Hello, Good People.
Yesterday, my very good friend down the road, Charlie, celebrated his 91stbirthday. Let’s hear it for Charlie … YEAH!!!!!!!*
Hell, I’m just hoping I’ll reach my allotted three score and ten years next year!
Cheers,
PT
*They don’t make ‘em like that anymore! He still bombs around Central London on his mobility scooter!!
Hello, Good People.
As I told you on a previous posting, , sometimes I write, in my mind, as I settle down to sleep. Occasionally, I’ll wake up at some hour of the night, and find I have the line, phrase or approach in my mind that I’ve been seeking.
Well, the same happened last night, with just a slight variation. As I awoke, I was ‘writing in my mind’ the opening sequence for ‘BLOOD’, and also realised I had the means (approach and wording) for the closing sequence of the story. I crawled from my bed (c2:45am), went into the lounge, wrote the opening and closing paragraphs, then returned to bed.
This morning, I went back to my scribbling of the night, corrected where necessary, and that was that; the opening (Alpha) and closing (Omega), bits for ‘BLOOD’, that I’d been searching long and hard for.
O, the joys of the would-be writer!
Cheers,
PT
Hello, Good People.
Thank you very much for giving my blog site a good shove-off of a send off. 500 hits thus far, and rising even as I think.
To those of you kind enough to also record that you ‘like’ a particular posting, please feel free to comment in the form of critique; good or bad!
Cheers,
PT
Hello, Good People.
I spoke with She Who Must Be Obeyed last night. She’s only human after all. She’s recovering from a severe cold. Altogether now …. Ahhhhhh!
A surprise for me. Smiley assures me it was me who selected the 7 ‘BoCheK Tales’ for the next ‘book’. She also told me she’d let me know just before they go on Kindle, so I can let you know what to expect. Good game, good game.
Nothing else to report, as such. I’ve asked several medical questions of my Doctor, as I prepare to lay down the basic structure for my last ‘BoChek Tale’: ‘BLOOD’. Bet he doesn’t get requests like that too often!
Right, that’s it for now. Up and at ‘em …. and stay away from colds.
Cheers,
PT
Hello, Good People.
In my last posting, on 21 November (‘WOE IS ME re I.T.’), I saddled you with all the hassles I’d endured checking out the copy of Series 2 of ‘The BoCheK Tales’, due to go out on Kindle shortly. On 22 November, I decided I’d been so tired towards the end of the previous day, it would be prudent to check the results of what I’d eventually sent over to SWMBO. I spotted a few mishaps remaining, so ended up doing a third full read through. Once done, the mishaps corrected, I sent that over. Yesterday, I chilled out. Amongst other things, I finished reading Shelley’s ‘FRANKENSTEIN’. Mmmmmmm.
I have to say, I found Smiley’s selection of ‘Tales’ for Series 2, to be rather interesting. Two very ‘dark’ ones. One of which I believe to be the longest ‘long short’ ‘BoCheK Tale’ I have written to date.
Well, this Sunday, 25 November, I will be checking in with Smiley (by ‘phone) to get any further instructions. I may find out when these next two “books” (‘GEORGE’, Series 1 being the other) go on Kindle. As soon as I know, you’ll know. I will also give a few details of the ‘Tales’ and stories in each respectively.
That’s it. Stay loose, stay happy!!
PT
Hello, Good People.
As you know, we’re working to get ‘The BoCheK Tales’, Series 2, ready to go on Kindle. Also, that this time it’s 7 ‘Tales’ as opposed to 8, and a different set to what I thought; much to my delight as it turns out. It all panned out at some 52 pages and just short of 20,000 words in total. Smiley sent over the text for me to check out. Halfway through day two, I had a break. As I did so, so my woes began. The system “lost” my work, but promised to ‘try and get it back’! After five minutes, it came back up. Magic. I decided to finish the job then SEND it back to Smiley- ASAP. I was on Document, couldn’t see any ‘SEND’ icon so hit something else. ‘Bye-‘bye contents. It’s probably in the system somewhere. After contemplating jumping out the window, it dawned on me: the nice little colour ‘button’ icon. When I had done the whole correction process a second time, I hit it. There it was, the email plus ‘Attachment’ facility. I didn’t wait. Off it went. I’ve since heard from Smiley that she received it safely. I haven’t worked so hard for ages (it was late evening).
All this aside, it was worth it. Found an error in the storyline of one ‘Tale’ and corrected it, and gave back to another the last two pages that seemed to have gone walkies. I can also say that I was quite happy with the second half of the main long-short ‘Tale’ of ‘BROTHER MIND’.
I have to ask ….. whatever happened to good old pen and paper???, and, WHO WOULD A WRITER BE!?
Cheers,
PT
GOOD OL’ “SMILEY” !
Hello, Good People.
Over the last few days, I’d been putting together a one or two lines introductions to each of the eight ‘Tales’ that would be in Series 2 of ‘The BoCheK Tales’, and also of the stories in the first (of two) series of ‘GEORGE’. All in all, I was quite satisfied (smug?) with my forward planning (one step ahead of ‘She Who Must Be Obeyed’). And then, as if by magic, the email (with Attachment) arrived. It had the SEVEN ‘BoCheK Tales’ for Series 2, and all different from my listing. Mmmmmm. However, in a moment, I had a big smile on my face. The composition of this second Series was two ‘long-short’ Tales’ (up to five times the length of a standard ‘Tale’) and five standard ‘Tales’. More still; the two ‘long-shorts’ are very dark and grim. I refer to “BROTHER MIND” and “EVIL”. I also learnt, on checking my originals, that these seven ‘Tales’ were the first I’d sent through to Smiley, once she’d decided my work would do well for kindle. I’d done re-writes on each, but before I’d been given instruction as regards to the Kindle template requirement from my side. So, it was one helluva job for Smiley. In the next hour I’ll begin doing a check on each ‘Tale’. What’s the betting there’ll be few, if any, corrections needed! Well, I’d best get going. Until next time, one more time …. LET’S HEAR IT FOR GOOD OL’ SMILEY!
Cheers,
PT
OF THEIR TIME
Hello Good People. Happy Sunday to you all.
Well, I’m coming towards the end of my reading of Mary Shelley’s ‘FRANKENSTEIN’, having already read Stoker’s ‘DRACULA’. I have to say that, on the whole, I have found the language too rich and melodramatic. Then again, they were of their time, and written in the language and style of their time. Also, in truth, the ‘FRANKENSTEIN’ story does tend to torpedo credibility somewhat, as the ‘Creature’ becomes an all singing, all dancing Superman in pretty fast time! Even so, the story has its power and is a genuine original (which Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ wasn’t). One up for the ladies! I still haven’t found what I’m looking for, but have a feeling I may well find it in Stevenson’s ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. By the way, in passing, both Shelley and Stevenson found their inspiration for their respective masterpieces via their dreams! One up for the dreams!
That’s it. Take care.
PT
BACK TO THE FUTURE
(1969 And All That)
Hello, Good People.
As you may recall, I did tell you, on an earlier posting on this segment of the blog, how I often picked the first names of friends for the characters in ‘PROMETHEUS ASCENDING’.
One interesting thing. For a long time, I have been unable to remember when, even if, I modelled Carvel on anyone in particular. It came back to me recently. It was in the aspect of the physical build of the person, his energy, character and humour. It was a friend of mine by the name of Tony. He doesn’t know that to this day. When I began the whole venture (in 1969 onwards), I thought of the actor Ian Holm in my mind’s eye. He would have been perfect for the role back then. Unfortunately, too many years have passed. One other thing. I never really had any particular actor in mind who might have fitted the role of Baltimore. Who would a casting Director be!
That’s it. Have a good weekend.
Cheers,
PT
PICKS FROM THE ‘PROM’
Hello, Good People.
I think it a good idea to end this week by concluding the quotes from ‘PROMETHEUS ASCENDING’. Here they come:
‘I feel I’m descending from a modern Olympus, a lesser man for the experience.’ GAVAERT
The reporter’s acid comment to Carvel, just prior to departure from the CRE, after the ‘Experiment’.
‘DELIVERANCE. Of a friendship, and of a release from Hell on Earth.’ SOURCE
‘So ends the bloody business of the hour.’ Col. PETER BLOOD
The Colonel misquoting from Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, following the conclusion of his part in the Carvel ‘affair’.
That’s it. Now all you have to do is wait until the latter end of next year. They do say all good things come to those that wait. However, as far as this work is concerned, you’ll read and judge!
Cheers,
PT
