Writing - Be Brave

 I have frequently suggested that our writings can be kept current by including issues of the day. It doesn't matter which party or group you belong to personally; in the era of free speech, you have the right to discuss all sides of political arguments. Obviously, there are countries where there is no such freedom of speech. The slightly worrying signs that situations are changing can be identified through the pronouncements made by governments in reaction to anti-government action. 

Actor Robert Lindsay starred as Citizen Smith in 'Power to the People' in a comedy series that ran from 1977 to 1980. In the series, he saw himself as the leader of a small group - Tooting Popular Front - with an aim to introduce communism. May seem a little far-fetched but consider the language of your governments. 

In the UK, it is considered radical to support the people of Gaza who, as we are all aware, have been mercilessly persecuted in acts of genocide by Israel. The government described such protests as radical. (Freedom of speech!) Just one pointer that brings into question political attitudes towards freedom of speech. 

Some commentators have suggested that when this sort of action is carried out by governments, politics needs to be changed. We can see the influence of powerful groups and people demanding that their position be supported and protected by governments because they feel that they have purchased that right. 

The situations described above have occurred in dictatorships and non-democratic countries, but when you see it happening in self-congratulatory democracies, then there is something seriously wrong with the system in those countries. 

So when you write, whether it be in an article, a letter to an editor or a novel, highlight the things that are going on that you feel are wrong. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 150 - World Cup's back

 It's back and with accompanying controversy - World Cup. Taking place across Mexico, USA and Canada in a number of different cities across the continent. 

World Cup Woes

 

In ’66 the world was ours,

nations tried to do their worst,

to defeat England using all their powers,

but they never reckoned on striker Hurst.

 

Then I was 16 the Beatles were great,

pizza, a new addition to your plate,

curry was not yet an option,

yoghurt a liquidy, puddingy concoction.

 

But at football we soared on eagles’ wings,

defeating countries with amazing skills,

enjoying what success brings,

giving supporters tangible thrills.

 

Since then there’s been ups and downs,

some promise but more flops,

fans faces full of frowns,

new players, many drops.

 

Here we are 60 years on

overcoming weaker teams again,

after barren years matches won,

is the cup ours to regain?

 

Knockout stage an undoubted lottery,

only one chance to win,

nerves definitely jittery,

who will Tuchel pick to begin?

 

The key is in our own hands,

our lads must believe,

relying on their own brand,

the dazzling crown to receive.

 

Now at 70+ music is strange,

Quinoa apparently is good food,

phones - no wires - with huge range,

winning again would be good.

©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless 

Writing - Special Events

 When we're writing stories, quite often it can be more interesting for our readers to attach the events of a story to a specific date or a series of dates. For example, yesterday was Father’s Day, which could be a key data set off with a particular tale about fathers' relationships etc.

Today, June 22, is a special day because it is Windrush Day, which commemorates the British Caribbean community, as well as World Rainforest Day, which highlights the importance of protecting tropical ecosystems. 

I have just finished a short story based in Moscow on May 9th, which is their Victory Day, and provided targets for assassination!

Somehow I missed this beauty below!

It is also National Chocolate Éclairs Day and National Onion Rings Day.  The mind boggles. However, each of these special days offers a myriad of opportunities to entertain our readers, although at the moment I can’t think of anything to do with onion rings that would make a good story.

It may be that one of these days is particularly relevant for you. Why not make the end of the story as enjoyable for you as it is for your readers? We all deserve some pleasure, even in the production of the work, not just in the number of sales it brings. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 149 - End is Nigh

 The first incarnation of this poem occurred 4 years ago and was written for a UK audience. Well, now it is easy, with a slight adjustment, to apply more globally. 

Beginning of the End

 

As in all beginnings they start with an end,

the end of major conflict, act of God or plague,

a time when resources had a major spend,

when populations are totally drained,

unscrupulous leaders are minority maintained,

and solutions to shortages are purposefully vague,

then empires begin to crumble.

 

It happened to the Romans and to the Greeks,

revolution in Russia, England and France,

happens when government no longer speaks

to the populace with any understanding,

but only in tones distant and commanding,

ignorant of the possibility of a refreshing chance,

maybe society will begin to stumble.

 

Has the revolution already started?

The ruling party is in confusion,

rich and poor are well divided,

industrial unrest is on the increase,

civil disobedience a tension release,

the people are suffering crippling inflation,

what is next for these teetering nations?

 

Revolution usually begins with violence,

social media is playing a mega role,

political success is not a licence,

to play games with the public reality,

and line political pockets with liberality,

winning votes elects into a service role,

a state to be embraced with serious intentions.

 ©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless 

Writing - Prophetic

Inspired to include these words of Bob Dylan when I re-heard this song this morning. Written in 1963. So many comparisons match equally well today as they did 63 years ago. 

Masters of War

Written by: Bob Dylan

Come you masters of war

You that build all the guns

You that build the death planes

You that build the big bombs

You that hide behind walls

You that hide behind desks

I just want you to know

I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin’

But build to destroy

You play with my world

Like it’s your little toy

You put a gun in my hand

And you hide from my eyes

And you turn and run farther

When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old

You lie and deceive

A world war can be won

You want me to believe

But I see through your eyes

And I see through your brain

Like I see through the water

That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers

For the others to fire

Then you set back and watch

When the death count gets higher

You hide in your mansion

As young people’s blood

Flows out of their bodies

And is buried in the mud

You’ve thrown the worst fear

That can ever be hurled

Fear to bring children

Into the world

For threatening my baby

Unborn and unnamed

You ain’t worth the blood

That runs in your veins

How much do I know

To talk out of turn

You might say that I’m young

You might say I’m unlearned

But there’s one thing I know

Though I’m younger than you

Even Jesus would never

Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question

Is your money that good

Will it buy you forgiveness

Do you think that it could

I think you will find

When your death takes its toll

All the money you made

Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die

And your death’ll come soon

I will follow your casket

In the pale afternoon

And I’ll watch while you’re lowered

Down to your deathbed

And I’ll stand o’er your grave

’Til I’m sure that you’re dead. 

God Help Us 

 

Poetry Thursday 148 - News or Not News

My father read the newspaper daily. He watched the news on TV and listened to it on the radio. In our present world, where the newspapers, TV and Radio stations can be bought and sold on a whim; where the owners control the stories that are delivered; where news can be generated by AI; and, where the internet is supposedly many peoples' source of news. I wonder if he was alive today, what he'd think. 

News or Not News

 

So you believe you are important,

that your life is significant,

you go to work and pay your tax,

you watch the news and hear the facts,

and believe that you’re a part,

right from the very start.

 

But just think on a bit,

how much control have you got of it,

when you get to work they tell you what to do,

in the news you find what’s good for you,

but feel safe because of democracy,

you can always vote for another party.

 

Will it make a difference,

is the news unambiguous,

who bought the news this week,

what truths are they telling you to seek,

how do you make choices,

when facts are controlled by different voices.

©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless 

Writing - You're in it

  I’ve tried to explain the mindset of being an author, and yet the narrative is controlled by the characters in the story rather than by you.

If you think about it, it is perfectly logical. When you create a

 character, you don't just create the physical or even a convenient set of behaviours, but you also produce a psyche that will enable the character to operate within the story. So, an aggressive nature,  or high intellect, or supportive traits. In other words, you make them human. 

In reality, I believe that while you are writing, you are employing several aspects of your brain and its functions. While in that concentrated state, you are empathising with two or three characters in your story, then your own reality becomes secondary to the story, and you have some kind of out-of-body experience. This is then explained as the story characters taking over the narrative. I offer this explanation because the alternative is not possible. In support of this phenomenon are esteemed writers such as Ian Rankin (Rebus novels). 

So being taken over psychologically is ok. That may sound strange, but it can be seen as a test of the quality of the people in your story. 

It is acceptable. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 147 - Not Funny

 A couple of offerings today of a lighter nature. 

Funny

 

After all the words and sentences I’ve learned something about me,

and I’ve been writing stuff for 15 years or more,

I’m not the slightest bit funny.

 

It doesn’t matter how hard I try,

after all the metaphors, similes and so on,

my jokes are the sort to make you cry,

 

Dad jokes but without the punchline,

the intention to amuse is present,

but the skill is not really mine.

 

But writing is the drug of choice,

no wish to go cold turkey,

just hope that someone hears this one small voice.

©David L Atkinson June 2026 

Remember the Emperor succumbing to a grifter's tale that he had a fine suit of clothes, when he was in fact naked. Well, art is open to that sort of grift. 

False foods

 

Had a slice of science training,

learnt a bit of human anatomy,

a smaller chunk of plant biology,

I might sound like I know what I’m saying ,

 

Green stuff is not that good for you.

cell walls contain cellulose,

defined as roughage is close,

appendix no longer able to do what it is meant to do,

so the final outcome is just more poo.

 

Then the fallen one jumps on the green band wagon,

adds a plant to his artillery,

pungent, stringy and full of water,

good for you is celery.

 

Like the emperor’s suit of clothes,

taste is in the eye of the beholder,

each mouthful is no gastronomic rose,

celery needs a cold shoulder. 

 

Speaking of taste, consider the oyster,

who decided this would be good to eat,

in fact a starvation buffer,

now a delicacy to the elite.

©David L Atkinson June 2026  

God Bless 

Writing - Empathy again

 Empathy is the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their perspective, and imagine yourself in their place. 

The above is probably an essential skill in being able to create characters and have them interact in a story. It is also a skill some adults actually never mastered. It is currently one of the many criticisms of the President of the United states Donald J Trump. As the definition suggests, this is a complex skill that develops over time, and the young author may find some aspects exceedingly difficult.

That was carried out in the classroom when I used to teach. The task was to have the children write from the point of view of somebody in a story, and the quality of the work that came out was varied. 

 

An example could be the breaking into a home at Christmas as seen through the eyes of the family cat or dog. I know the example would be telling the story of Jesus and trying to go to Jerusalem on a donkey from the point of view of the donkey.

 

The first stage in answering these questions would be to describe the emotions felt at the time. Questions such as how would you feel in that situation are quite useful prompts.

 

Being able to practise empathy brings about the tempering of your behaviour towards other people and hopefully leads you to become a more understanding adult. So you can see why, when writing a story, the skill is important. 

 

When I was writing the Steele novels, my lead character Patrick steagall add to manage relationships between himself and three or four other people and those relationships pertain throughout all 11 books and so weren't stationary but developed and in some cases broke up. From my point of view, I found this one with the enjoyable parts of writing stories. The manipulation of the characters and situations they found themselves in was great fun, or at least it could be and also influenced the direction in which stories progressed.

 

As an exercise for oneself, writing a short story from a different point of view can be a very valuable exercise.

 God Bless