I love this research revealed in The Guardian today from a scientific study that claims to have found fractal patterns in novels like Finnegans Wake. James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake has been described as many things, from a masterpiece to unreadable nonsense. But it is also, according to scientists at the Institute of Nuclear Physics inContinue reading “How do you balance complexity and simplicity in your writing?”
Author Archives: Damien Walter
I found the ultimate digital nomad shoulder bag…the maker surprised me.
For the best part of three years now I’ve been living as a “digital nomad”. Nobody I know, including hundreds of digital nomad friends I’ve made along the way, really likes the term, but it’s less clunky than “location independent entrepreneur” and generally conveys the idea of working whilst travelling. Or as one of myContinue reading “I found the ultimate digital nomad shoulder bag…the maker surprised me.”
Suicide Squad might yet save DC from itself
Welp…Batman VS Superman looks like it’s going to be one of the worst films in history. But Suicide Squad…actually looks quite good. It’s been a looong time since anyone could say that about a DC comics based movie! I’ve never read the Suicide Squad comics, but based on this trailer I will now check themContinue reading “Suicide Squad might yet save DC from itself”
The intellectual conflict that defined 20th century science
Most of us today recognise the theory of relativity as a foundation of modern science, even if few of us can claim to truly understand it. Even if we can’t conceptualise the truth of a universe in which space and time are famously unified as spacetime, we can enjoy the idea that a human travellingContinue reading “The intellectual conflict that defined 20th century science”
Why is Rey such a great hero?
***SPOILERS AHEAD*** Heroes are an interesting character type. Not every protagonist is a hero, far from it. Most stories are about relatively ordinary people going on journeys and overcoming challenges. But there is no challenge too great for the hero. Need a dragon slain, an innocent rescued, a Death Star explodeyed? The hero is yourContinue reading “Why is Rey such a great hero?”
So. Who are Rey’s parents? ***SPOILER WARNING***
***SPOILER ALERT*** Watch The Force Awakens before reading this. It won’t mean much to you if you haven’t. If you have and you see an option not listed here…put your argument forth in the comments. UPDATE – courtesy of the very talented Dean E S Richard we have solid evidence of a romantic relationship in BenContinue reading “So. Who are Rey’s parents? ***SPOILER WARNING***”
Book piracy is likely a thing of the past
Most writers are still getting used to the idea that almost anybody can get a copy of almost anything on the internet, including the book that took the writer months or years of effort to create. Understandably, many writers get very angry about this, while others think constructively about how copying can help writers andContinue reading “Book piracy is likely a thing of the past”
This conspiracy theory will change how you see Star Wars…forever!
FINALLY! The true hero of the Star Wars saga…REVEALED AT LAST! * Our story begins on a forest moon in a distant sector of a a faraway galaxy. For generations this diverse world has been protected, a sanctuary, home to dozens of sentient and semi-sentient species. Now the Galactic Republic has fallen, an Empire hasContinue reading “This conspiracy theory will change how you see Star Wars…forever!”
Joseph Campbell on why we must create our own mythologies
Myth still conjures a strong negative reaction in many of us. For most of the millions of people awaiting the release of Star Wars : The Force Awakens, myths are an entertaining diversion. For the rigorously scientific and many people of a skeptical mindset, myths are nothing moe than glamorous lies. But for millions ofContinue reading “Joseph Campbell on why we must create our own mythologies”
The sci-fi books that inspired Star Wars
It’s remarkable how many science-fiction fans hate Star Wars. To those who like their SF grounded in science, Star Wars is reprehensible “skiffy” in the pejorative sense, a flight of fantasy cloaked in science-fiction’s clothes. For most under-40s, Star Wars is where their love of sci-fi began, but for those who remember the genre’s goldenContinue reading “The sci-fi books that inspired Star Wars”
Fans! Writers! Publicists! Tell me about the best sci-fi in 2016
I write a regular column on sci-fi & fantasy books for The Guardian. About this time every year I sit down and think what the year ahead in sci-fi publishing has to offer. And right now, I’d love you to help me with that. It’s a big field, and while I do keep a burningContinue reading “Fans! Writers! Publicists! Tell me about the best sci-fi in 2016”
Point-Of-View matters, but it doesn’t matter that much
Reading back through the first draft of a story, I noticed that I’d slipped into first person for a couple of paragraphs. Not big problem, right? Most of my first drafts are handwritten, and I can easily fix the point-of-view when typing up. But to judge by the proto-fascist attitude to POV I see expressedContinue reading “Point-Of-View matters, but it doesn’t matter that much”
Damien Walter 