Random thoughts

The days are getting shorter as the year draws to an end. It is times like this when I feel the need to update my blog. So what I have been doing with myself this year? On the writing front I have had my most adventurous year yet: I have written an audio script called 'Ramble on Rose' written two synopses for two more audioplays, a short story for the annual Big Finish Paul Spragg memorial, attempted seven chapters for a Parody book for The Professor Howe range ( I need to do some serious re-editing in the next few weeks and send a chapter at a time to be okayed.) I have re-drafted a children's story I attempted a year ago only to decide it needs another redraft. I have written a horror short story and have written a couple of short stories featuring my two daughters. I have scribbled some notes in preparation of trying to write my take on Far-fetched fiction based on the adventures of a Detective set in a an alternative reality Lichfield. I've also created a thumbnail ...

1/. The Pirate Planet by James Goss based on a script by Douglas Adams. 2/.Doctor Who and the Krikitmen by James Goss based on a script by Douglas Adams. 3/. Doctor Who tales of terror by various authors. 4/. Collected Ghost stories volumes 1 and 2 by MR James. 5/.Carnacki the Ghost Finder by William Hope Hodgson.

Let's see. I'm currently Head of Media studies and Quality Nominee for my school. My daughters are currently 8 and a half and five. My step children are 28, 26 and 20. The eldest two have left home and the youngest step child is at University. Television wise, I enjoy watching Doctor Who, The Last Kingdom, Constantine, Supernatural, Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Sherlock,  Elementary, Sherlock Holmes starring Jeremy Brett, Fringe, Breaking Bad and Better call Saul to mention a few. This is not necessarily an exhaustive list. I enjoy Audiobooks and audionplays. I'm a big fan of Big Finish productions. From their Doctor who range, I enjoy the 8th, 6th and 4th Doctor stories the most but have enjoyed stories featuring the other Doctors too. I adore the Jago and Litefoot range and have started listening to the Dark Shadows range too. I like the sound of the Cicero range and enjoyed the actor in Dirk Gently so will probably buy them too. Whilst Big Finish are the market leaders in Cult...

Blade runner was a film I first saw in the mid eighties, My Dad had recorded it from the TV using an old VHS tape. The film rapidly became a favourite film of mine and I watched it several times. Indeed I watched it so many times, there was a time when I could no longer watch it as I was overfamiliar with the film. Around five or six years ago I bought the box set with several editions of the film and showed them to my wife and step son. Around a year ago I first heard plans for Blade Runner 2049. I was sceptical at first: the first film, I believed, ended perfectly: the ambiguity left one to figure out what happened next and I didn't like the idea of my own imagination being trumped by a sequel. It seemed that the usual complaint of a dearth of new ideas in Hollywood addicted to recycling and churning out old tried and tested ideas was being reaffirmed by the creation of this sequel. Still I decided to keep an open mind and check it out when it finally arrived. I must c...

With a busy job and two young daughters,  I don't have much time to write my Blog as frequently and in as much detail as I would like. However, I would like to share what I wrote for World book day at our school. For the record, I read a lot of Bernard Cornwell and Terry Pratchett novels at the moment. Although I am a genre fan and often read fantasy, Science fiction and Historical fiction, I think two of the most rewarding fictional   books I have ever read are ones which have won literary awards or have been nominated for literary awards: ‘The Remains of the Day’ by Kazuo Ishiguro and ‘Atonement’ by Ian McEwan. The Remains of the Day is Kazuo Ishiguro's third published novel. The work was awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1989. I read this book in the Summer of 2000. I was reading it as I came to Bluecoat for the second time to arrange my Long term supply with Mrs Boys who was then Head of English. I have a clear memory of sitting in Birmingham New st...

Post to Wire by Richmond Fontaine. The Besnard Lakes are the roaring night by The Besnard Lakes Steeple by Wolf People. Outside Love by The Pinkmountaintops. Cease to begin by Band of Horses. Everything all the time by Band of Horses. Infinite arms by Band of Horses. Diamond Dogs by David Bowie. Disreasli Gears by Cream. Safe as Milk by Captain Beefheart and his magic band. Layla and aother assorted love songs by Derek and The Dominos. Slowhand by Eric Clapton. The ugly people versus The Beautiful people by The Czars. The Queen of Denmark by John Grant. The Besnard lakes are the dark horse by The Besnard Lakes.