What is it about horror that fascinates us? What is it about being scared that is like a drug? For many Brits of a certain age, that fear began young: cowering behind the sofa at the appearance of the Daleks or the Cybermen on Doctor Who. Children seem to love being scared and my childhood memories of television are littered with terrifying programmes such as Children of the Stones, Under the Mountain, The Tripods, Dramarama (some were spooky) and countless others who titles I can’t remember but have images of events that took place. Continue reading “Fear!!!! Why Do We Love It So Much?”
Author: MG Mason
Three Fantasy Novels Everyone Should Read
(That are not Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones)
Not, of course, that I don’t or wouldn’t recommend reading them! I just think it would be the lazy choice to include one or all of them. Readers of my blog know that I am very fussy about fantasy. LOTR and Game of Thrones filled me with indifference but I do love Harry Potter. What puts me off fantasy the most is seeing rainforest-murdering tomes with a caption on the back “Book One of this Exciting 40 book series!”
Continue reading “Three Fantasy Novels Everyone Should Read”
Snippet Sunday 13/9/15: Forgotten: Part 1
A new serial! My first for a while and its one I’ve been playing around with for some time but I’m stuck in two minds about it add I think it might have longevity. It could later become a novella, all going well. Continue reading “Snippet Sunday 13/9/15: Forgotten: Part 1”
The Language of Politics: When Sh*t Doesn’t Stick (The Corybn Election Earthquake)
Let me start with a disclaimer: I am not a Labour member, supporter or voter. I have not voted Labour in a General Election since 1997 when Tony Blair came to power. Most elections, I have flitted between Lib-Dem and Green; this year I became a member of the Green Party of England and Wales but feel a Lib-Dem at heart. Continue reading “The Language of Politics: When Sh*t Doesn’t Stick (The Corybn Election Earthquake)”
Tax Exempt – but Here, Jump Through These Flaming Hoops To Get It
Today, I have mostly spent my day trying to sort out my tax exempt status for Smashwords where I recently put up Dead Heat. The UK is one of those countries to have a tax treaty with the USA – meaning self-published authors like myself can apply for tax exempt status from our American cousins and claim all of the cut from our sales. Hurrah!
Continue reading “Tax Exempt – but Here, Jump Through These Flaming Hoops To Get It”
Wrong Word Wednesday #72
I used to do these every week, but now I do them when I have to stop and think about whether I am using the right word or see people using them interchangeably or using one when they mean the other. This is one that made me pause for thought because I’m sure I’ve used it interchangeably too. Continue reading “Wrong Word Wednesday #72”
Post on ILPPS regarding the Refugee Crisis
I’ve resurrected my science blog Illuminati, Lizard People & Pharma Shills with a post about the refugee crisis and how the media (especially social media) is twisting and distorting two separate elements. Please read the thread here.
Thanks everyone.
Book Review: Far Side of the Rubicon by Erik Wecks
I can’t believe it has taken me a year to read this seeing as the writer once described me as “one of his favourite review bloggers” or words to that effect. I’ve read four of his works to date, and I was very keen to read this, part one of a trilogy set in the same universe as his first book Aetna Adrift and following on in a roundabout sort of way, from the previous book. Continue reading “Book Review: Far Side of the Rubicon by Erik Wecks”
A Sense of Place: London, The Eternal City
It’s been almost two years since I wrote about creating a sense of place in your urban landscape when writing, but I want to revisit it following a most recent trip to London where I climbed the O2 arena and was able to take in a good portion of the city while on top of the dome. Continue reading “A Sense of Place: London, The Eternal City”
Marlborough Literature Festival 2015
Who doesn’t love a good literature festival? For bookworms and writers like you and I, they can be a great way to meet some of our favourite writers, hear snippets of upcoming works and get to ask them questions. They’re also an opportunity to attend writing masterclasses and get tips from leading writers. Continue reading “Marlborough Literature Festival 2015”