Author Archives: Lee J. Russell

In my latest vlog I talk about how to write Efficiently and Effectively using a combination of: – Plotting (not “pantsing’) – Mind-mapping in “FreeMind” – The 7-Point Story Structure – A writing tool like yWriter5 – Dictating a first draft using the “Dictanote” Chrome app – Editing with SmartEdit, Hemingway and editMinion Take aContinue reading “Approaches to writing Effectively and Efficiently…”

A productivity/editing tip – did you know that recent versions of MS Word have the ability to read your text back to you? I am finding that an excellent way to catch missing words, repeated words, gender mistakes as I edit etc. It also has the huge benefit of helping to catch plain boring bitsContinue reading “MS Word – text to speech…”

I totally loved the RSC production of ‘As You Like It’ tonight – it was funny, entertaining and thoughtful. Excellent emotional acting and a great experience! Surprised I wasn’t hit by Sandra for laughing at this line: “Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak.” – Rosalind, Act 3Continue reading “‘As You Like It’ – RSC production 17/4/19…”

I enjoyed watching “All About Eve” livestreamed to Vue from the National Theatre last night. Based on the 1950 film and Mary Orr’s play ‘The Wisdom of Eve’, this was a gripping experience! Gillian Anderson (of ‘X-files’ fame, remember that one?) plays Margo Channing, an actress feeling the years tugging at her heels. Lily JamesContinue reading “‘All About Eve’ – NT Live, 11/4/19”

I’ve just enjoyed reading Frank Herbert’s 1973 novel “Hellstrom’s Hive”. Originally published (in 4 parts, I think) in Galaxy Magazine, the book is a written version of the 1971 film ‘The Hellstrom Chronicle’ directed by Walon Green (easily found on YouTube). Film-Book crossovers, and visa versa, are often unsatisfying experiences, but this novelisation by HerbertContinue reading ““Hellstrom’s Hive” – Frank Herbert”

I just stumbled upon this wonderful quote about love from legendary sc-fi author Ray Bradbury… “The only thing you’re ever going to own in your life is your work… we belong only by doing, and we owned [things] only by doing, and we loved only by doing… if you want an interpretation of life andContinue reading “Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…”

There are more sci-fi books published every year than any reader could comfortably read in their lifetime. It is impossible to keep up with them all and I find myself discovering gems like Gary Gibson’s “Extinction Game” long after they were first released. ‘Extinction Game’ was first published in 2014 by Tor, but being onlyContinue reading ““Extinction Game” – Gary Gibson”

After a couple of weeks of “fiddling” I’ve just finished updating my website onto a modern HTML5 template. It is now using the open-source, 12-column “Reponsee” css grid from Vision Design graphic studio with an alternative menu bar. – I’m really pleased with the new look, and it will be a lot easier to maintainContinue reading “New look author website for 2019…”

I was recently re-reading some books in my collection to see “how the masters do it”. I totally enjoyed Matt Reilly’s fast moving and tightly plotted “Ice Station”. Then I started Clancy’s “Red Storm Rising” and got so engrossed it was hard to put down! Eventually managed to do that that last night and nowContinue reading ““How the masters do it…””

Netflix has profoundly changed how we consume visual entertainment in our homes. Founded in 1997, the company has rapidly expanded from an online DVD rental store into a market-dominating internet streaming service, distributing mainstream TV programs and Movies, as well as a growing portfolio of ‘Netflix Originals’. ‘Netflix Original’ films are either produced, co-produced, orContinue reading “Netflix – making great stories and strongly disrupting traditional entertainment media…”