The Highmoor paperback is nearly here…

Hello readers! I’m going to hold back from going on another Microsoft Word rant this week, but let it be known: I have been pushing that program to its limits, and it has been pushing back. Turns out that Word has all the flexibility of a wrought iron fence, charged with 10,000 volts. Can you … Continue reading The Highmoor paperback is nearly here… →

How is Microsoft’s grammar checker still so ineffective?

Hello readers! This week’s post is a bit of a rant, I’m afraid. I’m working on a new edition of Highmoor that will be published in paperback form at some point in the next few weeks. My original plan was to release the third edition on the third anniversary of Highmoor’s publication, which was in … Continue reading How is Microsoft’s grammar checker still so ineffective? →

Why do witches fly on brooms?

Hello readers! Have you ever wondered where our modern concept of a “witch” comes from? I’m sure we all have a similar image in our heads: one of a woman with a pointy hat and a broomstick. The woman is probably wearing a black skirt, and she might also have accessories such as a cauldron … Continue reading Why do witches fly on brooms? →

Attempting to understand “romantasy”

Hello readers! Have any of you visited a bookshop lately? A few weeks ago I was browsing Amazon, and I ended up scrolling through an endless stream of “romantasy” novels. I wasn’t seeking these titles intentionally (far from it), but as soon as I entered the fantasy section, Amazon assumed that romantasy was what I … Continue reading Attempting to understand “romantasy” →

An 18th century map that changed science

Hello readers! It’s time for some more historical science. This week, we’ll explore how the creation of a map in 18th century France changed the way that scientists viewed the world. The map covered the Auvergne region, which contains the Chaîne des Puys – a line of conical hills that are now known to have … Continue reading An 18th century map that changed science →

Science fiction and the future: Part Two

Hello readers! In the previous post, we explored the challenges associated with setting a speculative science fiction story in a particular future year. The writer must choose a date that feels plausible to the reader, or else their credibility will be eroded, the foundations of their fictional world will be shaken, and their otherwise carefully-crafted … Continue reading Science fiction and the future: Part Two →

Science fiction and the future: Part one

Hello readers! I’ve been pondering the science fiction genre again – specifically, science fiction stories which are set in our universe, with some connection to our world. I haven’t done a thorough survey, but I get the impression that most science fiction falls into this category, rather than being pure science fantasy. And within this … Continue reading Science fiction and the future: Part one →

The perils of productivity simulators

Hello readers! Just some miscellaneous waffle from me this week. I’ve been doing a fair bit of book writing recently, but I don’t have much to say about it – nothing entertaining, anyway. From an outsider’s perspective, book writing must appear to be very mundane: just a figure staring at a screen, sometimes hammering out … Continue reading The perils of productivity simulators →

Laying an old laptop to rest

Hello readers. It is with great sadness that I must announce the retirement of my faithful laptop. This wonderful machine has facilitated virtually all of my creative efforts over the last ten years. However, it has really started to slow down over the last few months, and with Microsoft promising to axe all support for … Continue reading Laying an old laptop to rest →

Learning from old science books: Part Three

Hello readers! This week is the final instalment in a three-part series on a Victorian science book: Principles of Geology, by Charles Lyell. In the last two posts we explored the chapters on climate and evolution, and discussed how our understanding has changed over the last 200 years thanks to technological advancements and conceptual breakthroughs. … Continue reading Learning from old science books: Part Three →