www.johnaferguson.co.uk

It’s only when I find myself updating my website that I’m struck by a familiar guilt – this blog has been severely neglected once again! A quick check tells me my last update was way back in September 2024, so a catch-up is long overdue. The truth is, I’ve been completely immersed in writing, and I have quite a bit to share. First and foremost, I’m thrilled to announce that the comprehensive rewrite and edit of my first novel, Star Fantasy , is complete. It’s been a remarkable journey, one that started in 2004. To return to that world twenty years later and infuse the story with two decades of writing experience has been incredibly rewarding. With that milestone reached, I’m excited to say that I’ve now officially started work on the sequel. However, that’s not the only project that’s been keeping me busy. I’ve continued to work on my Star Trek fan fiction and last week completed the draft of a new novel called The Last Deviation . While some familiar faces from the Original Series mak...

I'm excited to share an update on my novel edit. I've now edited 101 pages of the original 170-page manuscript, which means I'm well over halfway through. It's been a rewarding process, and I'm starting to see the fruits of my labour. Star Fantasy is taking a much better shape than its original incarnation. I've made significant changes, including rearranging chapters and moving away from the restrictive chapter length expectations. A chapter should be as long or as short as it needs to be. If a chapter is short and to the point, then that's perfectly fine. I still have about 70 pages to go, but I'm confident that I can bring this novel to a satisfying conclusion. I'm excited to see how the story unfolds as I continue to refine and polish it. As I near the end of this editing process, my thoughts are already turning to the next book in the series. Revisiting this story, which was originally conceived over two decades ago, has been a delightful journ...

Hey there, spacefarers and fantasy fanatics! Those of you who've been following along know I've been neck-deep in revisions for my epic Star Fantasy novel. It's a world I'm pouring my heart into, and I want to make sure it's the absolute best it can be. But sometimes, even the most dedicated writer needs a bit of a breather from the vastness of space! That's where these little gems come in. While on a revision break, I decided to revisit some short stories I wrote years ago.  These tales, tucked away in dusty notebooks, whispered of forgotten adventures and intriguing characters.  I couldn't resist giving them a second chance to shine! So, I'm thrilled to announce that two of these short stories are now available on Amazon! Echoes in the Machine: In the cold embrace of a dying spaceship, a desperate pact is forged. A lone sacrifice sparks a race against a terrifying unknown. Echoes in the Machine is a sci-fi short story that explores the cost of survival...

Last year I made the decision to pull my first novel "Star Fantasy: The Voice of Darkness" from sale on all of the digital platforms. The reason for this was fairly simple. It needed a bit of work.  I've loved this wee world I have created....it was my first full novel that I completed.  However, there were bits that I felted needed to be looked at again and improved upon. So...that is what 2024 will being. I will re-edit it, get it back up for sale with a new cover and start the journey into the second part of the story...which has had the working title "The Son of the Tribe" for some time now.  Happy reading my friends and I will keep you posted all what is happening.  Jafwords

As we approach the end of 2023, I thought it was time to finally update and clean up my author's website. Over the years, it has started to feel a bit cluttered an messy. Probably a good way to describe my writing approach, so it was time to fix it and make it look a bit more straightforward. The old site has now gone, and all that remains of it is the blog. I have retained the blog to allow me to make these latest announcements and updates. However, everything is gone and now we have this new look. Over this last year, I have become more and more focused on using the tools available through Google. In my other line of work, I have gained my level 1 & 2 Google Educator and currently working on gaining my Google Trainer. So, why not use the skills I have and make them work for my website as well? I am hoping that this fresh look for 2024 will get me moving with some more writing projects and, to be honest, with a lot of the old writing project...

It's probably not the best move to complain about social media on a social media website. However, I am still going to do it. I find Twitter to be a bit more complicated now. I enjoyed having a direct feed on this website, here on the BLOG side, as it was my go-to place for comments and posts - so it made sense to me to have it here on the BLOG.  However, it seems that you can no longer view Twitter posts unless logged into Twitter.  I have also created a Threads account for my writing and creative work. However, as I had used "jafwords" before for a personal account on Instagram, I couldn't transfer the account name over. I started with Jafwords2 on Threads, but I really didn't like that. So, I have decided that I will use "jafwords" in reverse and have "sdrowfaj".  So, as both names Jafwords & Sdrowfaj will refer to my writing and creative work.  TOO MANY NOW - I found it challenging just dealing with Twitter but think I will need to expa...

 As you can probably guess, when it comes to my writing work, I have a hard time focussing on just one project. I find a number of things to completely distract myself with.  The re-edit of the Star Fantasy novel is going slowly - but it still moves forward (even if it is at a snail's pace). I am also working on a short story - something very spacey and sci-fi(ish).  I still fancy myself as a comic book writer/creator. So, you guessed it, I am still trying to create some comics using a combination of midjourney and vroid. I am guessing the use of midjourney would not go down well with the artistic community - but when I know I can actually write some decent stuff, I can seek and pay real artists! As for reading - I have decided this summer to get back into some old classics. I recently finished Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I am about 80% through Frankenstein and when I am done with that I am moving on to Dracula.  Happy Reading folks. (I should re...

So, as I had mentioned, I had pulled the sale of my first book from the internet stores. Not because I was unhappy with it or went in a huff. I just thought I could do better with it after all those years, and I wanted to give it a bit of TLC.  I've worked on the first couple of chapters, and thanks to my cousin John, it has had a read through and I think he seems happy with it.  This isn't going to be a quick fix approach. We will definitely be looking at a 2023 release. But that is okay. I'd rather I was totally happy than it being rushed. I'm hoping this week I can get another few chapters done.  On other news, I've still not seen the new Black Panther film, and now Matilda the musical is also released. I really need to get to the cinema.  Happy reading folks...oh and this week, I am reading more Star Trek. Purgatory's Key, the third book in the Legacies series. This one is written by Dayton Ward & Kevin Dilmore. 

So if you want a taste of some of my creative work, click on the image above. Warpath is my Star Trek Fan Fiction comic book. Part one is available for you to read now. (Keeping my fingers crossed that I am not breaking any copyright rules).- Click on the picture.  I love Star Trek and it has been a huge source of inspiration to me. Along with writing novels, I have always wanted to write comic books as well. So, just with my other forms of writing, I wanted a way to practice. Please feel free and have a read and if you have any comments then why not send me a message or make a comment on the blog.  

 Oh yeah, I also make films.  Along with my efforts to create written stories, I also dabble in the world of filmmaking. In this video, you will see a documentary I have made for my cousin and his band, Eromnim3. I have a real passion for filmmaking. I have the privilege of teaching a class in film production, and creating features like this is a way to continue developing my skills as a filmmaker, writer and editor.  So, sit back, relax and become absorbed into the Texture Tank.  Happy Watching, my friends. Jafwords. 

 I have gone for a rather bold and unusual move for someone trying to make a little success in the world of writing. Where has my book gone?  To answer that, I need to give a little background. I've not really been writing much. I think that much has been clear. I've been somewhat inactive. It's probably better that I update you on what I have on the go. So, I have completed a full novel-length Star Trek FanFiction book - now that is something that will never see the light of day unless I can find some fanfiction website to put it on. It needs to be massively edited, and I can't dedicate that time to something that won't get viewed.  So, why write it?  It was practice. I needed to practice and write something that I love...and I love Star Trek, so it made perfect sense...what doesn't make sense is that I started to write a second Star Trek Novel. So I have now shelved that for the time being.  My second novel, Outriders has been finished for several years. But i...

You only need to look at this website to see that I don't really update it much. I suppose like everyone else, when I have something to say, I tend to use twitter. Even then I tend not to use it that much as I don't think the inner thoughts of my mind are that interesting - you will still get the odd occasional post about Star Trek and something Marvel related.  So, I thought it was time to give a little update on the website and other things creative. I've not abandoned the cause - I am still determined and dedicated to my creative pursuits. However, things have massively slowed down considerably...and I don't regret that as I am doing some other incredibly important things. First and foremost, I am being a dad. Hats off to my wife, she does all the major things....(and still tolerates me)...Keeping the kids entertained during lockdowns has its challenges but its all amazing times as I get to be home to see them far more - which is awesome. I don't talk much about ...

I end up focusing on putting things on twitter that I forget that I also have this website...and for the three people that actually visit it, once every five years, maybe I should add something.  So it has been a busy 6+ months. Just before the summer holidays my wife and I were busy preparing for the arrival of our son; I was also in preparation mode for an interview. Studying had been done, had gone to Starbucks the day before to do some last minute cramming...and then I went to bed. Now the next part is slightly blurry, the day of the big interview arrived but instead of getting a good sleep my wife wakes me from my slumber (around 4am) with the news (4 weeks early) THE BABY IS COMING. Okay so as most of you know, it's not one of those frantic motions like you see in the movies. We had to wake our daughter, and take her around to my mother's house and once that was all done, we were on our way to the hospital.  So we waited for the examination. My wi...

So when I try to sit down and write I find I am totally distracted. However, I couldn't have asked for a more happy way to be distracted. So my daughter is over 6 months old now. While I would love to get just a little more sleep, I couldn't imagine what life would be without her.  I manage to use my phone, and an app, to continue to work on some scripts. I have completed the second part of my star trek fan fiction comic; so now working on the art work side of things through Pixton.com. I am still working through some scripts relating to short films. My main focus is one called the PG Café- which, I will tell you more about at another point.  So, all I can say is, I am massively distracted at the moment but I will get back into my novel writing soon enough...after all I need write books so young Bethany can roll her eyes and say "Dad you are such a loser". Haha.  Okay, so sorry about my brief updated. Happy readings and enjoy the picture of...

A picture from the set of our 48 hour film project. Our film "A stitch in Time" will be part of the Wednesday group Showings at 830pm at the GFT (18th of October). Sent from my Samsung device

This is the third major comic I have created on "Pixton" since opening my account with them and I am having amazing fun creating some exciting new stories. Renovonoids is set in the distant future where the many (but not all) of the Earths Nations have formed a worldwide Union. However, the descendants of old military genetic soldiers have formed their own Union and war will soon break out. Renovoniods follows two League of Nations Police Officers as they begin to investigate a terrorist explosion and an assassination attempt. https://Pixton.com/ic:cu6d5q0v

The Book Store for my novel : - Star Fantasy: The Voice of Darkness www.starfantasy.co.uk available on AMAZON!!!

Welcome to April and Easter is almost upon us. I've spent the last week putting the finishing touches to a second comic book project called "Elysium Rising". So as it stands now I have created two first issue comics - the first was a Star Trek Fan Fiction and the Second was Elysium Rising. Both stories I will come back to, as issue one for each is intended to be Act 1 of a 3 Act story. I continue to make notes about what I intend to for these, but that will change.  I have also started to create Issue one for the next comic book which just now has the working title "Renovoniods". Yes its a made up work but there is reason behind it. Its an expansion of the Latin word - renovo ...Which means: to revive, renew, restore, repair, repeat. The meaning has some significance to the story which I am developing. The title may chance but the idea of who the Renovoniods are will remain the same.  Editing the Second novel still continues at a slow, but stea...

The first part of my new comic "Elysium Rising" has now been published on Pixton, and once again its all free for your enjoyment. Click in the picture or this LINK and to read it now. Or look to the right hand side of this page and you will see it. Happy Reading my friends, Jafwords

My first attempt at comic using http://www.pixton.com I have loved Star Trek for as long as I can remember and always wanted to created a story in the amazing universe created by Gene Roddenberry. So as a thank you to Gene and all the wonderful writers who made Star Trek so special to me over the years, here is my attempt to honour your work with my own wee fan fiction. Star Trek Warpath is a three part story with the first 22 pages forming part of one.  A new crew in a new shop occupying an old familiar world. The story takes place around the Klingon border near Sherman's Planet and on Space Station K-7 (first seen in Star Trek: The Original Series).  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed creating it. Look to the right hand side of this page and you will see the panel view for it.  Happy reading, Jafwords. 😆 Sent from my Samsung device