Former Software Developer; now an aspiring author of Dark Modern Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance with a touch of Spice; cis(he/him/hij/hem)https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lrsdjjzivc2nLatest writing status update for "Ghost Ship" and beyond. https://markbakeruk.net/2025/06/17/writing-status-update-7/17 Jun 2025 10:56 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrsdjjzivc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lplte3dqrc2tLatest writing status update. "Ghost Ship" is slowly getting closer to complete first draft status, further plotting for the "Wandelaar van de Duisternis" series, and ongoing research. https://markbakeruk.net/2025/05/20/writing-status-update-6/20 May 2025 10:01 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lplte3dqrc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lmeyz5rmoc2gI accidentally bought a kilo of grapes this morning, not realising that we already had a lot in the fridge, and as we're going away for a few days next week, I probably need to use them. How does a green grape clafoutis sound?09 Apr 2025 12:38 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmeyz5rmoc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lkdm73u2yc2gThe final step of my transition to being a Dutch citizen is now complete, with the formal renunciation of my British citizenship... that is, assuming the error in the renunciation certificate isn't a problem... apparently my date of birth was the date of my last birthday. I feel very young again.14 Mar 2025 12:25 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkdm73u2yc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3li7wdzoxok2xFor anybody who wants a sneak preview of "Wandelaar van de Duisternis" Book 2 ("Ghost Ship"), I've also just posted the prologue. https://markbakeruk.net/2025/02/15/ghost-ship-introduction-excerpt-1/15 Feb 2025 14:26 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3li7wdzoxok2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3li7w5b7kwc2xI've just posted the latest status update on my writing. "Wandelaar van de Duisternis" book 2 ("Ghost Ship") coming soon. https://markbakeruk.net/2025/02/15/writing-status-update-4/15 Feb 2025 14:22 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3li7w5b7kwc2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lgkq7luojs2gThat's the cranachan prepared for tonight's Burns' Supper. Now chilling in the fridge. I might add a mint leaf for garnish before I serve it.25 Jan 2025 10:45 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lgkq7luojs2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lgiyvexf4s2gFor Burns' Night tomorrow evening, I'll be cooking Balmoral Chicken with tatties, parsnips and sauteed leeks, followed by Cranachan.24 Jan 2025 18:15 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lgiyvexf4s2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lfhk5husgk2cIt's cold for the ducks this morning. I think it will be even colder tonight for the boat ride round the Amsterdam light festival.11 Jan 2025 10:53 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lfhk5husgk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lffaeocu5227I'm not sure if I find it amusing or worrying that many of the same people who are demanding an inquest into "grooming gangs" are the same people defending Andrew Tate.10 Jan 2025 12:53 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lffaeocu5227https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lf45qudkqc27Last night, Beetlejuice. Tonight, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The weird got weirder. Loved it.06 Jan 2025 22:12 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lf45qudkqc27https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lepeerhatc24A lot of prep work, but cream cheese and salmon blinis followed by Venison Wellington with duchesse potatoes, green beans, broccoli, honey roasted parsnips and sesame carrots, with cranberry sauce and gravy. 12 appreciative diners.01 Jan 2025 20:06 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lepeerhatc24https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3leogly4xfk2eThe big New Year's Day cooking blitz has begun, preparing the Venison Wellington01 Jan 2025 11:13 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3leogly4xfk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3len7mu4mo22g31 Dec 2024 23:36 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3len7mu4mo22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3len7iqe7uc2gGelukkig nieuwjaar31 Dec 2024 23:34 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3len7iqe7uc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lemyjuqz3227A Happy New Year's Eve31 Dec 2024 21:29 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lemyjuqz3227https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lemtxlx3ns27#NPORadio2 #Top2000 moving into the sublime now as we approach the witching hour with "Shine on you crazy diamond"31 Dec 2024 20:07 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lemtxlx3ns27https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lemijmimcs2zStarting to prepare tonight's meal. First the smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis31 Dec 2024 16:42 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lemijmimcs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lemg44fec22dIt's that oliebollen time of year again31 Dec 2024 15:59 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lemg44fec22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lehfi4nnfs27Planning the menu for New Year's Eve, with smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis; followed by prawn risotto with mascarpone, and green beans sauteed with shallots and bacon. A Venison Wellington on New Year's Day, with roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots and broccoli. And blueberry galette as dessert.29 Dec 2024 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lehfi4nnfs27https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3ldxyy7arus27After all the fun of doing a full turkey dinner for twelve yesterday, today is rather more sedate, making scones for Christmas breakfast23 Dec 2024 13:11 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldxyy7arus27https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3ldsywvkw4s2oI'm very tempted to make these (avocado devilled eggs) for Christmas, but the decoration is very fiddly21 Dec 2024 13:27 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldsywvkw4s2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3ldq6polhw22oI only need to create hardcopy occasionally, but every time I try to print something on my HP OfficeJet printer it insists that I replace one or other ink cartridges. At €30+ per cartridge, that feels like a ridiculous €7/sheet cost of ownership.20 Dec 2024 10:32 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldq6polhw22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3ldm7cpzfvk22A new blog post on my current writing status - https://markbakeruk.net/2024/12/18/writing-status-update-3/18 Dec 2024 20:32 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldm7cpzfvk22https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3ldlwqctxwk22So renouncing my British citizenship will cost me £450, this feels excessively like a government rip-off18 Dec 2024 17:59 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldlwqctxwk22https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3lddovv37f222ProWritingAid weirdness of the day, when encountering the phrase "it doesn’t only make me aware..." recommends changing it to "it makes not only me aware..." on the grounds of enhancing readability. Say what???15 Dec 2024 11:18 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3lddovv37f222https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3ld6nyjd7jc22A productive critique session at the Amsterdam Writers group last night: I took along a short mid-story chapter from my current WIP that I knew was flawed by the awkward way I presented the action from two different viewpoints. Now I'm doing a rewrite. It's always useful to get feedback on writing.13 Dec 2024 11:18 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ld6nyjd7jc22https://bsky.app/profile/mark-baker.bsky.social/post/3ld3syfq5uc2nIn Amsterdam for the day, waiting for my appointment at the lung clinic. Then a day in the city before the Amsterdam writers group this evening.12 Dec 2024 08:09 +0000at://did:plc:ockz6scrtcyfpnqnn47fpijc/app.bsky.feed.post/3ld3syfq5uc2n