tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69678030004251381742024-03-14T04:51:30.965+00:00Short Story Writer, Novelist, Travel Photographer, AdventurerGeorge Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349329131621955864noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967803000425138174.post-77180632763536411652010-04-27T15:01:00.001+01:002010-04-27T15:06:44.364+01:00Website Update<ul><li><span style="color: maroon;"><b>Added </b><b>2 new albums</b> to my <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/GeorgeNSinclair"><b>Google Picasa Gallery</b></a> - <b>Greenland from 30,000 feet</b> and <b>Crocus World</b>. To these and the Aeolian Islands, Canada (Ontario), Canada (west coast), Cyprus, and Gran Canaria albums I have <b>added nearly 300 photos</b>. Hope you like them.</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>More international photos to share coming...soon</b></span></span></div><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: maroon;">Added "Blurb" (teaser text) for my second novel <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Stone Demon</span></span></span></b></span></span></li>
</ul><ul><li> <b><span style="color: maroon;">Added the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Steps of Creative Writing Tips</span></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="color: blue;">More tips to follow...</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="color: red;">Visit my website <a href="http://www.george-sinclair.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.george-sinclair.com</span></a></b><b><span style="color: maroon;"> </span></b></div></li>
</ul>George Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349329131621955864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967803000425138174.post-8921882554211359202010-02-16T19:17:00.008+00:002010-02-28T17:36:41.924+00:00Some Interesting Photos<div style="color: blue;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Three countries</b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKA67e2DVCzRfqxOliWlym7lDxjGByJvXBpYzSPbjCB5UxDNFfsFiQGAf8NbUqDx239iLG3MqIBHJB_7nhYPWm86JbhTPEPJMPY5AzyIZlY_d8BSYDL-Tv0PXOrg9KkEOobB_Dir81Rfm/s1600-h/File0050+Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKA67e2DVCzRfqxOliWlym7lDxjGByJvXBpYzSPbjCB5UxDNFfsFiQGAf8NbUqDx239iLG3MqIBHJB_7nhYPWm86JbhTPEPJMPY5AzyIZlY_d8BSYDL-Tv0PXOrg9KkEOobB_Dir81Rfm/s400/File0050+Cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Patmos</span> - Greece</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfsKd7_TfCiK_Fg_lIgOTBKROWdQqKBmOeC59lo2qumVVs2h6tMt-XndxdvUFpMS730UPMtc6r9OjrAYB6na2By-rLFdzyAfXnM9m5lASL6UKXIy9m0FpgTKBED0JPVf98JPA12tzTbfL/s1600-h/File0151+Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfsKd7_TfCiK_Fg_lIgOTBKROWdQqKBmOeC59lo2qumVVs2h6tMt-XndxdvUFpMS730UPMtc6r9OjrAYB6na2By-rLFdzyAfXnM9m5lASL6UKXIy9m0FpgTKBED0JPVf98JPA12tzTbfL/s400/File0151+Cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Faraway peaks - Himalaya</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzV3peJPedlRb1-Zto-myKXunmzUlu2jXz0kwYSfWcUfwspix_3GCDkzDBN4Fv65fvcNZjlGnLHlYx3c7TvP2JXlx9YDTacM0LQXjMpAUXNT7nNXgaIYXv2waU7dj0YuQtlkwAc4zeW6s/s1600-h/2006+Canada+Holiday+070+Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzV3peJPedlRb1-Zto-myKXunmzUlu2jXz0kwYSfWcUfwspix_3GCDkzDBN4Fv65fvcNZjlGnLHlYx3c7TvP2JXlx9YDTacM0LQXjMpAUXNT7nNXgaIYXv2waU7dj0YuQtlkwAc4zeW6s/s400/2006+Canada+Holiday+070+Cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000;">Tree on a skyscraper? Vancouver</span></div><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">See more of my photos at my website</span></b><br />
<div style="color: black;"><b><a href="http://www.george-sinclair.com/">www.george-sinclair.com</a></b></div>George Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349329131621955864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967803000425138174.post-40067906833920112272010-02-16T13:47:00.004+00:002010-02-16T19:33:03.578+00:00Creative Writing Tips<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Introduction</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span> <br />
<span style="color: maroon;">We’ve all heard that read, read, read and write, write, write takes you along the path to be a better writer. Yes, it’s true, but that may not be enough.</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">If you just read, read, read you may forget most things within a few weeks or months</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">If you just write, write, write you may continue to write not as well as you could</span></li>
</ul><span style="color: maroon;">You need to learn, learn, learn as well. The question is how?</span><br />
<span style="color: maroon;">It’s not easy, you need to:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Attend Creative Writing courses and workshops – get tips from the experts</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Read Creative Writing books – get more tips from more experts</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Join Writing Groups – read out your stories – get tips from peers – hopefully some of them will be experts</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Record (on a PC preferably) everything you have learnt from the above in a coherent way that you understand – this will be your ‘writer’s toolkit’</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Once your toolkit is compiled, it’s application should become second nature, in a sensible fashion</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">You can add information to your toolkit as you learn new techniques</span></li>
</ul><span style="color: maroon;">Here is what your Toolkit will do for you:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Help you to plan and create your stories</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Act as a detailed reminder of what to do at the start of creating stories</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Act as a checklist of what should have been achieved at the end of writing the story</span></li>
</ul><span style="color: maroon;">How to use your Toolkit:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">It is not intended to be used slavishly – it should be your servant and not your master</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Think of it as being a real toolkit – just select the tools you need for the job in hand</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Once the story has been planned and is underway, and it needs to be developed differently from the plan, then so be it – but the original plan can still be modified to suit, if necessary</span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="color: maroon;">Many of the process steps will require an iterative approach – especially researching and writing</span></li>
</ul><span style="color: maroon;"><b>The intention is to write creatively in an efficient and structured manner</b></span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>coming soon... </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here is my Tool Kit</b></span></i></span></div><span style="color: maroon;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Creation Process – the Thirteen Steps...</b></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: blue;"></span></b></span></span></div><br />
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<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red;">For more see my website</span> <a href="http://www.george-sinclair.com/">www.george-sinclair.com</a></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: maroon;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span>George Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349329131621955864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967803000425138174.post-24535311822479031592010-02-16T13:17:00.007+00:002010-02-17T09:27:26.288+00:00Modern Adventure - Not Men in Kilts - an excerpt<div style="color: #660000;"><div style="color: #660000;"> <br />
<div style="color: black;">Two mysterious men rudely interrupt an unassuming writer at his front door; at least one of them has a gun. He is dragged screaming and kicking into a scenario that involves blackmail, murder, Triads, Iranians and atomic bombs...</div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrH_mmcDEZnX0DgOdLcZHps4ochS991PX_d91-iRnepgyV80S4gEBIOtGPZuwEy38u4C7qcGFolSLGgG4YiGw4jgJtyxxXO6zGu_CtgVb52bAlV2IEuAD0a0puVMDo1RS9lcSWsXZJQG9/s1600-h/PIC_1772+Cropped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrH_mmcDEZnX0DgOdLcZHps4ochS991PX_d91-iRnepgyV80S4gEBIOtGPZuwEy38u4C7qcGFolSLGgG4YiGw4jgJtyxxXO6zGu_CtgVb52bAlV2IEuAD0a0puVMDo1RS9lcSWsXZJQG9/s400/PIC_1772+Cropped.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />
<div style="color: blue;"><b>The Excerpt</b></div><br />
<span style="color: maroon;">I opened the front door and saw two men in black suits, white shirts and dark ties standing looking at me. Oh no, not Mormons again, I thought; I saw their mates three months ago and it took me fifteen minutes to get rid of them! One of the men was above average height with dark, unruly hair and the sort of strong clean-cut features that made me think he was an athlete. His friend was slightly smaller and stocky, like an American wrestler, with a small scar running across his forehead. These were not your usual Mormons!<br />
‘Yes gents, what can I do for you?’ I asked, looking them straight in the eye.<br />
‘We’d like to talk to you for a few minutes, please,’ replied the first man, with a sharp look and standing as rigid as a statue.<br />
‘What about?’<br />
‘It would be better if we came inside, so that we can talk in private,’<br />
‘No! It took me half an hour to get rid of you lot the last time.’ I was about to close the door when the second man spoke, his voice as sharp as a laser.<br />
‘Mr McKay, we need to speak to you…<i>now</i>!’<br />
‘How do you know my name?’ I felt his eyes piercing me, he was silent. They flashed official looking identity badges, but I did not see them properly. ‘Please let me see them in my hand.’<br />
‘OK,’ said the first man grudgingly coming forward holding the cards at a long arm length and keeping a close eye on my dogs, ‘but please keep them back!’<br />
I looked at the cards. These guys are from MI5 and the Secret Intelligence Service, SIS. What are they doing in Scotland and what could they possibly want from me?<br />
‘They look official, but as we all know with identity theft uppermost in everyone’s minds these days I’ll need to check you out, so I’ll take them inside and phone the number on your cards.’<br />
‘Is that necessary?’ said the statue.<br />
‘My dogs think so, <i>do you disagree with them</i>?’ The dogs were still snarling and baring their teeth.<br />
‘No!’ was the super fast response. ‘Please feel free.’<br />
I had them on the back foot, and ran upstairs two steps at a time and phoned what could have been an MI5 office. Within three rings I was speaking to a nicely spoken young woman. ‘Hello, how can I help you?’ was her friendly opening phrase, she sounded as though she was next-door, not 350 miles away.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">See more at my website<span style="color: black;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.george-sinclair.com%20/" style="color: black;">www.george-sinclair.com </a></b>George Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349329131621955864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967803000425138174.post-87314935315640979772010-02-16T13:00:00.007+00:002010-02-17T09:26:56.267+00:00Historical Adventure - Scottish Druid - an excerpt<div style="color: #660000;"> <br />
<div style="color: blue;">There is much information about modern and medieval history recorded, but there’s far less recorded about ancient history. So…for a moment…set your imagination free…</div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjLFjZgE_7jijsBvhEi4Qe1I4kh5zmXmino3DjTfn-mi1cu9AgYyCYLMTYeZM9DAzMv-fQ8ApVrxSanraY3bfIx-nu-ftiwz0SMWhP7NOwgS6ewX4lVkM7Fh05je1UVYeUqGuv6hVe-lp/s1600-h/PIC_0952+Cropped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjLFjZgE_7jijsBvhEi4Qe1I4kh5zmXmino3DjTfn-mi1cu9AgYyCYLMTYeZM9DAzMv-fQ8ApVrxSanraY3bfIx-nu-ftiwz0SMWhP7NOwgS6ewX4lVkM7Fh05je1UVYeUqGuv6hVe-lp/s400/PIC_0952+Cropped.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: black;"><b>Fact</b> - The world’s centre of Druidism was Scotland, or Alba, as it was known in 77 AD. Dunedin, now called Edinburgh, was the Druids’ capital, the Castle rock was their sacrifice arena and the site on which Holyrood Palace now stands was the Druid’s Collegiate Headquarters, where all major decisions were taken. The Druid religion and lifestyle were similar in many ways to those of the early Celtic Church; their fundamental principles of justice, using scientific knowledge and protecting the people were the same. But the Druids differed from the Celtic Church on child sacrifice.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">This is the story of the Druid Nechtan - he argues vociferously with the rogue Druids who want to maintain child sacrifice; he does not. Despondency looms until a ravishing Irish beauty, Wylfa, comes into his life, but she is not all she seems. He knows that the Romans also abhor child sacrifice and is forced to conspire with them.</div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: blue;"><b>The Excerpt </b></div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;"><b>Dunedin, 77 AD</b></div><div style="color: #660000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000;">‘So you want to maintain a high level of child sacrifice, do you?’ said Nechtan, in fighting mood as he addressed the rogue Druids at a gathering in the Great Hall. ‘Do you realise that the elders of the community are considering open warfare? They cannot take much more! In addition, the Romans are also concerned and have decided to take severe steps to eliminate the problem at source...they want all Druids eliminated...all of us. I have heard that “kill them all” was the order of the Commander of Britain to our Dunedin Legion Commander. Some believe that the order came directly from the Emperor himself. I beg you to change your mind now!’</div><div style="color: #660000;">‘Why should we change our beliefs on child sacrifice? After all, we’ve had them for thousands of years and much has been achieved by this method of appeasing the Gods. And who are the Romans to dictate to us what we should and shouldn’t do?’ retorted Ferchar, his eyes bulging with anger.</div><div style="color: #660000;">‘We have a successful Druid College here in Dunedin with Druids from many countries participating in our organisation. It has an international reputation for teaching scholars in medicine and science. But we must be seen to change with modern times and the will of the people!’ Nechtan said vociferously. ‘We must either change…or die!’</div><div style="color: #660000;">‘Druids are descended from the God of the Underworld Father Dis and our most important asset is the immortality of the soul. We will not die! We will live forever!’ Ferchar said contemptuously.</div><div style="color: #660000;">Unbeknown to all the Druids, Conall, the Chief Druid, had held a discussion with the Romans and come to an informal agreement that the Romans would execute those Druids responsible for condoning child sacrifice and leave the others in peace, if agreement with the rogue Druids could not be reached that day. If necessary, the day of execution had been set for the following day.</div><div style="color: #660000;">However, some of the rogue Druids had heard about the plot and hatched a counter-plot to lay a trap for the Romans who were to be their executioners. The Romans would have to walk through a narrow passageway to get to the entrance of the Druids’ College. The rogue Druids’ plan was to allow the Romans into the passageway, then block it off at each end, pour oil into the passageway from above and set it alight. The Romans would be cooked alive! Some of the Druids smiled to themselves at the prospect of this.</div><div style="color: #660000;">The Scottish Druid, Nechtan, who was viewed by many as the next Chief Druid, had heard about the plots. In discussion with a few close allies he decided that if the counter-plot succeeded a situation would be created that could mean a meltdown of society in Dunedin, and potentially the Druid way of life across all of Europe. The Romans would send several legions to annihilate them. He could not allow this to happen, he would try to get both sides of the Druids to reach a compromise. But what kind of compromise? How do you find a compromise between sacrificing children and not sacrificing children?</div><div style="color: #660000;">Nechtan decided…<i>he had to play dirty</i>.</div><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">See more at my website</span> - <a href="http://www.george-sinclair.com/">www.george-sinclair.com</a></b>George Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349329131621955864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6967803000425138174.post-11041171167075818452010-02-03T14:00:00.001+00:002010-02-16T19:28:29.832+00:00Are you looking for these :-<b><br />
Historical adventures<br />
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Modern adventures<br />
<br />
A blend of historical and modern adventures<br />
<br />
Travel inspiration<br />
<br />
Free international photos<br />
<br />
Excellent authors<br />
<br />
Creative writing tips<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Then visit my website</span> <a href="http://www.george-sinclair.com/">www.george-sinclair.com</a></b></b>George Sinclairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349329131621955864noreply@blogger.com0