Chapter seven of #PlanetBarmpot, the satirical #scifi adventure I'm writing with co-author Dave A. Pollard, is in the bag and it's onward to the concluding chapter of the novel's first section. When that is done, there will be much rejoicing!

Currently reading The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert, billed as a 'classic ghost story'. It's my first time reading Herbert and I'm finding his writing a bit pedestrian. I'm curious to hear what others think of his work.

Having now finished The Secret Of Crickley Hall by James Herbert, I can say I was gripped and shocked by the story in equal measures. A slow start leading to a roaring, brutal ending. Basically, akin to being run over by a bulldozer in a Halloween mask.

An enjoyable writing session on #PlanetBarmpot, the satirical #scifi adventure with co-author Dave A. Pollard, last night. The further in we get, the more we come to understand the world we are creating. Vital for narrative consistency and plausibility, but also great fun.

Second rejection and I'm starting to think that maybe there isn't a place for ornate, archaically prosed horror fiction. Perhaps its seen as passe or pastiche? If anyone knows of any titles that welcome unashamedly antiquated horror stories then I'd be grateful. #amwriting

Work is progressing well with #PlanetBarmpot (the new satirical #scifi adventure I'm co-authoring with Dave A. Pollard) and, if the stars are in alignment and we keep up the momentum, the 'End of the Beginning' (i.e. the novel's first section) should soon be in the bag.

There's a rumour going around that Dave A. Pollard & I might just have the first section of our forthcoming satirical #scifi adventure novel, #PlanetBarmpot, in the bag next week. I should know, as I started the rumour.

We've only gone and done it! Dave A. Pollard and I have finished the first draft of the first section of our first novel, satirical #scifi adventure #PlanetBarmpot. Of course there's revisions aplenty ahead but still, something of a landmark. 🍾

I'm enjoying a solid ghost story anthology at present but one story, The Fulness of Life by Edith Wharton, is the worst drivel I've ever read. The prose is a little gushing but the sentiment, that women get satisfaction looking after a neglectful man, is appalling.

I recently discovered a first-rate whimsical horror writer (of sorts) from the 1920s, A. J. Alan. This, courtesy of Bitesized Audio - narrator Simon Stanhope's readings are never less than top hole. There's a few Alan stories on Simon's YT channel. youtube.com/watch?v=RfJiAw…

With the first section of our forthcoming satirical #scifi adventure novel #PlanetBarmpot now done, Dave A. Pollard and I have been picking chapter titles - a decidedly (and surprisingly) tricky - but fun - task. Do you also find titles a challenge? #WritingCommunity

My daughter’s tamagotchi is so old it’s lived through 2 home secs, 2 chancellors and soon 2 PMs

The colour of success is pine green. Why? Because that's the hue that Dave A. Pollard and I use to mark off a chapter as 'done'. We've now marked off all of the first section of our forthcoming #scifi adventure novel #PlanetBarmpot. We are quite chuffed.

There's nothing quite like a cemetery in the woods in New England at sunset in October.

The final review of the first section of satirical #scifi adventure novel #PlanetBarmpot is now almost complete, meaning that I and co-author Dave A. Pollard can soon begin on section two. This update sounds rather dull but the process is, I assure you, very exciting!

A great story from the BBC. If you've never been to the Old Town in Edinburgh then I'd strongly recommend it. Very spooky, and shocking to think how tragically harsh some people's lives were - having to live in the dank and dark. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla…

It's been a while since my last post, in part because who knows where Twitter is heading these days, but delighted to say that the first section of satirical #scifi adventure #PlanetBarmpot, co-authored with Dave A. Pollard, is virtually done.

Crimbo has come early, with Dave A. Pollard and I completing the first part of satirical #scifi adventure #PlanetBarmpot. We'll now be running it past some trusted eyes and, come the new year, we'll get cracking on with the next section.

I'm now signing off for the holidays so wishing one and all a very Merry Christmas. I'll be tucking into some vintage ghost stories and weird fiction; whatever you're reading, enjoy!

I've now emerged from holiday hibernation and am looking forward to a great 2023. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year, and all the best with any writing projects you may be working on.