Hello readers! I have been thinking about the journeys taken by characters in fantasy media, and how they often follow a similar environmental route. Stories tend to start in “green” locations, such as meadows or forests, before sending the hero to foreign lands which have a more “yellow” hue, such as deserts or wastelands. This … Continue reading The “Green-to-Yellow” Fantasy Journey
Clayton goes to Northumberland
Hello readers! A few weeks ago I was on holiday on the coast of Northumberland, in the most northerly corner of England. I’ve lived my whole life in the north, but for some reason, I’d never visited this part of the world. Maybe I thought it was too close to warrant a week-long trip? In … Continue reading Clayton goes to Northumberland
Free book weekend: 29th-31st August
Hello readers! This bank holiday weekend, all of my books will be available for FREE on Amazon! My current series, Highmoor, is traditional high fantasy, and the first three books are now out (with the final instalment coming soon). These books follow the adventures of three brothers caught up in a conflict between the nations … Continue reading Free book weekend: 29th-31st August
Probing the properties of Spider-Man’s web fluid
Hello readers! Usually, I don’t like to talk about superhero media on this blog, because it belongs in its own genre, separate from traditional fantasy and science fiction. However, today I am making an exception – all because of a two-minute scene in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026). I went to see this film a … Continue reading Probing the properties of Spider-Man’s web fluid
New concept art: Ilisark
Hello readers! I can’t believe I haven’t shared any character doodles since last November... Things have been moving a bit slowly on the creative front, it must be said. However, I am set on releasing the new edition of Sylvre by the end of the year, in paperback as well as electronic form. And in … Continue reading New concept art: Ilisark
Free book weekend: 15th-16th August
Hello readers! This weekend, all of my books will be available for FREE on Amazon! My current series, Highmoor, is traditional high fantasy, and the first three books are now out (with the final instalment coming soon). These books follow the adventures of three brothers caught up in a conflict between the nations bordering their … Continue reading Free book weekend: 15th-16th August
The Odyssey (2026)… and the dangers of re-imagining classic stories
Hello readers! I was going to write a review for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, but then I went on holiday – and now that I’m back, everyone seems to have seen it already and formed opinions of their own. The internet is swamped with reviews, and I doubt that I can offer any new insights. … Continue reading The Odyssey (2026)… and the dangers of re-imagining classic stories
Another Lego creation: The Maredyg Village
Hello readers! This week, I’m sharing some more Lego and providing a few updates. The fourth and final book in the Highmoor series is still being reviewed, but I expect to be working on it again before the end of the summer. In the meantime, I am returning to the second book in the series, … Continue reading Another Lego creation: The Maredyg Village
The Last Battle (1956) is scary, clever and downright strange
Hello readers! We have reached the seventh and final instalment in the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. Given that he called it The Last Battle, he was clearly confident that this would be the last in the series. And if you’ve read it, you’ll understand why. Of all the Narnia books, The Last … Continue reading The Last Battle (1956) is scary, clever and downright strange
Disclosure Day (2026) is fun but muddled
Hello readers! I saw Disclosure Day a few weeks ago, just after it released, and I have been mulling it over ever since. It’s safe to say that this film has been divisive, splitting the opinions of critics, online reviewers and ordinary viewers alike. I enjoyed it overall, although I knew it was far from … Continue reading Disclosure Day (2026) is fun but muddled
C. W. Clayton 