THE PATH, from The Book; The Wanderer, by Khalil (Kahlil) Gibran.

Philosophy anyone?

lampmagician

An infinitely deep look into human’s infinitely unknown!

Here, we look intensively into the soul of the human being—a story “maybe” from all of us.
I am sure we all are in search of our being’s purpose, and Gibran tries with this fascinating story to help us, though not necessarily to find it, at least to awaken our unconsciousness to consider it more profound.
Therefore, the journey to reach the Self will be a bumpy and troublesome path; we might not know where we are going, but we do are on our path! Do we know it??

The Go-Between!

There lived among the hills a woman and her son, and he was her firstborn and her only child.

And the boy died of fever whilst the physician stood by.

The mother was distraught with sorrow, and she cried to the physician and besought him, saying, “Tell me, tell me, what…

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A lesson to my detractors

Have We Had Help?

There is an old saying that is a trueism – Never judge a book by its cover!

Over the five days of the giveaway of my latest novella The Forgotten People, several individuals voiced their opinion on it, even though they hadn’t read it. I’m talking about those who believe they know what, according to them, sells a book – the cover, not the contents!

Nothing could be further from the truth! What actually sells a book is positive reviews from people who not only read it, but also give it glowing reviews.

There are a few who firmly believe that a book’s success is solely down to its cover. What utter hogwash!!! The other day on a book group in Facebook, I was castigated by one such person, who stated that they wouldn’t contemplate even availing themselves of the opportunity I gave them to get a free…

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DREAMTIDINGS OF A DISGRUNTLED STARBEING

ellisnelson

by Linn Aspen

Thirteen-year-old Klara is a modern teenager living in a complicated family situation. Her mother is fixated on herself and making sure her son gets everything he wants. Klara’s father recognizes some of the imbalances in the family but refuses to make any change. Luckily, Klara has an escape. She looks to her star family for emotional sustenance.

This is a highly creative and thoughtful work of young adult (YA), visionary fiction. Klara is a star seed from a distant galaxy. In her dreams (or are they dreams?), she has contact with beings of superior wisdom and knowledge. They give her access to understandings she doesn’t possess in her everyday reality. Of course, living in the 3D world and reconciling the idea of being a star being is difficult for a teenager. Klara soon attracts help from adults who share ideas from Hinduism, Q’ero Shamanism, and Quakerism. All…

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Details, details

I had an interesting exchange of views earlier today with a good friend of mine, whose opinion I greatly respect, regarding just how much detail is necessary within a storyline. While the friend who I had the conversation with will possibly disagree with me on this, I firmly believe it all depends on the storyline itself.

Take romance for instance.

In a romantic novel, minute details become necessary to emphasize emotion and the developing relationships within the story.

In a short story, unless a great majority of the detail is eliminated, it will fast become a novella. But equally within a short story often a lot of detail works well.

However I believe the same arguments cannot always be applied within a longer storyline, especially where the whole storyline is built around pace and urgency.

I have recently written a fast paced Sci-Fi manuscript about a “Race against Time”. The whole point of the story is just that – it is a race, and so by definition it cannot be bogged down with detail.

My friend made a fair point when he said that some of the locations within the story lacked enough detail. But I argue that if the protagonists merely pass through the location, not stopping to admire the scenery, is a great deal of detail necessary in describing the place?

Despite our disagreeing over whether or not added detail must be inserted, ultimately it is the story itself which dictates just how much detail should be included. At the same time I also see and respect his point of view – pace without a modicum of detail may not be enough for the reader either.

Do you increase the amount of detail at the expense of pace to please others, or as the author do you stand firm? Who can say?

One thing is sure, as long as there are two people on the planet, there will always be differing opinions on whatever subject you care to name. Everybody has a different opinion and gets something different from their reading of a story.

I value our friendship far too much my friend to argue with you over mere details.

Prince Harry, Drug Use, And His Visa

REDFLAGFLYING

When Prince Harry and his wife went to live in America, he needed a visa. Just like anyone else from Britain, apparently. Given his high-profile standing as a member of the British Royal Family, it was unlikely that his visa application would be rejected. As well as that, both he and his wife are substantially rich, so it was not as if they would be a burden to the US in any financial sense.

Then he went and published his ghost-written book, ‘Spare’. In this best-seller he not only revealed many secrets about the Royal Family, but also mentioned experimenting with drugs some years ago. Perhaps someone at his publisher’s should have suggested he leave that bit out?

To get a visa to visit (or live in ) America, you have to declare any drug use, past or present. In most cases where ordinary travellers are concerned, that could see…

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Storylines – where do they come from?

You know it makes sense!

Have We Had Help?

It happened to me yesterday afternoon while I was busy outlining another storyline, completely shifting my chain of thought.

Ask the average writer where their ideas come from and you will get dozens of totally different answers. Some find an idea from something they read in a newspaper or magazine. Others will tell you the idea came to them in the early hours of the morning while asleep.

In own my case; it can happen at any time. I can be working on one particular storyline, when a word or a scenario totally unrelated to the story I’m currently working on springs to mind.

I’m often inspired by something someone has said in conversation, or a comment made in an interview, either in a magazine or newspaper or one I’ve been listening to on the television or radio.

Sometimes I’ve come across an idea when reading someone else’s story, in…

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Blogger’s Books: Kevin Morris

beetleypete

I am happy to announce a new book by poet, writer, and blogger, Kevin Morris. Something to help raise a smile, which we can all do with these days.

Kevin has sent me some sample verses.

There Once Was a Policeman Named Warner

There once was a policeman named Warner
Who raided a rather famous old sauna.
He found Miss Hocking
Without shoe or stocking.
And a politician discussing politics with Lorna…

When a Philosophical Young Lady Named Gwen

When a philosophical young lady named Gwen
Climbed to the top of Big Ben
And a policeman called Lyme
Said, “tell me the time”,
“Time has no real existence”, said Gwen!

Swansong

There was an old man named Long
Who wept as he sang his swansong.
They took off their hats
And whacked him with bats.
And so ended that swansong of long!

Here are some links to Kevin’s writing, and…

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Don’t be lazy, do it yourself!

Have We Had Help?

Writer/editor at work!

For a quarter of a century now, one aspect of my chosen career path has always bothered me… We all know that writers in publishing house stables are expected to apply all the corrections and plot suggestions that their editors have made. So why should Indies have to suffer this totally illogical practice as well? For many, myself included, we parted company with traditional publishing to get away from this less than satisfactory aspect of the writing game, and the often dictatorial way in which publishers rule over their writers, amongst other things.

I’ve given up counting the number of times I’ve heard fellow Indie’s complain about their editors, and the hard won money they’ve spent on their sometimes dubious services.

If you take the sensible decision to go it alone and self edit, its down to you to find the errors and correct them, as well…

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The Golden Pharaohs in Paris!

lampmagician

The fascination with this magic land will never end as we stunningly observe the greatness of these backdrops, scenes, and facades.

Ancient meets ultramodern in “Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs,” now on view in Houston. Immerse Agency

Although many issues remain for us obscure and unsolved puzzles, there are at least places to witness these unique arts and relish them.

Here we read a supremeMarie Grillot‘s report on the arrival of the Golden Pharaoh in Paris, France.

The image on top: Ramses-the-great, Luxor Tempel, via The Economic Times News

The exhibition “Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs” has arrived in France.

via égyptophile

Exhibition “Ramses & the gold of the pharaohs” – Grande Halle de la Villette Paris – April 7 – September 6, 2023
Sphinx of Ramses II offering the microcephalic vase of Amun
crystalline sandstone – 19th Dynasty – the reign…

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Where does the publishing fraternity get their editors?

I never forget or forgive…

Have We Had Help?

… from a plethora of totally disenchanted, bitter and twisted former writers with no staying power!!!

Sooner or later once published, every writer will automatically become the target of hate and envy. Both traits manifest themselves in one, two and some three star reviews. Usually they are written by Trolls lurking among the general public, some are written by deeply envious writers. Both types usually hide behind pseudonyms.

What the latter of the two groups conveniently forget is that the writing community is a small place. Sooner or later one or other of us will recognise a particular miscreant by his, or her, unique scathing attacks. This is the moment when it is incumbent upon us to expose them to the rest of our community!

I won’t mention any names here – many of you will already know who I’m talking about,  but a few months ago I managed to…

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