The following pages have been updated on the website
Horror Poets
Issue 8 of Dark Metre is now available on the current issue page
Blog updates:
Review of The Ritual added
Writing Lost and Found added as the last Monday poetry feature
Reviews scheduled to go out over the next 4 Thursdays are:
08/09/11 - The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson - Rating 3/5
15/09/11 - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving - Rating 3/5
22/09/11 - One Buck Horror Vol 1 Edited by Christopher and Kris M. Hawkins- Rating 3/5
29/09/11 - Gorelets Unpleasant Poems by Michael A Arnzen - Rating 4/5
Alternatively you can follow me on goodreads and get the reviews before they hit the blog.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
ROW80 - Round 3 - Check in 9
I'm back from the picturesque village of Valbonne in France. My reading goal went well, got through about 5 books, and have them all scheduled to go out on the blog.
I've been unproductive since I got back, was feeling ill on the Thursday and Friday and Saturday I found myself considering going for a full BA in writing. The question of having my work assessed has come up again, I'd already decided against it but that was over a year ago when I had no intentions of writing fiction again ever and now I'm writing a novel.
It's hit me how much of the craft of fiction I've forgotten since I stopped writing and would benefit from going back to basics. But it means doing 7 modules instead of 3 and at part time study that's roughly 6 years. Huge commitment in time and finances. Although I'm wondering if I'll be able to tie working on my novella into one of the modules. And i'm realising how important feedback is when someone actually explains it to you based on your work and not just giving you random bits of vague advice.
I also signed up for 750 words to keep my writing stamina up while I'm planning and working on course rewrites. Couldn't do it last night as my internet was dropping out every 5 minutes.
Today, I'll be getting back on track with my goals. looking forward to seeing how the other row80ers have been doing since I was away.
I've been unproductive since I got back, was feeling ill on the Thursday and Friday and Saturday I found myself considering going for a full BA in writing. The question of having my work assessed has come up again, I'd already decided against it but that was over a year ago when I had no intentions of writing fiction again ever and now I'm writing a novel.
It's hit me how much of the craft of fiction I've forgotten since I stopped writing and would benefit from going back to basics. But it means doing 7 modules instead of 3 and at part time study that's roughly 6 years. Huge commitment in time and finances. Although I'm wondering if I'll be able to tie working on my novella into one of the modules. And i'm realising how important feedback is when someone actually explains it to you based on your work and not just giving you random bits of vague advice.
I also signed up for 750 words to keep my writing stamina up while I'm planning and working on course rewrites. Couldn't do it last night as my internet was dropping out every 5 minutes.
Today, I'll be getting back on track with my goals. looking forward to seeing how the other row80ers have been doing since I was away.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Book Review - The Ritual by Adam Nevill
The Ritual took me a while to get into but once I was in, there was no escape. For me, the real power came from the main character Luke's emotions and increasing despair and despite the 100 degree heat blazing outside I went cold, hell I even got tearful.
Rating: 4/5
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Macmillan (6 May 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0230754929
ISBN-13: 978-0230754928
Other reviews you may be interested in:
Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill
Banquet for the Damned by Adam Nevill
Or click here to visit the authors website.
Rating: 4/5
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Macmillan (6 May 2011)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0230754929
ISBN-13: 978-0230754928
Other reviews you may be interested in:
Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill
Banquet for the Damned by Adam Nevill
Or click here to visit the authors website.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Last Monday Poetry - Writing - Lost and Found
Writing - Lost and Found
by Katy Bennett
The ink in the barrel had dried,
words had lost their meaning,
their power. Just strings
of voiceless letters on a page.
(d
e
e
p
down something still breathed)
Unread paperbacks gathered dust
on the shelves. Pages stale as time
slid on. The wallpaper was more entertaining.
(D
e
e
p
down something sighed and wanted to surface.)
Weeks passed and he found a book in his hands
he thumbed the spine, slid his fingers between
the unopened pages. He read the back copy;
some tale that had once interested him.
(D
e
e
p
down something opened its eyes)
He read the first page followed by the second
meaning seeped back into the open book
and a fresh pen replaced the redundant one.
****
Missed last month's poetry? Read Love Poem to the Sea here.
by Katy Bennett
The ink in the barrel had dried,
words had lost their meaning,
their power. Just strings
of voiceless letters on a page.
(d
e
e
p
down something still breathed)
Unread paperbacks gathered dust
on the shelves. Pages stale as time
slid on. The wallpaper was more entertaining.
(D
e
e
p
down something sighed and wanted to surface.)
Weeks passed and he found a book in his hands
he thumbed the spine, slid his fingers between
the unopened pages. He read the back copy;
some tale that had once interested him.
(D
e
e
p
down something opened its eyes)
He read the first page followed by the second
meaning seeped back into the open book
and a fresh pen replaced the redundant one.
****
Missed last month's poetry? Read Love Poem to the Sea here.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Book Review - The Rhysling Anthology 2011
The Rhysling Anthology is produced annually by the Science Fiction Poetry Association. The poems inside are reprints from 2010 and serve as a fantastic introduction to poetry written in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres. It is a bubbling pot of themes ranging from creation myths down to individual horrors, fantasy lands and explorations of space and time. Too many favourites to chose from, too many newly discovered poets to google. This is one anthology that begs multiple readings.
Rating: 4/5
Sunday, 21 August 2011
ROW80 - Round 3 - Check in 8
My New Goals:
1) Keep up with studies
2) Read fiction/ poetry most days of the week
3) 5 minutes of pranayama at least 5 times a week
4) Write, rewrite and analyse one new poem a week (scheduled for Wednesday nights.)
5) Read one fiction writing related article at least once a week.
6) Continue with prep work for the 2nd draft of a novel.
I've failed on goals 1, 2 and 5 so far since setting all my goals out in my last check in. I decided not to keep up with studies as I was going to be working on it for a few days and then from tomorrow I'm away for nearly two weeks so I'll throw myself back into studying when I return.
I don't know how my reading goal went out the window but I'm planning on doing plenty of reading by the pool until I return. Looking forward to getting started on Adam Nevills "Ritual. Goal 5 I'm hoping to do today.
Goal 4 is part complete. I've written a new poem which I would like to expand. So far no poems have been rewritten and I've not typed up my analysis for the new poem yet.
Goal 3: I managed to do my 5 minutes of deep breathing every night since the 17th Aug. I'm hoping to keep up with this while I'm away.
Goal 6: Have now filled in my novels timeline for the 1st two chapters and figured out a more dramatic solution to my messy beginning.
Hope you're all doing great, and I'll see you when I return:
1) Keep up with studies
2) Read fiction/ poetry most days of the week
3) 5 minutes of pranayama at least 5 times a week
4) Write, rewrite and analyse one new poem a week (scheduled for Wednesday nights.)
5) Read one fiction writing related article at least once a week.
6) Continue with prep work for the 2nd draft of a novel.
I've failed on goals 1, 2 and 5 so far since setting all my goals out in my last check in. I decided not to keep up with studies as I was going to be working on it for a few days and then from tomorrow I'm away for nearly two weeks so I'll throw myself back into studying when I return.
I don't know how my reading goal went out the window but I'm planning on doing plenty of reading by the pool until I return. Looking forward to getting started on Adam Nevills "Ritual. Goal 5 I'm hoping to do today.
Goal 4 is part complete. I've written a new poem which I would like to expand. So far no poems have been rewritten and I've not typed up my analysis for the new poem yet.
Goal 3: I managed to do my 5 minutes of deep breathing every night since the 17th Aug. I'm hoping to keep up with this while I'm away.
Goal 6: Have now filled in my novels timeline for the 1st two chapters and figured out a more dramatic solution to my messy beginning.
Hope you're all doing great, and I'll see you when I return:
Thursday, 18 August 2011
ROW80 - Round 3 - Check in 7
Going to make this quick as blogger lost my post when I tried to check in yesterday.
I have finished the initial stage of my spreadsheet. Big yay. Now to figure out my timeline and how my background element develops which I can't see me getting to for a couple of weeks. Also after Sunday I won't be around for a couple of weeks.
I'm increasing my goalage as there are at least 6 things I need to do on a weekly basis and they are:
1) Keep up with studies
2) Read fiction/ poetry most days of the week
3) 5 minutes of pranayama at least 5 times a week
4) Write, rewrite and analyse one new poem a week (scheduled for Wednesday nights.)
5) Read one fiction writing related article at least once a week.
6) Continue with prep work for the 2nd draft of a novel.
Hope everyone is chugging along.
I have finished the initial stage of my spreadsheet. Big yay. Now to figure out my timeline and how my background element develops which I can't see me getting to for a couple of weeks. Also after Sunday I won't be around for a couple of weeks.
I'm increasing my goalage as there are at least 6 things I need to do on a weekly basis and they are:
1) Keep up with studies
2) Read fiction/ poetry most days of the week
3) 5 minutes of pranayama at least 5 times a week
4) Write, rewrite and analyse one new poem a week (scheduled for Wednesday nights.)
5) Read one fiction writing related article at least once a week.
6) Continue with prep work for the 2nd draft of a novel.
Hope everyone is chugging along.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
ROW80 - Round 3 - Check in 6
Goal: To complete prep work for the 2nd draft of a novel.
Wow, another Sunday already. I got back from Newcastle late Thursday. I even managed to do a 10 min freewrite on the train down, which felt really uncomfortable as I had people sitting in close proximity to me so I think I'll stick to writing at my desk from now on. Does anyone else write in unusual places?
I've filled in spreadsheet data up to chapter 16 now and only have 7 more chapters to go to complete stage 1. I'm noticing as I'm moving through the middle part of the story I'm getting more missing data for "days" and "time" so next stage will be to print it out and go over the timeline with a fine tooth comb.
After working on Shroud on Saturday morning, I then flaffed about with the blog all afternoon. I've tightened up on my post labels, started my new feature "My Top 5" where I'll be sharing some of my favourite things in a catergory. My first few will concern books.
I also decided to test my basic photoshop skills and add a banner to the blog, 20 attempts later it still doesn't fit the space provided but I'll sort that out later today. I think I need to lose 20 pixels of the width. What's wrong with centimetre's?
I've managed to get some poetry reading done and should have a review of The Rhysling Anthology up in the next few days.
I failed on my exercise goal and decided to get back to studying on Saturday which went out the window after I got sidetracked with the blog changes.
As of this week, I'm going to use Wednesday to write new poetry and want to try and read at least one article a week from my writing magazines.
I'm also itching to start a new project. I have no idea what or I may spend a couple of days on my novella.
How's your week been?
Wow, another Sunday already. I got back from Newcastle late Thursday. I even managed to do a 10 min freewrite on the train down, which felt really uncomfortable as I had people sitting in close proximity to me so I think I'll stick to writing at my desk from now on. Does anyone else write in unusual places?
I've filled in spreadsheet data up to chapter 16 now and only have 7 more chapters to go to complete stage 1. I'm noticing as I'm moving through the middle part of the story I'm getting more missing data for "days" and "time" so next stage will be to print it out and go over the timeline with a fine tooth comb.
After working on Shroud on Saturday morning, I then flaffed about with the blog all afternoon. I've tightened up on my post labels, started my new feature "My Top 5" where I'll be sharing some of my favourite things in a catergory. My first few will concern books.
I also decided to test my basic photoshop skills and add a banner to the blog, 20 attempts later it still doesn't fit the space provided but I'll sort that out later today. I think I need to lose 20 pixels of the width. What's wrong with centimetre's?
I've managed to get some poetry reading done and should have a review of The Rhysling Anthology up in the next few days.
I failed on my exercise goal and decided to get back to studying on Saturday which went out the window after I got sidetracked with the blog changes.
As of this week, I'm going to use Wednesday to write new poetry and want to try and read at least one article a week from my writing magazines.
I'm also itching to start a new project. I have no idea what or I may spend a couple of days on my novella.
How's your week been?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
