-
Book Review: Macaque Attack by Gareth L. Powell
Coming to Macaque Attack, I thought I knew what to expect. Monkey action: violence, mayhem, rum, cigars and explosions, I was not disappointed. In each installment Gareth L. Powell has expanded his vision and just when I thought he could not make this series anymore epic he changes the game in such a way that it left me punching the air and swearing. Yes that good. What I love about this book is the questions that it poses. This book and indeed the whole trilogy have been about what it means to be human and the impact of choices made. Sometimes when reading novels that do this, it can feel…
-
Jane's Great Re-read of 2015
I’ve been thinking a lot about reading lately. I made a new year’s resolution in 2010 to read more and I think it has been the only resolution I’ve ever managed to keep. Reading has become pretty much essential to my well being and if I can’t focus to read then something is seriously wrong. Since making that resolution I’ve read 250 books and each book has been one that has been new to me, no re-reads. I had wanted to experience lots of new and I have and it has been wonderful but by that token, I want to revisit some favourites just because they made my heart sore,…
-
On going to a Convention by myself
I have done something for the first time. I have booked to go to a convention on my own. Of course now I am a little bit terrified, but I did expect it. The con in question is Bristol Con and I understand it isn’t a huge one but I am fearful and excited in equal measure. My main motivation of going is to see Emma Newman talking about stuff. But that is only part of the day. There are hours where I’m not sure where I’ll be going or what I’ll be doing and I won’t have a friend to keep my spirits up. I know I will enjoy…
-
Wherein I come out.
Ha! I bet that caught your attention. I am coming out as a board gamer. Relatively new to the hobby but if my partner and I fancy relaxing and don’t just want to watch TV we play games. I enjoy a range of card and board games ranging from the deceptively simple ones like Carcassonne and Dodekka to the insanely complex Arkham Horror. I’m going to list my top six games and tell you a little about why I like them. Ticket to Ride Europe from Days of Wonder. I’ve picked this one over The Original edition as it is a tiny bit more complex than US but no…
-
Guerilla writing
Baby steps. It is how I am attempting to break the ridiculous block I’ve been facing. I am using some new strange and odd methods to trick my brain into being some kind of productive. One way has been to use my phone. I was stuck providing my Dad with tech support the other week . I was at his house for a number of hours before he got home. I couldn’t settle to read, my brain was buzzing and fizzing with the idea I had been kept awake the night before. It was a strong image and I needed to realise into words. I’d started the scene at two in the morning…
You May Also Like
For Pterry
-
Anxiety and other demons
It might tell you something about me state of mind in recent months if I reveal I’ve been trying to write about this since the beginning of June. I was going to talk about why I’ve not been writing and blaming it on the job and yes that has been part of it. However, there is always more to any given situation. I think everything I have been dealing with can be linked with my anxiety and THE FEAR. It needs the emboldened capital letters it is that much of a thing. I suppose I have always had a little bit of anxiety, it all rather came to a head…
-
Nine worlds aka a very surreal weekend
Nine Worlds aka London Geekfest happened and this post isn’t going to be a blow by blow account of what I did but a series of moments that happened because it was too packed for much else.
-
Ten things you should do to survive at a convention
Having just got back from Nine Worlds I’ve been reflecting on Conventions of this type and how just attending can really impact on your body. Folks tend to push themselves beyond their normal capacity for doing things because there are so many shiny things to do happening from dawn til dawn if we’re honest so here are some tips that have helped me. Pace yourself. It sounds lame but it really helps survive the cons that run over several days. Don’t get stupidly drunk, try to grab some sleep you will handle everything better. Plan your panels and have back up choices. Try to get to panels early and if something…
-
Thoughts on process
I’m not much of a planner – but I need to be. Why because my ideas fizzle out and when it gets hard I lose interest and want to do something else. I’m still getting used to ways I can plan stories but the prep work is kind of daunting and I worry that I won’t be able to come up with something that anyone else would care to read. There is a musical called Sunday in the Park with George which is about the artist George Seurat and his process. There is a song called Move On which basically describes what everyone who is trying to be creative is…
You May Also Like
Guerilla writing
-
2014 my year of writing
Lets face it, the only way to get things written is to write. This last year I have not gotten enough done and this needs to change. So this year I’m going to have a go at writing more. January is going to be my idea generating month this means generating a shedload of ideas to develop over the year. I’m also going to blog here more regularly to keep self motivated. I shall be mind mapping, free writing and hopefully explaining a little more about it as I go along mainly this year is about producing writing I am proud of.
You May Also Like
Guerilla writing
