Peter F Hamilton Event 14/10/2014

Hi peeps

The other night went to Waterstones Leeds to see Sci Fi author Peter F Hamilton.   It was a top night.

Have to admit have never read any of his near and far future novels but have always wanted to as his novels have always got good reviews in Sci Fi magazines like SFX!   Have started reading a free download of Fallen Dragon which I am enjoying.

The Event started  with Peter reading an extract from his new novel The Abyss Beyond Dreams - a novel which connects his two popular series The Commonwealth System and Void novels.

The extract sounded very interesting and concerned cloning. 

Peter then gave a brief talk then Question and Answer session.  Here's what I learned from him.

He told us why he writes - because he enjoys writing and is a storyteller and would carry on writing even if not published.   At the moment he has 4 novels in his head waiting to get out and currently planning his next set in the Commonwealth which he admits will be the last one in that series as he has 8 in that series and wants to try something new and challenge himself. 

He also shared that when he was young he found Sci Fi in the local library - Asimov in particular.

He is interested in how technology changes it's society and told us a new invention being developed OC Tattoos he wrote about years ago. Its a tattoo that can work with technology as a add on.

With his novels he wants to give people a glimpse of the future and get any of his views of the world across,.

He then went on to say he upsets English Lit teachers as they usually put their view across of what an author has written yet the author didn't mean any of what the Lit teacher is saying or thought of it.

Peter gave us a glimpse of how he writes with some of his novels taking up to 3 years to complete as most are huge.

This includes the first 6 months plotting and research getting details right of any world's and technology and characters.   Once this setting is done he sets out the chapters so knows what's going to happen - this is why he never gets writers block as  novels meticulously planned. 

Peter doesn't set a word count but writes 9 till 5 once he's took kids to school and has a quick lunch break.  On a good day writes around 2000 words.

He also re-drafts as he goes.

In the mornings he edits what he wrote day before then in afternoons he continues with the story. He trusts his Editors - has 2 - one in UK and one in USA. Admitted there's no correct way to write a book - everyone writes differently. 

The Universes he creates he wants them to be distinct and different to each other.

He told the audience that he would rather any of his books be made for TV series instead of film as more detail plus hus books so big - bit like the Game of Thrones series. 

He told us he doesn't see himself writing a different genre just yet like Heroic fantasy.

Peter was asked what he prefers E-books or paper and admitted he reads both - Kindle for holidays and Paper books at home - no preference just convenience. 

Overall a very good Author talk with a friendly informative author and one I will hopefully enjoy reading in the near future once I've read my backlog - lol.

Cheers guys

Neil 

Update - not much

Hi gang

It's been a while since my last blog at least two weeks ago but haven't really done much to report on.

All I've done is think plot lines and try to think which story I want to write during November with NanoWrimo!

Anyone else doing it this year?  If so leave a comment.

Oh went to see Sci Fi Author Peter F Hamilton last night in Leeds - a review will be on here tomorrow night.

Well guys n gals off to try plan plots.

Catch you later

Neil

CWG Meeting Monday 29th Sept

Hi guys

How you all?  Tonight was a good meeting with myself, Pauline, Andy, Karen and new member David.

We introduced ourselves to David and described what we write.
David writes alternative world steam punk - plus with his stories he adds music - sounded like War of the World's!
He is influenced by George Mann and Sherlock Holmes books.

We told David how the group works with an agenda including feedback session.

We all discussed our work in progress I mentioned making notes for my environmental apololyptic story.

Andy read two funny stories he had written a while ago - the second one being the better of the two.

We discussed we may do Nano Wrimo in November.

Pauline told us she's still writing for the 89 year old author Harry who has 5 books he wants publishing.

I told the group I had bought a ticket to see Sci fi author Peter F Hamilton in Waterstones,  Leeds on 14th October.

We also discussed about cliff hanger endings to chapters and dodgy toilets in Bradford Interchange among other things!

A good night - welcome David - hope you enjoyed it?

Kirklees Libraries Events

Hi guys

Just thought would share below which I received by E Mail - think will attend the free How to Get Published and maybe the Jodi Picoult event - again (she hot).

Hello everyone,

Here are the latest events coming up from Kirklees Libraries including a new storytelling event next week at Marsden Yarn Spinners.

Mondays 29th Sept and 6th October

Marsden Jazz Festival Poetry Jam workshops

Marsden Library, Peel St, Marsden 7.30-9.30pm £3.00 each workshop.

Julian Jordan will be running two linked workshops to help you choose, adapt or create a poem for the jam, with chance to practise performing at the mic. This year’s workshop features jazz music as inspiration for writing or adapting a poem for you to perform at the jazz festival poetry jam. To book, please call Marsden Library on 01484 222555.  See: Marsden Jazz Festival website/poetry   Poetry writing workshop details

Wednesday 1^st October

Marsden Yarn Spinners: storytelling club, everyone welcome, the first Wednesday of every month. October sees a special event: A very special guest, Ursula Holden-Gill, presents The Bard’s Bridge at Marsden Yarn Spinners. Everyone welcome.

Storytelling for adults with something for everyone including a good measure of comedy, haunting, traditional song and some Westmorland clog dance. More information at: The Bard's Bridge from Ursula Holden Gill

Marsden library. 7.30 – 9.30 pm. Adults £3. Tickets will be available from Marsden library or online now through Kirklees Box Offices

Marsden Yarn Spinners

Saturday 11^th October

How To Get Published and How to Set Up Your Own Business

1.30-3.30pm at Huddersfield Library

Free event from publisher Martin Rothery, Fishcake Publications: how writers can get published and the ins and outs of starting a business. Come for all of just one section.

How to get published: 1.30-2.30pm

How to set up your own business: 2.30-3.30pm

Please register your free place on Eventbrite. Register for the fishcake event

Sunday 12th October2014

Poetry Jam at Marsden’s famous jazz festival

Railway Inn, Marsden 

Pub open from 10.30 when you can sign up for the open mic, which runs from 11.00-14.00 with a break

Free entry

Very popular, so please be early if you want to read.
Compère Julian Jordon. Sponsor Kirklees Libraries.

Our fifth year of running this fantastic event. See Poetry Jam Director’s Cut video from last year.

Special Offer for Readers Group members: Ruby Wax   Sane New World

Tuesday 14 October, 7.30pm at the Lawrence Batley Theatre

This theatre show is based on her critically acclaimed book Sane New World which helps us understand why we sabotage our sanity with our own thinking. This performance shows us how to rewire our thinking to find calm in a frenetic world and how to become the master, not the slave, of our own minds. 

Members of Kirklees Reader’s Groups can purchase tickets for Ruby Wax for £15, saving you up to £3. To book call the box office on 01484 430528 and quote ‘Kirklees Book Club offer’.

Wednesday 15^th October

Marsden Write out Loud: open floor poetry evening at Marsden Library, Peel St.  7.30-9.30pm.  Adults £2. Tea and biccies, then Riverhead pub afterwards.  Compere Julian Jordan

Tuesday 28^th October

2-4pm  Poetry workshop for children aged 7-10yrs at Huddersfield Children’s Library  with poet Angela Topping.  Book your place at the Children’s Library tel 01484 221956 email huddersfield.lic@kirklees.gov.uk

Monday 10^th November

Tickets are now on sale for Jodi Picoult at Dewsbury Town Hall, 7.30-9.00pm. £3 (£2 concessions). She will be talking about her new book, ‘Leaving Time’ which will be published in the UK on 4^th November. There will be an opportunity to buy copies of this book from Waterstones on the night and have copies signed by Jodi after the talk. There’s a lovely review of her previous event here which points out that ‘Jodi’s writing is not only emotional and relevant, but also moral and moving.’

If you fancy Saturday afternoon open-mic poetry sessions, check out David Lindsay’s Talking Zebras in Cleckheaton, first, third and fifth Saturdays monthly.

And for all our readers please do send us book reviews for our blog.  http://readkirklees.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/how-to-write-a-book-review/

Looking forward to seeing you at our events,

Diane, Pam and Laura

Reader Development Team

Red Doles Lane

Huddersfield HD2 1YF

email: read.kirklees@kirklees.gov.uk

tel: 01484 226364 (8606364) or 07896320545

Check out our Reader Development website:www.readkirklees.wordpress.com

Like us on Facebook athttps:/www.facebook.com/readkirklees

Follow us on Twitter at: @readkirklees

This email and any attachments are confidential. If you have received it in error - notify the sender immediately, delete it from your system, and do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way. Kirklees Council monitors all emails sent or received.

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Author talk/ comp win

Hi guys

Quick update - havent written much but had loads of ideas and been writing notes!  I guess from no comments in last post you don't want me to write another Dr Who story lol - last one that bad eh?

Just bought tickets to see Sci Fi Legend Peter F Hamilton in Leeds Waterstones  Tues 14th October - should be fun review soon - best read his work!

Also won 6 tickets to next years Scifi Weekender in Wales next March so going to save up for that taking a couple of mates and one of the CWG crew!
More news on that as and when - but theres Sevenrh Doctor Sylvester Mcoy and Ace !
At first thought was a dodgy scam but find out when there lol

Will write and post soon guys x

Neil

Quick update

Hey guys

How you all? Hope you've all been busy reading and writing!

I haven't written anything - again but been thinking off some good ideas.

Unfortunately Dr Who beat me to the post on one idea as I thought up a beginning of a story where a young girl was scared hiding under the bed and the Doctor and Clara turn up - last night's episode kind of covered that but if anyone wants me to still write that then let me know in comments box - if I get enough people wanting me to write it anyway I will and post on here.

Talking of Dr Who I'm really enjoying this series with Peter Capadi more than the last two Matt Smith series.  Ok its not perfect but enjoy this darker, manic and quite mysterious Doctor.  He's a cross between the classic Doctors William Hartwell and Tom Baker with a splash of Jon Pertwee.

The stories are quite different too loved the dark monster under the bed one last night and the Dalek story and even the Robin Hood story which had some great one liners and jibes in.

Anyway got Steve at CWG doing a character workshop tomorrow so hope that will get my writing going got at least two novels on go and hardly done plus short stories - from tomorrow going to up my game!

Well folks will go do notes and remember if you wanting a new Doctor Who story from me let me know in the comments box.

Night all

Neil x

Update/ Holiday

Hi Guys

Long time no blog again!

As far as writing goes haven't done any for the last two weeks as been on holiday from work including writing.  I have been on holiday to sunny Cleethorpes with my daughter and Mum - which was enjoyable although the weather wasn't great - that's great British weather for you!!

But did get to go to cinema with daughter to watch The Nut Job - quick score - 6/10 - was good for kids but quite forgettable with ok animation and made in South Korea!

Well other than going to Cleethorpes and chilling out at home I have been reading and still attending Cleckheaton Writers Group meetings.

Here's a quick run of the last meet - had a new member called the ninth Doctor - I mean Steven who was dressed similar to Christopher Eccelston's Doctor.  He has been working in script writing for around 25 years and is a script consultant specializing on how the stories are told.

He gave the group some good advice on story structure and gave advice to Karen who had two stories to share which were very good and in a similar vein involving demons.  Andy also shared a good steampunk story and hope to hear more soon.

Well not done anything else to be honest except the Ice Bucket challenge everyone is doing at the moment - there are some good videos with people getting soaked out there although I feel it's wearing a bit thin - but it's for good causes - ASL and Macmillan - mine wasn't great like the ones on construction sites ect.  My fave at the moment is still the Patrick Stewart one - the smoothie - lol

I may try to upload the video up to the blog if remember and can do it.

Well from this weekend going to get back into my writing as haven't done any for ages and the rest of the CWG have been busy writing loads!!

Till next time guys

Neil x