Below is my very first real attempt at a short story as an adult. Thanks to short story writer John Holton for his class and inspiration a good few years ago now. Since it never was published anywhere else, I present it to you, Gentle Reader. Enjoy. Banana Loop A man slipped on a banana … Continue reading Banana Loop
Writing
Random Historical Tabloidery 3#
Out and About in AD 33 A newcomer is causing a stir in marketplaces and moneylenders offices this week. Sporting sandals and a natty brown robe (this season’s new black) the bearded and fashionably thin visitor upturned tables and held impromptu speeches, attended by large but mostly peaceful crowds waving palm fronds. In a scoop, … Continue reading Random Historical Tabloidery 3#
My B Movie Hero
Dennis Quaid. There I've said it. Hero of the straight-to-DVD flick. No actor works harder not to make it to the Big Box Office. And I'm not knocking him. Every performance is solid and he makes good with what he's given. I find most of his films worthy and interesting, sometimes even exciting, but I … Continue reading My B Movie Hero
Snippets of Random Historical Tabloidery 2#
‘Nothing To It’ Says Gautama After repeated press questions regarding the ultimate goal of his popular new doctrine, which is sweeping the nation, former prince Siddhartha proclaimed Nirvana can’t actually be spoken about and instead focused his latest speech on road safety with a talk entitled The Right Path. Next week he's expected to begin … Continue reading Snippets of Random Historical Tabloidery 2#
Random Historical Tabloidery 1#
Don’t Do as the Romans Do: Sex/Drug Senators linked to death Rome is in mourning after the tragic death this March of our beloved ruler. Whilst Senator Brutus continues to head a high level enquiry into the death, we can reveal details leaked by an anonymous source placing key senators in the Forum at the … Continue reading Random Historical Tabloidery 1#
We Come in Peace: a defence of SF
Aussie Con4 got me thinking and inspired and thinking. The people who read SF (science fiction or speculative fiction) are the people who read it, but the people who don't, don't understand. Those who tuck into crime dramas look askance at fantasy dabblers, romance devotees dread science fiction aficionados and literature browsers snub all genre … Continue reading We Come in Peace: a defence of SF
Inception: Alice in Slumberland
Like everyone I succumbed and saw Inception. Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance was, again, superb. Christopher Nolan’s inventiveness, visual style and scale were impressive. However, what I liked most is what it left me with: stuff to think on. What occurred to me was films exploring notions of reality, the brain, and imagination end up referencing somehow, … Continue reading Inception: Alice in Slumberland
Notes on The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter
Am reading The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter and oh, the deliciousness of being inside such a conversation. It is the newer, updated version, with 300 extra pages. Written over a couple of years the book consists of email and text message correspondence between Russell T Davies, head writer (or for the US readers showrunner) … Continue reading Notes on The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter
Lost in Wonder
Stories about the human condition, masquerading as something else - it's good stuff. Like how Alice in Wonderland is a fantasy adventure, but also a discussion of logic and how language, society and class systems corrode meaning, as much as they provides structure. Any cinematic version will play on the gorgeous visual absurdity of the … Continue reading Lost in Wonder
Writing Bec 