Recent Trends in Sci-Fi Books
James C. Rocks [2017-08-19]

 Recent Trends in Sci-Fi Books
It seems to me that the science fiction bookverse (for lack of a better term) is awash with books that seem to tell the same basic story, that Earth is under attack (again) and that evil dastardly aliens are afoot. Whilst I understand that an author wants their readers to care about their characters and their story (if only to make them buy the sequels) I find this kind of scenario unadventurous and frustrating. I've read a lot of science fiction in my time and it is possible to get your readers to care even if the Earth is not in immediate danger of destruction.

READ MORE →

An Unpopular Review (L Ron Hubbard's "Battlefield Earth")
James C. Rocks [2017-06-08]

 An Unpopular Review (L Ron Hubbard's It is said that opinions are like ****holes, we all have one but nothing about possessing ones means you're right, not unless you can justify it. With that in mind I am reviewing a book I happen to like by an author I happen to revile, especially the misbegotten abortion he spawned. I'm not saying it's a good book, just that I like it for various reasons.

READ MORE →

Off To The Publishers
James C. Rocks [2017-02-15]

 Off To The Publishers

With hindsight, a somewhat optimistic review of my first book's progress. Yes, the book is still coming along, still "completed", it just appears that getting the thing published is a lot more complicated than I first thought it would be.

READ MORE →

"Split Second" by Douglas E. Richards
James C. Rocks [2017-01-15]

 The second Douglas E. Richard book I have read, "Split Second" is a techno-thriller, an innovative twist of the science fiction staple of time travel. The book is well-written, engaging and has a fair degree of suspense... for those with strong feelings on such things, it is also fairly violent and contains quite a lot of swearing. I found the book hard to put down and my regular reading time was something I looked forward to. I have no hesitation at all in recommending the book to anyone who is a fan of either thrillers or Sci-Fi.

READ MORE →

The Abyssal Void War, Book 1 is Done!
James C. Rocks [2016-09-05]

 The Abyssal Void War, Book 1 is Done!
Well there it is, the book, my first ever, is largely done and I am now just waiting for the cover art to be completed. Two hundred and fifty-seven A4/Letter pages (line and a half spaced), fifty-four chapters and approximately eighty-five thousand words.

I've given details of the book itself before and I still don't want to give too much away right now but it is set nearly eight hundred years in the future, not ours, but that of an alternate history (which is why I call it an alternate future history) and humanity is once again engaged in what it does best, blowing the hell out of each other.

READ MORE →

The Passion of The Christ
James C. Rocks [2016-09-01]

 The Passion of The Christ

I genuinely had no intention of going to see Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". Several people had opined on how bad (gory, violent, bloody) the film was and I did not want to contribute to the coffers of Mr Gibson whose then behaviour I had been viewing with some alarm. The offer of free tickets by some local churches apparently aware and happy that many of those applying for them were atheist or agnostic changed that and both I and a friend set off to see it.

READ MORE →

"Why Elephants Have Big Ears" by Chris Lavers
James C. Rocks [2015-08-01]

 A brilliantly written popular science book that explains how evolution can create the staggering variety it has, whether dinosaurs were warm or cold blooded, why cinematic monsters such as King Kong and Godzilla are laughably impossible, why the marsupials kept control of Australia, why insects are so small. Finally, he explains why, despite our apparent superiority, we really don't own the world at all, that there is no such thing as a superior or dominant lifeform on the planet. He also explains why, of course, elephants do have big ears.

READ MORE →

Learning To Write, Part 2
James C. Rocks [2016-03-31]

 Learning To Write, Part 2
In the last article, I dealt with mastery of your chosen language. This article discusses the basic inspiration which we gain from a variety of sources such as events, people, books, movies, television. My own arose from book series, several well-written and one not so much and from that, I could imagine better and whilst I may never fulfil that dream it gave me something to aim for. The next requirement is dealt with, in the following article.

READ MORE →

Learning To Write, Part 1
James C. Rocks [2016-03-30]

 Learning To Write, Part 1
Writing may not be as easy as it appears at first glance. This article, the first of three, starts the discussion of what I think are those essential skills, the first of which is a good understanding of the language in which you choose to write. It then goes on to discuss ways in which you can improve your language skills. The next requirement is dealt with, in the following article.

READ MORE →

"River Out Of Eden" by Richard Dawkins
James C. Rocks [2015-04-01]

 In "River Out Of Eden", Dawkins writes of a universe with no apparent design or purpose and explains more of our evolutionary past. With thorough knowledge and captivating style, Dawkins illuminates how life has achieved what to the uneducated or bigoted appear to be miracles. Science journal 'Nature' says, "It abounds with metaphors that make things brilliantly clear, an excellent introduction to many important evolutionary ideas"

READ MORE →


Quotes

I'll have what she's having.

Older Woman Customer (When Harry Met Sally, 1989)

Send A Message...