Category Archives: rant

SPAGFTT8: Pdf’s and pirates

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Mark Hayes

I’ve not done one of these ‘helpful’ guides for a long while, this one came about because of a bit of a rant on my part (yes I know that’s hard for regular readers to believe, me, rant, never…). A … Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, goodreads, indie, indie novels, indiewriter, opinion, rant, self-publishing, writes, writing | Tagged #selfpub, authors, indie, indienovels, nanowrimo, self-publishing, writer, writers, writerslife, writing, writingtip, writingtips | Leave a comment

Jianna’s Fight update

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Mark Hayes

Ten days or so ago I shared the story of a wonderful young woman with an interest in publishing, writers and in particular the indie writing scene, how she managed through the generosity of her nature to give a little … Continue reading →

Posted in goodnews, humanrights, pointless things of wonderfulness, rant, writes, writing | Tagged cancer, charity, goodnews, healthcare, jianna'sfight, rants, thanks | Leave a comment

Social ‘media’ Issues…

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Mark Hayes

I am, some may be surprised to learn, others less so, a bit rubbish at social media. I try, God *or fictional sky dweller of your choice* knows I try, but I tend to fall down the rabbit hole half … Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, blogging, fiction, goodreads, indie, indie novels, opinion, pointless things of wonderfulness, publication, rant, self-publishing, writes, writing | Tagged #amwriting, #selfpub, publishing, self-publishing, writer, writerslife, writingtips | 2 Comments

Jianna’s fight…

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Mark Hayes

Way back in 2015 a couple of months after I published my first novel I received a message on facebook out of the blue and completely unsolicited asking me if I would be happy to receive an award as ‘Book … Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, book reviews, depression, dystopia, humanrights, mental-health, opinion, rant | Tagged charity, death, healthcare, jianna'sfight, life, opinion, rants, wordpress | 3 Comments

Readers are not snowflakes…

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Mark Hayes

The word ‘Snowflakes’ has developed quite a reputation of late. Often used to describe those who get upset or angry about something, often for reasons of personal credo or political persuasion. Ironically, one has felt of late, it is often … Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, indiewriter, opinion, rant, writes, writing | Tagged #amwriting, amediting, amwritingscifi, writer, writerslife, writing, writingtip, writingtips | 4 Comments

New Rules…

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Mark Hayes

From time to time I feel that we ( humanity in general, and writers specifically) need some new rules to live by. (yer okay I am totally borrowing this concept from elsewhere). Occasionally I just need to get them out … Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, errol the bookcase dragon, goodnews, goodreads, humour, opinion, quotes, rant, sci-fi | Tagged humour, newrules, opinion, rants | 1 Comment

What’s in a name…

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Mark Hayes

When I first began writing I had an aim in mind. Well I say that now, in truth many years have passed so this statement is a tad spurious, but certainly, as long as I prepared to remember I had … Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, goodreads, humour, opinion, pointless things of wonderfulness, rant, writes, writing | Tagged #amwriting, #selfpub, amwritingscifi, self-publishing, wordpress, writerslife, writing | 2 Comments

The inner voice…

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Mark Hayes

One of the hardest things to do as a writer, in my opinion, is to write in a character’s voice rather than your own. It is a skill that takes time to learn, and more time to master. How much … Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, cider lane, Esqwiths, Hannibal Smyth, Passing Place, publication, rant, writes, writing | Tagged #amwriting, amediting, amwritingscifi, authors, writer, writers, writerslife, writing, writingtips | 1 Comment

Valuing your craft… reprised…

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Mark Hayes

How do you value the results of your craft? It’s one of those questions that’s always hard to answer, and harder to answer as a writer than, for example, as a carpenter. You might want to bear with me here for … Continue reading →

Posted in amwriting, blogging, indie, indie novels, opinion, politics, rant, self-publishing, writes, writing | Tagged #amwriting, ciderlane, Hannibal Smyth, Passing Place, rants, reading, reads, writer, writers, writerslife, writing, writingtips | 1 Comment

Rambling through a full edit…

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Mark Hayes

Stephen King explains in On Writing that his approach to second drafts and editing involves reducing the word count of a novel by a good ten per cent. Having read my fair share of Mr Kings novels, one hates to … Continue reading →