I'm troubled by my empathy for John Mitchell. Vampire. Programs like Being Human and Dexter, where the 'hero' Dexter Morgan, is also a serial killer, demonstrate the lack of absolutes in life. Or at least present stories in which viewers are manipulated in to feeling for characters whose motives and actions are, well, bad. BAD with capitals. … Continue reading On Being (Even More) Human
International English I
I love the English language. It’s so greedy and eager. It's eroding and growing in equal measure. It’s absorbent and ever evolving. I've enjoyed marveling at how pliant it is and how it's changed and how it will keep changing, as everything does. English reflects both cultural and physical influences and it's use so much about … Continue reading International English I
On Being (More) Human
Previously, I’ve mentioned how fans always want more, and sometimes should be left wanting more (instead of actually getting more and not being happy with it). It won't shock you to learn I'm a fan of (the UK series) Being Human. While I won't reveal too much on the plot, all you need to know is the … Continue reading On Being (More) Human
How I Knew
It came to me recently. How I knew I was a writer. All the time things happen, good and bad, happy and not so much. And the first thing I'm prompted to do when things happen is write. I think about doing, but I'm not a surgeon or a soldier or a builder or much of … Continue reading How I Knew
When Sequels Attack II
Buffy the TV show was a reboot and it was successful as it took what worked from the original film, which was basically the title, and built on it. Pretty much the TV program changed the direction of and created a compelling mythos for what was a forgettable film with an interesting premise and little … Continue reading When Sequels Attack II
When sequels attack
When does a bad sequel or prequel or spin-off ruin a franchise? Most of all how does it? Everyone can name a franchise that went all to hell after the first story. Did anyone *get* Highlander after ‘there can be only one’? Success breeds a vacuum. The thing fans want is MORE. But they’re a … Continue reading When sequels attack
2011 – we’ve got some work to do
Now we're gettin' someplace It's been a good writing start to 2011. I've had a short story published in Ricochet Magazine (edition two) in January, a very short story accepted by Capsule Fiction and a different one awaiting editing at another journal, plus my first post published about reading and writing as well as a second article accepted about what … Continue reading 2011 – we’ve got some work to do
A Year in the Making
So, been blogging for 12 months now. I'm not as prolific as some and seem to be a tiny fish in the blogging ocean but I'm still here and enjoying it. I've discovered a slight obsession with the behind the scenes statistics of it all, which would surprise certain of my highschool maths teachers no … Continue reading A Year in the Making
The long and short of it
2014 Update. Since blogging this in 2011 and writing my review of Liam Davison's Collected Stories a few years before that, I wish to acknowledge the passing of Davison and his wife on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Ukraine. I, like many, am saddened by the loss of such a talented story teller. I am honoured … Continue reading The long and short of it
Writing? Tell ’em you’re dreamin’?
You know how other people's dreams are usually boring? I'll try not to be. But remember, you volunteered to read this. I don't often recall dreams. Pretty sure I undergo the usual REM and sleep cycles, so I know I dream. But the other night I dreamed and I remembered. It hasn't faded away yet … Continue reading Writing? Tell ’em you’re dreamin’?
Writing Bec 