A New Beginning
A New Beginning
From time to time, the world experiences a few relatively peaceful decades. But sooner or later…
Author
Choosing an Editor? Writer Beware!
So, you have written your magnum opus. Congratulations. Now you need the services of an editor. But which one do…
The Letter
The last shot fired in anger, rang out. Paul toppled lifeless into the mud. As his hand relaxed its grip, the…
Other Sentient Species Would be Reluctant to Visit Us
Other Sentient Species
With all that is happening in the world today, maybe it’s time to think about just what it…
Exposure: It’s All About Being Read
It's All About Being Read: Several days ago I began thinking about writing an article based on a discussion I had…
Yet Another Goblin Tale
Another Goblin Tale
The Hunt for a Friend
In which Globular Van der Graff, (Glob), Makepeace Terranova (Make),…
You’ve Got to Love Goblins
Got to Love Goblins
For your enjoyment, here is just one of the thirty tales in Globular Van der Graff’s Goblin…
The Next Age
One thing The Next Age very definitely isn’t, is Sci-fi soap opera. My literary heroes in the genre have and always…
Do you use MS Word to do Spelling and Grammar checking?
To any writer living beyond the borders of the United States, and I strongly suspect inside them, MS Word is a…
How a Story Evolves
For anyone interested in how a story evolves and for those among you who took the trouble to read my post the other…
Face it Folks, You Cannot Please Everyone
After almost eighteen years of writing I have finally found a process that works for me.
We Need to Wake Up and Smell the Roses
Wake Up and Smell the Roses
I don’t know about you, but to my mind within the world of traditional literature…
Error Free Books?
Error Free Books
This morning I received an email from my publisher, Kindle Direct Publishing. The following is…
Politics: The World’s Cancer
Politics has continued to be a growing cancer that no nation can afford. But what is the viable alternative?
Writing is not Easy
Writing is not Easy
In a post I became aware of on someone’s blog via a link recently, thanks to a blogger…
And The Award For Sheer Incompetence Goes To…
I don’t know about you, but if there is one thing I simply cannot tolerate it has to be utter incompetence,…
The Number One Literary Hazard Today
Literary Hazard
No one likes to become the target of negative criticism.
In a recent article written by Craig…
The Next Age
Currently I am working on the third in my ‘Age’ series of novels. The Seventh Age, an archaeological adventure with…
Amazon: Reluctance for Affirmative Action?
Why is it that the US government is seemingly reluctant to take on Amazon over its deliberate protection of cyber…
Have We Had Help?
Have We Had Help?
If you are thinking that this post’s title is vaguely familiar, it is. After originally…
Can We Truly Afford Them Anymore?
Can We Truly Afford Them Anymore?
Sometime during the last twenty years, the clear distinction between all…
A Dog’s Tale
The sun was shining and the winds were light. Barney sat looking out the window at the world outside. In the…
Internet Providers
It’s true that until you lose something or someone in your life, you tend to take it or them for granted.
Brainstorm
Or, the confessions of an obsessed writer
Back in the late nineties I was happy, and I thought secure. I began…
Solitary by Necessity
By definition writing fiction must be a solitary affair. When it comes to non-fiction, collaboration between…
Putting the Cart Before the Horse
Are you one of those annoying individuals who always read the last few pages of a book to see how it turns out?…
Why Self-Publish?
Don’t for one minute confuse self-publishing with vanity press. The two are complete opposites. Self-publishing…
Will Sanity Ever Rule?
Will Sanity Ever Rule?
While it is abundantly clear to anyone in the industry that Goodreads has finally become a…
Are Internet Trolls Really a Threat?
Internet Trolls
As recent events have unfolded, I have begun to wonder how much of a threat or hindrance to the…
The Pitfalls of Writing Today
Pitfalls of Writing
One current ugly stumbling block for all writers these days to be ignored at all costs is the…
Success at Long Last
A lot has been said in recent times in both self and conventional publishing circles with regard to hooking…
After George Orwell
After George Orwell
Time date 5431.9
Mission 4B Sector Theta
Notice to all shipping from the Galactic High…
When a Friend is not a Friend
When a Friend is not a Friend
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word friend thus:
Friend n. 1 a…
Robbing Peter
All our lives we think of being warm, fed and content in retirement, following a lifetime of work.
Rate our Product
Is it just me or do most people really hate being asked to rate or review a product online? Who benefits from…
The Law is an Ass
If the judges knew full well that under the law the convicted felon will never serve the complete sentence, why say…
Carnivores of the World Unite!
Over the last few weeks here in the UK and in many other EU countries, the news media has been sensationalising the…
Why Writers No Longer Rely on Reviews
Writers No Longer Rely on Reviews
“The story doesn't really pull the reader in - The writing is meant…
Before Stamford Bridge
Briggs sat in his office half-heartedly listening to Professor Malcolm drone on endlessly about how his…
Remembering G’kar
Remembering G'kar
All my life I have been a fan of all things science fiction. It started when I was twelve, and…
Friend or Foe?
Friend or Foe?
Much to everyone’s great relief the departure of Professor Malcolm and his small group of…
Can We Afford Party Politics Anymore?
Can We Afford Party Politics Anymore?
The older I get, the more I firmly believe that the world at large can no…
Religious Extremism Gone Mad
Why is it that in this modern era, so many extreme Islamists believe that ancient monuments representing many other…
When Dreams Come True
When Dreams Come True
I’ve always been uncomfortable with the idea of the European Union since it was first…
Wuffa’s Sword 2
Wuffa’s Sword 2
A month had passed since Dr. Gilbert Briggs became the first human ever to travel back in time; in…
A Cautionary Tail
Sparkle lived in a pile of leaves high up inside an old hollow tree in a forest not far from here.
Once she had…
Of Fyrdmen and Shields
When the breakthrough finally happened in September 2097, Dr Gilbert Briggs, the new head of the UK Advanced…
What a Let Down!
I've been playing video games since the first ones appeared - remember PacMan and Tetris?
When the PS3 came along…
Day One of The Seventh Age
Day One of The Seventh Age
Damn, we're still here!
How long before the next doomsday event? Just ask any of the…
Researching a Story
Do you love to read? Have you ever thought about the amount of research the writer of your favourite book did to…
One Day Soon, Unless We’re Very Careful…
Many governments are enforcing austerity measures in the form of financial cutbacks, supposedly to balance each…
Attracting Attention?
Does anyone care to predict which book by your favorite writer will do well? No? Join the club. As long as the sun…
Spawn of Scrooge
I know times are financially tough, especially within the western world, but until I began self publishing, I…
How To Lower a Nation’s IQ
While having an online chat with a dear friend of mine in the US earlier today, we were talking about the…
Review: The Sons of Cleito
The Sons of Cleito by Derek Haines.
This book grabs your attention right from the start, you feel for Derek …
Rational Thought
Rational Thought
Have you ever wondered why it is that we humans, despite professing to be rational beings living…
Reading: Pleasure or Pain?
Pleasure or Pain?
All of my life since I proudly read out loud from an illustrated book of Bible stories to my…
Sticks and Stones
Sticks and Stones
It’s a funny thing, but despite the best efforts of a tiny handful of individuals, if a book…
Is the Writing on the Wall?
The United Kingdom's largest retail book chain, Waterstones is about to do a deal with Amazon to sell Kindle…
The Writing World
The Writing World
I know I’ve banged on about this in the past, but entering the world of the written word is…
UK: Grow Old at your Peril!
Welcome to the new fascist state, formerly known as Great Britain.
Two highly disturbing news articles appeared…
Writing is an Illness
Is Writing an Illness?: So, science has just worked out that anyone who shows any kind of creativity is suffering…
Spot the Writer in the Crowd
Could you spot the writer in the queue of people at your local supermarket checkout, or buying something in your…
Toxic Reviewers and Trolls
Toxic Reviewers
Ask any writer who enjoys regular sales for his or her latest book why they never regularly read…
eBook Wars
The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that my countrymen are stuck in a rut, particularly when it comes…
Check your Ego at the Door
In the world of the written word there is no room for the social climber plagued with an enormous ego, or jealousy.
The Next Bestselling Subject
The Next Bestselling Subject
As a reader, have you ever thought about where the books you love fit in the great…
Who Invented Dust?
I just stopped briefly from working on my latest novel’s manuscript for a comfort break, a cigarette and something…
A Claytons Review
A Claytons Review
Claytons is the brand name of a non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage coloured and packaged to…
If You Can’t Stand the Heat
If You Can’t Stand the Heat
Over the past four years, the number of fellow writers I have had conversations with…
Indie or Traditional Publishing?
Indie or Traditional Publishing?
eBook and self-publishing have inevitably impacted on sales within the closed…
The First of Glob’s Tales
We all need a means of escape from our daily lives. For those of you who haven't considered reading Glob's…
Friendly Banks: Give Me a Break?
All I needed was to obtain two specific sets of numbers from my bank – the IBAN and BIC numbers; so that my…
Internet Evil
Internet Evil
Since book publishers have made it possible for members of the general public to review books on the…
How Do You Write a Book?
As readers, have you ever wondered how we writers go about creating the book you have just read?
We all have our…
Globular Van der Graff Goblin Tales for Adults
Globular Van der Graff
For all those who have, or are considering reading Glob's Tales, here is some additional…
Hobbyhorses
Hobbyhorses
With the introduction of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, at one time or another, we have…
Gamer from Way Back
I have one specific game I love to bits. It is – Battlefield Bad Company. I've nearly worn the disc out playing it.…
21st Century Trolls
21st Century Trolls
What is it with certain people who get their kicks out of being totally nasty to others? Since…
Who Do you Write For?
Who Do you Write For?
When you set out to write, which set of readers do you aim at?
In my case, I do not write…
Some Opinions May Kill
Opinions
Is it any wonder so many people are joining the independent publishing ranks these days?
If you are…
Dare to Raise Your Head
Dare to Raise Your Head
Every day we read about various people being targeted by those jealous of their success.…
Reviews Sell Books
It is a known and accepted fact that reviews sell books. And yet it would appear that there is a problem with the…
Did They Read the Same Story?
Same Story?
Take a look at the following six reviews for my sci-fi novel Turning Point. You would be forgiven…
Inequality of Class
Inequality of Class
Last night I watched the first episode of a program on the BBC about the Mumbai (Bombay)…
Intro: Turning Point
For thousands of years, man in his arrogance, has believed that he is unique in the cosmos.
During the last decade…
The Seventh Age – A Novel for 2012
The Mayan clock stopped predicting events beyond 2012. Why did it not continue beyond that date?
Rebel…
Writing – The Hardest Game in Town
Ever wondered what is the hardest occupation you can take on? Brick layer, Lumberjack or Roustabout maybe? None of…
Globular Van der Graff’s Anthology
A very long time ago, there once was a land called Goblindom hidden behind a magic barrier to protect its…
A Story Worth Sharing?
A Story Worth Sharing?
Like an enormous number of writers out there, I spent years looking for someone who may…
Thought Provoking Science Fiction
If you are the kind of reader who desperately needs to have every nuance, every action and reaction explained to…
My Circle of Friends
My Circle of Friends
With the exception of a handful of personal friends who I’ve known for years, most of my…
Are You a Literary Dunce?
Are You a Literary Dunce?
If words and their use really matter to you, I’m afraid to say that these days, you…
Heard from Jack Recently?
Heard from Jack Recently?
In this day and age, the vast majority of the Western world uses the internet on a…
My Re-write of Turning Point
Re-write of Turning Point
It's a funny thing, but when you undertake to re-write a story you wrote seventeen years…
Every Once in a While
Every Once in a While
Every once in a while something happens that raises your spirits. The Seventh Age is my…
To Have, Or Not To Have, That Is The Question
A few days ago, I was chatting to a dear friend of mine who lives on the opposite side of the world from myself.…
Literary Snobs
Literary Snobs
In a recent blog post of mine “Books and Literary Snobs”, I began it by saying the following:…
Revisiting The Past
Revisiting The Past
Ever thought about revisiting a piece you wrote years ago? I am right now, and it’s scary.…
Dead Men
This book is not the kind I would normally read, but something about it got my attention.
It is a look at life…
Friends, Oh Really?
Friends, Oh Really? - Unless you have been living in a remote cave somewhere on your own, divorced from the world…
Suffering for your art
The popular image of the starving artist in the nineteenth century may have faded nowadays into myth, but many who…
What is Life?
What is Life?
What’s it all about? We are conceived, then nine months later we’re born. If all goes well we live…
Tolkien: My Annual Ritual
Every year without fail, I take the time to lose myself totally in the words of J.R.R Tolkien. First I re-read The…
Creativity: The Cruelest of all Mistresses
Cruelest of all Mistresses: For those of us who worship at the feet of the goddess Creativity, we willingly give…
Literary Critics
A couple of days ago a good friend of mine posted an article on Facebook about the Nobel Literature Prize committee…
Time Enough
The light of early dawn woke him as its first rays caressed his closed eyes. Today was an auspicious one for him.…
Can We Really Afford Politicians Anymore?
What is it with this latest crop of politicians? What part of the fact that a growing section of society simply…
With the Passing of Time
There once was a time in the western world when the older generation was cared for, cherished; looked to for…
Why Do We Do It To Ourselves?
Why Do We Do It To Ourselves?
In today’s literary marketplace, while a tiny minority of books become…
Friendships
During my lifetime I’ve made lasting friendships with barely a handful of my fellow human beings. These are my…
You’re Imagination and You
Whether you are an avid reader of books or an avid listener of plays on radio, undeniably, your imagination works…
Out of an Idea Comes…
Who would have thought that from an idea I had for a short story, several months ago, that a work of fantasy has…
The Importance of Sentence Construction
Sentence Construction
Most days when I’m working on the manuscript for my latest work in progress, I’m lucky if…
What’s in a Name?
What's in a Name?
Everything, or so it seems! - If your ambition is to be read by the millions of potential…
Goblin Tales for Adults – Introduction
Goblin Tales for Adults
Globular Van der Graff’s “Goblin Tales for Adults” Translated from goblin to human.
An…
Google eBookstore – Good or Bad for Authors?
Google eBookstore
While I was catching up with my emails yesterday, I saw an advert flash up above them directing…
Is There Such a Thing as Equality of Value?
What price common sense when it comes to buying things? Can anyone explain to my satisfaction the way monetary…
William John Owen Rowbotham MBE
William John Owen Rowbotham
Once in a generation, a particular individual leaves his mark on the world. One such…
My Acorn and Me
I was having a chat on Facebook on the last night of 2011 with Brian, an old mate of mine from the many happy years…
Have Times Changed for Mankind?
Out of discontent comes war. While we may be living in the early years of the twenty-first century, to an outsider…
RHMS Ellenis
RHMS Ellenis
It’s funny how during your lifetime you are positively affected by a moment, an individual, a place,…
Have The Rich Finally Lost It?
Have The Rich Finally Lost It?
Over the last several months the world has experienced the second phase of total…
Your Racial Mix and You
On last night’s 6 pm BBC news here in the UK, one item caught my interest and made my blood boil. With all of the…
Paperless: When Will the World Finally Grasp the Nettle?
Paperless: A growing number of companies these days totally embrace paperless transactions and billing.
But…
Nothing is New, Only Rediscovered
There was a time when I used to write several thousand words per day. In fact, I subscribed to the idea that unless…
Getting Too Darned Big
I read an article earlier today (see link below) about Amazon’s latest idea to boost sales of books.
While I…
So You Want To Be A Writer?
Ask yourselves this; what do you want to write about? If you’re literary goal is fiction, can you exist on next to…
The Rules of Literature
Rules of Literature
Ignore or not? - I equate those who closely study the various parts of a language with…
It’s Not Just The Monday Morning Blues
The Monday Morning Blues
There are days when you wish you had not woken up, days when you feel distinctly blah.…
True Belly Laugh Humour
Homage to comedy genius - How often do you find yourself laughing till you cry, or until your stomach aches?
In my…
Where is That Darned Book?
Where is That Darned Book?
I forget just how many books I’ve loaned to friends over the years, to either never…
Too Much Advice?
Too Much Advice?
Have you noticed how many 'how to' articles apparently written by seemingly successful writers…
I Hate Glass Jars!
If there is one thing that really gets to me, it’s not being able to get to the last remaining delicious scrapings…
Why Bother Writing?
Why Bother Writing?
Have you ever thought about what motivates someone to want to write? Some write for purely…
What Price Progress?
This morning I was just reading an article entitled New Generation of Airships about NASA's plans to design a new…
Does Your Story Have Universal Appeal?
Universal Appeal
Have you ever wondered why your literary work has never migrated beyond the borders of your…
What Came First, The Chicken Or The Egg?
The Chicken Or The Egg?
Most people when buying a book have different ways of deciding what they wish to read.…
Another Nonsensical Modern Day Term
Further to my post here on Angie's (September 2nd) “Misusing words the modern day obsession”,…
Developing a Story
Developing a Story
As a reader, you get drawn into a storyline by what its characters do or say. As a writer,…
The Good Old Days
The Good Old Days
As we all get older, we tend to compare what is going on around us right now with what things…
Oswald’s Revenge
With the word, she plunged her hand into Oswald’s jacket pocket, and next moment she was rubbing her hand like mad…
It Begs The Question…
On this morning’s news here in England it was announced that the major electricity suppliers in this country are…
Interview With A Wood Goblin
Wood Goblin
As those who have been following my regular “Goblin Tales For Adults” updates on my blog will be…
What Purpose Does Man Serve?
What Purpose Does Man Serve?
Is there any logical reason why something as enduring as our beautiful planet should…
What Exactly Is It You Do?
What Exactly Is It You Do?
How many times have you been confronted by the above question during your lifetime? I…
Are the Riots Across England the New War Zones?
Is it any wonder the normally peaceful streets of our major cities are fast resembling new war zones?
When our…
Should You Take The Option?
Take The Option
Have you ever thought about how often taking the wrong option can ruin your life? My father did…
Man’s Inhumanity to Man
Man's Inhumanity to Man
I read a short story earlier today, here on Angie's Diary called "There Was An Old Man",…
How Storylines Develop
How Storylines Develop
It happened to me yesterday afternoon while I was busy outlining another storyline,…
My Current Writing Obsession
If you literary leanings are towards writing full-time, you have to become totally obsessive with each project. You…
I Hate Gardening!
I Hate Gardening!
There, I’ve said it - I suppose by rights I should feel guilty for not enjoying spending…
The Clunkers We All Write From Time To Time
Clunkers
While we continually strive to write that 'must read' story, we writers inevitably author some real…
Hobson’s Choice
In the untamed world of the domestic cat, the one thing that is guaranteed to get you in trouble in the…
Friend Gwen
I had spent the first years of my life living on a mixed fruit and arable farm, here in North Suffolk, England. As…
Getting Older – Living in Fear
Living in Fear
Take it from me, the older you get, the less likely you are to feel safe.
I’m in my…
The Question
The Question
In which Globular Van der Graff, (Glob), Makepeace Terranova (Make), Byzantine Du Lac (Byz),…
Book Price Wars
Most book titles are spread across the many book sale outlets to advertise them to as many potential readers as…
Going Cross-eyed Cleaning Out Computer
Cleaning Out Computer
Why oh why in this day and age can’t someone devise a software programme to constantly run…
Who Writes TV Programme Listings?
I get increasingly annoyed these days when I’m perusing the programme listings for any given television channel,…
Characters Who Consume My Writing
For far too long, in my humble opinion, your average goblin has been much maligned. Far from being the loathsome…
Who Would You Most Like To Have Met?
I remember seeing a brief grainy movie clip of him years ago; shot in the eighteen nineties where he was refereeing…
Your Internet Connection
Who supplies your internet connection? - Have you ever thought about how much you pay each month?
Most people…
Energy and the High Price We Pay
Have you ever thought about that exorbitant power bill you receive from your energy provider? What exactly are…
The Most Brilliant Con Game Ever Devised
Further to my piece on bogus mission statements comes the equally bogus notion of your personal carbon footprint.…
Characters That Take Over Your Life
Characters That Take Over Your Life
Every once in a while, the characters you invent completely take over your…
Mission Statements
I watched with great fascination a programme on television last night about so-called ‘ethical’ gold mining, its…
Gorin’s Last Summer
The sequel to my other dwarf tale "Troth's Eye"
Since Gemlik the last of the mountain ogres had sacrificed his…
Misusing Words
In the last few years various words have been employed incorrectly, or have been replaced by a buzzword in a way…
What Constitutes Humour These Days?
In the United Kingdom back in the previous mid century, humour was a mix of slapstick and double entendre, raw…
Nature’s Exception
Nature's Exception
To all intent and purpose, the Earth is dead, uninhabitable. Every living thing across the…
Onet’s Tale – Review
Onet's Tale - Review
By Misty "Gamer Mom" (Kentucky, USA): 5.0 out of 5 stars Onet's a Great Storyteller, 2 Feb…
Prologue: Onet’s Tale
My name is Onet, my kind are the Khaz. We are the oldest species across the cosmos and because of our greed and…
Beta 1
Here on Mars it is now year thirty, or 2220 for those still living on Earth, if you can call their existence…
Faded Memory
Memory is a funny beast. How often have you heard someone recalling something from their past, not sure whether or…
Reinvent the Wheel
Reinvent the Wheel
With the end of the NASA shuttle programme, sadly we have seen the end of any serious manned…
The Objective
The Objective: The circumstances are in my favour. Overcast skies and marsh gas mixed with early morning mist and…
Best Before: The Sell-By Date
How many people today throw away perfectly good food products simply because of these two terms, dreamt up by…
What Really Matters
What Really Matters
For me, it's friendship to all and common decency – qualities that sadly get brushed aside…
Evil’s Shadow Grows Longer
In which Globular Van der Graff, (Glob), Makepeace Terranova (Make), Byzantine Du Lac (Byz), Eponymous Tringthicky…
Paying Lip Service
While the rest of Europe embraces the Euro, metrification, consensus decisions and looking out for one another,…
Your Chosen Genre
Your Chosen Genre
Unless, or until, you are an established name in the world of writing like J.K Rowling, or Lynda…
A Life Changing Moment
A Life Changing Moment
Isn’t it funny how one place across this beautiful planet can affect you for the rest of…
Final Evolution
“Welcome back Professor.” Diego’s warm genuine smile indicated his pleasure at seeing his old friend again. David…
Unit Four
Unit Four
To Malcolm, Gwen completed his world. They had met on an internet dating site five years earlier. Now…
A Spell is Cast
In which the five goblins – Globular Van der Graff, (Glob), Makepeace Terranova (Make), Byzantine Du Lac (Byz),…
For the Love of Acorns
Or, How Byz saved the day... In which the goblins Globular Van der Graff, (Glob), Makepeace Terranova (Make),…
Beyond 1984
Beyond 1984: Time date 5431.9 - Exploratory Mission 4b
To the High Council,
The following handwritten…
Echoes Among the Columns
The great god Ra had not yet arisen from his bed beyond the world of man. Neither had the members of the royal…
A Temporary Time of Peace and Friendship
When I was a small child, I lived on a mixed arable and fruit farm, here in the English county of Suffolk. During…
Ah Bully Beef…
If there was ever a food product to invoke fond memories of youth and brotherhood in ex serviceman, it can only…
I’m Bald and I’m Proud
Throughout the history of humanity, a large percentage of the male population have wound up bald. There is no shame…
Roggan’s Tower
Roggan's Tower: Everything that he had ever been told about the old tower high on the hills above the dead…
The Joys of Freeview!
Methinks it promised so much Horatio, and yet...
In the commercially driven world of British television today, we…
A Plea to Self Published Writers
Self Published Writers
Whether you publish your book in hardback, paperback, or in one of the many eBook formats…
All That Glisters…
In which four goblins - Globular Van der Graff, (Glob), Makepeace Terranova (Make), Eponymous Tringthicky (Mous),…
Between Realities
"Is the Einstein Rosen Bridge prepared?" Commander Dalton asked as he perused the myriad of dials and computer…
The Curse of Time
Despite the countless fictional time travelling scenarios on offer these days and in the recent past via science…
Stay in Control
It was Friday night and time for the television war yet again. The never ending argument was about to begin in the…
A Mouse’s Tail
A Door mouse named Sparkle lived in a pile of leaves high up inside an old hollow tree in a forest not…
Dhobi
I walked into the autopsy room at the beginning of the day to find a body awaiting my undivided attention which…
The Curse of G
Gordon reached into his post bag and grabbed the last two letters of his Saturday delivery. He pushed them…
Wuffa’s Sword 1
Wuffa's Sword 1
The king’s wooden hall was filled to capacity; at its centre stood the great brazier that heated…
England – The Not So Caring Society in the 21st Century
If you live here in England and are in any way afflicted by physical or mental health issues, then you are sooner…
English – The Confusing Language
The Confusing Language
Take the word ‘lead’ as an example of major confusion in my native language.
In one…
The Hunt for a Friend
The Hunt for a Friend
It was three summers before I once again had the good fortune to share another adventure…
Glob and Me
A simple tale of five good friends and the human they befriended...
Much to the surprise of many alive today,…
The Mechanics of Writing…
...Or, the mistakes we are all guilty of, especially me... No matter what form your writing may take, there are a…
Trapped Inside This Tree
Trapped Inside This Tree
Oh help me won’t you please, I’m here, trapped inside this tree. Why won’t anyone help…
The Case Of The Disappearing Scones
During your lifetime, inevitably there will be one being who touches your heart and makes your life whole. In my…
The Door to Oblivion
The Door to Oblivion
Albert stared in disbelief, he was sure he had seen a door out of the corner of his eye, and…
At Least Dreams Are Still Free
Dreams Are Still Free
The voyage from Earth to Mars was a one-way trip. Everyone aboard had happily volunteered.…
The Eye of Troth
The Eye of Troth
A lesson from the natural world written in the dim past, or is it still in our future? Only…
Gross Cultural Vandalism
Gross Cultural Vandalism
I just read the following article about yet another mindless decision by the UK's…
My Daily Internet Fix
My Daily Internet Fix
Since around 10 am last Friday, I suddenly lost my usual internet connection.
The…
Signing Up, Or Trying To…
Signing Up
Just every now and then you come across a site on the internet that you would like to sign up to. But,…
The Great Christmas Pudding Wars
Christmas Pudding Wars
With Christmas day barely a month away, celebrity chefs and supermarket chains here in the…
Reading or Writing? Decisions, Decisions…
Reading or Writing
Have you ever heard the old adage that doctors make terrible patients? Well to my mind with a…
Bullying: An Age Old Problem
Bullying: An Age Old Problem
In an article published November 22nd, which I have just read online in the Malta…
The Rise And Fall Of Standards In The English Language
Standards In The English Language
The following article demonstrates yet again what can and does happen when…
Parents Bribe Their Children To Read
Parents Bribe Their Children To Read
Many parents believe it is more difficult for their child to spend time…
Abortive Invasion
Abortive Invasion
“How long before they arrive Ceneric?” - “Soon my brothers – very soon...”
Our kinsmen to…
When Will People Wake Up?
When Will People Wake Up?
This morning I read the article below spouting a load of baloney regarding the…
Is History Doomed To Vanish?
Is History Doomed To Vanish?
Many children believe Trafalgar Square - home of Nelson's Column - features on the…
Teddy Bear And The Wizzi
Teddy Bear And The Wizzi
A very long time ago there was a teddy bear that lived happily with his young friend…
Dogfish?
Dogfish?
The sun was shining and the winds were light. Barney sat looking out the window at the world outside.…
To Kindle or Not to Kindle
To Kindle or Not to Kindle
How many times over the years have you, like me, lent one of your precious books from…
A Question Of Packaging
A Question Of Packaging
Why in this age of ‘saving the planet’ do supermarket chains insist on adding their own…
Has Science Fiction Fallen By The Roadside?
Has Science Fiction Fallen By The Roadside?
I recently read Paul Goat Allen's latest article concerning the demise…