Scott Rochester

Some random observations

A&E is like prison. When you arrive, seek out the people who've been there the longest (it won't be difficult because they never shut up about it).

You get the benefit of their experience and they're so grateful for the distraction they give you wine gums.

Composite image LHS A colour pencil drawing of a headshot of an 18 year old young man - he has fly away blonde hair and blue eyes - in this relaxed pose he has a thoughtful and neutral expression - he is wearing a white T shirt against a yellow background - the image is labelled HayWire RHS book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 13 Innovative Technology At 18 years old HayWire is two years younger than MaxChaos, but he’s a savant when it comes to engineering. He loves to talk about making things, but he talks very little about anything else. Social interaction doesn’t come easy to him, though he does get along well with NutJob, and with MaxChaos. Fascinated by materials in particular, HayWire is interested not only in making better watches and clocks, but in improving anything that’s man made. From bricks to wind turbines! And he loves experimenting, mainly by substituting new materials in the unlikeliest of ways. He spends hours in his workshop even when he’s not working, trying out his crazy new inventions. He has chests stuffed full of junk. And bone. He’s made friends with one of the middle men near the abattoir and can get calibre bone at cheap prices before it ends up on the commercial markets. He can’t get gunpowder though. Nor sulfur. He’s not a master engineer, just an apprentice, and in any case, even if he was a GuildMaster why would a watchmaker be trying to buy explosives? HayWire thinks that MaxChaos might be the route to follow, because he knows some questionable characters images on social media serve only as visual clues and might not be present in the book copyright © Scott Rochester 2025 Novel due out on 30 Sep 2025

#WIPsnips 13 Aug 'cheap'

HayWire wants to know if you can help him source some cheap gunpowder or sulfur?

Or bone? Bone is the new wonder material!

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #writing #amediting #writingCommunity #innovation #bookSky #wolves #chaos #watchmaker

Composite image LHS A colour pencil drawing of an attractive 16 year old girl posing for a headshot - she has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair - her eyes are dark hazel brown - her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth - over a medium build body she is wearing a white T shirt against a yellow background - the image is labelled Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) Centre A colour pencil drawing of an attractive 16 year old girl posing for a headshot - she has gorgeous long medium ash brown hair - her eyes are dark chestnut brown - her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth - over a slim build body she is wearing a white T shirt against a yellow background - the image is labelled Conning (Manx, pronounced KonYing, meaning bunny) RHS book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 8 The Good Apples “Not me!” says KristalClear, “I’m talking about CandiCrush, she’s 33 and she’s still single. But what’s this thing with the apples?” Before Conning can answer, Kayt butts in again. “She’s in the Garisson,” says Kayt bluntly, “it’s full of men!” “It’s not full of men,” says KristalClear, “according to CandiCrush it has a near perfect fifty fifty split, it’s just that she’s never met anybody suitable.” Softening the tone of her voice she says, “Tell me about grandad’s apples!” Conning tries to remember the precise Manx fable. And tries hard to recite it all in English. The Good Apples Where can you find, images on social media serve only as visual clues and might not be present in the book copyright © Scott Rochester 2025 Novel due out on 30 Sep 2025

#WIPsnips 12 Aug 'split'

A love life discussion.

KristalClear is talking to the Manx girls Kayt and Conning, and wants to help her friend CandiCrush (who is not present).

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #writing #amediting #ships #bookSky #LoveStory #lovelife #wellbeing #romance #Manx

in the 1970s I saw something like this in a lesson about essay writing.

The example

"Cautiously, I lifted the lid of the bin, and peered out."

The teacher explained that it creates intrigue because you're asking yourself, why was somebody already inside the bin?

'Media Res' was not mentioned!

Composite image LHS A headshot of an old man deep in thought, he wears a black suit jacket over a plain white shirt with an open collar. In his late fifties he has well groomed grey hair and deep set dark brown eyes. A prominent nose sits above an expressionless closed mouth. His left thumb is under his chin and his forefinger rests against his left cheek pointing upwards. He has a look of concentration on his face as he focusses on something out of shot to his right. The image is labelled MillerMan. RHS book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 3 The ChessClub “And your wife?” asks WallyLa, “she’s a farmer too?” “SugarPeg? She’s not my missus! She was a pirate you know, that’s how she lost her leg!” “She was a pirate?” exclaims WallyLa “that explains why I was so worried when she threatened to hit me with the broom!” Misty eyed and deep in thought, MillerMan wants to tell the whole story, and equally he doesn’t! He dips his head a little, places his left thumb under his chin and his forefinger against the side of his nose. Then he raises his head again. “Well, when we were young, she and I worked in the galley on RedCircle ships. We were both cooks, so not real pirates. Now, she runs the shop down the road, and I run the mill and this bakery.” images on social media serve only as visual clues and might not be present in the book copyright © Scott Rochester 2025

#WIPsnips 11 Aug 'real'

The year is 2450AD

Not a real pirate!

MillerMan is chatting to the two 16 year olds who have just escaped from the BlackCircle.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #writing #pirates #amediting #writingCommunity #conflict #ClimateChange #ships #survival #bookSky

a small sailing vessel styled like a puffin the bow has the colours and appearance of an inverted beak there is one fore sail, and two masts, each with a gaff sail there are about thirty people on the open deck the sea is calm and the sky is blue with some hazy cloud on the horizon

Niels Bohr (Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922): “An expert is someone who has made all the mistakes which can be made, in a narrow field.”

I am currently examining Proof One of my debut novel and I am at the "making all the mistakes" stage

#writingcommunity #booksky #indieAuthor

Composite image LHS A full profile image of a pretty 18 year old young lady pirate with long flowing dark brown hair. She is wearing a tricorn hat, a blue waistcoat over a frilly white blouse, a heavy duty belt and classic blue jeans, and thigh length leather boots the colour of milk chocolate. With both hands she is holding a rapier which has an ornate handle. On her left hand she has a fingerless glove with an armoured surface. Her face is pleasant though she looks like she wants to say "back off or I will use this sword". The image is labelled Lieutenant Slender. RHS book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 14 A Delicate Question A mild, warm wind is quietly rustling the leaves of the trees at 05:00. It seems to carry with it a soft, white satin sheet which is cloaking the entire morning with a mild, natural scent of buds, or seeds, or immature flowers. Lieutenant Slender is asleep, though her dream is telling her that she’s already awake, and that she’s finding it hard to work out precisely what that half familiar smell is. It’s distant and imprecise, yet it’s tugging at her repressed childhood memories, and it’s quietly demanding an answer. images on social media serve only as visual clues and might not be present in the book copyright © Scott Rochester 2025 Novel due out on 30 Sep 2025

#WIPsnips 10 Aug 'flower'

The year is 2450AD

The second demi-psychic in novel, Lieutenant Slender, is trying to work out what that smell is.

It's not what you're thinking!

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #pirates #writingCommunity #conflict #ClimateChange #literacy #ships #bookSky

Bryony has received some very bad news.

This is meant to be emotionally impactful, but the truth is the fauns' response to great stress was inspired by fainting goats.

It's up to you whether or not their legs stick straight out as they collapse in the book. I never specify.

#WIPsnips #WITV

in a similar vein

Australian governments: kids should get off social media and play outside again like they used to.

Also Australian governments: no no no not like that…

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

via mastodon.social/@snurb@aoir....

Composite image LHS A colour pencil drawing with a pale yellow background. A headshot of a 20 year old man with a plain, slightly puzzled expression on his face. His light brown eyes are focussed on the camera. He has short dark brown hair with an abundant quiff on top. And a slightly tanned complexion. His beige collared shirt has the top three buttons undone. The image is labelled MickeyWarr RHS book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 4 Missing Being stabbed awkwardly in the soft, sensitive part of your lower eyelid, by a jagged shred of dried hay, is not a welcome experience. Especially when you’re asleep! Forcefully brushing it away from his left eye, with the sort of push normally reserved for a wasp buzzing about his face, MickeyWarr slowly opens his right eye. Half opens it, squinting in the half light of the barn, trying to make out what’s going on. No wasp! With his left cheek still on the floor he opens his left eye a little, and tries to focus. A few broken rays of sunlight have found their way through the gaps in the dilapidated wooden walls. The hard floor is unmistakeably dry earth, and the inadequate layer of hay was certainly not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Even with global warming it’s still a typical, chilly Sunday morning in late October, and MickeyWarr is not dressed for rough sleeping! He’s dressed for a Saturday night out at the tavern. A smell of unfamiliar manure hangs in the air. It’s not goat dung. He knows that smell, but this one is heavier, clinging to the lining of his nose and throat, like a drowning man who’s clinging onto a rope and refuses to let go. Raising the left side of his head off the floor a little, he looks about. “Angel! Angel, where are you?” “She’s not ‘ere mate,” says a raspy, gruff voice to his right. images on social media serve only as visual clues and might not be present in the book copyright © Scott Rochester 2025 Novel due out on 30 Sep 2025

#WIPsnips 9 Aug 'brush'

The year is 2450AD

MickeyWarr is waking up in unfamiliar surroundings

This is how Chapter 4 starts

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #education #pirates #GlobalWarming #UKeduChat #writingCommunity #conflict #ClimateChange #survival #angels #wasps #goats

Composite image LHS A pencil drawing of a headshot photo of an attractive young girl aged 16. She has long straight, deep brown hair and her eyes are chestnut coloured. Her face has a gentle expression with a hint of a smile. Her plain T shirt is white. The image has a pale yellow backdrop, and is labelled KristalClear. Centre A colour pencil drawing of a headshot of a charming young man aged 16 - the background is white - the plain T shirt is white - he has neat well groomed brown hair and his eyes are bright blue - his face has a neutral expression and it looks as if he's concentrating - the image is labelled NutJob RHS book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 6 Red in the Face After school on Friday afternoon KristalClear and NutJob are catching up on the latest gossip as they hurry home to get ready for work. NutJob seems unusually exuberant “some of the lads have bought wolves’ teeth! Or to be more precise, one wolf’s tooth on a thin leather necklace.” “Yes, I know, I saw one! You’re not getting one are you?” “No way! Far too outrageous for me! Smacks of some kind of rebel symbolism!” Then, trying to think of something more sensible to say, he adds, “when did the wolves come back? Actually, when did the wolves die out?” “Not really sure. Ask Faraday. Didn’t he work over by Ulverston once? Ulverston means Wolves Here Town doesn’t it? I’m sure he’ll know more.” images on social media serve only as visual clues and might not be present in the book copyright © Scott Rochester 2025 Novel due out on 30 Sep 2025

#WIPsnips 8 Aug 'Update'

The year is 2450AD

School has ended, and before heading to their part time jobs, NutJob updates KristalClear on the gossip.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #education #wolves #Ulverston #UKeduChat #writingCommunity #ClimateChange #sustainability #survival #LakeDistrict #Cumbria

Soon after the cars vanished everyday life changed. The ugliness of the street furniture and the road signs gave way to beautiful tree lined boulevards. No more tarmac and no more yellow lines. The old charm of the city of Lancaster returned.

www.slenderwolf.com

#WritingCommunity #BookSky #scifi

thank you

though my students would be prone to asking what is a "small unit of action"?

"small" can be interpreted in various ways

I mention this only because teenagers can be a challenge, and generally they like clarity!

(some of them don't even like clarity)

thank you - the pirates in my book might borrow that message!

www.copper-wolf.com/copperwolf_p...

2/2

2. Is this changing anything? (obviously para 2 changes nothing)

This “triangle” seems to be too narrowly defined, and will lessen the impact of creative writing (when that should be encouraging it).

book extract Mme. Troyes had been rifling through the kitchen cupboards, “sorry about the noise my lovelies! I had to go to the back of the top shelf, to reach the nice tea cups.” She sets a tray down on the coffee table. The teapot is a bulbous, old fashioned, white one, decorated with intricate swirls and patterns in Royal blue. It’s surrounded by four ornate tea cups with elaborate curved handles. The pattern on the cups match the tea pot, and inside the rim the cups have a neoclassical meander. If there was a broken cup or a broken saucer back in the kitchen, then it wasn’t one of these fancy ones! copyright © Scott Rochester 2025 Novel due out on 30 Sep 2025

1/2

That would seem to rule out paragraphs of pure descriptive writing?

Like the second one of these three paras.

As an ex-teacher I’m not sure I agree with:

1. examine the smaller units of action (She sets a tray down on the coffee table.)

Marketing doesn’t mean shouting, it means knowing where to whisper and who’s listening.
#BookPromotionTips #AudienceMatters #IndieAuthorsUnite

a small sailing vessel styled like a puffin the bow has the colours and appearance of an inverted beak there is one fore sail, and two masts, each with a gaff sail there are about thirty people on the open deck the sea is calm and the sky is blue with some hazy cloud on the horizon

Niels Bohr (Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922): “An expert is someone who has made all the mistakes which can be made, in a narrow field.”

I am currently examining Proof One of my debut novel and I am at the "making all the mistakes" stage

#writingcommunity #booksky #indieAuthor

head shot - Scott Rochester is standing on London Bridge looking away from the photographer towards Tower Bridge - he is wearing a jacket and tie, and a bowler hat - he is carrying an umbrella on a bright sunny day without a cloud in the sky (this is his Patrick Macnee impression) - in the middle distance is the River Thames - beyond that the buildings of the South Bank including the London Bridge Hospital and the Hays Galleria are visible - a distant Tower Bridge is visible on the left hand side - slightly to the right and in front of that is HMS Belfast

#MythAugust Day 2 Give a basic overview of your deities

There are none

It is a fundamental principle of this ex teacher that my novels (for teenagers) have no sex, no religion, and no politics

more details on my blog

www.scottrochester.com/scott_roches...

#WritingCommunity #Writers #Writesky

I'm sure there is room for en dash and interrobang too, and some of other new fangled modern tomfoolery

I have had to edit the library in my copies of Word to ensure that the simple, old fashioned hyphen gets the headline billing which it deserves

once upon a time, em dash never existed

that was a peaceful, calm era

there was no need for them to ever be invented

desire != need

thank you for coming to my TEDTalk

#writingq #booksky #writesky

Upcoming changes Upcoming changes of London Buses Update: 31/07/2025

I have lived in London for 30+ years

in that time many bus routes have changed

so many instances of "no you cannot go there on one bus any more, you have to change to another"

current mods are here

bus-routes-in-london.fandom.com/wiki/Upcomin...

you're probably right, I thought the cat was vocalising 'Mama' (just killed a man) from Bohemian Rhapsody!

Cat yelling. "What song is this cat singing" "This is important don't think about it just first one to pop in your head"

It's obviously Wonderwall
#princessdonut #dcc #cats #kittens #caturday

Representation Matters!

We all had to start somewhere.. and the ZX80 was a great way to start.

Parents of teens— Erased is a perfect summer read for you or your teenager.

Or better yet— both and you can use my discussion guide for a great conversation.

#books #yalit #booksky #writingcommunity #teens #parents

a.co/d/aqzeqAb

Chinese student used rice-sized earphone to cheat English test

The student was arrested in Tokyo with the bone-conduction earphone, triggering an investigation that uncovered hundreds more suspects ⬇️

In 1995 Ozzy Osbourne revisited his old school in Birmingham: The kids didn't know who he was In which Ozzy Osbourne shows the BBC the band name he carved into the brickwork outside his childhood home

Here's the man himself photographed on the street in question, which is definitely in Aston and not, as reported, in Solihull.