Cleckheaton Writing Group - A Farewell to Pauline

Pauline Scatterty

24th July 1954 - 24th December 2019

Yesterday myself and other members of the Cleckheaton Writers Group paid our last respects to Pauline who died suddenly over Christmas.

We were joined at the Crematorium by Pauline's family and friends.  We gave Pauline a good send off.

I for one am still shocked by her death and there will be a big hole in the Writing Group going forward.  It won't be the same without her.  Handing around her Writers Magazine for all to look at.

I only knew Pauline from the Writing Group so it would be around six years ago when I met her.

She was enthusiastic about writing and publishing having been in clerical and writing jobs before her retirement.  Even freelancing after as a Copy Editor.

She was friendly and would always give me a lift home if I was stuck for one.

Without Pauline as Treasurer for the Cleckheaton Literature Festivals there probably wouldn't have been one as she did more than Treasurer behind the scenes.  So without Pauline, myself and a lot of other people wouldn't have had two great literature events to go to and work for, meeting great authors, poets and performers.

Plus there would be no CWG Anthology. 

Pauline (left) with Karen - CWG Founder

RIP Pauline - re-joined with your Mother at last. XXX
Sadly missed - Never forgotten.

Late Happy New Year - 2020 Goals!

Happy New Year everyone.

Hope you are all having a good start to the year.

Although it's not a great start World wise due to escalating conflict with USA and Iran.
More importantly the on going raging fires devastating Australia at the moment is an Environmental disaster.
Plus the future is uncertain due to Brexit.

Anyway a lot of what's happening can't be changed.

So I have a few plans and goals in 2020.

• Get Healthy  -  After the last few years being lazy and eating bad I have put on a stone or two.  So 2020 is the year I go back to the gym.  I also plan to eat better but not sure which direction to take.  Maybe Slimming World?  More on this later in the year.
• Walking/Hiking  -  As part of getting Healthy I am wanting to walk more and go on some hikes as there are some great walks around Yorkshire and Britain.  I plan on getting all the hiking gear too.

• Get Writing  -  After being published in 2018 in Reflections the Anthology from Cleckheaton Writing Group, the plan was to build on that.   In 2019 I did zero writing.  Basically laziness plus not in the right mind set.  This year I plan to write a few short stories and send stories to competitions and submissions.   I also want to finish the first draft of Colony X by September.

• Writing Group - 2019 I only attended Cleckheaton Writing Group once or twice but in 2020 I hope to attend once a month by booking a few hours holiday on the Monday it is on.  Hopefully will start this March time.
• Blogging  -  I am hoping to blog more in 2020 whether it is book and film reviews or reviews from Events like Edge-lit which I hope to attend in July.  I will also blog on topics such as "Feeling a fraud when it comes to writing", "Who I would like to write for".  Look out for these soon.

• Reading - 2019 was a disaster for me reading wise as much as writing was.  I only managed to read 4 books in 2019 which is bad.  So in 2020 my aim is to read 2 books a month which adds up to 24 books in 2020.  I'm not sure I will accomplish this with writing more and gym but will give it a good go.  To help I will watch less YouTube/Booktubes and will use Goodreads site to help keep count.
• Career - I hope for a career change in 2020 with better money preferably in writing or publishing in some capacity .

Star Wars - The Rise of Skywalker - Film Review - Spoilers

Hi Fellow Jedi

Have now seen the final film in the Skywalker family saga and as I'd heard mixed reviews and bad things about it was pleasantly pleased by it.

Out of the new Disney Trilogy I think The Rise of Skywalker is my favourite then The Force Awakens then Last Jedi.
I think Last Jedi would have suffered any way as it's just filler to get to The Rise of Skywalker and other than Luke's sacrifice isn't really needed.

The film starts off a few years after Last Jedi with the Rebellion built up and Rey (Daisy Ridley) has been training in the Jedi way with Leia (Carrie Fisher) being her mentor.
We also see a flashback to a scene after Return of the Jedi with a young Luke training Leia which was a good call back to the original trilogy .

Across the Galaxy the voice of the Emperor (Ian Mcdiarmid) has been heard so leader of the First Order Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) who was Ben Solo goes in search of the Emperor to destroy him so he would be all powerful.
The Emperor tells him Rey is more powerful and to destroy her.  Kylo is also impressed with the Emperor's fleet which have planet destroyer cannons on them instead of making a Death Star.

Kylo goes to pursue Rey who is on a mission to also find the Emperor and destroy him also with the help of Poe, Finn and C3-P0

The action and drama is full on even though the script could have been tweeked as it's basically Force Awakens but instead of searching for Luke they are searching for Palpetine.

Overall  -  With some great special effects and set pieces including lightsaber battles there are some good nods to the original trilogy and all three main characters show up, Luke, Leia and yes Han Solo!
It is a good close to the saga although like most fans would have loved Luke going up against the Emperor.  Also the Emperors death seemed a little rushed.


Score  -  9/10

Xmas Book Haul and Geek Stuff

Hi guys

I did well this Xmas thanks to my gf x

I got a collection of original DC novels for Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Cat Woman.

Yes DC and Marvel now publish novels.

From what I've seen in Waterstones most of the Marvel books are adapted from Graphic Novels though I have seen a couple of original stories.

DC so far have published original novels can't wait to get stuck in as multi million selling YA novelist Leigh Bardugo has written one.

I also got a £20 Waterstones voucher.

The best surprise was this collectable Megatron.  It looks awesome and I hope to get the Optimus Prime one soon but they kept selling out fast.

Hope you all got what you wanted or deserved and chat later.

Neil  x

Merry Christmas

Have a great day everyone!

It's a bit early for resolutions but I want to under go a Transformation and get fit. Maybe get into my Prime again.

Chat soon x

Book Review - Winter Warriors by David Gemmell

Hi guys

Well what a poor do.  I started Winter Warriors on July 4th 2019 and only just finished it.  That's five months!

The reason being life taking over and my laziness as there is nothing wrong with the book and once I was reading it I really enjoyed it.

In fact it's a Drenai novel I should love as it has the realistic gritty nature of war and life but adds extra magic and demons to the mix.

This Drenai novel has more magic and demons than previous novels yet like the other past books is also a good character study.

The story tells of the Demon-lord Anharat pursuing a baby which needs to die in order to let his demons take over earth.

Protecting the baby is a rag tag retired bunch of warriors including Nogusta who is a feared warrior and sees visions.  Kebra an excellent bowman and the huge fighter Bison.

As with most of the books I've read of Gemmells it touches on themes of old age, fear of death, honour and love.  Plus there is plenty of action although the ending was a bit disappointing as I was expecting a huge battle although the conclusion made sense.


Overall   -  A typical Gemmell novel with added demons but fun all the same and as ever some great writing.  I can't wait to start Hero in the Shadows although once I've read that will have a Gemmell break and read sci-fi or crime as starting to have Drenai fatigue.  But rest assured I will return to Gemmell books late 2020.


Score   -   7/10  (would have been 8/10 if hadn't took so long and read consistent.
If Goodreads 3 stars.

This was took 4th July when I first started it.

Late December Update

Hi Peeps

Just a quick December update which is later than normal.

This is due to a stomach bug which has knocked me for six and I'm only just getting better. 

Well I've still not done any writing but couldn't with this bug so I've decided to make a fresh start in 2020 and get right into my writing, blogging and reading.

Yep this is an early resolution as I need to get serious about my writing and blogging plus I want to get my 200 plus TBR pile down as I've been abysmal at reading in 2019.  I've only read four books this year and just finished Winter Warriors which I started on 4th July. 

Also in 2020 I want to look at career options and get fit again.

But until then we've Xmas to look forward to!

Catch you later guys.

Neil

P.S. Looked back at reviews and only done two book reviews so with Winter Warriors I've only read three books this year! That is poor!