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Ken Balneaves

~ About My Writing

Ken Balneaves

Tag Archives: The Greatest Gift

What the future holds for family; thought provocation from journalist Liz Jones

23 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by Ken Balneaves in A writers thoughts, Forthcoming books, Life experience, Published Books

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depression, family, Liz Jones, mental health, prolongation of life, sexual differences, stress, The Greatest Gift

I noticed an article in the Mail on Sunday today; it was by Liz Jones, the self-deprecating journalist who lives with her life on her sleeve. She was talking about mental health and depression, particularly in women over 60, resulting from the stresses of trying to balance their lives, looking after grandchildren, children and ageing parents. However, perhaps their concern is to do with the realisation that their own life is possibly coming to an end soon and the worry of, ‘Have I done enough for everyone; have I passed enough information about life on to my kids to ensure that they have an easier passage through it than I did?’

In reading Liz’s article, http://dailym.ai/1bzgXu3, I realised that without having consciously considered it, I have finally taken on board, (with my wife’s assistance of course) how very different Man and Woman is. Men tend to see a problem and want to fix it and then move on, whereas a woman will analyse the problem, project it forward infinitely and worry about possible future problems. I realise this statement could be considered both sexist and glib, however in real terms, both approaches are absolutely necessary to provide a balanced solution to family life.

My novel, The Greatest Gift, considers the future in terms of probable increased life span and improved intelligence and it’s my take on what might happen if humans were to live for far longer than they do at present. In it, I explore the possibilities of a much longer life and the difficulties that might raise. I further this ‘exploration’ in book two, Drifting Sands, which I am currently writing. However, with time being plentiful, disease under control and intelligence vastly increased, what would Man do? Imagine then, 20-30 generations all living at one period in time; it’s a bit of a worry!

Ken Balneaves wrote, The Greatest Gift, available at http://amzn.to/QF7RLd (US), http://amzn.to/O12kgX (UK)

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Star Trek; facts about fiction.

09 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by Ken Balneaves in Amazing Facts, Published Books, Television

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light speed, science fact, science fiction, Star Trek, starship Enterprise, the final frontier, The Greatest Gift, Trekkies, warp speed

As a science fiction writer, I always try to use correct science; I think it makes my books more believable. However, as a science nut, it’s easy to become sidetracked when researching science facts. Recently I found this, non-relevant but nevertheless fascinating information about one of the best science fiction programmes ever, Star Trek.

Take a look,

Find out how Star Trek's fictional high technology works in this SPACE.com infographic.
Source SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration

Ken Balneaves wrote, The Greatest Gift, available at http://amzn.to/QF7RLd (US), http://amzn.to/O12kgX (UK)


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Time, the scarcest commodity in life and one that evades me.

28 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by Ken Balneaves in A writers thoughts, Forthcoming books, Published Books

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beyond the grave, Drifting Sands, Love story, sequel, The Greatest Gift, time, time travel

Well, it’s been awhile. I haven’t had time to write a blog in ages; months. Fact is, I haven’t had time to write my sequel either, until I went on holiday recently that is. Three weeks away from the humdrum of my day job and my mind is sparked into life. I wrote about 15,000 words in that time, whilst cruising round the Norwegian fjords and then the Mediterranean; I’m now two thirds of the way through writing, Drifting Sands, the sequel to my first book, The Greatest Gift, a tale that until last week, I didn’t know where it was going. But, despite a gap of nearly five months in my writing, it still came to me. As soon as I sat down and allowed my mind to wander, it flowed; it’s as though my fingers have little tongues, licking the keyboard into submission, telling a story that sometimes even I haven’t heard. Well now I do, the story is formed. Take a look, see what you think,

“When, from beyond the grave, Sir Stuart Harper introduced the SHINE programme, he never expected such cataclysmic consequences as a result of his procedures, but the immense augmentation to human lifespan and intelligence caused a demoralising and self-destructive effect on mankind. Richard Harper, Sir Stuart’s grandson, the receiver of the plan and implementer of the enhancements, had had misgivings when he rolled out the programme in 2012 and ever since, on occasion, he sensed all was not well. Now, 200 years on, the utopian world Sir Stuart had foreseen was no longer there, its path had deviated and man’s very existence was seriously under threat.

Young Stuart Harper, Richard’s son, was a troubled soul, desperately unhappy with his life. Sure, he had been given the option of having his intelligence and lifespan vastly enhanced and to that he had willingly agreed at the time, but he was only a child then. Now, with his superior IQ, which still remained substantially higher than his peers, after 200 years, he was finding his longevity tiresome, an ordeal. He believed there must be more to his being. His scientist father, Richard, was the main target of his dissatisfaction, blamed by his son for meddling with nature.

Stuart wasn’t alone in these thoughts, there were others. Many were so disaffected with their lives, they couldn’t cope and committed suicide to escape their terminal tedium. Others, less overwhelmed by the futility but nonetheless disconsolate, vented their feelings by rebelling against Stuart’s father and the authorities. But Stuart’s own escape was achieved in a very different manner, no contumacy from him. He decided to use his vast intelligence, in a positive way. He chose to explore times gone-by to see if history could teach him something he could use to advantage in his own time, something to rejuvenate his interest in life and as he delved into the past, he found it. He discovered a young woman who quickly became the focus of his intense scrutiny, someone who would change his life, forever.

But the journey of love is a difficult enough path to tread under normal circumstances, a challenging affair at the best of times. Add class and cultural differences to the mix and the probabilities of its success diminish. Add to that, different time zones and surely a relationship is doomed to failure?”

It’s ironic really, I haven’t enough time, to write about time. However, watch this space, it shouldn’t be long now and let me know if you like the concept.

Cheers for now.

Ken Balneaves also wrote, The Greatest Gift, available at http://amzn.to/QF7RLd (US), http://amzn.to/O12kgX (UK)


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Vibe1076 Radio, interviews The Greatest Gift author

20 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by Ken Balneaves in Forthcoming books, General, Published Books

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Ken Balneaves, publication advertising, radio interview, The Greatest Gift

Vibe1076 radio show host, Josh Chelms will be interviewing Ken Balneaves about his science fiction adventure novel, The Greatest Gift, this Saturday morning (21st) at 9:00 am (UK time).

Listen live to a great radio station at
http://www.vibe1076.co.uk.

Any questions? Tweet them to @kenbalneaves during the show.

We hope you’re able to listen.

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An overnight stay in Edinburgh with the Olympic flame

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Ken Balneaves in General, Published Books, School

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achievement, awards, Edinburgh, Olympic flame, Olympics, The Greatest Gift, Trinity Academy

As I live in London now, last night, like the Olympic flame and at the same time as it was, I was in Edinburgh overnight. The reason being that yesterday evening, I gave an address at the prize-giving day at my old school, Trinity Academy in Edinburgh.

I had been asked to be the guest of honour and to give out the awards as a result of publication of my first novel, The Greatest Gift, a science fiction adventure thriller. I donated two copies to the school library and another hardback as an award to be given to The Greatest Trier in their studies.

The address was to an audience of four hundred pupils, parents and grandparents. The diverse cross section of ages was quite challenging to write for, but I think I hit the mark; at least everyone laughed at the correct places. A few people even came up to me afterwards and congratulated me on a ‘very inspirational speech’, which was great. As a bonus, afterwards, I even sold some books.

If you’re interested, read on, my speech notes are below.

It’s 40 years since I was here last but this hall is just as I remember it.

• Our qualifying dance was here as we progressed from Primary to Secondary.
• I attended assemblies here …
• and if my memory serves me well, I sat my exams here too.

However, one of my last recollections of school was waiting outside the Rector’s (headmaster’s) door.

It was just before my O levels. The Rector eventually called me in and gave me a lecture about not working hard enough. As usual, most of the words went in one ear and out the other,

But one sentence stuck. He said, “Balneaves, you will never make anything of yourself boy, “

I was thinking, ‘I’ll show you.’ But all I could muster was a feint, “yes sir” for fear of the slap of his three-tongued tawse over my palm.

Otherwise known as the belt, or ‘whistling Willie’ as one teacher used to call it, he kept his over his shoulder under his jacket and all he had to do was this (touch his shoulder) to cause a deathly hush in the classroom.

Corporal punishment, I’m sure you Mums and Dads will remember it.

Sadly … I mean thankfully, that’s a fate you boys and girls will never have to endure.
​
Anyway, the Rector’s reverse psychology worked because I sat for seven ‘O’ levels and passed them all.

I even passed English, my poorest subject and one I had given up on before the Rector’s dressing-down.

After ‘O’ levels, I had to leave for England; my Dad was a civil servant and was promoted, so we moved to London.

There, I attended Technical College for four years, achieving a Higher National Certificate in Construction by the age of twenty.

I returned to Edinburgh, I had never wanted to leave, leaving my parents down south.

My Uncle, who I was staying with, a dour Scot, told me I was mad to return and that I had, “Nae chance o’ a job in this toon (town).”

As he had no belt, I said to my uncle, ‘I’ll show you.’

So, I wrote a little script of introduction highlighting my skills; took Yellow Pages (for you youngsters out there that’s a big yellow book with lots of phone numbers, that we used before Google) and made a shortlist of 30 Architects.

I phoned them all on a Friday afternoon after their lunchtime drink when I hoped they’d be relaxed and ready for the weekend. Of the thirty calls I made, I got three interviews and from those, one job.

One, is all I needed.

My uncle was astounded and told me I was lucky. It’s odd really, the harder I work, the luckier I seem to get.

After a couple of years here, I decided to return to London where I worked for a developer for a few years and then, at 25, I started the business that I still run.

So, I nearly failed English but wrote a book, how does that work?

Actually, no one was more amazed than I was.

It started at a time in my life, about 6 years ago, when I was busy with my Architectural and Surveying practice.

I was also learning to fly a helicopter and that involved seven ground exams as well as a minimum of 45 hours in the air and countless hours in preparation for the flying time.

Truth be known, I was probably a bit stressed and I ended up in an argument with my wife, probably trivial, you know, like not listening to her or something.

I said to her, “I’m so busy with my work and flying and I have half a book floating round in my head.” She simply said “Write it then.”

So, I did write it.

It’s a science fiction adventure novel called The Greatest Gift, it took me five years and it’s about,

• Time
• The extension of life
• IQ enhancement,

all achieved by double hypnosis and the manipulation of DNA.

People have told me, “Everyone has one book in them.” I thought, I can do better than that so I am now writing a sequel … perhaps there could be more.

JK Rowling maybe needs to watch out for the new boy in town.

Is it good?

Some say it is and that they can’t put it down … Ok that was family and friends.

But seriously, a friend of mine, Mark Pearson, who with James Patterson, co-wrote ‘Private London’, has endorsed my book and I’m now starting to get some good reviews.

Writing a book is a mammoth challenge just like an exam but I did my writing a little at time, with persistence. If you adopt the same, “I can do this,” attitude you will succeed at whatever you approach.

Sometimes the difference between success and failure is measured only by the tiniest amount of additional effort.

Rise to the challenge; don’t just let it happen … I nearly made that mistake.

By the way, if you’d like a copy of my book, please see me afterwards.

I’ve always wanted to say that.

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Book launch

19 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by Ken Balneaves in Forthcoming books

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book launch, new books, The Greatest Gift

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye! In the Town of Rickmansworth in the county of Hertfordshire a village in England, THE GREATEST GIFT will be launched in early March.

Watch this space and http://www.facebook.com/kenbalneavesauthor Also to be advertised on twitter www.twitter.com/kenbalneaves

Come and join the celebration of the official release of THE GREATEST GIFT and A MAN WHO CAST TWO SHADOWS an autobiography by Len Russell.

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The Greatest Gift ~ cover

31 Monday Oct 2011

Posted by Ken Balneaves in Forthcoming books

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James Patterson, Mark Pearson, Quote, The Greatest Gift

My good friend, author Mark Pearson, has been kind enough to provide a comment for the cover of my first book, THE GREATEST GIFT.

Thanks Mark.

20111111-180438.jpg

Just the ISBN to add.

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