Blogs

I know it’s the last series of Downton Abbey. It sells big in America where people like former vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin things we live in stately homes. Lots of people here watch it. It’s won sacksful of awards for best drama. I’ve never seen more than a clip of an episode, yet Downton Avenue has me reaching for my Kalashnikov. There’s nothing down town about Downton Abbey. It’s a showcase of beautifully dressed people with...

Warning, I’m going to try and sell you something. It’s billed as ‘the best new writing from ABCtales’. Who decides what’s best? That’s a question that is often difficult to answer. Certainly, Stephen Thom, who wrote story of the year is here. And Alex Graves who wins poems of the year, every year, is included. My work is also in, but I’d guess that’s because I’ll have a book out later this year in which ABCtales act as my agent and get a fee. I’...

Actually this is for the past two weeks, as we were quite rightly showcasing our wonderful Picks of the Year last Friday. Anyway, 2016 has got off to a flying start on ABCTales. I think perhaps the start of really cold weather must have done something to the poets in particular because there was so much to choose from. I'm giving this week's poetry honours to Philip Sidney for parts one and two of her as yet unfinished Triptych (do hurry up with...

Robots are pattern-recognition machines who have grown arms, legs and visual awareness. Each time we take a step, for example, we are continually falling. Robots face the same problem, but they have not had tens of millions of years of evolution to solve it. Moore’s Law comes into effect here. Computing power which provides the software for computer hardware; robot’s arms and legs and eyes (these are anthropomorphic attributes) doubles every...

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-pushed-to-the-edge Derren Brown is a genius, an illusionist, a magician that does no magic, a man that uses reason like other folk wield hand guns. In one of his earlier shows he got a man to shoot him. But he’s still alive and still at it. Making his own shows, his own productions and selling the product to Channel 4. If the premise of his show can’t be described in one sentence it’s usually a dud...

Not everything will make sense when we want it to, it's the affliction of life. The frustration is, we have no control over it and comprehending even that is still disheartening. So our sense of feeling in control is to be alone. We delude ourselves with that invincibility factor, I can't be touched, so I won't get hurt, so I'd rather be alone.But that is a false truth. We come to realise that the next time we feel strange.What was that? Sadly...

Happy New Year, don’t let it be a blank page. The visual poetry last month was wonderful - experimental and diverse, you all got to grips with strong poems making patterns on the page. Here are three gems: Canonette was back with tongue in cheek Christmas critique and a fir tree: http://www.abctales.com/story/canonette/christmas-special-poetry-monthly Silver Spun Sand brought dance to her vibrant words: http://www.abctales.com/story/silver-spun-...

A documentary with only a first name tells you a lot. In marketing terms it says you should know who this person is, someone with a unique selling point. Amy Winehouse died in 2011, her memory fading, but there’s lots of images in this dramatic retelling of her life and loves, and they are not of the Princess Diana variety of burning candles and flickering flames. No less that jazz great Tony Bennett, who we see working with Amy here, said ‘she...

I really don't want to detract from the wonderful Picks of the Year so they will remain our highlight for another week. Picks of the Day will continue and there is a new Inspiration Point! Love to you all, Tony

Each year we select our favourites of the year. This is no exception. It's always a tough call - we have so much talent on ABCtales. So along with huge thanks to everyone who's submitted a story or poem this year here's the Editor's combined Picks of the Year: Poetry: 1st: Song for Lost Olivia by Elliot C. Mason http://www.abctales.com/story/elliot-c-mason/song-lost-olivia 2nd: Autumn by johnshade http://www.abctales.com/story/johnshade/autumn...