Writers block: when I get it, it's because my subconscious spotted that I'd make a huge structural mistake in constructing a novel before my conscious mind became aware of it, and threw on the brakes. So I've learned not to sweat it: take two days off, then back up a chapter, read through, and try to work out why I'm suddenly uneasy about continuing.

Today, we see some "file sharing" sites that rely on fans uploading cracked copies of ebooks, and which then make money off those books by charging for downloads (via cash subscriptions or advertising). Again: I take a dim view of this. They're making money off the back of my work without paying me.

I grew up on second hand bookshops and libraries.

The chip that functions abnormally will be desoldered, as they say.

To boldly go where no uploaded metahuman colony has gone before' has a certain ring to it, doesn't it?

I write almost entlirely on Macs, because: Windows gives me hives.

I don't want to permanently damage myself! On the other hand, a couple of days off the keyboard tends to make things somewhat better.