Dramatis personae: The Characters of TAU CETI
TAU CETI is a big, complex story with a large cast of characters. This non-exhaustive list gives all of the important characters.
Tau Ceti, writer's life, Writing
Creativity
Ambrose Bierce, Creativity, Douglas Adams, Mark Twain, Monty Python, Politics, Social Discourse, Writing Prompt
Favourite Quotes
There are three quotes that are favourites; two well-attributed to Monty Python and Douglas Adams, and one misattributed to both Mark Twain & Ambrose Bierce.
Maiden Voyage of Novyy Mir, Namibia, South Africa, Space, Tau Ceti, travel, Writing Prompt
Living Dreams, Big and Small
From an early age, I dreamt I’d live on a sailboat, I dreamt I’d be an author, I dreamt I’d go to Africa. I dreamt I’d have adventures.
critical thinking, education, Malaysia, Namibia, Nomad, Social Discourse, society, teaching, Writing Prompt
Give Life-Changing Advice
Living abroad (not tourism, which is heavily sanitized) will truly open your mind to what the world is, what makes us different, and what makes us all the same (more than you think).
writer's life
Is Six Books the Goldilocks Zone for Authors?
There’s a discussion evolving about the optimal length of a book series over at SFF Chronicles website. Do readers grow tired of a series after six books? If you write from passion will readers stay with you for however long you take?
music, Social Discourse, society, Writing Prompt
Lyrics for Life
I could cite Simon & Garfunkle, Johnny Clegg or a bunch of Beatles song lyrics, but I’m going to go with the Boss and two lines from Jungleland.
Science Fiction, Tau Ceti, Writing
Tau Ceti: Final Chapter Titles?
With thirty-eight chapters and a prologue, TAU CETI is an epic tale, with this final draft starting at 159,000 words.
Africa, education, Namibia, Nomad, teaching, Writing Prompt
Keeping Promises to Yourself
I decided that my way to Africa was as a teacher. It took two years to get everything sorted. And longer to get there. I was facing two big hurdles: I’d never taught, and I’d never lived in another culture.
critical thinking, education, society, Writing Prompt
Nature vs Nurture
The WordPress/JetPack writing prompt for today is:
Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are? And my answer, without taking an easy out, is both.
critical thinking, Namibia, society, Writing Prompt
Future Technology
I’ve been thinking Sam Neill thoughts since learning of his passing. This has led me back to “Until The End of The World” (1991). The film is a good example of a William Gibson’s quote that I like, “The future is already here, it’s just not distributed evenly.”