Eyes Of Other Days.

Two people observe the same scene, the same event, the same people, the same movements and interactions, hear the same dialogue, breathe the same air.

Get them to each write a description. They won't be the same.

I spent thirteen years in the police force, and you'd be surprised how often witness statements don't match. I had witnesses and offenders even tell me things I knew to be untrue. They weren't lying, it was simply how they perceived, how they remembered the situation. Their reality was different to mine.

For example. I once arrested a young man who had broken into a store at night. He told me he panicked when I pushed my gun in his face. My gun had never left my holster, nor had my partner's. He was telling the truth as he saw it. Was it his fear of being caught that caused him to remember it that way? I have no idea.

So someone has a similar idea to yours. Don't worry. An idea is not the same thing as a story. I give a 'topic' or an idea to a class of 25 students at school, and no two stories will be the same.

I recently read a piece that was based on an event at which I was present. There were only about 8 people there, and one of us wrote a beautiful, lyrical description of it. Not only did I love the writing, but it was nothing even remotely similar to anything I would have produced from that same event.

If I'd even thought to create something from that time.

Try it. Share an idea with another writer, and create two pieces of work. Compare.

First Steps in 2014.

I have big plans for this year.

March will see my first pro-level publication in Galaxy's Edge 7 (edited by Mike Resnick) and I certainly see it as having one foot placed on the next rung. All I have to do is swing that other leg up and step up.

I desire more pro-sales obviously. First I need to get more stories written and submitted, and sold of course, and that will happen. And then there are a couple of other ideas lurking dangerously beneath the waters, and tentative plans to pull a couple of others in on my schemes. I hope these people will agree to go along for the ride. Where it leads, however, will be another matter.

I have a deadline at the end of this month, and research and writing continues for that piece. A different type of writing for me, but one I'm enjoying quite a bit. This week I should have two complete days available for writing that will see the piece well on its way to completion.

And then onto the next story. Then the next one. And the one after that. Repeat.

This whole writing and publishing thing is getting addictive.

Old Who.

I never really got into Doctor Who as a kid. I can recall watching a few episodes, and possiby being scared by them, but mostly it clashed with something else my family wanted to watch. In the 80s I saw some of Tom Baker, then many of the Peter Davidson episodes, but that was about it.

And so I recently decided to bring my viewing up to date.

I've started watching from the beginning. William Hartnell, 1963, and 50 years of episodes to catch up on.

The sets are a bit wonky, the dialogue is naff at times and the characters undeveloped as yet. I've been told the next story, The Aztecs, is the one where the actors start to find their way.

But there's something there, and I can see why people started to watch it.

I missed it first time around. I was in the UK, but I was about 4 months old. And I suspect my parents weren't fans.

Will it reach 100 years? I doubt I'll be around to see it.

But you never know.

The Funeral.

My story, The Funeral, has just been published in Outposts of Beyond.

This is a story I loved writing and I know my first readers were quite moved by it.

A new release is a fantastic way to start the new year and I'm thrilled to be in this magazine. The editor, Tyree Campbell, has once again given me and my story a great introduction.

"Dostoyevsky said you can judge a civilization

by its prisons. Cameron says you can do it by

the way they regard those who die. Dostoyevsky

was trying to poke the Tsar in the eye with a

sharp stick. Cameron suggests you wear a visor

while you read this."

 Alban Lake continues to impress with its fine publications. Thank you, Alban. You can also find it here.

Here In The Future.

It's 2014, and we're well into the 21st century - something which still sounds bizarrely futuristic to me. When I was a kid I could barely imagine 1999, never mind where we are firmly sitting now.

I've spent some time this week with someone who is incredibly talented and creative, and this has done nothing but inspire me and increase my hunger to write. I've had a bunch of ideas, made lots of notes and I'm ready to put words on paper.

I missed a submission deadline I'd hoped to meet, but it was always unlikely it was going to be met. Life and stuff.

But there are a couple more coming up shortly for which I will be ready.

Wishing you all the best in this new year.

The End (Of The Year) Is Nigh.

Now is the time of year we traditionally reflect on the previous 12 months.

I made big plans for this year, and I had high hopes of achieving them all.  In some ways I feel as though I've failed as I barely made a dint on the list. Life happened - it was a difficult and busy year - and some writing had to be sacrificed.

And yes, I recognise it's a matter of priorities and I could have done more, had I chosen.

On the other hand, I made some great sales, including my first pro-sale.

Next year. I promise I'll do more next year.

Have a great New Year's Eve.

A Down Under Merry Christmas.

Peace on Earth, goodwill to all.

I saw this somewhere yesterday, probably in a shop window or something. Quite a good sentiment but the cynical side of me questions its attainability. (attainableness?)

Christmas is traditionally seen as a Christian event, although now it's generally accepted as being more widespread than that. I'm not one of those that thinks carols should be banned because they contain a Christian message, or that we should say 'Happy Holidays' instead of Merry Christmas. Leave the tradition as it is, and accept it for what it is.

I grew up in a church environment, although that's not where my beliefs lie now. Each year I look forward to the Christmas season and enjoy its sense of goodwill.

Now all we have to do is extend that feeling to the rest of the year.

Merry Christmas to all.