johnhowesauthor

@johnhowesauthor@mastodonapp.uk

Science fiction and fantasy writer with a green tinge.

Woke and proud.

I'm not right, left or centre. I'm a logicalist. An ally of all races, gender identities and sexualities.

Published novels: Zero Magenta, my debut sci-fi novel, and Stone & Sceptre, the first part of fantasy series, The Nifaran Chronicles. Part 2: Vega Rising is out soon.

My current WIP is a sci-fi called Proxi.

I love sci-fi and fantasy TV, movies and games.

Also interested in electric cars.

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johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Feb 9: Cont.

4/

There's nothing wrong with describing character hair and skin colour as long as you do it with ALL your characters and don't fall into cliches and stereotypes.

This is the best resource I've ever read on the subject. Highly recommend.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/writingwithcolor.tumblr.com/post/96830966357/words-for-skin-tone-how-to-describe-skin-color/amp

golgaloth, to writing
@golgaloth@writing.exchange avatar

#WritersCoffeeClub 09/02:
How do you deal with describing specific character ethnicities?

Every character has a specific ethnicity. Or do you only make a point of singling out people who are not white? The very question is horribly racist.

#WritingCommunity #writing #AmWriting

johnhowesauthor,

@golgaloth I can write a story where race is irrelevant and never mention it. Or, I can have a novel where race plays a role and I need to specify who is of what race. It is not a racist question to ask how best to do this. It's a common question among writers and even the most liberal minded writers can fall into traps.

johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Jan 5: Can you feel the emotions of your characters when you write them?

An interesting question (not one of mine 🙂).

I think you have to feel your character's emotions as you write in order to convey those emotions to the reader. When I read my work back and laugh or cry I get a good sense that I may have achieved that.

If you don't write with emotion it will read as cold and workman-like.

Like a Marvel movie 🙂.

johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Here are the February prompts. Pinned to my profile.

Have fun 🙂.

A text version of the list is on my blog, here:

https://johnahowes.blogspot.com/p/mastodon-writers-coffee-club-daily_29.html

johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Jan 31: Where do you write?

Not at home, at least, not often. I find it very difficult to write at home. Too many distractions.

My favourite would be coffee shops (Worcester, Birmingham, Brighton etc.) but I've also written in pubs, parks, the back garden (yard😉) and I've written large amounts at the Beach ⛱️. Yep! Various locations in Cornwall and a huge amount in Costa Rica (about 6 chapters) and Jamaica!

johnhowesauthor, to random

Here are the #WritersCoffeeClub prompts for February.

I thought we'd start Feb 1st with another intro as we've had so many new writers joining us to play.

Also, an old tradition in the UK allows a woman to ask a man to marry her on the 29th of Feb. As I'm a traditionalist (not🤣) I thought we could do something different at the end of the month and switch things around 🤔.

A text version of the list is on my blog, here:

https://johnahowes.blogspot.com/p/mastodon-writers-coffee-club-daily_29.html

johnhowesauthor, to random

#WritersCoffeeClub Hi, it's close to the time I release new prompts for February.

If any of you have any prompt ideas please feel free to add them here.

Thanks for your continued support, and to all those writers who have already contributed ideas 💙.

johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Jan 27: Hollywood is filming one of your works. Which actors are playing the main roles?

Many key character appearances are modelled on actors, but not necessarily to play them. Here's a stab for The Nifaran Chronicles:

Jem (MC) ➡️ Will Poulter
Moranne ➡️ Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack)
Corvus (antag) ➡️ Timothee Chalamet
Brea (huntress) ➡️ Jodie Foster
Torbrand (knight) ➡️ Aiden Turner (Poldark)
Danya ➡️ Lupita Nyongo
Lunn (axe) ➡️ Dava Bautista
Chakirris (dryad) ➡️ Ana De Armas

Suranne Jones
Aiden Turner

johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Jan 25: How do you feel about writers who write outside of their gender/sexuality/race etc?

As long as you respect all of your audience, it's fine. That's what imagination is for.

In a future fantasy series I aim to have a lesbian protagonist. I would like to use a sensitivity reader to ensure I portray the character and relationships accurately.

I'm not ok with lazy stereotypes and tropes, e.g. bury your gays.

The prompt was inspired by this:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/21/american-dirt-controversy-trauma-jeanine-cummins

johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Jan 18: Does your work feature on BookTok? How do you feel about the platform?

I recorded a video on TikTok to promote my last book. It's pretty bad 🤣.

On a separate note, I discovered over Christmas that Stone and Sceptre has been reviewed on BookTok by a vlogger under the title "Most under-hyped fantasy books". I'm really chuffed, although I've been unable to find the video 🙁.

I get the feeling BookTok works best for YA novels.

johnhowesauthor,

#WritersCoffeeClub The BookTok prompt has stimulated an interesting debate. One I'd like to feature on future prompts re. How do self published authors promote their work?

I think many of us (me included) can be sniffy about platforms like TikTok. However, my nieces and nephews all use it and they read - a lot - it was my niece who told me she'd seen my book reviewed on the platform.

I don't think we should discount these platforms just because we don't personally use them.

johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Jan 13: Do you like maps? If they feature in your work do you draw them by hand or use an application?

I do love a fantasy map and it was essential that my fantasy series, The Nifaran Chronicles, had a suitable world map.

I started by sketching it by hand on a sheet of A3. I later scanned it, and imported into WonderDraft where I added the detail. I'm really pleased with the results, considering I'm not a graphic artist 🙂.

johnhowesauthor, to random

#writerscoffeeclub Jam 5: Is it okay to use a preposition at the end of a sentence? Well, is it?

It is. 🤣

But is it?

Yes. And it's also fine starting a sentence with but. 🍑

And?

Yes. And and. 🙌

Surely there are rules.

Only at school. And don't call me Shirley 🤣

johnhowesauthor, to random

#WritersCoffeeClub

I'm afraid I still haven't created January's prompt list. I feel pretty rough - could be flu 🤦‍♂️.

I'll do my best to create the list tomorrow. Like the stalwart I am 🤣.

johnhowesauthor, to random

#Today Rant mode engaged 😡

Just been to Birmingham doing a spot of sales shopping. Two restaurants attempted to seat us right at the back of the room, despite plenty of tables being free. I suspect the staff saw grey hairs and feared younger diners might start throwing up.

We walked out of The Botanist and picked our own table in The Alchemist, despite hard stares from the staff. 😉

Rant mode disengaged.

Merry Christmas 🤣.

johnhowesauthor, to writing

#Today I walked into town to Coffee Nook (a new café in Worcester) and did a bit of #writing on my WIP, Proxi.

I'm currently watching Paddington 2 and contemplating setting up my new PS5 while my wife does a Jigsaw.

I might enjoy a wee dram later. 🥃

Christmas is pretty good so far 🙂.

#joinin #WritingCommunity

johnhowesauthor, to random

I'm doing #joinin again this year. Feel free to hit me up if you're on your own and you want to talk nonsense. 👍

johnhowesauthor, to random

#WritersCoffeeClub Dec 21: When writing, are you ever distracted thinking about a future project?

Oh god! I'm distracted to distraction 🤣.

When I finished writing part 2 of The Nifaran Chronicles I was so distracted by a sci-fi idea I started writing Proxi instead of a Nifaran sequel.

I currently have a fantasy series, sci-fi, and sequel to my first novel all buzzing around in my head.

Make it stop! 😭

Rjdlandscapes, to TeslaMotors

Tesla - redefines the low voltage systems, moves to 48v, sends out white paper on how.

Are there any indications GM has yet mastered 12v?

#evs #ev #ElectricVehicles

johnhowesauthor,

@Rjdlandscapes both Porsche and Bentley have used 48V systems before Tesla.

johnhowesauthor, to random

#WritersCoffeeClub Dec 3: What writing advice would you give your younger self?

When I was eleven years old I wrote fiction. I didn't write again until my mid-forties.

I would say to my young self: don't stop. It doesn't matter if your English isn't as good as you think it needs to be. You're a storyteller, so tell your stories.

johnhowesauthor, to random

#WritersCoffeeClub Dec 1: Does your work include any poetry? Share a snippet.

My fantasy series, The Nifaran Chronicles, does include a bit of poetry, including one chapter which is almost all a poem 🤔.

This is a tiny section from The Battle of Kelby. I think I was channeling The Charge of the Light Brigade 🙂🎅.

johnhowesauthor, to random

A reminder that the #WritersCoffeeClub December daily challenge starts today 🎅.

A text version can be found on my blog here:

https://johnahowes.blogspot.com/p/mastodon-writers-coffee-club-daily_13.html

As ever, if you have any prompt ideas for future months, please let me know.

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays ☃️❄️

#writingcommunity #writer #author

johnhowesauthor, to random

The prompts for December are ready, I hope you have fun with some of these. 🎅

A text version can be found on my blog here:

https://johnahowes.blogspot.com/p/mastodon-writers-coffee-club-daily_13.html

As ever, if you have any prompt ideas for future months, please let me know. I currently only have enough until March. ☃️❄️

anderlandbooks, to random German

#writerscoffeeclub Nov 27: How do you feel about the use of AI in writing?

I think the name is misleading. It's not a brain but a clever algorithm and a database (with legal issues!). Without a prompt, AI does nothing.
I sometimes use ChatGPT for coding (find that typo in my syntax, argh), but never for writing stories (legal issues, and no fun). I use Deepl for translation, but these always need a profound editing, especially in fiction.

I do think we must learn how to live with it.

johnhowesauthor,

@anderlandbooks I agree. AI is a tool. It can be used for medical research and safety systems etc.

It can also be used to replace human labour. But if we did that, who would buy the products?

An idea I'll explore if I ever get around to writing that book 🙂.

johnhowesauthor,

@anderlandbooks "I'm not sure," he said, lying on the sofa, eating potato chips. 🙂

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