Blake’s 7: Chosen
- At November 24, 2020
- By Niel
- In Writing
0
I’m really pleased that my Blake’s 7 audiobook, Chosen, is out today. I’ve been a fan of Blake’s 7 all my life, so the opportunity to write a novel set in that universe was something that I had wanted to do for a very long time.
My love of Blake’s 7 goes all the way back to the original transmission which I saw at the impressionable age of seven. It gripped me from the first episode, and once I saw the Liberator there was no turning back. I’ve been hooked ever since, and I’ve wanted to play in the Blake’s 7 universe for a very long time. I was lucky enough to animate the intros for the DVDs but this is the first time I’ve written for Blake’s 7, so this is a dream come true for me.
Chosen is set between the Season One episodes Mission to Destiny and Duel. The crew is still getting to know each other when the Liberator is damaged in a flight through an asteroid field. Blake thinks a base might be a good idea, somewhere to conduct repairs and hide from the Federation, and he thinks he’s found the perfect planet. While he, Villa and Jenna teleport down to the surface to explore, the others conduct repairs to the failing ship. Cally accidentally activates a dormant defence system and she finds herself sealed on the Flight Deck, her mind flooded with images of a teenage boy growing up in a ruined city on an icy planet. As Cally fights her own personal battle for control of her mind, Avon and Gan struggle to save the ship from destruction. And Blake’s hope of finding sanctuary quickly turns into a battle for survival against a horde of killer robots.
I completed Chosen earlier this year, and as I also turned 50 this year I decided it was time to get myself a fantastic Liberator handgun and teleport bracelet replica from Century Casting.
You can listen to Chosen here: https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/blake-s-7-chosen-audiobook-2254
September 1st: 10 years of writing
- At September 01, 2019
- By Niel
- In Advice, Writing
0
I’ve always loved writing, ever since I was a little boy. For years it was comic strips, then it was TV and film scripts, and in between I dabbled with writing a book, but I never got much further than a chapter or three. It always seemed like too big a task. I’d write a few pages, stop to read it, then edit it, over and over again. Eventually, I’d give up, put the project to one side and do something more manageable.
Back in the summer of 2009 I was in the highlands of Scotland, spending time at my Aunt and Uncle’s home in the picturesque countryside close to Balmoral Castle. I’d picked up Stephen King’s book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, and was eagerly reading it, trying to learn from the Master’s experience. It’s an invaluable resource for any writer, with plenty of things to consider, but the main lesson from that book is a simple one: Read every day, write every day.
A few months earlier, I’d started writing a book, another failed attempt that didn’t get further than Chapter Three. It was about a young boy who could travel in time through gravestones.
By the end of the holiday I’d finished King’s book. I came home and vowed to put into action what I’d learned on holiday. Neatly, it was the start of September, so I began to write every day, as much as I could. I picked up the barely-started time-travel novel and began to write, resisting the temptation to stop and go back over what I’d written.
And it worked! I got further than I ever had before! And I kept going until, by the 21st of November I’d completed the first draft of Yard Boy (later renamed Sorrowline). I’d managed to average just under 800 words per day, and I’d only failed to write anything at all on three days. On Writing had shown me how to complete a book.
Of course the book needed lots of editing before it was any good, but at least I had something to edit. I knew what my book was about because I’d actually finished it.
Eventually, after several rewrites, in 2011 Sorrowline won a Northern Writers Award, which helped me to find an agent, who managed to get me a two-book deal for Sorrowline and its sequel. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t read (and chosen to follow) the advice in On Writing.
Ten years later, I’ve written ten books and counting. Writing a book is possible, it just takes focus, dedication and perseverance.
Read every day, write every day. It really is that simple.
I’ve always loved writing, ever since I was a little boy. For years it was comic strips, then it was TV and film scripts, and in between I’d dabbled with writing a book, but I never got much further than a chapter or three. It always seemed like too big a task. I’d write a chapter, stop to read over it, then edit it, over and over again. Eventually, I’d give up, put the project to one side and do something more manageable.
Back in the summer of 2009 I was in the highlands of Scotland, spending time at my Aunt and Uncle’s home in the picturesque surroundings close to Balmoral Castle. I’d picked up Stephen King’s book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, and was eagerly reading it, trying to learn from the Master’s experience. It’s an invaluable recourse for any writer, with plenty of things to consider, but the main lesson from that book is a simple one: Read every day, write every day.
A few months earlier, I’d started writing a book, another failed attempt to get further than Chapter Three. It was about a young boy who could travel in time through gravestones.
By the end of the holiday I’d finished King’s book. I came home and vowed to put into action what I’d learned on holiday. Neatly, it was the start of September, so I began to write every day, as much as I could. I picked up the barely-started time-travel novel and began to write, resisting the temptation to stop and go back over what I’d written.
And it worked! I got further than I ever had before! And I kept going until, by the 21st of November I’d completed the first draft of Yard Boy (later renamed Sorrowline). I’d managed to average just under 800 words per day, and I’d only failed to write anything at all on three days. On Writing had shown me how to complete a book.
Of course the book needed lots of editing before it was any good, but at least I had something to edit. I knew what my book was about because I’d actually finished it.
Eventually, after several rewrites, in 2011 Sorrowline won a Northern Writers Award, which helped me to find an agent, who managed to get me a two-book deal for Sorrowline and its sequel. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t read (and chosen to follow) the advice in On Writing.
Ten years later, I’ve written ten books and counting. Writing a book is possible, it just takes focus, dedication and perseverance.
Read every day, write every day. It really is that simple.
I’m in the top 10%
- At July 16, 2019
- By Niel
- In Awards, Writing
0
Earlier this year I entered my first feature screenplay, The Waiting Room, into the Page International Screenwriting Awards.
Now celebrating its 16th anniversary year, the PAGE Awards is, according to their website (and who am I to argue?), widely regarded as one of the industry’s top sources for new screenwriting talent. Each year some of Hollywood’s most influential producers, agents, managers, and development executives judge the contest and read the winning scripts, and as a result, dozens of past winners have secured representation, landed script assignments, signed option agreements on their work, and many now have movies and television shows in production, on the air, and in theatres.
Today I heard that I had made it to the Quarter Finals! That’s the top 10% of entries. Now, that’s still a big old field, more than 700 scripts, but I’m still delighted to have made it this far. Being in the top 10% of anything is a good thing, right? I’ll hear if I’ve made it through to the semi finals next month. Let’s see what happens from here.
Designing the cover for Arkship Omega – Vlog #010
- At May 14, 2019
- By Niel
- In Writing
0
You can pre-order Arkship Omega here:
https://getbook.at/Arkship6
Out now: Arkship Prophecy
- At March 08, 2019
- By Niel
- In Writing
0
It’s here! Arkship Prophecy, book 5 in the Arkship Saga is available to read now!
As the Church of the Infinite forces its doctrine on the survivors of humanity, the battle-weary Prince Halstead finds himself torn between his desire for peace and the growing tide of resistance, led by his estranged wife Bara. As the survival of humanity hangs in the balance, Halstead must finally decide what the Infinite Gods want him to do, a decision that could change the balance of power across the Cluster forever.
Meanwhile, the followers of the prophet Gofal, in hiding from the brutal forces of the Church’s Inquisitors, work towards a better future, one that may demand the ultimate sacrifice of their outlawed cult.
Now, I’d better get writing book 6, Arkship Omega.
My week: finishing my 10th book!
- At February 14, 2019
- By Niel
- In Writing
0
It’s been a busy start to 2019, with me frantically working on Arkship Prophecy, the 5th book in the Arkship Saga, and my 10th novel to date! I can’t quite get my head round that, it’s such a weird concept. When did I write ten books? Like any big achievement, its only possible by breaking it down into lots and lots of little tasks. It’s taken me almost ten years to get this far, and it’s been a lot of hard work, but I’m really glad I did it.
Arkship Prophecy, book 5 in the Arkship Saga, is now available to pre-order. It’s due out next week, and you can get 25% off the launch price if you grab it today!
As the Church of the Infinite forces its doctrine on the survivors of humanity, the battle-weary Prince Halstead finds himself torn between his desire for peace and the growing tide of resistance, led by his estranged wife Bara. With the survival of humanity hanging in the balance, Halstead must finally decide what the Infinite Gods want him to do, a decision that could change the balance of power across the Cluster forever.
New Year, New Books
- At January 17, 2019
- By Niel
- In Writing
0
It’s 2019, the year of Blade Runner! It’s time to go buy yourself a flying car and book a trip to the off-world colonies to get away from the constant rain. (I live in the UK and I’m used to rain, so I’ll be fine right here.)
January is a good time to plan for the coming year. Here’s what I aim to do:
More books!
No big surprise there, right? Arkship Prophecy is on pre-order right now, due out at the end of next month. Then there’s book six to think about. That’s the last volume in the main run of the Arkship Saga, although there are three prequels planned as well as several side stories.
There’s also the prospect of me writing two separate licenced titles but those are not yet confirmed. They’re both science fiction but very different beasts.
I plan to return to Tobin Artichoke later in the year with two more adventures, so I’m going to be busy.
Screenplays
I’m in the middle of writing a post-apocalyptic love story which I hope to finish in the summer. I’ve really enjoyed doing this and I hope I can do more of this sort of thing as well as writing books.
Events and talks
I’ve been doing less public events so that I can focus on writing, but I’ve not abandoned them completely. I’ve got a few school events coming up as well as some industry talks to writers and publishers.
Animation
I’m still working as an animator in between writing. There are more Doctor Who blu ray box sets coming out which include work from me.
My aim this year is to be productive but to avoid being the busy fool I’ve been in recent years. How about you? What’s your goals for 2019? Let me know what you’re up to.
Arkship Prophecy revealed!
- At December 04, 2018
- By Niel
- In Artwork, Writing
0
The Arkship Saga continues with book five, Arkship Prophecy, which is now available to pre-order! Members of the Arkship Saga Facebook page have already seen the cover, but if you’re not a member then you can see it for yourself now! Just click this link!
What’s it all about? Well….
As the Church of the Infinite forces its doctrine on the survivors of humanity, the battle-weary Prince Halstead finds himself torn between his desire for peace and the growing tide of resistance, led by his estranged wife Bara. As the survival of humanity hangs in the balance, Halstead must finally decide what the Infinite Gods want him to do, a decision that could change the balance of power across the Cluster forever.
Meanwhile, the followers of the prophet Gofal, in hiding from the brutal forces of the Church’s Inquisitors, work towards a better future, one that may demand the ultimate sacrifice of their outlawed cult.
Past and future collide in this fifth volume of the explosive Arkship Saga. If you liked Battlestar Galactica, Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series or The Expanse then this might be the series for you!