.
“Those robots couldn't catch a cold on Breen!” Ayala said.
“Got to get in to the spirit of things – it's all make believe anyway!”
Ayala remained unconvinced. He shot behind him and one of the robots burst into orange flames. “I do love the splash of colour though!”
“Thought it added something.”
They hid for a couple of minutes behind a convenient outcrop of rock. The jittering, non-threatening robots shuffled past them.
“Now what?” Ayala asked.
“Now we head towards the fortress, rescue the damsels in distress and avoid Chaotica's death squads.”
Before they could move on to the fortress a call came over the comm, “Commander Crusher please report to the bridge,”
Crusher acknowledged the signal and ordered the program saved and closed. They were once again standing in their uniforms on the silver hologrid.
As Crusher stepped onto the bridge Mathewson was looking pensive. Standing next to him was Nicola Coats. She was the six year old daughter of the ship's chief engineer.
“Hello,” Crusher smiled.
“Hello,” she said. “I have an idea.”
“Go ahead,” Crusher said.
After Nicola had told Crusher her idea Ayala asked to speak with him in the ready room.
“Let me guess,” Crusher said, as the doors hissed shut, “you don't like this idea.”
“It's insane!”
“You have a better idea?”
“No,” Ayala said, “but that doesn't mean we should do this either.”
“When I was on the Enterprise,” Crusher began, “I...”
“Saved the ship every other week!” Ayala said.
“Well yeah,” Crusher smiled. “Those poor schlups would be dead without me. Without my repulsor beam...”
“It was you who caused the problem in the first place!”
“Oh, you knew about that one,” said Crusher sheepishly. “This plan could work. You know how often a holodeck malfunctions. Why not put it to good use? Please set up the holographic perimeter.”
“Aye sir.”
The rhinoceros-crocodile creatures ignored the team setting up the perimeter. Crusher and Ayala met in the hololab to design their attacking force.
“We need a predator of some sort.”
“Nothing could penetrate their hides!”
“We only need to scare them,” Crusher said. “Computer, show me a tiger.”
There was a stuttering sound and the noise or a typewriter typing before an image was finally projected. At first they could see nothing. Then they heard a sound.
“Meow.”
As they looked over the edge of the control console they saw a small tabby cat. It sat down and began to lick itself.
“Is it me or is that not terribly threatening?” Ayala asked.
“At least it's a cat.”
“Let me try something,” Ayala said. “Computer, show me a unicorn.”
The computer stuttered again and a floating sea creature appeared. It had a long horn but certainly wasn't a unicorn.
“That's a narwhal!” exclaimed Ayala.
“Something is definitely wrong...”
The narwhal moved towards the small cat. Its jaw opened wider than should have been possible and it devoured the cat with a burp. Suddenly the narwhal's flippers changed to hairy legs and it began to prowl around.
Ayala said, “Computer, show me an albatross and a pterodactyl.”
The computer made its stuttering noises again and projected two flying creatures – a sparrow and a pegasus. The pegasus charged forward and batted the sparrow into its mouth with a wing. Then the narwhal-cat and pegasus turned their attention to each other. They padded the ground and charged. As they collided they mushed together like two balls of clay and became one creature. It was mostly cat with green eyes and fur but somehow it had grown to be about two metres high – it had the wings of the pegasus and the horn of the narwhal.
“We have our mount,” Crusher said. “What do you think?”
“I think you're mad, sir.”
“Computer, save, copy and paste the current hologram.”
The computer made stuttering gutteral noises and they heard the noise of the holo projectors.
“What happened?” Ayala asked.
Crusher looked dumbfounded. The process had not created another cat-pegasus-narwhal. Crusher stared at his friend.
“Don't look at your hands,” Crusher said.
Gingerly Ayala did just that – they were green. “What the hell!”
“You appear to have the holo-skin of an...”
“Orion?”
“An ogre,” Crusher spluttered, unable to contain his mirth.
Ayala ran his hands over his head. His ears were now pointing outwards. His hair had vanished and he was dressed in armour with spiked shoulder pads.
“I'll fix it,” Crusher said.
“No!” Ayala said. His voice had deepened. “At least I can fight like this.”
Crusher nodded and considered that they still needed weapons. He crossed to the creature and tentatively petted it. The cat purred and lowered itself so that Crusher could get on its back. He spoke commands to the computer to get weapons. After questions regarding definition of weapons it eventually gave Ayala a battleaxe and Crusher a long glistening spear.
“What are you wearing?” Ayala asked.
Crusher looked down. He hadn't noticed that the hololab had changed his appearance too. His black uniform had transformed into dark blue hot pants and a sweatshirt sporting a smiling clown face.
“Let's sort this out,” he said. “These things are chafing.”
They were beamed, and the holograms were transferred, outside of the ship. Ayala's ogre form remained.
“I hope you can undo this,” he said.
“Don't worry,” replied Crusher. “When we leave the holofield you should be back to normal.”
“Should?”
“Get up here.”
Ayala jumped up on the cat behind Crusher. With a single pat from Crusher the creature spread its wings and took to the sky. They flew low towards the rhinoceros-crocodiles but the creatures didn't even flinch.
“What are they waiting for?” Crusher asked.
“That,” Ayala said. Crusher turned the beast round to look over the Endeavour. Lava was spreading out from the volcano.
“How did we not notice that?” Crusher exclaimed.
“Funky ore?”
“We've got to stop it before it reaches the Endeavour.”
“How? We are riding a monstrosity.”
“Ever herded sheep?”
“Your suggesting we use the creatures as a barrier? That's like using a bucket with a hole in to stop the Titanic from sinking.”
“I must be losing my edge. You got any ideas?”
“No,” Ayala said, “but then I didn't save the flagship every other week in my youth!”
“At least my captain was sane.”
“True. What are we going to do?”
Crusher didn't know. He hated the feeling and searched his brain but could think of nothing.
“What about the destructo beam,” Ayala said.
“Sorry?”
“Captain Proton's rocket.”
“I know what it is,” said Crusher. “What are you suggesting?”
“Well in Attack of the Spiders he divert a lava flow.”
“Good idea,” Crusher said, “But the way the computer is behaving we can't be sure we'll get the rocket.”
“Indeed.” Ayala said. “What does that spear of yours do? It has to be in the database.”
Crusher slapped his com-badge, “Crusher to Endeavour.”
Little Nicola Coats told them that the spear had come from a fantasy game and was the weapon of choice for a goblin to terrorise medieval villages. Nicola was able to give a detailed description of what it could do.
“This'll work,” Crusher said.
“Yes. We'll need more holo-emitters.”
Teams of two were sent to the hololab to prep for their mission. The voice recognition system still malfunctioned and a hodgepodge of four groups materialised outside the ship. Two ensigns rode a fell beast, two others rode a mix of a roc and a penguin, another pair an ostrich with the wings of a pterodactyl, and finally a pair that looked embarrassed as they sat astride an overgrown sparrow.
“Excellent,” Crusher said, “follow me.”
The flight of weird creatures followed behind Crusher's monstrosity. Each carried a sack of holo-emitters. They flew to the edge of the holofield – a few metres further forward and their mounts could disappear.
“Here,” Crusher said.
Ayala pulled out a small holo-emitter. He tapped a control then flung it down. The emitter let out a small parachute as it glided just a little off target.
“Next,” Crusher said.
All four members of the flight dropped their emitters in co-ordination. As each set was let go the area in which they could fly increased. They were soon able to fly around the entire lava flow.
“Ready?” Ayala asked.
“Ready,” Crusher took a deep breath, gripped the cat with his thighs and kicked it off. The cat-pegasus flew towards the lava flow. Crusher took aim. They came in closer. And closer.
Crusher threw the spear. It shot down to the ground and embedded, more or less, where he had aimed. It made a small crater of earth, which became a trench as it turned back on itself and then back across the lava flow towards the mountains. Crusher watched as the lava was turned away from the Endeavour.
“Maybe we should think of a more permanent solution,” Ayala said, “and stop me from being a ogre and you from wearing that ridiculous top!”
Personal Log Stardate 56954.5. I've been reassigned to head up a new division of Starfleet security. Out job will be to investigate the viability of holographic defences. Our departmental symbol will be a cat-pegasus-narwhal.
Hope that that gave you some mild enjoyment.
See you soon.
"Do'h." Homer Simpson
Saturday 24 July 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-07-24
Tab
"Tab," Walter said, "put it on my tab."
"Can't do that," the bartender said, "you know that."
Walter reached in to his pocket and chucked some change, an empty packet of gum and a library card on to the bar. The bartender took the coins he wanted and placed them in the register. Walter scraped the remaining change, the gum packet and the library card back in to his palm and back into his pocket.
He took up the shot glass and ran his finger around the rim. He had the look of a starving man who had been given a fish instead of a net. He nursed the drink for a while before taking it down in one gulp.
"Two coffees," a tall man was suddenly standing next to him. He wore a long coat and handed over a ten pound note to pay for the drinks.
"What table are you at?" the bartender asked, "we'll bring it to you."
"I'll wait," the man said. He turned to Walter, "you are Walter Patterson."
"Who wants to know?"
"You are in some financial trouble. You were recommended by a friend of mine. This job stands to make you a very rich man. The other coffee is for you - we need you sober. Are you interested?"
"Tab," Walter said, "put it on my tab."
"Can't do that," the bartender said, "you know that."
Walter reached in to his pocket and chucked some change, an empty packet of gum and a library card on to the bar. The bartender took the coins he wanted and placed them in the register. Walter scraped the remaining change, the gum packet and the library card back in to his palm and back into his pocket.
He took up the shot glass and ran his finger around the rim. He had the look of a starving man who had been given a fish instead of a net. He nursed the drink for a while before taking it down in one gulp.
"Two coffees," a tall man was suddenly standing next to him. He wore a long coat and handed over a ten pound note to pay for the drinks.
"What table are you at?" the bartender asked, "we'll bring it to you."
"I'll wait," the man said. He turned to Walter, "you are Walter Patterson."
"Who wants to know?"
"You are in some financial trouble. You were recommended by a friend of mine. This job stands to make you a very rich man. The other coffee is for you - we need you sober. Are you interested?"
Sunday 18 July 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-07-21
Sabbath
It is strangle appropriate and in appropriate that this story is being written on Sunday. (That's assuming that I click the submit button today) Appropriate that today is the Sabbath for Christians. Of course technically this could count as work and so shouldn't be being done now.
I know that the title of this section is 'Dictionary Stories' but there are some words that simply do not call a story to my mind. So I will use this as a segue to talk about religion. I'm a Buddhist and recently have become a practicing Buddhist.
By this I mean that I say mantra every morning and try silent sitting. It is strange how difficult it can be to just sit in silence trying, though try might be a contradiction, to think of nothing. My mind is always a jumble of varies things - story ideas - what's for dinner and many other things. Plus the sound of the road outside my house can be quite distracting.
(Well what do you know? Its now Wednesday! Days go so fast!)
...but somewhere amongst all of that you somehow get to a moment of...I don't know what the word is. A moment of something and then suddenly the silent sitting seems to work.
I know that this post is long and rambling and has nothing to do with the title. I keep thinking of incorporating pictures into the blog but am not really ever sure of what - any ideas? Went to Ikea today and that doesn't seem a thing necessary to post.
It is strangle appropriate and in appropriate that this story is being written on Sunday. (That's assuming that I click the submit button today) Appropriate that today is the Sabbath for Christians. Of course technically this could count as work and so shouldn't be being done now.
I know that the title of this section is 'Dictionary Stories' but there are some words that simply do not call a story to my mind. So I will use this as a segue to talk about religion. I'm a Buddhist and recently have become a practicing Buddhist.
By this I mean that I say mantra every morning and try silent sitting. It is strange how difficult it can be to just sit in silence trying, though try might be a contradiction, to think of nothing. My mind is always a jumble of varies things - story ideas - what's for dinner and many other things. Plus the sound of the road outside my house can be quite distracting.
(Well what do you know? Its now Wednesday! Days go so fast!)
...but somewhere amongst all of that you somehow get to a moment of...I don't know what the word is. A moment of something and then suddenly the silent sitting seems to work.
I know that this post is long and rambling and has nothing to do with the title. I keep thinking of incorporating pictures into the blog but am not really ever sure of what - any ideas? Went to Ikea today and that doesn't seem a thing necessary to post.
Sunday 11 July 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-07-11
Well its been another month since I've posted here. Never seem to get to it, as I've said before and probably will say again, but the question is: Is their anybody there? Anybody but my brother reading this. If you exist leave a message ideas for a story that you'd like to see.
Writing is a strange old thing and I have found an interesting phenomenon recently - it is easier to be creative, in science fiction, the further from today you are writing. Let me show you what I mean. It depends when the story is set.
2110: We probably won't have FLT - we might have met aliens. (OK those might me contradictory) - probably have landed, if not have some sort of colony on mars.
2210: The 2200s are where Babylon 5 is set (2258-2262) will we have that level of technology?
2310: The century of TNG and such. They have all sorts of wacky technologies we can conceive of today - How do the transporters work? Very well thank you.
Can't think of a sci-fi set in the twenty-fifth century. Just looked it up - Buck Rogers - but I know nothing about it.
2510: The approximate setting of Firefly. No aliens of FLT but they do have artificial gravity. But then Firefly, though a great series don't get me wrong, isn't about being in space as such.
So across these centuries different authors have had different ideas of the future. Some are just telling a story. So science doesn't matter at all. JMS however has said that B5 is an achieved future - its part of the idea.
Roddenberry wasn't the best of writers, sorry, but conceived an excellent universe. Star Trek was always more about the people than the science. That to presents problems as a writer. Do you take the US, or Royal, Navy and put them in space, traditions, ranks and everything or do you not?
For some reason the year 2344 called to me as the setting for my science fiction. But we know a lot now - whats possible and what isn't possible. Some how the twenty-four century feels to me like a time where one has to consider the real world.
Somehow a story set in the year 3000 feels like you could have all the freedom you could want. Its far enough away that modern ideas have transformed. Military ranks for one thing. I've been devising a list of ranks for my stories military trying to make it smiler to today. But all the nations I've researched have their own ideas and most seem to make sense on some level.
There are no answers to how to write science fiction. Setting a story in 3000 has its own problems. Will the shopping mall in our town still exist for instance or will it just all be ordered online.
Of course none of us will know but one thing all science fictions seem to have in common is that for some things they are way off, i.e there is no hint of us developing warp drive by the end of the century - but they can also be off in the other direction. We have better data storage devices that the...
"Enterprise...1 7 0 1, no bloody A,B,C or D," Montgomery Scott - Relics
Writing is a strange old thing and I have found an interesting phenomenon recently - it is easier to be creative, in science fiction, the further from today you are writing. Let me show you what I mean. It depends when the story is set.
2110: We probably won't have FLT - we might have met aliens. (OK those might me contradictory) - probably have landed, if not have some sort of colony on mars.
2210: The 2200s are where Babylon 5 is set (2258-2262) will we have that level of technology?
2310: The century of TNG and such. They have all sorts of wacky technologies we can conceive of today - How do the transporters work? Very well thank you.
Can't think of a sci-fi set in the twenty-fifth century. Just looked it up - Buck Rogers - but I know nothing about it.
2510: The approximate setting of Firefly. No aliens of FLT but they do have artificial gravity. But then Firefly, though a great series don't get me wrong, isn't about being in space as such.
So across these centuries different authors have had different ideas of the future. Some are just telling a story. So science doesn't matter at all. JMS however has said that B5 is an achieved future - its part of the idea.
Roddenberry wasn't the best of writers, sorry, but conceived an excellent universe. Star Trek was always more about the people than the science. That to presents problems as a writer. Do you take the US, or Royal, Navy and put them in space, traditions, ranks and everything or do you not?
For some reason the year 2344 called to me as the setting for my science fiction. But we know a lot now - whats possible and what isn't possible. Some how the twenty-four century feels to me like a time where one has to consider the real world.
Somehow a story set in the year 3000 feels like you could have all the freedom you could want. Its far enough away that modern ideas have transformed. Military ranks for one thing. I've been devising a list of ranks for my stories military trying to make it smiler to today. But all the nations I've researched have their own ideas and most seem to make sense on some level.
There are no answers to how to write science fiction. Setting a story in 3000 has its own problems. Will the shopping mall in our town still exist for instance or will it just all be ordered online.
Of course none of us will know but one thing all science fictions seem to have in common is that for some things they are way off, i.e there is no hint of us developing warp drive by the end of the century - but they can also be off in the other direction. We have better data storage devices that the...
"Enterprise...1 7 0 1, no bloody A,B,C or D," Montgomery Scott - Relics
Thursday 10 June 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-06-10
Rabbat
Rabbet is a word in the English language. It is a world that I had not encountered before embarking on this insane endeavour! It is also a word that the blogspot dictionary is unaware of - though blogspot is coming up as a misspelling as well - so I guess that that isn't saying much.
Rabbet, according to faithful wikipiedia is:
A rabbet (also known as rebate) is a recess or groove cut into the edge of a piece of machineable material, usually wood. When viewed in cross-section, a rabbet is two-sided and open to the edge or end of the surface into which it is cut. - (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbet)
There you are. You lean something new every day - too bad its of no use whatsoever - unless you happen to be a carpenter. By the way a carpenter is someone who works with wood. It is not someone who paints cars.
Rabbet is a word in the English language. It is a world that I had not encountered before embarking on this insane endeavour! It is also a word that the blogspot dictionary is unaware of - though blogspot is coming up as a misspelling as well - so I guess that that isn't saying much.
Rabbet, according to faithful wikipiedia is:
A rabbet (also known as rebate) is a recess or groove cut into the edge of a piece of machineable material, usually wood. When viewed in cross-section, a rabbet is two-sided and open to the edge or end of the surface into which it is cut. - (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbet)
There you are. You lean something new every day - too bad its of no use whatsoever - unless you happen to be a carpenter. By the way a carpenter is someone who works with wood. It is not someone who paints cars.
Tuesday 8 June 2010
Writer's blog 2010-06-08
Sometimes when the inspiration to write is absent I search for writing advice on the Internet. This is doomed to fail. The reason being that one website's must do is another's absolutely must not do but I found something that was actually useful a few weeks back.
"If outlines don't work for you, don't do them. Don't worry about finding the mountain. Just put one foot in front of the other and start climbing." JMS - http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22356.
This is what I have found I've tried the planning thing and it doesn't work - for me. To paraphrase Douglas Adams you don't need to know the history of the East India company to make a cup of tea. I think that some background for characters is necessary but you don't have to know every single thing - nor should you know nothing.
Oddly different things I've written seem to work in different ways. So my fantasy novel is one long flowing document - my sci-fi novel is split in chapter sections. So whatever works.
And now for do as I say not as I do - carry a notebook wherever you go. If you want to be a writer inspiration can come from anything and everything.
"Never surrender dream," JMS - http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.1662.never_surrender_dreams
"If outlines don't work for you, don't do them. Don't worry about finding the mountain. Just put one foot in front of the other and start climbing." JMS - http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22356.
This is what I have found I've tried the planning thing and it doesn't work - for me. To paraphrase Douglas Adams you don't need to know the history of the East India company to make a cup of tea. I think that some background for characters is necessary but you don't have to know every single thing - nor should you know nothing.
Oddly different things I've written seem to work in different ways. So my fantasy novel is one long flowing document - my sci-fi novel is split in chapter sections. So whatever works.
And now for do as I say not as I do - carry a notebook wherever you go. If you want to be a writer inspiration can come from anything and everything.
"Never surrender dream," JMS - http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.1662.never_surrender_dreams
Sunday 6 June 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-06-06
If you've read the latest Dictionary Story I know what your thinking - 'He's gone mad' well you're wrong I was always mad. That was sort of the point of doing these stories just to see what came to mind. So I have proven that my mind is insane.
Taking of insanity I was in town yesterday (Cardiff) no not for the match. In fact I didn't actually know there was a match on so the craziness was a bit of a surprise. Nevertheless despite the noise and the drunk people it was a fun night out.
If anyone is reading this feel free to leave comments. Thinks you'd like to see - things you wouldn't like to see. I am still writing every day but have taken a step back a bit in one of my novels - my bad. The other one however is going well.
'I got nothing...yet' Samantha Carter - Stargate SG-1
Taking of insanity I was in town yesterday (Cardiff) no not for the match. In fact I didn't actually know there was a match on so the craziness was a bit of a surprise. Nevertheless despite the noise and the drunk people it was a fun night out.
If anyone is reading this feel free to leave comments. Thinks you'd like to see - things you wouldn't like to see. I am still writing every day but have taken a step back a bit in one of my novels - my bad. The other one however is going well.
'I got nothing...yet' Samantha Carter - Stargate SG-1
Saturday 5 June 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-06-05
Quack
"Quack, quack quack," the teacher said.
"Quack, quack quack," the class repeated.
"Almost," she said, "its a very subtle language. Let's break it down in to the three words. Quack - quack - quack."
The class repeated.
"Excellent," the teacher said, "now I believe our guest speaker is here. Alice would you open the window?"
Alice pushed away her table and crossed to the window and opened it. As soon as the gap was large enough a white duck flew in and landed on the teacher's desk.
"Hello," the duck said, "I understand you've been learning our language. It is most subtle and one of the hardest languages to learn. Just be glad your not learning chicken!"
"Quack, quack quack," the teacher said.
"Quack, quack quack," the class repeated.
"Almost," she said, "its a very subtle language. Let's break it down in to the three words. Quack - quack - quack."
The class repeated.
"Excellent," the teacher said, "now I believe our guest speaker is here. Alice would you open the window?"
Alice pushed away her table and crossed to the window and opened it. As soon as the gap was large enough a white duck flew in and landed on the teacher's desk.
"Hello," the duck said, "I understand you've been learning our language. It is most subtle and one of the hardest languages to learn. Just be glad your not learning chicken!"
Friday 4 June 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-06-04
Well the road to hell is coming along nicely. By that I mean I have the intention of writing on here, in some fashion, everyday. Obviously I haven't! No real explanation other than stuff gets in the way. Here I am anyway.
The impetus of my novel writing is continuing on course and although I have gone back and done some editing again, I know bad bad, the word count is edging forward like ants with heavy shopping. I've also been reading the Saga of Seven Suns by Kevin J. Anderson - on the third book now. An excellent space saga series. There are many characters and short chapters. Now in writing my own science fiction novel I find myself emulating this style as it seems to be most effective. So if you want something to read over the summer I thoroughly recommend this series.
By my calculations today my university results should be on their way to me to day. At least its been twenty-eight working days so here's hoping!
I'll be back later in the week/day with more stuff. Feel free to leave comments about pretty much anything!
'There's no normal life Wayatt/Michael there's just life.' Tombstone/Babylon 5
The impetus of my novel writing is continuing on course and although I have gone back and done some editing again, I know bad bad, the word count is edging forward like ants with heavy shopping. I've also been reading the Saga of Seven Suns by Kevin J. Anderson - on the third book now. An excellent space saga series. There are many characters and short chapters. Now in writing my own science fiction novel I find myself emulating this style as it seems to be most effective. So if you want something to read over the summer I thoroughly recommend this series.
By my calculations today my university results should be on their way to me to day. At least its been twenty-eight working days so here's hoping!
I'll be back later in the week/day with more stuff. Feel free to leave comments about pretty much anything!
'There's no normal life Wayatt/Michael there's just life.' Tombstone/Babylon 5
Tuesday 11 May 2010
Dictionary Strories 2010-05-11
Pace
Pace. That was the key. If a good pace was kept up then he would be able to reach the finishing line. He told himself that he would not ever stop rather he would simply slow to a walk if he require a rest. As his tail moved from side-to-side he was glad of it being a good day for the marathon. He was sweating in the thick coat. He looked at the orange fur of his body and sighed. He was given the impetus to break into a run as a man dressed as a cigarette passed him. They must have been working for the NHS promoting non-smoking. As the cigarette-man passed him he slowed to a walk once more.
"Why," he asked himself, "why did I have to run dressed as a cat. Why when there were plenty of other cooler choices in that costume shop!"
Pace. That was the key. If a good pace was kept up then he would be able to reach the finishing line. He told himself that he would not ever stop rather he would simply slow to a walk if he require a rest. As his tail moved from side-to-side he was glad of it being a good day for the marathon. He was sweating in the thick coat. He looked at the orange fur of his body and sighed. He was given the impetus to break into a run as a man dressed as a cigarette passed him. They must have been working for the NHS promoting non-smoking. As the cigarette-man passed him he slowed to a walk once more.
"Why," he asked himself, "why did I have to run dressed as a cat. Why when there were plenty of other cooler choices in that costume shop!"
Saturday 1 May 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-05-01
Hi everyone.
I know I've been away for a long time. Sorry about that. I hope to be back now and hope to be putting up posts regularly. Anyone who's at university will now how assignments come in at this time of year. Mine are almost finished and I guess I need to get a job.
On the subject of jobs does anyone know a good answer to the question, "Why do you want this job?" When I hear that all I can think is: 'Because in a capitalist society money is required for the exchange of goods and services!" I mean seriously.
I know some jobs are very important. If you are a doctor, nurse, fireman, soldier, airman, sailor, police officer or some such it can probable attached to ideas of honor or what not. But if you are applying to be a cashier or a burger flipper you can't really claim that its what you've wanted to do all your life. So interviews must know that the answer to that question will be, mostly, a load of BS - so why do they ask it.
You may not believe this, since I've only uploaded a quarter of a novel, but I consider myself to be a writer. A job is simply a means to an end. I want money to be able to buy that DVD or CD to be able to take a girl out sometime. (Thought for the latter all I find out is that I'm a great guy but...And the girl, lets call her Cerys, didn't think it was a date. I will not use the term friend zone, I will not use the term friend zone, I will not use the term friend zone)
All this is made worse by the media. They seem to think that those on the Dole, sorry Job Seekers allowance, but I'm going to go with Dole are lazy. While this may be true for some it certainly isn't for all. I looked for loads of jobs in the two years but nothing. Had a few interviews but never got to the final getting of the job.
Okay I did get one but that was terrible. Should we therefore except a terrible job? Even if it is underpaid?
So good luck to all those hardworking job seekers those who are really trying to get their job. I know it sucks. My advice, I know I'm not speaking to anyone here, find a hobby. Writing is quite good, thought it doesn't get you out of the house. Maybe take up an instrument, a martial art, running, cycling or any sport. A friend of mine, lets call her Nicola, said she was so bored when looking for work. She sent out hundreds of applications and eventually got something. However it sounded that there was nothing else going on for her without employment.
No answers I suppose but I am almost free of university now and will be uploading stuff on a semi-frequent basis. Thank you for sticking this long rambling aside out. I shall end by a shameless promotion.
Vote Lib dem on May 6th. For students they will cut your debt!
I hope to be posting another dictionary story latter today so watch out for it.
"Let me explain. No, there is too much, let me sum up." Inigo Montoya - The Princess Bride.
I know I've been away for a long time. Sorry about that. I hope to be back now and hope to be putting up posts regularly. Anyone who's at university will now how assignments come in at this time of year. Mine are almost finished and I guess I need to get a job.
On the subject of jobs does anyone know a good answer to the question, "Why do you want this job?" When I hear that all I can think is: 'Because in a capitalist society money is required for the exchange of goods and services!" I mean seriously.
I know some jobs are very important. If you are a doctor, nurse, fireman, soldier, airman, sailor, police officer or some such it can probable attached to ideas of honor or what not. But if you are applying to be a cashier or a burger flipper you can't really claim that its what you've wanted to do all your life. So interviews must know that the answer to that question will be, mostly, a load of BS - so why do they ask it.
You may not believe this, since I've only uploaded a quarter of a novel, but I consider myself to be a writer. A job is simply a means to an end. I want money to be able to buy that DVD or CD to be able to take a girl out sometime. (Thought for the latter all I find out is that I'm a great guy but...And the girl, lets call her Cerys, didn't think it was a date. I will not use the term friend zone, I will not use the term friend zone, I will not use the term friend zone)
All this is made worse by the media. They seem to think that those on the Dole, sorry Job Seekers allowance, but I'm going to go with Dole are lazy. While this may be true for some it certainly isn't for all. I looked for loads of jobs in the two years but nothing. Had a few interviews but never got to the final getting of the job.
Okay I did get one but that was terrible. Should we therefore except a terrible job? Even if it is underpaid?
So good luck to all those hardworking job seekers those who are really trying to get their job. I know it sucks. My advice, I know I'm not speaking to anyone here, find a hobby. Writing is quite good, thought it doesn't get you out of the house. Maybe take up an instrument, a martial art, running, cycling or any sport. A friend of mine, lets call her Nicola, said she was so bored when looking for work. She sent out hundreds of applications and eventually got something. However it sounded that there was nothing else going on for her without employment.
No answers I suppose but I am almost free of university now and will be uploading stuff on a semi-frequent basis. Thank you for sticking this long rambling aside out. I shall end by a shameless promotion.
Vote Lib dem on May 6th. For students they will cut your debt!
I hope to be posting another dictionary story latter today so watch out for it.
"Let me explain. No, there is too much, let me sum up." Inigo Montoya - The Princess Bride.
Thursday 11 March 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-03-11
Well yesterday we had the fiasco that was our module choice fair. I don't know if its the same everywhere but in may experience most educational institutes couldn't organise their way out of a paper bag!
Anywho I've chosen the subjects I'm studying for next year: Dissertation, Writing Culture and Society and Scriptwriting. It should be a relatively simple and straight forward year - we only have to go in once a fortnight for most subjects!
Even better than that I can start work over the summer!
Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire - William Butler Yeats
Anywho I've chosen the subjects I'm studying for next year: Dissertation, Writing Culture and Society and Scriptwriting. It should be a relatively simple and straight forward year - we only have to go in once a fortnight for most subjects!
Even better than that I can start work over the summer!
Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire - William Butler Yeats
Wednesday 10 March 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-03-10
Oaf
OAF. John couldn't help but laugh as he read his ticket. He could almost imagine that the ticket was commenting on him. He had been called as much at school. It hadn't been that he was especially dimwitted but, as he had once looked in his dictionary, he was certainly awkward. His forehead was inflamed as if it came too far out. His nose and mouth were also too large and he had almost a demonic appearance. Aside from some discomfort he had had as a child he could mostly live a normal life. He still got people staring at him but now it seemed most were embarrassed by their own behaviour he had learned to ignore it.
The train pulled into the platform and John boarded. He was looking forward to the continuation of his Australian adventure. It had been purely by chance that he had come here. After leaving university he had decided to go traveling and had various ideas of where to go. He had put the options up on a dartboard and thrown a dart blindfolded as a random generator. Australia had won. He had started with the Sidney Opera House and was now moving on to the unknown Australia. He would soon arrive at the station with the code of OAF.
OAF. John couldn't help but laugh as he read his ticket. He could almost imagine that the ticket was commenting on him. He had been called as much at school. It hadn't been that he was especially dimwitted but, as he had once looked in his dictionary, he was certainly awkward. His forehead was inflamed as if it came too far out. His nose and mouth were also too large and he had almost a demonic appearance. Aside from some discomfort he had had as a child he could mostly live a normal life. He still got people staring at him but now it seemed most were embarrassed by their own behaviour he had learned to ignore it.
The train pulled into the platform and John boarded. He was looking forward to the continuation of his Australian adventure. It had been purely by chance that he had come here. After leaving university he had decided to go traveling and had various ideas of where to go. He had put the options up on a dartboard and thrown a dart blindfolded as a random generator. Australia had won. He had started with the Sidney Opera House and was now moving on to the unknown Australia. He would soon arrive at the station with the code of OAF.
Friday 26 February 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-02-26
Nab
"Nab," dad said as he reached over grabbing a chip.
"That's not the right word," Charlie said, "why don't you get yourself some chips?"
"Your mother's got me on this diet - no chips."
"Got to indulge now and then." Charlie said, passing his father a couple more chips.
"You're mother wouldn't agree with that."
"What she doesn't know won't hurt her."
"Not true," dad said. He was clearly enjoying the chips. He held the last one up like it was a holy relic before placing it on his tongue, biting and closing his mouth dramatically.
"You could try the exercise thing."
"I suppose," dad said, "think I could combine exercise and chips?"
"If you walked far enough or often enough."
Dad smiled as an idea crossed his mind,"I'll do the shopping on foot today. See you in a couple of hours."
"Nab," dad said as he reached over grabbing a chip.
"That's not the right word," Charlie said, "why don't you get yourself some chips?"
"Your mother's got me on this diet - no chips."
"Got to indulge now and then." Charlie said, passing his father a couple more chips.
"You're mother wouldn't agree with that."
"What she doesn't know won't hurt her."
"Not true," dad said. He was clearly enjoying the chips. He held the last one up like it was a holy relic before placing it on his tongue, biting and closing his mouth dramatically.
"You could try the exercise thing."
"I suppose," dad said, "think I could combine exercise and chips?"
"If you walked far enough or often enough."
Dad smiled as an idea crossed his mind,"I'll do the shopping on foot today. See you in a couple of hours."
Wednesday 17 February 2010
The Pen is Mighter than the Keyboard
Like I said In a recent Writer's Blog this began as an exercise in class.
The Pen is Mightier than the Keyboard
My page is blank. So many possibilities; centaurs cantering over a hill, starships, fleets, empires, principalities, wizards, warriors and werewolf - It's still blank.
A part of my mind says 'write, just write and see what happens. This isn't my first writer's block - I've been here before - I know the patten. I'll write so far and then go back - edit - edit - edit after an hour or so two hundred words will have been written.
What about paper?
How did books get written before the computer? I can imagine Shakespeare looking at a page of Hamlet, a beautiful script - in both scenes of the word - then he sees it, yes, he's used the wrong there! The whole page has to be painstakingly rewritten.
Now things have gone too far the other way. It is now all too easy to edit. I heard once about an author, Harlan Ellison, who would sit in the window of a cafe with a pad of paper. As he finished a page he would stick it to the window. Those who passed by the window could read what was written but Ellison had to continue to write. Editing could come later.
The Pen is Mightier than the Keyboard
My page is blank. So many possibilities; centaurs cantering over a hill, starships, fleets, empires, principalities, wizards, warriors and werewolf - It's still blank.
A part of my mind says 'write, just write and see what happens. This isn't my first writer's block - I've been here before - I know the patten. I'll write so far and then go back - edit - edit - edit after an hour or so two hundred words will have been written.
What about paper?
How did books get written before the computer? I can imagine Shakespeare looking at a page of Hamlet, a beautiful script - in both scenes of the word - then he sees it, yes, he's used the wrong there! The whole page has to be painstakingly rewritten.
Now things have gone too far the other way. It is now all too easy to edit. I heard once about an author, Harlan Ellison, who would sit in the window of a cafe with a pad of paper. As he finished a page he would stick it to the window. Those who passed by the window could read what was written but Ellison had to continue to write. Editing could come later.
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Writer's Blog 2010-02-16
A couple of weeks ago we were given the prompt "The pen is mightier than the keyboard." This was in writing non-fiction. I must admit when I heard that I was unconvinced. After thinking about it however I decided there is a great deal of truth in that statement.
I have now started writing my books with pen and paper, about three pages a day, and found it works so much better than using a computer. For one thing you can't go back and edit so you keep the momentum going! Another is that if you need to make notes or work something out you can do so in the margins!
I have now started writing my books with pen and paper, about three pages a day, and found it works so much better than using a computer. For one thing you can't go back and edit so you keep the momentum going! Another is that if you need to make notes or work something out you can do so in the margins!
Dictionary Stories 2010-02-16
Ma'am
"Ma'am," Chief Broadhurst said.
Ma'am it still sounded strange to the ears of Lieutenant Llewellyn. The Chief Petty Officer had served for nearly thirty years and yet had to call her ma'am. She pushed herself up from the Harrier and climbed down on to the deck.
"Thank you Chief."
"Your welcome. Are you all right ma'am?"
"First night landing."
They walked across the deck to the control tower. Llewellyn knew that Commander Air would be their waiting for her. She was sure he'd find some small fault with her landing.
"Ma'am," Chief Broadhurst said.
Ma'am it still sounded strange to the ears of Lieutenant Llewellyn. The Chief Petty Officer had served for nearly thirty years and yet had to call her ma'am. She pushed herself up from the Harrier and climbed down on to the deck.
"Thank you Chief."
"Your welcome. Are you all right ma'am?"
"First night landing."
They walked across the deck to the control tower. Llewellyn knew that Commander Air would be their waiting for her. She was sure he'd find some small fault with her landing.
Monday 15 February 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-02-15
Lab
"Lab was completely destroyed sir," Sergeant Walker reported.
"Cause?" the Superintendent asked.
"We have been unable to find one."
The Superintendent left his seat and crossed the room. He stroked his bearded chin in thought as he looked out the window.
"A lab doesn't just blow up. What we're they working on?"
"The lead scientist was not very forthcoming about that sir. She would only say that she trusted her staff and that they we're not working on anything controversial or explosive."
"A lab has gas taps."
"Yes sir. It wasn't a gas explosion however."
"Keep on this Inspector."
"Sergeant sir."
"Not if you solve this mystery."
"Yes, sir. Thank you sir."
"Dismissed."
"Lab was completely destroyed sir," Sergeant Walker reported.
"Cause?" the Superintendent asked.
"We have been unable to find one."
The Superintendent left his seat and crossed the room. He stroked his bearded chin in thought as he looked out the window.
"A lab doesn't just blow up. What we're they working on?"
"The lead scientist was not very forthcoming about that sir. She would only say that she trusted her staff and that they we're not working on anything controversial or explosive."
"A lab has gas taps."
"Yes sir. It wasn't a gas explosion however."
"Keep on this Inspector."
"Sergeant sir."
"Not if you solve this mystery."
"Yes, sir. Thank you sir."
"Dismissed."
Thursday 11 February 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-02-12
Kabaddi
"Kabaddi!" Mr Jones paced across the headmasters office. "They have a problem with a game. Why?"
"Well," said the headmaster, putting on a toff accent, "it's just not cricket."
"Literally and figuratively, I see."
"I'm sorry Mr Jones but you'll have to go back to the approved games."
"I will. Headmaster, Games lessons are difficult as it is to motivate the students. They were enjoying themselves."
"I don't think the governors are using logic."
Mr Jones left the headmasters office. As it happened he had a Games lesson straight away. Once everyone was changed they gathered in the sports hall.
"What are we doing today sir?" Mitchell asked.
"Cricket," Mr Jones said.
"What about that other game, sir?"
"I'm afraid we're not allowed to play that. The governors want us to stick to conventional sports."
"To hell with them," Mitchell said.
"Language," Mr Jones said, though only halfheartedly.
So they set up the wickets, bat and cones and played a strange high school variety of cricket. When the ball was thrown the batter hit it and tried to get as many runs round the cone before the bowler was in position to bowl again.
"This isn't cricket either," Mr Jones said to himself.
"Kabaddi!" Mr Jones paced across the headmasters office. "They have a problem with a game. Why?"
"Well," said the headmaster, putting on a toff accent, "it's just not cricket."
"Literally and figuratively, I see."
"I'm sorry Mr Jones but you'll have to go back to the approved games."
"I will. Headmaster, Games lessons are difficult as it is to motivate the students. They were enjoying themselves."
"I don't think the governors are using logic."
Mr Jones left the headmasters office. As it happened he had a Games lesson straight away. Once everyone was changed they gathered in the sports hall.
"What are we doing today sir?" Mitchell asked.
"Cricket," Mr Jones said.
"What about that other game, sir?"
"I'm afraid we're not allowed to play that. The governors want us to stick to conventional sports."
"To hell with them," Mitchell said.
"Language," Mr Jones said, though only halfheartedly.
So they set up the wickets, bat and cones and played a strange high school variety of cricket. When the ball was thrown the batter hit it and tried to get as many runs round the cone before the bowler was in position to bowl again.
"This isn't cricket either," Mr Jones said to himself.
Dictionary Stories 2010-02-11
Jab
"Jab,Jab," said Kurt. He brought the Biro down onto Boris's arm.
"Cut it out!"
"It'll be a needle next time!" Kurt taunted.
"I know," said Boris, "I don't need you to remind me of that!"
Boris moved away from his brother to the far end of the room. Kurt was an annoying pain a lot of the time but he would usually stop when asked to. Boris however couldn't help but look at his arm, which now had pen marks, he was still scared. The whole idea of the doctor plunging a needle into his arm was terrifying.
"Ready?" mum asked entering the living room.
"Ready?" Boris confirmed.
Boris and mum got into the car and set off for the doctor's surgery. Mum picked up one of the old magazines, Kurt just looked uncertainly round the room. Soon his name was called and they headed through to the doctors room.
"How are you today?2
"Okay," Boris said.
"Good," the doctor said. He reached behind him for a needle. "This will only hurt for a moment."
"I thought doctors we're supposed to say 'this won't hurt a bit.'"
"I never lie to my patients."
The doctor carefully pushed the needle into Boris's arm. It stung for a moment then the tube the doctor attached began to fill with blood.
"That wasn't so bad," Boris said.
The doctor passed him a piece of cotton wool which Boris held in place till the doctor secured it with some micropore.
"We'll have the test results in about a week."
"Jab,Jab," said Kurt. He brought the Biro down onto Boris's arm.
"Cut it out!"
"It'll be a needle next time!" Kurt taunted.
"I know," said Boris, "I don't need you to remind me of that!"
Boris moved away from his brother to the far end of the room. Kurt was an annoying pain a lot of the time but he would usually stop when asked to. Boris however couldn't help but look at his arm, which now had pen marks, he was still scared. The whole idea of the doctor plunging a needle into his arm was terrifying.
"Ready?" mum asked entering the living room.
"Ready?" Boris confirmed.
Boris and mum got into the car and set off for the doctor's surgery. Mum picked up one of the old magazines, Kurt just looked uncertainly round the room. Soon his name was called and they headed through to the doctors room.
"How are you today?2
"Okay," Boris said.
"Good," the doctor said. He reached behind him for a needle. "This will only hurt for a moment."
"I thought doctors we're supposed to say 'this won't hurt a bit.'"
"I never lie to my patients."
The doctor carefully pushed the needle into Boris's arm. It stung for a moment then the tube the doctor attached began to fill with blood.
"That wasn't so bad," Boris said.
The doctor passed him a piece of cotton wool which Boris held in place till the doctor secured it with some micropore.
"We'll have the test results in about a week."
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-02-10
I
I think that this entry is somewhat of a cheat! After all a sentence starting with I can go any which way it wants. I could tell you about my childhood, university or my non existent love life. I believe I will postpone however as I would like to keep people reading. I know though that very few people actually read this blog. So I will try to be quite interesting.
I got nothing.
I will be back later in the week with a story of Jab. Also I'm in a celebratory mood as it is reading week next week, Tibetan new year this week end and a friend's birthday today. So happy birthday to all those born today, hope you all have a great time.
I think that this entry is somewhat of a cheat! After all a sentence starting with I can go any which way it wants. I could tell you about my childhood, university or my non existent love life. I believe I will postpone however as I would like to keep people reading. I know though that very few people actually read this blog. So I will try to be quite interesting.
I got nothing.
I will be back later in the week with a story of Jab. Also I'm in a celebratory mood as it is reading week next week, Tibetan new year this week end and a friend's birthday today. So happy birthday to all those born today, hope you all have a great time.
Friday 5 February 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-02-05
Ha
"Ha," said Sarah. She clicked her fingers in triumph and began to type feverishly. She was sure she was making mistakes but it didn't matter. Practically the first thing they told you when studding creative writing was that editing could come later. She had been working on her novel for, well if you counted her childhood crayon scribblings, all her life and still it wasn't done. At least four of the chapters she had written had been chapter one at one time. Now she had had the inspiration and decided to write long hand. Without a backspace button editing had to come at the end. Every evening she had written at least a page and had filled two large pads of paper. Now was the time to write it up on the computer. This had the advantage of instantly having a chance to edit.
Now she had added the prologue, epilogue and dedication and was ready to send the manuscript off. Only time would tell if it would be the next Harry Potter or a complete flop only enjoyed by friends and family.
"Ha," said Sarah. She clicked her fingers in triumph and began to type feverishly. She was sure she was making mistakes but it didn't matter. Practically the first thing they told you when studding creative writing was that editing could come later. She had been working on her novel for, well if you counted her childhood crayon scribblings, all her life and still it wasn't done. At least four of the chapters she had written had been chapter one at one time. Now she had had the inspiration and decided to write long hand. Without a backspace button editing had to come at the end. Every evening she had written at least a page and had filled two large pads of paper. Now was the time to write it up on the computer. This had the advantage of instantly having a chance to edit.
Now she had added the prologue, epilogue and dedication and was ready to send the manuscript off. Only time would tell if it would be the next Harry Potter or a complete flop only enjoyed by friends and family.
Wednesday 3 February 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-02-03
Gab
"Gab, the gift of the gab he's got," Granddad said.
"Surely nobody will listen to that moron," I said.
Granddad smiled. I think he appreciated my naivety. He know the power some people could command. They could say the most stupid things any yet somehow they were believed. We continued to watch the speech. The scary thing was a lot of what he said made sense but his solutions, we know, would be bad. If that small man on the television screen was elected he would slowly close the noose around anyone he didn't like. Granddad had been an historical professor and knew the methods that would be employed. Once the program was over he sat me down and spoke with great severity.
"Listen. If he is elected he will come for us, his people will, but not all at once. Speak out before his attention is turned to you. If you do not then by the time he has their will be no one left to speak for anyone."
"I understand," I told him.
I'm not sure I really understood but on searching the web I found I quote. I think it was to what granddad had alluded.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out. *
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...
"Gab, the gift of the gab he's got," Granddad said.
"Surely nobody will listen to that moron," I said.
Granddad smiled. I think he appreciated my naivety. He know the power some people could command. They could say the most stupid things any yet somehow they were believed. We continued to watch the speech. The scary thing was a lot of what he said made sense but his solutions, we know, would be bad. If that small man on the television screen was elected he would slowly close the noose around anyone he didn't like. Granddad had been an historical professor and knew the methods that would be employed. Once the program was over he sat me down and spoke with great severity.
"Listen. If he is elected he will come for us, his people will, but not all at once. Speak out before his attention is turned to you. If you do not then by the time he has their will be no one left to speak for anyone."
"I understand," I told him.
I'm not sure I really understood but on searching the web I found I quote. I think it was to what granddad had alluded.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out. *
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...
Tuesday 26 January 2010
Dictionary Storie 2009-01-26
Fabian
"Fabian," the teacher repeated. She turned around writing the word on the white-board. Scratching her chin she tried to think of how to explain it. "Think of cautious," she said. "Sorry for the interruption please continue."
John sighted before continuing. He hadn't minded the interruption but it had caused him to loose his train of thought. "However in the case of the New Washington government this inclination towards delaying tactics was only a ruse. The party was only stalling to get their forces into position. Two days after another deadlocked session paramilitary forces ceased missile bases on the ground. What followed was the New Washington war. Thanks to help received by the Hanex New Washington became an independent state. It is only now that the Confederacy has lifted the ban on travel to New Washington. I was apprehensive as I stepped off the transport but visiting a third world planet is defiantly worthwhile."
"Fabian," the teacher repeated. She turned around writing the word on the white-board. Scratching her chin she tried to think of how to explain it. "Think of cautious," she said. "Sorry for the interruption please continue."
John sighted before continuing. He hadn't minded the interruption but it had caused him to loose his train of thought. "However in the case of the New Washington government this inclination towards delaying tactics was only a ruse. The party was only stalling to get their forces into position. Two days after another deadlocked session paramilitary forces ceased missile bases on the ground. What followed was the New Washington war. Thanks to help received by the Hanex New Washington became an independent state. It is only now that the Confederacy has lifted the ban on travel to New Washington. I was apprehensive as I stepped off the transport but visiting a third world planet is defiantly worthwhile."
Saturday 16 January 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-01-14
Each day was a struggle as we made our way up the mountain. We climbed up and up. Our pace each day was fairly relaxed but we continued up. Sleeping on the mountain side was scary. I was afraid that I might roll over suddenly and plummet to my death. I found myself wondering that if that where to happen would I wake? Or would I just dream I was falling and never wake again.
So me made it. After four days we arrived at the summit. We looked down at the glorious landscape. The mountains stretched far and we could imagine we were the only humans on the planet. As I looked I was suddenly struck by the thought; the view from a helicopter would have been better.
So me made it. After four days we arrived at the summit. We looked down at the glorious landscape. The mountains stretched far and we could imagine we were the only humans on the planet. As I looked I was suddenly struck by the thought; the view from a helicopter would have been better.
Wednesday 13 January 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-01-13
"Dabbed it down where?" James asked.
"Now if I knew that it wouldn't be lost now would it?" Peter said.
"Good point."
Peter began looking feverishly around the room. He checked under the sofa, the table, the television cabinet, the chair. He rummaged in the draws, check under the bed and then the microwave.
"Now why would it be in there?"
"I've checked all the places it should be so have to," James paused with his had down the sofa. He pulled his hand up and there was the key. He waved his fist in brief triumph.
"Well done," James said.
"Thanks. I just wish I could go as high as I go low."
"What do you mean?"
"When I lose something I panic. Even thinking I've dropped it on the street when I know I had, whatever it was, a few moments ago. I panic even if it's something trivial."
"So you wish you could be as disproportionately happy as you are paniced?"
"Yes."
"Now if I knew that it wouldn't be lost now would it?" Peter said.
"Good point."
Peter began looking feverishly around the room. He checked under the sofa, the table, the television cabinet, the chair. He rummaged in the draws, check under the bed and then the microwave.
"Now why would it be in there?"
"I've checked all the places it should be so have to," James paused with his had down the sofa. He pulled his hand up and there was the key. He waved his fist in brief triumph.
"Well done," James said.
"Thanks. I just wish I could go as high as I go low."
"What do you mean?"
"When I lose something I panic. Even thinking I've dropped it on the street when I know I had, whatever it was, a few moments ago. I panic even if it's something trivial."
"So you wish you could be as disproportionately happy as you are paniced?"
"Yes."
Thursday 7 January 2010
Dictionary Stories Supplementary
"Cab has been smashed in pretty good," Detective Inspector Davis said.
"While that may be true we still need to find out what happened!"
"Yes, Chief Inspector."
They looked at the lorry again abashed. It had been traveling along the motorway on Christmas Day - there had been little to know tragic. Somehow it had crashed afferently into thin air. The cab was smashed but other than that there was no damage around it. The driver had been moved to the hospital in critical condition. If he woke from the coma he might be able to tell them more.
"I think you should look at this sir," Davis called the Chief Inspector over. He was holding a small red piece of metal. The Chief Inspector looked to the white truck and scratched his chin.
*Author's addendum - Seven lines was stated in the introduction - however they are only seven in the editor. The line limit will now be abandoned.*
"While that may be true we still need to find out what happened!"
"Yes, Chief Inspector."
They looked at the lorry again abashed. It had been traveling along the motorway on Christmas Day - there had been little to know tragic. Somehow it had crashed afferently into thin air. The cab was smashed but other than that there was no damage around it. The driver had been moved to the hospital in critical condition. If he woke from the coma he might be able to tell them more.
"I think you should look at this sir," Davis called the Chief Inspector over. He was holding a small red piece of metal. The Chief Inspector looked to the white truck and scratched his chin.
*Author's addendum - Seven lines was stated in the introduction - however they are only seven in the editor. The line limit will now be abandoned.*
Dictionary Stories 2010-01-07
"Baba is ready," Shelia said.
"What?" Julia said, "I thought you were making a sponge."
"It's a type of sponge."
"Oh," Julia said sheepishly.
The cake had been left to stand for a while and Julia took it to the table. She placed it next to: sausage rolls stacked on a plate, crisps piled in a bowl, sandwiches of various sorts in rings on plates. At that moment the doorbell rang and the first guests had arrived.
"What?" Julia said, "I thought you were making a sponge."
"It's a type of sponge."
"Oh," Julia said sheepishly.
The cake had been left to stand for a while and Julia took it to the table. She placed it next to: sausage rolls stacked on a plate, crisps piled in a bowl, sandwiches of various sorts in rings on plates. At that moment the doorbell rang and the first guests had arrived.
Wednesday 6 January 2010
Dictionary Stories 2010-01-06
'A' is a difficult word with which to begin a story. It does not stand alone and any word could be made to follow it. If I begin by saying 'a chicken crossed the road' is that not then a story of a chicken? So why not instead make this an introduction to what will follow. These will be the Dictionary Stories. I will go through my dictionary over the course of a year and write a story for each letter. For interest sake I will do a 'A' story, then a B and so on. I may exclude a word here or there but all these stories will be six lines like the six lines you've just read. Any betting on how long I will keep these, seven lines now, stories going?
Friday 1 January 2010
Writers's Blog 2010-01-01
Writing in 2010 seems somehow strange. 2001 still sounds like a futuristic date - though that might have something to do with Arthur C. Clarke. Happy New Year! Hope you all had fun last night and that you can remember it!
So a new year new writing. I have realised that I am not a reviewer. I've been trying to write a review of this DS9 episode and its just not working. So I will leave this to others who do it better. As to Rolling Shadows that requires something of a rewrite. I will follow my brother's example and try to work on it every day of this year. If I work like he is I will have a long novel by 2011.
Uploading chapters as I go is not a good idea. So instead I will endeavour to write every week. I'm thinking of using my dictionary and writing a story with every word - maybe a few exceptions.
Well I have work I should be doing.
"And so it begins" - various.
So a new year new writing. I have realised that I am not a reviewer. I've been trying to write a review of this DS9 episode and its just not working. So I will leave this to others who do it better. As to Rolling Shadows that requires something of a rewrite. I will follow my brother's example and try to work on it every day of this year. If I work like he is I will have a long novel by 2011.
Uploading chapters as I go is not a good idea. So instead I will endeavour to write every week. I'm thinking of using my dictionary and writing a story with every word - maybe a few exceptions.
Well I have work I should be doing.
"And so it begins" - various.
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