@alannwhelan.bsky.social
The Lost Land
Just for a feast of spite they left us;
Just for a conman & his vengeful lies.
But we the world don't feel bereft as
We cut them loose as their freedom dies.
Tom Paine, Lincoln, Wilson watch from their graves
As a sullied man sinks neath the earth with his slaves.
Just for a feast of spite they left us;
Just for a conman & his vengeful lies.
But we the world don't feel bereft as
We cut them loose as their freedom dies.
Tom Paine, Lincoln, Wilson watch from their graves
As a sullied man sinks neath the earth with his slaves.
May 24, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The Lost Land
Just for a feast of spite they left us;
Just for a conman & his vengeful lies.
But we the world don't feel bereft as
We cut them loose as their freedom dies.
Tom Paine, Lincoln, Wilson watch from their graves
As a sullied man sinks neath the earth with his slaves.
Just for a feast of spite they left us;
Just for a conman & his vengeful lies.
But we the world don't feel bereft as
We cut them loose as their freedom dies.
Tom Paine, Lincoln, Wilson watch from their graves
As a sullied man sinks neath the earth with his slaves.
The second time he went to chop down the flagpole at Waitangi (he had the right; it was his flagpole), Hone Heke sailed in on a boat flying the Stars and Stripes.
He had a copy of Tom Paine's "The Rights of Man" on board.
He'd be (I'm sure) so disappointed by the US now.
His wife was Hariata.
He had a copy of Tom Paine's "The Rights of Man" on board.
He'd be (I'm sure) so disappointed by the US now.
His wife was Hariata.
May 24, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The second time he went to chop down the flagpole at Waitangi (he had the right; it was his flagpole), Hone Heke sailed in on a boat flying the Stars and Stripes.
He had a copy of Tom Paine's "The Rights of Man" on board.
He'd be (I'm sure) so disappointed by the US now.
His wife was Hariata.
He had a copy of Tom Paine's "The Rights of Man" on board.
He'd be (I'm sure) so disappointed by the US now.
His wife was Hariata.
My novel "A Bloody Nose" was going to be a breezy comedy. The US invades Canada & loses, gets the White House burned down as reward.
But the war is really about US land theft, genocide & ethnic cleansing against First Nations people.
British Canada backed the Indians, hence the war.
Not so funny.
But the war is really about US land theft, genocide & ethnic cleansing against First Nations people.
British Canada backed the Indians, hence the war.
Not so funny.
May 19, 2025 at 2:04 AM
My novel "A Bloody Nose" was going to be a breezy comedy. The US invades Canada & loses, gets the White House burned down as reward.
But the war is really about US land theft, genocide & ethnic cleansing against First Nations people.
British Canada backed the Indians, hence the war.
Not so funny.
But the war is really about US land theft, genocide & ethnic cleansing against First Nations people.
British Canada backed the Indians, hence the war.
Not so funny.
1
Genghis Khan was drinking with a German philosopher.
"Happiness," said Kant, "is a non-moral good, but still one worth striving for."
"Liberal rubbish!" said Khan. "Happiness is lying on the belly of your enemy's wife while his tents burn & his children weep."
Quine asked:-
Genghis Khan was drinking with a German philosopher.
"Happiness," said Kant, "is a non-moral good, but still one worth striving for."
"Liberal rubbish!" said Khan. "Happiness is lying on the belly of your enemy's wife while his tents burn & his children weep."
Quine asked:-
May 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM
1
Genghis Khan was drinking with a German philosopher.
"Happiness," said Kant, "is a non-moral good, but still one worth striving for."
"Liberal rubbish!" said Khan. "Happiness is lying on the belly of your enemy's wife while his tents burn & his children weep."
Quine asked:-
Genghis Khan was drinking with a German philosopher.
"Happiness," said Kant, "is a non-moral good, but still one worth striving for."
"Liberal rubbish!" said Khan. "Happiness is lying on the belly of your enemy's wife while his tents burn & his children weep."
Quine asked:-
The speed of travel in 1811, and now.
A covered wagon travels a little faster than a man can comfortably walk. It covers about 12 miles - about 19 kilometres - a day.
My MC travels from York/Toronto to Prophetstown, near Lafayette in Indiana: 440 miles, or 705 k.
Compare then and now: -
A covered wagon travels a little faster than a man can comfortably walk. It covers about 12 miles - about 19 kilometres - a day.
My MC travels from York/Toronto to Prophetstown, near Lafayette in Indiana: 440 miles, or 705 k.
Compare then and now: -
May 14, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The speed of travel in 1811, and now.
A covered wagon travels a little faster than a man can comfortably walk. It covers about 12 miles - about 19 kilometres - a day.
My MC travels from York/Toronto to Prophetstown, near Lafayette in Indiana: 440 miles, or 705 k.
Compare then and now: -
A covered wagon travels a little faster than a man can comfortably walk. It covers about 12 miles - about 19 kilometres - a day.
My MC travels from York/Toronto to Prophetstown, near Lafayette in Indiana: 440 miles, or 705 k.
Compare then and now: -
Random trivia.
The US national anthem, "O Say, Can You See", stole the tune from John Stafford Smith, who composed it for the song, "Anacreon in Heaven".
That is, the British used the tune for a song celebrating drink and fornication.
I think they win on Cool Points, there.
The US national anthem, "O Say, Can You See", stole the tune from John Stafford Smith, who composed it for the song, "Anacreon in Heaven".
That is, the British used the tune for a song celebrating drink and fornication.
I think they win on Cool Points, there.
May 9, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Random trivia.
The US national anthem, "O Say, Can You See", stole the tune from John Stafford Smith, who composed it for the song, "Anacreon in Heaven".
That is, the British used the tune for a song celebrating drink and fornication.
I think they win on Cool Points, there.
The US national anthem, "O Say, Can You See", stole the tune from John Stafford Smith, who composed it for the song, "Anacreon in Heaven".
That is, the British used the tune for a song celebrating drink and fornication.
I think they win on Cool Points, there.
I've reached 3,500 words on the new novel, A Bloody Nose. It's the 2nd day of writing.
At that rate I'll be finished in under two months.
Which is good. It's strictly a pot-boiler, a quick response to Trump's threats against Canada & a reminder what happened last time the US tried to annex Canada.
At that rate I'll be finished in under two months.
Which is good. It's strictly a pot-boiler, a quick response to Trump's threats against Canada & a reminder what happened last time the US tried to annex Canada.
May 7, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I've reached 3,500 words on the new novel, A Bloody Nose. It's the 2nd day of writing.
At that rate I'll be finished in under two months.
Which is good. It's strictly a pot-boiler, a quick response to Trump's threats against Canada & a reminder what happened last time the US tried to annex Canada.
At that rate I'll be finished in under two months.
Which is good. It's strictly a pot-boiler, a quick response to Trump's threats against Canada & a reminder what happened last time the US tried to annex Canada.
Shawnee is now a severely endangered language.
There were only 200 Shawnee speakers some years back, and it's thought numbers have declined.
My female MC is Shawnee. So is Tecumseh, one of my current book's ("A Bloody Nose") few heroes.
So I'm going to treat that language with respect.
There were only 200 Shawnee speakers some years back, and it's thought numbers have declined.
My female MC is Shawnee. So is Tecumseh, one of my current book's ("A Bloody Nose") few heroes.
So I'm going to treat that language with respect.
May 7, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Shawnee is now a severely endangered language.
There were only 200 Shawnee speakers some years back, and it's thought numbers have declined.
My female MC is Shawnee. So is Tecumseh, one of my current book's ("A Bloody Nose") few heroes.
So I'm going to treat that language with respect.
There were only 200 Shawnee speakers some years back, and it's thought numbers have declined.
My female MC is Shawnee. So is Tecumseh, one of my current book's ("A Bloody Nose") few heroes.
So I'm going to treat that language with respect.
Writing historical fiction, this time set in British North America in 1811-13, I hit more language problems.
For example a white man in 1811 would probably have called an American First Nations woman a "squaw", which is now extremely offensive.
But people will be reading my book in 2026.
For example a white man in 1811 would probably have called an American First Nations woman a "squaw", which is now extremely offensive.
But people will be reading my book in 2026.
May 7, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Writing historical fiction, this time set in British North America in 1811-13, I hit more language problems.
For example a white man in 1811 would probably have called an American First Nations woman a "squaw", which is now extremely offensive.
But people will be reading my book in 2026.
For example a white man in 1811 would probably have called an American First Nations woman a "squaw", which is now extremely offensive.
But people will be reading my book in 2026.
From WIP
1
She’d asked me for my story, and I had one to tell.
“I’m a boy from Ireland,” said I. “I lived in County Cork, which you’re not heard of but it’s sure a beautiful place, even more than here. It’s always raining, alas, but I think you’d like how green everything was. The emerald, that’s-
1
She’d asked me for my story, and I had one to tell.
“I’m a boy from Ireland,” said I. “I lived in County Cork, which you’re not heard of but it’s sure a beautiful place, even more than here. It’s always raining, alas, but I think you’d like how green everything was. The emerald, that’s-
May 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
From WIP
1
She’d asked me for my story, and I had one to tell.
“I’m a boy from Ireland,” said I. “I lived in County Cork, which you’re not heard of but it’s sure a beautiful place, even more than here. It’s always raining, alas, but I think you’d like how green everything was. The emerald, that’s-
1
She’d asked me for my story, and I had one to tell.
“I’m a boy from Ireland,” said I. “I lived in County Cork, which you’re not heard of but it’s sure a beautiful place, even more than here. It’s always raining, alas, but I think you’d like how green everything was. The emerald, that’s-
Agent just told me he admires my writing.
(But wrong project for him etc)
Still, if I gotta be rejected it's better than "you suck".
Had one agent say my book's "timely & compelling" (but) & now I've got an "admire the writing".
If this keeps up I can use my rejection letters in the book blurb.
(But wrong project for him etc)
Still, if I gotta be rejected it's better than "you suck".
Had one agent say my book's "timely & compelling" (but) & now I've got an "admire the writing".
If this keeps up I can use my rejection letters in the book blurb.
May 6, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Agent just told me he admires my writing.
(But wrong project for him etc)
Still, if I gotta be rejected it's better than "you suck".
Had one agent say my book's "timely & compelling" (but) & now I've got an "admire the writing".
If this keeps up I can use my rejection letters in the book blurb.
(But wrong project for him etc)
Still, if I gotta be rejected it's better than "you suck".
Had one agent say my book's "timely & compelling" (but) & now I've got an "admire the writing".
If this keeps up I can use my rejection letters in the book blurb.
The research for “The Bloody Nose” is proving to be a prodigious amount of work.
Shawnee marriage customs, and other cultural issues.
How to get my MC from Southern Canada (now called Quebec), down to Washington in 1814.
Have to know the War of 1812 well enough to make comedy out of it.
Shawnee marriage customs, and other cultural issues.
How to get my MC from Southern Canada (now called Quebec), down to Washington in 1814.
Have to know the War of 1812 well enough to make comedy out of it.
May 6, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The research for “The Bloody Nose” is proving to be a prodigious amount of work.
Shawnee marriage customs, and other cultural issues.
How to get my MC from Southern Canada (now called Quebec), down to Washington in 1814.
Have to know the War of 1812 well enough to make comedy out of it.
Shawnee marriage customs, and other cultural issues.
How to get my MC from Southern Canada (now called Quebec), down to Washington in 1814.
Have to know the War of 1812 well enough to make comedy out of it.
First para: "The Bloody Nose"
1
The night was cold & clear, the waxing moon gibbous behind the pines, the valley occupied by about forty men and women, some in blankets, some wearing skin breechcloths or dresses, most with one or two or three feathers in their hair, & sitting round two small fires.
1
The night was cold & clear, the waxing moon gibbous behind the pines, the valley occupied by about forty men and women, some in blankets, some wearing skin breechcloths or dresses, most with one or two or three feathers in their hair, & sitting round two small fires.
May 6, 2025 at 6:58 AM
First para: "The Bloody Nose"
1
The night was cold & clear, the waxing moon gibbous behind the pines, the valley occupied by about forty men and women, some in blankets, some wearing skin breechcloths or dresses, most with one or two or three feathers in their hair, & sitting round two small fires.
1
The night was cold & clear, the waxing moon gibbous behind the pines, the valley occupied by about forty men and women, some in blankets, some wearing skin breechcloths or dresses, most with one or two or three feathers in their hair, & sitting round two small fires.
From WIP
1
Carys woke up, disoriented and alarmed. She wasn’t used to Heike's room.
Heike, beside her, was somewhere else, deep in dream, writhing and opening his mouth to make strange sounds that weren’t words she knew but that sounded like angry, frightened questions.
She recognised it, though -
1
Carys woke up, disoriented and alarmed. She wasn’t used to Heike's room.
Heike, beside her, was somewhere else, deep in dream, writhing and opening his mouth to make strange sounds that weren’t words she knew but that sounded like angry, frightened questions.
She recognised it, though -
April 17, 2025 at 5:14 AM
From WIP
1
Carys woke up, disoriented and alarmed. She wasn’t used to Heike's room.
Heike, beside her, was somewhere else, deep in dream, writhing and opening his mouth to make strange sounds that weren’t words she knew but that sounded like angry, frightened questions.
She recognised it, though -
1
Carys woke up, disoriented and alarmed. She wasn’t used to Heike's room.
Heike, beside her, was somewhere else, deep in dream, writhing and opening his mouth to make strange sounds that weren’t words she knew but that sounded like angry, frightened questions.
She recognised it, though -
From WIP
(Among the far right, 1964)
1
Reeda shivered. “Then we have two appointments. Monday night for ordnance. Tuesday night for you and me. Blood calls to blood, always will.”
Then she grinned. “Speaking of blood, I scratch if you get me going”
He grinned back & kissed her.
But after a time -
(Among the far right, 1964)
1
Reeda shivered. “Then we have two appointments. Monday night for ordnance. Tuesday night for you and me. Blood calls to blood, always will.”
Then she grinned. “Speaking of blood, I scratch if you get me going”
He grinned back & kissed her.
But after a time -
April 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM
From WIP
(Among the far right, 1964)
1
Reeda shivered. “Then we have two appointments. Monday night for ordnance. Tuesday night for you and me. Blood calls to blood, always will.”
Then she grinned. “Speaking of blood, I scratch if you get me going”
He grinned back & kissed her.
But after a time -
(Among the far right, 1964)
1
Reeda shivered. “Then we have two appointments. Monday night for ordnance. Tuesday night for you and me. Blood calls to blood, always will.”
Then she grinned. “Speaking of blood, I scratch if you get me going”
He grinned back & kissed her.
But after a time -
I remember the despair I felt when the Palestinians elected HAMAS in 2006. I knew there'd never be another election under them.
I felt similar when Trump was elected in 2024. I think the US will be lucky to get another genuine election.
Hope they do, but "leader of the free world"? That's gone.
I felt similar when Trump was elected in 2024. I think the US will be lucky to get another genuine election.
Hope they do, but "leader of the free world"? That's gone.
April 15, 2025 at 8:16 AM
I remember the despair I felt when the Palestinians elected HAMAS in 2006. I knew there'd never be another election under them.
I felt similar when Trump was elected in 2024. I think the US will be lucky to get another genuine election.
Hope they do, but "leader of the free world"? That's gone.
I felt similar when Trump was elected in 2024. I think the US will be lucky to get another genuine election.
Hope they do, but "leader of the free world"? That's gone.
21.3% of world export trade, as at 2021, is Europe, including the UK.
China is second, at 14.7%
America is third, on 8.1%. (Germany alone is 7.8%).
Is the US in a position to dictate to the world economy?
No. The noises coming from the White House and MAGA make as much sense as racoon farts.
China is second, at 14.7%
America is third, on 8.1%. (Germany alone is 7.8%).
Is the US in a position to dictate to the world economy?
No. The noises coming from the White House and MAGA make as much sense as racoon farts.
April 15, 2025 at 8:11 AM
21.3% of world export trade, as at 2021, is Europe, including the UK.
China is second, at 14.7%
America is third, on 8.1%. (Germany alone is 7.8%).
Is the US in a position to dictate to the world economy?
No. The noises coming from the White House and MAGA make as much sense as racoon farts.
China is second, at 14.7%
America is third, on 8.1%. (Germany alone is 7.8%).
Is the US in a position to dictate to the world economy?
No. The noises coming from the White House and MAGA make as much sense as racoon farts.
One consequence of US self-harm, when they elected Trump, is the plunging US dollar.
It's gone down 5% in value since "liberation day".
Oddly enough, over the same period the Euro has lifted by 5%.
It seems likely that over time the USD will stop being the "world currency".
It's gone down 5% in value since "liberation day".
Oddly enough, over the same period the Euro has lifted by 5%.
It seems likely that over time the USD will stop being the "world currency".
April 15, 2025 at 8:08 AM
One consequence of US self-harm, when they elected Trump, is the plunging US dollar.
It's gone down 5% in value since "liberation day".
Oddly enough, over the same period the Euro has lifted by 5%.
It seems likely that over time the USD will stop being the "world currency".
It's gone down 5% in value since "liberation day".
Oddly enough, over the same period the Euro has lifted by 5%.
It seems likely that over time the USD will stop being the "world currency".
My next novel's about the British & Canadian troops who took Washington & set the White House afire in 1814, after the US tried to invade Canada.
Told from the POV of an Irish footsoldier.
Comedy, adventure and a certain amount of current application. Can't wait to get started.
Told from the POV of an Irish footsoldier.
Comedy, adventure and a certain amount of current application. Can't wait to get started.
April 14, 2025 at 1:39 PM
My next novel's about the British & Canadian troops who took Washington & set the White House afire in 1814, after the US tried to invade Canada.
Told from the POV of an Irish footsoldier.
Comedy, adventure and a certain amount of current application. Can't wait to get started.
Told from the POV of an Irish footsoldier.
Comedy, adventure and a certain amount of current application. Can't wait to get started.
My next novel's about the British troops & Canadian volunteers who took Washington & set the White House afire in 1814, after the US tried & failed to invade Canada.
Told from the POV of an Irish footsoldier.
Comedy, adventure and a certain amount of current application. Can't wait to get started.
Told from the POV of an Irish footsoldier.
Comedy, adventure and a certain amount of current application. Can't wait to get started.
April 14, 2025 at 12:16 PM
My next novel's about the British troops & Canadian volunteers who took Washington & set the White House afire in 1814, after the US tried & failed to invade Canada.
Told from the POV of an Irish footsoldier.
Comedy, adventure and a certain amount of current application. Can't wait to get started.
Told from the POV of an Irish footsoldier.
Comedy, adventure and a certain amount of current application. Can't wait to get started.
Australia named Cockburn Sound & the City of Cockburn after Admiral George Cockburn, who captured Washington and set fire to the White House in 1814.
The USA invaded Canada in 1812, thinking it'd be easy to annex the place while Britain was busy with Napoleon.
They got a bloody nose.
The USA invaded Canada in 1812, thinking it'd be easy to annex the place while Britain was busy with Napoleon.
They got a bloody nose.
April 14, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Australia named Cockburn Sound & the City of Cockburn after Admiral George Cockburn, who captured Washington and set fire to the White House in 1814.
The USA invaded Canada in 1812, thinking it'd be easy to annex the place while Britain was busy with Napoleon.
They got a bloody nose.
The USA invaded Canada in 1812, thinking it'd be easy to annex the place while Britain was busy with Napoleon.
They got a bloody nose.
That orbéd maiden
With white fire laden
Whom mortals call the Moon
With white fire laden
Whom mortals call the Moon
April 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
That orbéd maiden
With white fire laden
Whom mortals call the Moon
With white fire laden
Whom mortals call the Moon
Friends have had me over for dinner.
Plied me with wine. (And home-made Thai food.)
Then forced me to walk home.
Even under those conditions, the walk is magical.
Plied me with wine. (And home-made Thai food.)
Then forced me to walk home.
Even under those conditions, the walk is magical.
April 13, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Friends have had me over for dinner.
Plied me with wine. (And home-made Thai food.)
Then forced me to walk home.
Even under those conditions, the walk is magical.
Plied me with wine. (And home-made Thai food.)
Then forced me to walk home.
Even under those conditions, the walk is magical.
The last page of my manuscript always looks like this. False starts, discarded bits get pushed to the end.
The discarded words get together and form a sort of mad poetry.
(Probably slightly less nonsensical than Gertrude Stein.)
The discarded words get together and form a sort of mad poetry.
(Probably slightly less nonsensical than Gertrude Stein.)
April 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
The last page of my manuscript always looks like this. False starts, discarded bits get pushed to the end.
The discarded words get together and form a sort of mad poetry.
(Probably slightly less nonsensical than Gertrude Stein.)
The discarded words get together and form a sort of mad poetry.
(Probably slightly less nonsensical than Gertrude Stein.)
Writing a novel set in the early 1960s, you have bit-part male characters. They have to be there but they're not a focus.
They have wives, but the wives live separate lives.
In their husbands' plots they only show up at dinner parties etc.
So you don't spend much time on them.
They have wives, but the wives live separate lives.
In their husbands' plots they only show up at dinner parties etc.
So you don't spend much time on them.
April 12, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Writing a novel set in the early 1960s, you have bit-part male characters. They have to be there but they're not a focus.
They have wives, but the wives live separate lives.
In their husbands' plots they only show up at dinner parties etc.
So you don't spend much time on them.
They have wives, but the wives live separate lives.
In their husbands' plots they only show up at dinner parties etc.
So you don't spend much time on them.