As Adaptive Consequences (AC) is set in the future, exploring adaptation and what the world could look like was a narrative necessity. In 15+ years from now, neuroscience and brain augmentation developments, I imagined, would be at a level relative to serve the early seedlings of my plot. The more I researched and hypothesised what the future could look like, the more I geeked out about it all. I didn’t start writing AC with a speculative fiction or a sci-fiction pedigree. I was, at that point, a Sci-Fi virgin – it wasn’t a genre that I actively read or wrote about – so the charm of discovering and writing a potential future-world was a shiny and glistening concept. Our world constantly develops and changes, mostly to improve our quality of life. In AC, adaptation is essential for survival, evolution and Read more…

As I was looking at the list of my favourite books of 2017, I was struck by how different each one was from the other. Some were biting, others beautiful; some were tangibly descriptive, others were so honest and stripped back, by the end of the chapter they had me feeling naked.  One thing all of the books did have in common, was that they weren’t my usual taste. That might be why I responded so strongly to them. Some I read because they received excellent reviews, some because I thought there might be useful elements for my writing and others, I read purely to mix things up. The best compliment I could give an author/book, would be to describe how it will stay with me in the future. Looking at the edit, it was clear each book had something Read more…

Anarchists, rebels, revolutionaries and insurgents; or, in my novel’s case, Autonarmies. The consensus of meeting one used to prompt eye-rolling and the metaphorical layering of one’s defences. Anarchists are ‘punks’ who socially exclude themselves; they’re hyper-sensitive; they have nothing-better-to-do; they’re sensationalists, right? Who are we to deconstruct and disrupt civilisation? Who can be bothered? What’s the worst that can happen? Um…. Recent events suggest we should challenge and question, and people are incited enough to do just that. The seemingly questionable and irresponsible fiscal decisions made by our Head of State (and wider family), as detailed in the Paradise Papers, is a timely example of people in a position of power and leadership advocating one thing, but their actions demonstrating another. Add to that the recent reports about sexual aberrations of power in Westminster, and the shady tactics employed by Read more…

You‘ve got big dreams? You want to write? Well, writing costs. And right here is where you start paying: in words. I first stumbled across The Writer’s Workshop (editorial service for writers) when looking for options for manuscript assessments a couple of years ago. Checking out their events section, I read about their innovative Festival of Writing with interest – an exciting, democratic concept which facilitates sought-after face-to-face time with agents, as well as a multitude of workshops to hone and refine your skills as a writer. I went to 2016 FoW and found it invaluable. I was midway through my novel at the time and wanted to understand what it was all about – assess the landscape, learn how it works – and it was the immersive and frightening experience I wanted it to be.  The Festival takes place Read more…