Disaster Attraction — The Eternal Appeal of the Apocalypse

Why crave the apocalypse? Why watch Charlton and Mel grapple doom-spawned vampires and leather-clad crazies? Why pursue the ash-strewn trails of Viggo and Don (Tiger too), only to end up hunkered down in a craterish bed sitting room waiting to thumb a lift from Ralph in his horse-drawn Rolls? If all is truly lost, why … Continue reading Disaster Attraction — The Eternal Appeal of the Apocalypse

“The Walking Dead” and the Episodic Revolution

I blame Frank Darabont. It’s like this: I’ve become resistant to new TV shows. I think it’s partly because of the arc. Not Noah’s, nor that of the Covenant, but the one that means there’s no such thing as a series any more – everything’s a serial. I’m old enough to get nostalgic about all … Continue reading “The Walking Dead” and the Episodic Revolution

Clockwork of the Lost Ark

I was watching Raiders of the Lost Ark for the umpteenth time at the weekend, when my wife interrupted to ask me why I enjoyed watching certain films over and over again. Or reading certain books, for that matter. The natural response to such a question is of course, "Hush, dear, I'm watching Raiders of … Continue reading Clockwork of the Lost Ark

From Manuscript to Print

I occasionally visit local primary schools to talk about creative writing and my experiences in the publishing industry. Halfway through telling the children about my first novel Dragoncharm, I bring out the original typescript and drop it on the table. At 798 pages it makes quite a bang (and raises plenty of surprised giggles). It's … Continue reading From Manuscript to Print

The Science Fiction of Bob Shaw

Just discovered a heap of Bob Shaw books buried in a forgotten corner. Ah, the joyful anticipation of rereading some old favourites! Bob's concept of slow glass is one of those science fiction ideas from heaven. It's a dream of a concept that gets right under your skin and just wriggles there. In case you … Continue reading The Science Fiction of Bob Shaw

From the Page to the Screen

On my bookshelf as a young kid, I had a book called Bambi by Felix Salten, another called The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith and The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. I suspect my parents bought them for me when the Disney movies came out. However, these were 'real' paperback editions, not … Continue reading From the Page to the Screen

Big Dumb Objects in Science Fiction

I recently re-read Arthur C Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama, having not picked it up since I was a teenager. What struck me – apart from the remarkable clarity of the prose and the clean straight lines of the narrative – was the geometry. Rama, the alien spacecraft featured in the novel, is an enormous cylinder. … Continue reading Big Dumb Objects in Science Fiction

Werewolves Rule

I once wrote a story called Dead Wolf in a Hat in which I fooled around with some of the standard werewolf conventions. In researching the story, I stumbled on a Bavarian variety called a Boxenwolf, whose ability to shapeshift was controlled by a special belt, and I got to wondering what other accessories or articles … Continue reading Werewolves Rule

The Seductive Allure of Speculative Fiction

Why do I like speculative fiction? Am I hard-wired that way? Is there a gene? Was I abducted by aliens as a small child and infused with an urge to read about strangers in strange lands? In short, was it nature or nurture? I don't recall any incidents with aliens (although if they used mind-altering … Continue reading The Seductive Allure of Speculative Fiction

Space Elevators in Science Fiction

According to a recent article in New Scientist, an inflatable tower might one day be built to transport us a long way towards orbit. I can't help thinking you'd need one hell of a puncture repair kit to hand, but it's a fascinating addition to the whole space elevator debate. There's an annual competition, I … Continue reading Space Elevators in Science Fiction