Scott Rochester
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scottrochester.bsky.social
Scott Rochester
@scottrochester.bsky.social
140 followers 140 following 87 posts
London author and eccentric

Retired teacher

Dominated by horses and ships, 400 years in the future looks a lot like 200 years in the past. No oil, no cars and no internet. And pirates!

https://www.slenderwolf.com

https://www.scottrochester.com
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scottrochester.bsky.social
#Wordweavers 10 Nov 'local'

"The BlackCircle is far better organised than any of the local mafias," says MillerMan, as he explains local civic society to the escapees.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #pirates #Wallasey #amediting #Liverpool #Wirral #Merseyside
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 3 The ChessClub The BootMaf know their place, they remain subservient, and they always defer to the BlackCircle on questions of administration. Some might say maladministration, but it is organised. The BlackCircle is far better organised than any of the local mafias. BlackCloud probably runs the Circle better than ThunderCloud runs the Wor Council. Image: A digital map of Wally (formerly Wallasey) in 2450AD - with lots of annotations, homes, schools, businesses, etc. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 10, 2025 at 10:51 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 9 Nov 'picture'

TedTalker, Constable Walker, and Commander Crush have things to fix

While looking at pictures of ships and horses on the wall.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #horses #Art #Painting #writing #writingCommunity #conflict #ships #bookSky #Lancaster
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 26 Fate Rewards the Brave Constable Walker has been invited back to the Garrison to have another chat with TedTalker and CandiCrush. In her office! For a military office this one is neat and tidy in the extreme. A simple, pale grey blind has already been lowered obscuring the view through the window, along one wall there are locked cabinets, and on the opposite wall there is a framed painting of a magnificent fully rigged man-o-war, cruising on an unfussy, but powerful sea. On either side of the large painting there are two smaller ones, portraits of horses. To one side of the desk, there’s a plain wooden ‘In’ tray, and on the other side, a matching ‘Out’ tray. They are both empty. Images: Three water colour paintings. TedTalker - a British Military Policeman wearing his Number One parade uniform. The smart peaked cap has a black band, a shiny black peak and a red top. Hence MPs are called “red caps” in the UK. The badge shows a wolf's head in silver, on a black disc, mounted on a slightly larger silver disk. The officer is about 25 years old and is posing in a typical military way as if for a recruitment poster. CandiCrush - a smart, attractive 33 year old female military officer with chestnut coloured eyes, and medium ash brown hair. Her hair is brushed back into a tight bun behind her head. There's a look of concentration on her face and she has a hint of a smile. She's wearing gold stud earrings, dark eye shadow, and pale pink lipstick. Commander Crush is wearing DPMs (Disruptive Pattern Material, AKA camouflage). Constable Walker - an attractive British police officer aged about 25 years old, looking smart and authoritative in her summer uniform. She is wearing a peaked cap with a chequered band, and a silver badge depicting a wolf's head. White blouse, no tie, and black epaulettes with silver numerals. She has silver stud earrings. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 9, 2025 at 8:33 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 8 Nov 'little'

May I introduce RopeyJoe?

He's having a chat with the ChessMaster.

In #Chester! Obviously!

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #BlackMarket #subversion #chess #ChessMaster #pirates #romance #amediting #writingCommunity #bookSky #resistance
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 3 The ChessClub “Plausible deniability,” says the ChessMaster. “I never went to school mate, not like you, I have no idea what possible deny ability is. Keep it simple.” “ChessGame has two meanings. You and I know that it’s the resistance movement in Chester. Outside our little group, everybody thinks it’s a game of chess. We can say ChessGame or ChessMaster and nobody will know that we’re actually talking about fighting the militias and ThunderCloud. They’ll all think that we’re talking about chess. Does that make it easier?” “Yes, I think so. You’re a chess master anyway, aren’t you?” “Yes. A chess master and the ChessMaster!” “So why are you telling me this?” Image: A watercolour painting of a man in his late twenties. Brown eyes and brown hair reaching down almost to his eyebrows. He looks a little messy, hasn’t combed his hair, and hasn’t shaved for a couple of days. He has a mild look of surprise on his face, and even though he’s a black market trader he looks like he’s willing to make a deal with you. He’s wearing a grey denim shirt, unbuttoned just enough to reveal that he has a hairy chest. The image is labelled “RopeyJoe”. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 8, 2025 at 12:26 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 7 Nov 'movement'

The would be romantics are at it again. Both trying to chat each other up, without playing all their cards.

(UK chat up = US Hit on)

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #education #ThomasMann #MRSGREN #stem #romance #UKeduChat #Lancaster
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 5 In Philosophical Mood Having just learnt something new from him, the Thomas Mann story, she wants to reward him with one of her own deep and thought provoking discussions. And the end game she has in mind is not simply about money management. It’s about persuasion, co-operation and mutualism. “What do people actually want?” she says. Racking his brain for a moment, and trying to come up with a good response, something educational, he says, “MRS GREN?” KristalClear doesn’t spot the link at first and replies with a simple, “Mrs Gren?” “You know, movement, respiration, sensation, and all that.” “Those are attributes! Attributes of life forms. We did that in science years ago. I’m talking about desires not attributes.” Unintentionally that’s alerted NutJob to a different line of thought. Desires! What’s she getting at? He thinks he’d better come up with a really clever response this time. No more text book witticisms! Image: A watercolour painting 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 grey backdrop, and is labelled KristalClear. A watercolour picture of a charming young man aged 16. He has neat well groomed brown hair, his eyes are bright blue, and his face has an almost neutral expression although it looks as if he's concentrating. He's wearing a plain white T shirt against a light grey background. The image is labelled NutJob. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 7, 2025 at 12:30 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 6 Nov 'penultimate'

Benet the wandering storyteller is in town.

The 8 year olds are in the audience.

SCENE 10

(The journey home)

is the penultimate part of the almost true true story

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #education #pirates #romance #UKeduChat #Lancaster
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 28 The Almost True True Story of The Canneries “Oh you brute,” said NottaPenny, “ how could you say such a thing?” HAYLEY (Glaring, and whispering a bit too loud.) That’s exactly the sort of thing you would do! How horrid! FULLYCHARGED (Whispering a bit too loud.) What’s the problem? HAYLEY (Still glaring, and still whispering a bit too loud.) You are so naïve! You don’t know anything about cats! AUNTSYLVIE (Using a clearly audible whisper.) I’m going to separate you two if you misbehave one more time. BENET (Making direct eye contact with HAYLEY, and smiling.) NottaPenny glared at SimpleSimon and said, “how horrid! You are so naïve! You don’t know anything about cats!” (Making direct eye contact with AUNTSYLVIE, and smiling.) NottaPenny threatened to separate from SimpleSimon immediately. (Returning his gaze to the AUDIENCE in general.) But she couldn’t do that now … not on the island of Lancer Rodney. SCENE 10 (The journey home.) BENET They had to travel back together on the same airliner! (Making eye contact with FULLYCHARGED and HAYLEY.) And they had to sit next to each other! (Returning his gaze to the AUDIENCE in general.) The metal tube was jam packed solid. There were no spare seats. There wasn’t enough space to swing to cat! Actually, there was enough space to swing a cat. If you stood in the aisle, between the seats, you could just about swing a small cat. Which was fine. If it was your intention was to clobber ten other passengers in the face with an irate cat! (Dramatically.) When they got back to London, she dumped him. And got a cat! (Calmly.) copyright © Scott Rochester 2025 4 pictures: A watercolour painting of orphan Hayley, a sweet 8 year old girl, she has long brown hair and stunning hazel eyes - in this relaxed pose she has a calm neutral expression with a hint of a smile - she is wearing a white T shirt against a grey background - the image is labelled Hayley A watercolour painting of orphan FullyCharged, a hyperactive 8 year old boy, he has plenty of golden brown hair on top, which at the sides is neatly under control. His eyes are a deep chestnut colour - uncharacteristically calm in this pose he has a neutral expression with a hint of a smile - he is wearing a white T shirt - the image is labelled FullyCharged A watercolour painting of Aunt Sylvie, the Governess of the Noble Coliseum, smiling without parting her lips. Aged about 30, she has beautiful, long, hazel brown hair and light chestnut brown eyes. She is wearing a simple pale yellow blouse, light cosmetics, no jewellery not even earrings, allowing her natural beauty to stand out. The images is labelled AuntSylvie. A watercolour painting of a 40 year old hobo with long, dark hair, a beard, and a scruffy appearance. A wandering story teller, he sleeps in the woods at night. He is wearing a grubby wolfskin jacket over an old grey T shirt. In spite of his rough looks and shabby clothes Benet is one of Wolfland's nicest characters. The image is labelled Benet. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 6, 2025 at 8:02 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#NovemberWorldbuilders 5 Nov 'Purple'

The romantics are juggling their final year of school, their Saturday jobs, and their "meet the family" obligations

KristalClear hopes she chose the right clothes.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #graduation #romance #amediting #bookSky
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 24 The CounterPlexity Ball “Do I look OK today? I only had time for a quick shower after work, and I thought this pastel lilac blouse would be smart without being over the top?” “You’re very pretty in that. Though dad’s more interested in meeting the real you, than in meeting your blouse. He’s not into clothing.” “He’s only ever seen me in jeans and T shirt. And we’ve never really said anything more than hello or goodbye. I’m nervous. And you should have gone home and changed! Then you could have brought him back here with you.” “I couldn’t, Faraday and I were busy, I rushed to get here on time.” NutJob’s parents, Aspen and Priscilla Wood, haven’t yet met KristalClear properly. They want to do that before graduation day. Image: A watercolour painting 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 grey backdrop, and is labelled KristalClear. A watercolour picture of a charming young man aged 16. He has neat well groomed brown hair, his eyes are bright blue, and his face has an almost neutral expression although it looks as if he's concentrating. He's wearing a plain white T shirt against a light grey background. The image is labelled NutJob. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 5 Nov 'trail'

Slender, the demi-psychic, is trying to tune in on the wavelength.

Something about a trail on a map.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #pirates #romance #amediting #bookSky
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 23 Bubble and Squeak A flowered hat seems to be talking and walking by itself in MickeyWarr’s dream. Telling him to “take the trail marked on your father’s map” whatever that means. The ghostly body isn’t guiding the hat, but the wide, floppy hat is guiding the formless, shadowy body. Gradually and calmly, passing along a moonlit trail through the middle of a field of oats, towards some distant pine trees in the woods. MickeyWarr isn’t fully participating in this dream, and nor is the body beneath the pale blue, straw hat. The hat is lightly peppered with occasional white daisies, alternating with little florets of mature oats, and it seems to be on the head of a long haired figure who’s wearing a long flowing, magnolia silk robe. The colours of the hat and its decorations are clear, though everything else remains indistinct in various shades of grey. Traces of moonlight create a ripple effect in the folds of the robe making it resemble the surface of a gently flowing stream with ever changing shadows. Image: A watercolour painting of a pretty 18 year old young lady. She has long straight black hair, part of which is brought forward into a ponytail held in place with a gold hair band. She is wearing a tricorn hat and has small silver stud ear rings. A gentle face has a hint of a smile. She also has a royal blue waistcoat over a frilly white blouse with an upturned collar. She looks thoughtful and wise. The image is labelled Slender. A watercolour painting of a 20 year old man with a plain, slightly puzzled expression on his face. His chestnut 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. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 5, 2025 at 12:53 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#writersCoffeeClub 4 Nov 'What's the funniest thing you've ever written?'

A marriage proposal.

But it's in book two and you'll have to wait until December next year for that!

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #marriage #WeddingBells #romance #LoveStory #SillyNames #Lancaster
Book extract SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 40 Tension and Harmony Julia Concordia shows them to a table in the corner. followed by a block of redacted text followed by “are you proposing to me?” followed by another block of redacted text Image: A watercolour picture of a charming young man aged 16. He has neat well groomed brown hair, his eyes are bright blue, and his face has an almost neutral expression although it looks as if he's concentrating. He's wearing a plain white T shirt against a light grey background. The image is labelled NutJob. A watercolour painting 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 grey backdrop, and is labelled KristalClear. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 4 Nov 'steel'

Having walked to the top of Castle Hill the retired #Manx Colonel and CandiCrush are discussing life in 2450AD.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #AGNB #pirates #writingCommunity #ClimateChange #sustainability #ships #Lancaster #engineering
Book extract SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 17 A Bid For Freedom “There used to be a railway line over there. The ships used to be industrial monstrosities though, all steel, grey paint and diesel engines. We may have less green scenery now, but we have magnificent sailing ships all along the river, horses everywhere, and no pollution. Four hundred years ago they talked about sustainability so much, but they had no idea what they were doing. All posturing and grand proclamations. Talking the talk but never walking the walk as you say. In the Sidooryn we used to say AGNB” “AGNB?” “ All gob and no balls! Oh, pardon my Manx!” Image: A Watercolour painting of a 70 something man. He has short neat fair hair, and proud chestnut coloured eyes. His forehead and face have no wrinkles, but his jaw and his chin, and the mild folds of skin on his neck reveal that he’s quite old. He has a neutral expression as if posing for a regimental portrait. He is wearing a pale blue dress shirt and his cricket club tie, which has bold stripes of Royal blue, dark blue and silver. The image is labelled “The Colonel”. A watercolour painting of a smart, attractive 33 year old female military officer with chestnut coloured eyes, and medium ash brown hair. Her hair is brushed back into a tight bun behind her head. There's a look of concentration on her face and she has a hint of a smile. She's wearing gold stud earrings, dark eye shadow, and pale pink lipstick. Over a dark olive T shirt Commander Crush is wearing DPMs (Disruptive Pattern Material, AKA camouflage). The image is labelled CandiCrush. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by Scott Rochester
acturek.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #steel

On the disposal of bullies.
Drisal and Rushak

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
Drisal lowered his sword, the heat of affront draining from him. "Good shot. But you've soiled my sharpening-stone." "You were going to strike him," Rushak replied, eying the blade. "I wanted the honor for myself." Drisal nodded understanding, with a rueful glance at his weapon as he sheathed it. "It would have been a terrible mistake. But he should've tasted STEEL for those words." "No, Drie. You've not been yourself these last days. A rage consumes you. I have never seen you like this. You were ready to murder him! You know their taunts have long ceased to hurt me. Their good opinion, well, we both know what it is worth." Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 4, 2025 at 12:39 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#NovemberWorldbuilders 3 Nov 'Yellow'

Kayt is the lead singer in The Space Girls, a name which is derived from their catch phrase “don't invade my personal space!”

Kayt and Conning are karate experts.

They need to control the boys!

see Alt

#scifi #SlenderWolf #karate #song #dance #music
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 20 Music be the Food of Love THE SPACE GIRLS (The curtain opens revealing an empty stage.) (One from the right, and one from the left, KAYT and CONNING gleefully hop, skip and jump their way to centre stage. They are clad in shockingly tight, black mini skirts and skimpy tops. KAYT’s is a lurid lime green, and CONNING’s is a powerful bright yellow.) (Offstage left, HAYWIRE and MAXCHAOS are stunned. They can’t take their eyes off them, weren’t they wearing jeans and T shirts a moment ago?) (Intentionally, MISS FORTUNE plays three notes, B, B, and a low C, then stops. ANGRYBARD decides to leave his seat in the orchestra pit, moving to the front row where he can have a better view of the singers.) Two watercolour paintings of attractive young girls aged 16. Conning (Manx, pronounced KonYing, meaning bunny) has gorgeous long medium ash brown hair and her eyes are dark chestnut brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a plain white T shirt. Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair - her eyes are dark hazel brown - her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth - medium build, she is wearing a white T shirt. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 3, 2025 at 8:36 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 3 Nov 'nice'

KristalClear is chatting with her #Manx friends about life, the universe and everything.

And men.

Conning is still emotional, trying to hold back some tears, and she’s determined to deliver this life lesson in full.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #romance
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 14 The Good Apples “Grandad told me the fable on my sixteenth birthday, and he asked me, how old do you need to be, to be wise?” “Six? Sixteen? Sixty?” The girls look at each other. Kayt is Manx and even she hasn’t heard this before. Conning is still emotional, trying to hold back some tears, and she’s determined to deliver this life lesson in full. “How old do you need to be to give love and support?” “Both love and support?” “Grandad says that even some six year olds can do both, both love and support” “And some six year olds can’t.” “Some sixteen year olds still can’t do either of them!” “It’s about support. Sensible, reliable, rational support. A three year old can be supportive and helpful. But not across the board. You have to be older than three, have a bit more knowledge, and a lot more maturity.” “It comes to some of us at about sixteen he said, maybe a bit earlier, maybe a bit later. You don’t want to wait until you’re sixty to start being nice to people. He said, if you’re not there yet, young Conning, I just want to suggest a direction that you might choose to follow!” “That’s some lecture!” says Kayt. Image: Three watercolour paintings of attractive young girls aged 16. KristalClear has beautiful long straight deep brown hair and her eyes are chestnut coloured. Her face has a gentle expression with a hint of a smile. She is wearing a plain white T shirt. Conning (Manx, pronounced KonYing, meaning bunny) has gorgeous long medium ash brown hair and her eyes are dark chestnut brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a plain white T shirt. Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair - her eyes are dark hazel brown - her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth - medium build, she is wearing a white T shirt. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 3, 2025 at 5:47 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#fiction

On release, prisoners of war may return home to Worringfolk or may choose to settle in Wolfland.

The resettlement facility is called “Fort Friendship” but I want to use #Latin.

Do I use amicum or amicorum?

#lazyweb #asksky #SlenderWolf #WritingCommunity
screenshot of Google Translate, taking the four forms of “Amicus” that I know, and giving only one translation four times Castellum Amicorum Castellum Amicum Castellum Amicus Castellum Amici Castle of Friends Castle of Friends Castle of Friends Castle of Friends
November 2, 2025 at 12:31 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#NovemberWorldbuilders 1 Nov 'Red'

2 of 2

DinkyLa is 1 metre 90 tall, hence his name

WallyLa was born in Wally (Wallasey) hence his name

And the ChessClub meets in RedCircle territory!

#scifi #SlenderWolf #education #pirates #Wirral #Liverpool #MerseySide #IndieAuthor #ships #survival #bookSky
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 6 Coming Full Circle “Look at him,” exclaims NikkoThyme in a low voice. “Redhead! I want to meet him,” she says, much to the consternation of GeekyRose. The moment he stepped through the door, the same sort of idea entered WallyLa’s head. He can’t remember ever having seen a redhead girl before, let alone one as beautiful as this. Apart from the two redheads, everybody else in The Copper Kettle is staring at the giant, DinkyLa. A water colour painting of a pleasant, attractive 16 year old young man, with short, tidy red hair. His eyes are a mix of green and hazel colours and he looks happy with a hint of a smile. He is wearing a pale grey T shirt. The image is labelled WallyLa. “La” is Scouse for “Lad”. A water colour painting of a pretty red head girl with long wavy hair. She is 15 years old and has beautiful green eyes, and a calm smile. She is wearing a magnolia coloured blouse with a modest lace trim to the collar. The image is labelled NikkoThyme. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#NovemberWorldbuilders 1 Nov 'Red'

1 of 2

WallyLa and DinkyLa swam across the Mersey to escape the BlackCircle

Now they're in RedCircle territory

But nobody is as bad as the VexCircle!

#scifi #SlenderWolf #education #pirates #Wirral #Liverpool #MerseySide #IndieAuthor #ships #survival #bookSky
Book extract SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 3 The ChessClub “Aren’t all the pirates chasing the same bounty though?” asks WallyLa, “how does an uneasy truce work?” “We’re morning people.” “It’s not as simple as the RedCircle does the mornings and the BlackCircle does the afternoons, but that’s sort of how it works.” He smiles, “and we probably get the better pickings. The early bird catches the worm. Generally, we catch some outgoing stuff from Meirionydd and Wolfland. They catch incoming stuff from Mannin and Leinster.” He thinks for a moment, “and then you have the VexCircle! They don’t follow any rules. We hardly ever see them, but they’re complete maniacs, wicked, corrupt, truly evil. We don’t even know where they’re based!” “Right, let’s see if we can find you a temporary home. If anybody asks, you’re distant relatives of mine, up here from Hezz. And I’m Jonathan Miller. Or Uncle Jon to you. We’re going over to the ChessClub now to meet Bruno.” “I can’t play chess!” “It’s not that sort of chess club! A water colour painting of a pleasant, attractive 16 year old young man, with short, tidy red hair. His eyes are a mix of green and hazel colours and he looks happy with a hint of a smile. He is wearing a pale grey T shirt. The image is labelled WallyLa. “La” is Scouse for “Lad”. A water colour painting of a calm, pleasant, 16 year old young man, with neat tidy milk chocolate brown hair. His eyes are hazel coloured and he looks attentive and happy. He is wearing a plain grey T shirt. The image is labelled DinkyLa. “La” is Scouse for “Lad”. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
November 1, 2025 at 2:27 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
checked #WIPSnips

checked my Wips

I have book 1 done - 99%

healthy chunks of book 2 are done

book 3 has a mix of pragmatic and haphazard bits

Halloween is not a thing in my novels

nor in my life in general

#SlenderWolf is about people and social harmony

sitting it out this week
October 27, 2025 at 9:15 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 26 Oct hat

In #SlenderWolf there are a number of people in the military and the police

They all wear peaked caps

Then I remembered that CrankyHandle wears a hat

So please accept a picture of the local lockkeeper!

see Alt Text

#scifi #wolves #psychics #survival #bookSky #telepathy
Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 21 On the Wolf Wavelength Scarcely believing the story at first, Constable Burgess relents and takes NutJob to see the local lockkeeper, CrankyHandle. He’s more accustomed to moving canal boats than moving wildlife, but at least he has a pony and trap! “She’s sitting up there with an injured wolf, apparently,” says Burgess, “we obviously can’t leave her stranded!” Bringing his hand to his forehead for a third time now, CrankyHandle says, “I don’t know what to make of young people these days, in my day you just went to school, then you went to work, and you stayed away from wolves!” Image: A water colour painting of a canal lock keeper aged about 55 years old. He has a gentle smile. He’s wearing old fashioned clothes, a russet coloured flat cap (typical of Yorkshire), a brown suede waistcoat, and a collarless, button up shirt in beige. The image is labelled CrankyHandle. A water colour painting of a British police officer aged about 35 years old and looking smart and authoritative. He is wearing a peaked cap with a chequered band, and a silver badge depicting a wolf's head. White shirt, black tie, and a black tunic with silver buttons. The image is labelled Constable Burgess. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 26, 2025 at 12:09 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 25 Oct 'lottery'

HayWire and MaxChaos are in the café again

Talking about gunpower, again

As you do

So, Constable Walker has been talking about job opportunities

Nothing to see here, move along please

see Alt Text

#scifi #SlenderWolf #pirates #conflict #survival #bookSky
Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 13 Innovative Technology HayWire’s brain is already a bit frazzled following Walker’s extraordinarily direct and pointed conversation. HayWire had wanted to chat all about ideas for innovating new armaments, not about employment opportunities! And his new innovative ideas mean that he wants to get hold of something explosive. For the best of reasons of course. Nothing sinister! But being HayWire he knows that he can’t just go around asking random people for stuff that goes bang! Images: 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 A watercolour painting of a bearded young man aged about twenty posing for a headshot - he has long hair down to the top of his shoulders with a colour that varies from brown to light brown - the beard is well groomed and his hair is neat if a bit long - his eyes are blue - his face has a neutral expression and it looks as if he has the merest hint of a frown - he is wearing a white T shirt - the image is labelled MaxChaos copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 25, 2025 at 4:20 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 24 Oct 'total'

Once again, CandiCrush and KristalClear are deep in discussion about the social order in 2450AD

#scifi #SlenderWolf #refugees #climatechange #floods
Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 7 Bronze Silver and Gold CandiCrush continues, “if the total refugee population was just 1,000 people, then 333 would be children. Each of them in need of protection! Sending them back where they came from would be inhumane.” “What did the government do?” “The central government in London was already collapsing. The Thames flooded the city more often. Clean drinking water had become an expensive luxury. Like everybody else, government workers simply walked out of their jobs, literally walked, and they carried on walking in search of safe land, and safe drinking water.” “I know more about Worringfolk than I do about London, so let’s focus on the local geography.” “Around 2200AD a new order was emerging.” Image: watercolour painting of a smart, attractive 33 year old female military officer with chestnut coloured eyes, and medium ash brown hair. Her hair is brushed back into a tight bun behind her head. There's a look of concentration on her face and she has a hint of a smile. She's wearing gold stud earrings, dark eye shadow, and pale pink lipstick. Over a dark olive T shirt Commander Crush is wearing DPMs (Disruptive Pattern Material, AKA camouflage). The image is labelled CandiCrush. watercolour painting 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 grey backdrop, and is labelled KristalClear. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 23 Oct 'gradient'

The would be romantics are cautiously navigating the gradient leading to romance (in more ways than one)

#scifi #SlenderWolf #Ulverston #Lancater #wolves

Book extract:

SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances
Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 6 Red in the Face He sees her as she passes Broadland Park High School. Eager to tell her what he’s learnt about Ulverston, he sets off down the hill as she’s walking up. “Franklin explained,” he exclaims excitedly, “all about the name, and how the wolves came back, and everything!” The two of them have an overlapping route here, but only for a few hundred metres. NutJob is trying to make the best use of the short time available, and is effectively dominating the chat. “You’re very lively tonight,” she says, “did they put too much sugar in your tea?” Slightly puzzled he says, “I don’t take sugar!” Instinctively, KristalClear begins to reach out with her right hand intending to place it on NutJob’s left shoulder, and encourage him to calm down. Realising that her hand is moving she swiftly pulls it back, remembering that she promised herself there would be no physical contact, well not yet anyway. Image: A charming young man with neat well groomed brown hair, his eyes are bright blue, and his face has an almost neutral expression although it looks as if he's concentrating. He's wearing a plain white T shirt against a light grey background. The image is labelled NutJob. 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 grey backdrop, and is labelled KristalClear. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 23, 2025 at 6:28 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 22 Oct 'charge'

May I introduce FullyCharged?

The eight year old bundle of fun with boundless energy has ensured that the tour of the art gallery has come to an abrupt halt.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #LessonLearned #falconry #archery #art #writingCommunity #Lancaster
Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 13 Innovative Technology The tour of the gallery comes to an abrupt halt. Cheerfully, bouncing up the corridor towards them, comes FullyCharged, “look, look, that’s my falcon,” he says, pointing to a detailed pencil drawing hung on the wall. “We saw it at archery practice last week, it took me three hours to draw this.” His proud falcon stares out at them with eyes that seem to follow people around the room. The eyes are piercingly good. Unfortunately, not everything about the picture is well drawn. Miraculously the falcon, with one leg shorter than the other, still manages to balance correctly on its perch. FullyCharged is the sort of small boy who seems to operate in one of only two modes, either absolute handful, or completely asleep. A watercolour painting of orphan FullyCharged, a hyperactive 8 year old boy, he has plenty of golden brown hair on top, which at the sides is neatly under control. His eyes are a deep chestnut colour - uncharacteristically calm in this pose he has a neutral expression with a hint of a smile - he is wearing a white T shirt - the image is labelled FullyCharged copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 21 Oct 'second'

Today, NutJob seems to be putting in more part time hours than usual.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #LessonLearned #writing #writingCommunity #ClimateChange #sustainability #Lancaster
Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 1 Charming or Tedious They’re both a little surprised to see NutJob arrive at the PrintWorks unexpectedly. “I thought you were meeting BarmyWaffle today?” says Franklin. “It’s complicated! He was in a rush, we had a thirty second chat and we’re going to meet properly next week.” Bennie and Michael Scott, better known as Franklin and Faraday, run The Lancastrian. They’d like to retire soon, but they’re passionate about delivering the news. Image: A headshot of a charming, friendly woman in her sixties. She has a pleasant smile and welcoming chestnut brown eyes. Her grey hair is short, like a bob, but with some waves and a few flowing curls. She is wearing a pastel yellow blouse. The background is a plain grey wall, and the image is labelled Franklin. Bennie Scott, a newspaper editor, is nicknamed Franklin because Benjamin Franklin was also a newspaper editor. A headshot of a kind, mature man in his sixties. He has an abundant smile, lovely chestnut brown eyes, and traces of a few wrinkles. His grey hair is short and well groomed. He is wearing a navy blue polo shirt. The background is a plain grey wall, and the image is labelled Faraday. Michael Scott is nicknamed Faraday because he's an electrical and mechanical engineer. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 21, 2025 at 7:47 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 20 Oct 'field'

Behold BarmyWaffle!

This one of my favourite passages from SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances.

There is so much to tell you about it that it’s all in the Alt Text.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #LessonLearned #writingCommunity #engineering #PhD #BookSky #IndieAuthor
Personal message: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances. My log tells me that I wrote this passage on 7 June 2025, originally as part of Chapter 5. BarmyWaffle became such an important secondary character that I moved him to the middle of Chapter 1, and then I moved him right onto page 1 of Chapter 1. The extract you can see is from page 3. A Diplôme Supérieur is a completely fictitious qualification somewhat higher than a Master's Degree, but not quite as high as a PhD Subject to some more fine tuning, the book is ready. It’s on its 4th edit (and the 4th draft), and if the 4th proof comes back OK, I expect to have it released soon. If I don’t get it out by the end of the year I will be disappointed. It will be a paperback. I will sort a digital version too, but that is a lesser priority. Lots of drafting of subsections of book 2 has happened. The first engagement, first wedding, and first baby are all discussed. It’s not telegraphed in book 1. Although a handful of people might make a good educated guess, I think that many will enjoy a complete surprise. Image: A watercolour painting of a 60 year old man with receding grey hair and frameless glasses. He is wearing a white lab coat over a light blue shirt, and has a dark navy tie. He looks like the archetypal scientist. He has a serious look on his face and he likes to point out “My name’s Emmett. But everybody calls me Barmy! Barmy as in proper noun, not as in adjective! Though some might disagree!” - The image is labelled BarmyWaffle. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025 Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 1 Charming or Tedious BarmyWaffle looks like a doctor who’s about to tell somebody exactly what’s wrong with them. Except he’s not a doctor, he’s an engineer. And he’s one of the few outside the medical field who has a Diplôme Supérieur. These days, very few people indeed continue to study after they leave school at sixteen. He works on the civilian staff at the Garrison in charge of the Innovation Lab. In effect, he’s a scientist, with the title chief engineer. A tall man, aged about sixty, BarmyWaffle even looks the part! Habitually he wears a tie, though these days that’s a rarity. He has a slightly receding hairline with abundant dark wavy hair, streaked with ample traces of grey. Although it’s a bit untidy and straggly at the back. His narrow, piercing, deep brown eyes are perched on a bold, prominent nose, behind rimless glasses, and he invariably has a welcoming smile that makes people feel at ease, even if he is about to deliver an unwelcome diagnosis! copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 20, 2025 at 10:45 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 19 Oct 'trial'

Right in front of the law courts!

Rules are rules!

However, Benet has offered to turn up one day, riding a horse, and see if he’s challenged.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #LessonLearned #LawAndOrder #writingCommunity #survival #bookSky #Lancaster
Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 25 Magnum Opus At the opposite end of Market Square is a tiny, inconsequential building housing the Law Courts. It’s tiny, because the justice system doesn’t have a lot of activity! The Market Square is the one part of the city where horses are forbidden. An exception being made only for horses on official duties, particularly those belonging to the Garrison or the Constabulary. Benet has offered to turn up one day, riding a horse, and see if he’s challenged. If he does carry out his threat he will no doubt discover that his horse is miraculously covered by the elastic “official duties” clause. In any case, he’s unlikely to find anybody who would lend him a horse for such an outrageous stunt. Image: A watercolour painting of a 40 year old hobo with long, dark hair, a beard, and a scruffy appearance. He sleeps in the woods at night. He is wearing a grubby wolfskin jacket over an old grey T shirt. In spite of his rough looks and shabby clothes Benet is one of Wolfland's nicest characters. The image is labelled Benet. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 19, 2025 at 10:42 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 18 Oct 'Dodge'

Is the newly press ganged MickeyWarr planning something?

Thinks Slender, the demi-psychic.

see Alt Text for more

#scifi #SlenderWolf #LessonLearned #pirates #clairvoyant #writingCommunity #ships #LoveStory
Book extract: SlenderWolf Conflicts and Alliances Chapter 14 A Delicate Question Slender can’t pick out any thought patterns. There are thirty people on the dockside, and others on board the two ships. A few more people are standing by the stores and by the main gate. There’s simply too much noise on the wavelengths. However, she can see that MickeyWarr is concentrating on something, though she has no idea what. Probably an escape plan, or at least a skiving plan, a plan to avoid working aboard either ship. That’s the sort of thing that the smart people think about. Image: A watercolour painting of a pretty 18 year old young lady. She has long straight black hair, part of which is brought forward into a ponytail held in place with a gold hair band. She is wearing a tricorn hat and has small silver stud ear rings. A gentle face has a hint of a smile. She also has a royal blue waistcoat over a frilly white blouse with an upturned collar. She looks thoughtful and wise. The image is labelled Slender. A watercolour painting of a 20 year old man with a plain, slightly puzzled expression on his face. His chestnut 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. copyright © Scott Rochester 2025
October 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM