Half Light

If, in the half falling light
Of an overwarm November day,
I stand myself on top of a hill
With my arms above my head,
Fingers clawing down the
fading substance of day,

I could be hollow and still.

Just as the tree standing on the reflected hill,
Standing naked of its parasitic leaves
of memory, connected vein by inky vein.
Free to be still, without rustling folds
of my silk skirt crawling down the stairs.
The tattered remains of its glinting dream,
Being dragged through to the early hours
Of the grey decaying day.

I could be oblique and hidden

Against the backdrop of the hour full night;
Avoiding the colouring of poets,
who shade beneath leaves of thoughts.

'The Rumblin' by Jeff Bennington

If you like Stephen King, Dean Koontz and other modern American Gothic writers, then you now need to add Jeff Bennington to your list.
Don't mistake the brevity of this review - I don't want to spoil this for you and I could happily ramble on about this short.
I loved the way that Bennington brought together his cast of characters in the archetypal American shack and how each of them played brilliantly against one another.
Bennington takes the technique of pathetic fallacy to its extreme and I loved it.
The only criticism I have of this piece is that I think it is a wasted potential of an amazing novel; I would have loved the chance to really get to know the characters more, to know their past and to have my nerves and suspense pulled at.
As it was the pace was rapid, which worked well for some of the sudden plot eruptions. I highly recommend this piece and I am looking forward to reading my first Bennington full length novel.
5.0 /5.0

NOTE: This is FREE at smashwords. Click on the book for a direct link

'The Ice Princess' Free e-book short @ smashwords

SYNOPSIS:
A medieval land ravaged by bandits, plague and a sadistic warlord is home to an unlikely hero. Caught by the corruption of the tyrannous Bandit King, Sebastian is a young man who finds himself on a mythical quest to restore his lands to peace and fertility. A reworking of the Sleeping Beauty myth set against the grim and gritty backdrop of Medieval tyranny.


AUTHOR'S NOTE:
My two day adventure into Medieval epic fantasy has produced this 10,000 word free downloadable e-book. I completely lost myself in Sebastian's world and wrote the whole thing in two crazy slavish days. It was one of those stories that demanded it be told. I hope you enjoy it.

Click on the image to take you to the link.

Window Blues

I am LOVING this tune tonight!!!!

Why contests are the WRITE choice.

As any writer will tell you, there never seems enough time to do anything other than slavishly working on our current WIP. Many writers don't think they have time for contests or that somehow it is a deviation from their actual goal. I was like this until a few weeks ago when I wrote my first ever short story and submitted it into the @indiehorror writers' community and forum.

Doing this, is one of the most productive things I have done in months (aside from novel #1 actually being published). This contest allowed for feedback from other members, then the chance to edit and resubmit. I found the whole process really useful. These are the reasons why:

• Discipline - it made me really concentrate on the structure of the piece and forced me to write in a much more constrained way. Not having the liberty of a large word count, really tested my skills as a writer. (Novel writing is easy in comparison)

• Feedback - Getting positive, constructive criticism has been good for developing my objectivity. And being that I had some amazing feedback, it has also been good for my ego!

• Sharing my work in this way created a real immediacy and connection with readers and critical friends.

• Made new contacts and writer friends -widening my horizons.

• Built my C.V

No whether you are a proud indie, or whether you are looking for an agent, it is important ( I retrospectively realise) to have a bank of work and accolades behind you before you will even be considered.

It is unlikely that an agent or publishing house will pick you up based on your shorts - they will still want a novel plan (in both senses) - but they will look at your website and if it is full of winners' banners and examples of your work with testimonials, then it can only be a good thing.

So next time you see an opportunity to get your name out there, to share your work, to build your C.V and get some constructive feedback, then grab it with two eager hands, carve out a rainy afternoon and give it a whirl.

On that note, DEEP IN THE FOREST, (A writing community and forum for YA writers of fairytales, gothic horror, paranormal romance and Urban Fantasy) is holding its first writing contest. Click here to find out more.

Winter

She is paper fragile;

So when the snow falls,
she sweeps and bends to his caress
As pale as the steel coloured page
Marked with the black eloquence of flight,

That swirls in momentary voice
And then fades,
like the word

Love.

I wrote this poem a few years ago and it remains one of my favourite. I was standing on the platform of a train station on a really dull, flat, grey day; the starlings were gathering and I was absolutely hypnotised by their beauty - as if they were almost taking part in a choreographed ballet piece. The way they formed and then broke apart against the blank sky evoked both thoughts of words written across a page and more abstractedly love. The way that lovers move almost silently and without consciousness in some from of dance of their own.

As they scattered out across the sky it was just like a heart dissipatining.

'Bits of you & Pieces of Me' by Kimberly Kinrade

"Haunting and Beautiful."

This was as if Kimberly Kinrade had ripped out her very beautiful and eloquent heart and presented it in front of you. It was a very moving collection of stories and poems; which had a terrible sadness attached to them.
The collection is a true and honest expression of a side of feminity to which many women can relate.
With great skill, she has balanced the poetic with the beauty of simplicity. There are some stunning works of poetry intermingled between observational pieces and short stories.
It reminded me very much of Native American story telling in which stories are interjected with poems, ideas and objects. Although written they have a strong sense of the oral and you get the feeling that you are being spoken directly too.
This is a really interesting read and the sort of collection that you would find yourself dipping into everynow and again once you had read it.
5.0/5.0

Get your copy at Amazon.com http://amzn.to/i8TlOX

Album review:Blue Foundation,

Blue Foundation

Life of a Ghost.

I am loving this album at the moment. Such a good soundtrack for writing. Some of the songs on this album are just stunningly beautiful. I love Equilibrium and I watch you sleeping. This is definitely on my Favourites.

Blue Foundation are great story tellers and the songs in their album revolve around each other in a perfect union; there is no part of this album that seems to be disjointed with any othre and this is what I find incredibly cover; just as each song is a perfect whole, so is the album.

Blue Foundation moves between achingly beautiful , almost etheral strains to raw dialogue. If you have avoided them because of the Twilight film, then move on and give it a go.

5.0/5.0

Writers beware.

Beware the Perils of Mutal Review Sites.

Wow, today I have had a baptism of fire.

Today I rather excitedly signed up for a writing forum - I should have taken notice of all the signs that seem now to have been shouting in my face - such as currency in exchange for reviewing which you could then use to pay your way up the reviewing priority. ( I know, I know - well maybe I was standing too close to the tree to see the woods.)

On this forum, I read a whole range of genres that I wouldn't normally read, and the idea was that you then fed back constructive criticism. I really enjoyed having my tastes challenged and when I couldn't think of anything postitive to say, then I just skipped on by.

I was amazed how within the space of an hour every review / critique I had offered had an almost vitrionic, over emotive response. I re-read my reviews, thinking maybe in my excitement I had been a little over critical - but I promise I hadn't. At least 90% of each review had been positive and then I had added a comment about what would make it even better. One of the main things that I challenged was the idea seemingly established idea, that poems had to rhyme; which was a shame because in several cases it had really constrained and undermined some of the pieces.

What I soon discovered was, that although it was desgined as a critical forum, actually, in truth these writers didn't want to receive any criticism of their work - they wanted to be told that their work was 'perfect' and they had established a community based on mutal congratulation and stroking of ego.

I promptly recinded my subscription and cancelled my account, left haunted by a comments such as "Poetry is meant to rhyme if I'm not mistaken" and "anyway your piece was too hard to read."

So what important lesson have I learnt from this and how can I protect you from making the same mistake as me;

Don't jump into mutal review sites. Build a network of author friends who you can trust, who write work you admire and who understand the professionalism needed to become a great writer. Get them to critique your work and work with them in return. Set out to create an environment and network in which you can be open and honest with each other.

And on a final note - if you put your work out there, then you have to be prepared to take the criticism with grace and good humor.

Lesson learnt. :-)

Friday Flash Fiction

Now before I begin, this is my first attempt at flash fiction. I have spent several weeks plucking up enough courage to do something quite so exposing (no pun intended!). The thought of 'publishing' something that hasn't gone through months of revision sends shivers of anxiety through my self esteem. So here goes. 500 words or less. Let's hope the grammar and spelling are not too bad.

PAULINA

It was a leaden sky. The sort of sky that offers no promise but just sits there like an uninspiring ceiling. Against it, the black birds swirled like moving stitches and the trees, stripped to their bones stood out in stark contrast. Paulina didn't notice these black and white features of the landscape; she was too busy counting her footsteps. She had found that this was the only way to remember where she'd actually buried it because at this time of year, the forest looked just like one mess of jagged lines and dark earth.

Her breath skipped as the sound of flapping wings suddenly burst through the heavy silence. She let out a small delighted laugh when she realised just how much the bird had startled her. She'd once held a wild rabbit which had been hurt by an unknown predator. It's heart had hammered against her own chest at an increasing speed until at last, reaching an implosive crescendo, the pretty little thing went limp in her arms. She raised a hand and pressed it to her chest. It was still and calm.

At last satisfied that she had located the place, she bent, removing a small garden trowel from her basket. The ground was still hard from the morning frost and held resistance with a lose weave of thin but stubborn roots. Paulina chipped away at the soil and with each blow she though of him.

His name had been Simon and he had been so beautiful, that the first time she saw him in the shadows of the cathedral, she had found herself silently weeping. The hood of her cloak had shielded her face and so he did not notice her at her first, but as he passed, the intoxicating smell of smell of Frankincense filled his air causing him to turn and and retrace his steps to the source of the perfume. He sought out her face as she feigned interest in one of the icons. When she turned to meet his eyes, she had not expected to feel such a sudden rush of desire. It took her breath away and he mistook if for a weakness. His foolishness was part of his charm.

Eventually, the metal of the trowel hit the wooden casket, letting out a dull knock. Within a few minutes the whole box was revealed and discarding the trowel, Paulina worked her leather clad hands into the iced soil. It seemed reluctant to be pulled from its resting place but eventually it sprang free. The small gold key to it, lay secretly in her locket which she unclasped, freeing the key and then placing it between her lips until it was needed. Nestled in the basket was a small package wrapped in crimson velvet and tied with a black ribbon. It was small enough to fit snugly into the palm of her hand. Retrieving the key, she unlocked the box and lifted the lid deftly with one hand.

Inside the box lay three other packages, each identical to the one she now placed amongst them. The smell from the box was putrid and Paulina was grateful that she had brought an infused napkin with her. She pressed it to her nose, the scent of cloves and orange peel displacing the stink of rotting flesh.

This had been what had been required of her to complete the deal. Three hearts to save her own. From the basket, Paulina retrieved the small leather bound book, the bunch of herbs tied with twine and the box of matches. Page by page she tore the pages of the book, balled them in the palm of her hand and placed them along with the hearts. Before lighting the match, she spread the herbs.

As soon as the match hit the macabre little pyre, great flames erupted, forcing her to stumble back and scramble for cooler air. Within moments the fire had consumed both the contents and the box leaving nothing but ashes.

Beneath the firm boned silks of her corset, Paulina felt the faint stirring of her heart build to the strong rhythmic pulse of home - to the beating of the the distant West Indian obeh drums. Something she had not felt since her death.

Winners of Giveaways.

CONGRATULATIONS

WINNERS OF VALENTINE'S GIVEAWAYS.

Winner of the www.theknighttrilogy.com

***Book in a Bag giveaway***

is
SANA NOOR

Winner of the Katie.M.John Blogspot

***3x signed ARC***

are

MEGAN McDADE

KAYLA DAVIES

SUSANNE MARSH.

Writers like their valentines cards to have 5 stars attached.

So Valentine's day is near. Now what would be the best way to show your love and appreciation to your favourite writer?
Well, I have a suggestion. Write them a review full of praise and love and then stick 5 beautiful glittery stars next to it. And then, if you're feeling really generous write them a personal note about something in their book. You see writers, well most of the ones that I know, may look super confident, full of self belief and self assured but on the inside they're a mass of wibbling, insecure and frightened jelly.

Writing a novel, and then going about getting it published is a risk. When that novel goes out there on its own into the big wide world - the writer is putting their head above a parapet, and there is a very big possibility that they might just face a row of machine gun-slinging critics, which are only to pleased to fire a few word bullets right into the heart. The writer is a vulnerable being because it's not just a product that they're putting out, it's part of themselves.

So when a writer opens their mail box, with nervous hand and slight cold sweat at the horror that might be contained, there is an overwhelming sense of relief (quickly followed by ecstatic happy dance) when they are faced with comments not of criticism and nitpicking but of love and enthusiasm.

What has prompted this post, you may well ask. Well let me share with you the following snippets from my mailbox this morning, (not because I'm showing off - well okay just a little bit - but becuase it leads on to the rest of this blogpost.)

"I just received my signed ARC copy of "The Forest of Adventures" yesterday, and I have to say it is one of the most beautiful paperbacks I've ever laid eyes on."

"I love this book! I couldn't put it down. I just couldn't get enough of it. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I loved all of the characters, the plot, the writing. I think it is safe to say that there is nothing about this book that I didn't love. I need more. "

"The Forest of Adventures had exquisitely written words that were so descriptive that the reader could feel that they were there. Each chapter, paragraph or sentence had it's own beauty that it was simple to get swept away in the story of Mina, Blake and Sammy. "

Nice one - I think you'd agree. But I'm being slightly glib about something that has a more serious core. No writer I know and speak with, feels confident that their work is above dislike. Each one always says, immediately following discussion of their own work, how they wish they were as good a writer as. X or Y. How they envy H's ability to construct prose, or P's ability to create character etc.

A writer's life is one of a constant battle with self doubt and lapses in confidence, so when you open your mailbox to find that somebody actually likes what you've done, you can not imagine the relief and subsequent grin that spreads across the face.

So here's your chance to share your best, most uplifting reader's comment. Spread the love! (Don't forget to tell us what book it was for and add a link as well.)

Writing Rituals

I've come to accept that I am quite a ritualistic character by nature. I like things and my environment to be in a very certain way - some may misinterpret this as being a control freak - something I would obviously dispute!
This ritualism extends to my writing and writing space (and until I sat down to write this blog, I hadn't quite realised the extent of it.)
So here we go, my writing rituals.

1. Coffee - milky and sweet.


2. ipod with buds not standard ear phones.


3. Fresh flowers in jug.


4. Books piled on desk in size order (Hmm- didn't even realise I did that.)
   
5. Glasses!


6. Photograph of my daughter which has to be in a certain proximity to my flowers. (Again I hadn't realised til I adjusted it that this was quite a habit)



7. Clean glasses.



8. Open note book - has to be plain cream paper, hard bound notebook. Needs to have ornate and textured covers.



9. Start.

Now none of this sounds particularly radical. I mean after all there isn't some form of crazy one legged dance I have to do or the sacrifice of a small domestic animal but it is strange how all of these factors have to be just right for me to be able to settle and get down to writing.

So in a bid to feel normal I'd love you to share your own personal writing rituals.

My stance on the Twilight debate.

My post on Aimee L. Salter's Blog at...

Seeking the Write Life

http://bit.ly/fdfruF

I have been reading with interest, the backlash that the Twilight Saga seems to have provoked.
I love the Twilight series and have re-read them several times. I have a crush on Edward Cullen to the point of middle aged silliness. I am also an English teacher and scholar of twentieth Century literature - so I know how to read for inference and gender political issues - however, it comes back to the point above - Edward Cullen is a fantasy.
I adore the Twilight series because I can completely identify with the scenario and characters. (Obviously my first love wasn't a vampire - but in all other ways X was very much an Edward Cullen - Dark, brooding, intense, Oxbridge candidate, insecure and overly confident all at the same time) First love can be like a disease. It doesn't make you act rationally - it doesn't make you respond intelligently. At this stage in your life it's all about emotion and a primal urge that is beyond articulation. It's as Zizek would philosophise - DAZZLEMENT.
There have been a lot of criticisms levied at Edward Cullen's passive aggressive behaviour and his perpetuation of patriarchal oppression - well yes - he's a moody sod that has an issue about asserting his authority in order to defend the love of his life. He's seventeen! And to be frank - for all his faults at least he isn't base - he's working to a set of higher moral ideals - even if misguided.
There is also the uncomfortable concept that for some very intelligent and empowered young women there is a fantasy of submission. (Feminists may scream at me now) Sometimes when you are a girl / woman being super grounded, being super competent, being super intelligent there is an eroticism to the concept of being over powered. Again, I emphasise that this is FANTASY and I do not think that Meyer's work glorifies abusive relationships in any way at all. It offers girls a dark and taboo fantasy - one that has been in literature for hundreds of years.
I have a boxed set put aside for my incredibly strident and bluestocking daughter and I will offer them as a gift to her for on her fourteenth birthday - I hope my gift will be one that allows her to understand the sublime danger, beauty and passion of first love.

A Weight of Moral Responsibility?

It's been an interesting week in the land of YA writerdom and I've been challenged with the question about morality in more ways than a tired, overworked and undertimed writer should be.
It started with some small issues on Twitter that have led to a somewhat ridiculous moral dilemma. As a YA writer, to what extent does a moral responisbility to my readership actually exist? & What are the moral limits or confines that I should be placing myself under?

Take the example of Twitter. I am aware that as well as my wonderful writing community, many of my followers are readers and are probably under the age of eighteen.
This can pose quite a problem. For example, I happily retweeted a #WW the other day to a writer's blog, which up until this point, had been an interesting blog by a good indie writer, however, when I checked out one of their latest blogs, they had merrily posted a short story that was, by even the most liberal of standards, graphic porn. Now I'm not just talking a little bit of racy eroticism - I'm talking serious hardcore S&M.
I'm hardly some Victorian Lady, but I have been somewhat astounded at the amount of writer's that are happily posting very explicit writing on their blogsites without any form of age guidance or barrier homepage.

This must also pose a difficult issue for writing sites with forums to deal with. Nobody wants to be the censorship party pooper (and actually - I'm pretty against almost all forms of censorship - obvious exceptions included) But I do worry. For example, I posted a piece of writing on a brilliant independent writer's site this week and was merrily tweeting promos for the site until two days later, someone posted a short story that was again exceedingly graphic and violent in it's sexual imagery - indulgent one might say. As it happens, members of the forum gave it short shrift because of its clear gratuitous nature - which is reassuring - but it didn't sooth the concerns I had over my promo of the site to my readership.

So over to you? What do you think? Have you experience of the same issues?

Guest interview at Lorna Suzuki's blog.

Guest Interview at Lorna Suzuki's Blog.

http://bit.ly/c0xGj9

Read about me and the writing life.