Tag: amwriting

One off, One on, and a pleasant surprise?

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Hello

 

In case you noticed, I didn’t update my little corner of the internet last week. That was because I had done exactly bugger all in the way of writing. I’m not sure how it happened but that week just flew by. I do remember thinking about what I was going to write next though. When I had chance. Which was never during that week. But I did keep on reading Dorian Gray. I think it was once on the tram to work. So that was One week off writing. But then…

One week on it! As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, I was considering writing a short story based around the idea of the two greatest warriors of a fictional planet. But, I’m thinking that will make a good, full length story or a novella. As I was writing the synopsis and background to it I realised a short story would end up long or novella anyway. Having put that on the back burner, I decided to sit down and write off the top of my head. The last time I did this, wanting to write a short story only, just so I can get a story written as the time before that, a few years back, I did the same thing and it ended up getting really, really long. I’ll get back to that little ditty at some point.

Anyway, I sat down to write a few years ago, off the top of my head, and that turned into my bugbear odyssey, The Town of the Mountain. And as I sat down to write a few days ago I began to tell the tale of a hunt. A bloke hunting and fighting a demon. Which has turned into part of the second book to follow on from Town of the Mountain. It has been running around my head for about a year now so I thought, why not put some of it down on paper. I’m planning on several short stories focusing on all the main characters that will feature in the second book. I have to say, taking a week off can be pretty good sometimes. I took a week off from running as well, which led to…

A pleasant surprise? I ran my quickest run for ages after a week off. Although what I got next took the goodness of that away. I received my running number for the Manchester Bupa 10k Run 18/05/2014. Last year I was in the third group to run, now I’ve gone and put myself in the second group. The white one. The group I remarked on, as they ran passed in the opposite direction looking all professional and that as I ran passed trying not to laugh at the guy dressed as a Rubik Cube, how professional and that they all looked. I was a little worried after I opened the letter but now, I’m looking forward to it. A challenge for me to beat last years’ time. And push myself further as well. I’ll go for a beer afterwards anyway so there is that.

Right, I’m off to do some chores. Hope you have a good week.

Bye

It’s finished! And now onto the next one.

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Hello

 

My second short story of the year entitled ‘A night like any other’, is finally finished. I continued with the third person view point and it seemed to work. When I go back over it and then look for feedback I’m sure I’ll find out it doesn’t. Or maybe it does. In my head it seemed to work as a way of connecting to two half’s of the story.

Both parts have been written from the first person view point so going to the third person, in my head anyway, allowed their stories to link up and conclude. I did consider going from the second person view point but I’ve only recently tried it. I didn’t want to use it until I was completely at ease with the second person view and, I just didn’t think it would work. I also ended up putting a twist in at the end which ties up any loose ends. I did consider leaving it to the reader to decide what happened next but I didn’t think it would work. Anyway, that story is complete.

 

So, I then found myself with nothing to do on a Tuesday night. I would usually update this little blog of mine but another run left me feeling tired and unable to concentrate or want to look at a computer screen. Having done that all day I’m sure you can understand. Instead, I wrote out an idea for my next story. The idea is about a world which is split equally into two half’s. Each being led by a leader that led their army to victory over a now completely dead third party. Once the dust settled, it was agreed by both leaders second in command, because the two leaders could not function after almost dying in the war, that the world be split equally. But the leaders, now living peacefully, long to fight each other to see who is the better warrior. However, with no fighting of any kind between the two sides, how would this ever happen?

Not sure yet. I have a rough idea but will go over it again soon. Iron out the creases. I could’ve done that last night but I ended up watching some football (soccer) and then a few episodes of The Walking Dead season 3. I’ll do it at some point.

Right, I’m off to do something else.

Good Pie.

It doesn’t look too bad after all.

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Hello

 

Following on from last time, I’ve started to write the beginning of the end of my short story ‘A night like any other’. It’s a story of two complete strangers and how they eventually meet and fall for each other over the course of one night out written from the first person perspective of each of the characters alternately.

I like writing using the first person point of view as it makes me think more and more about the emotions people go through day to day. In just writing about something as simple as getting ready and going on a night out I’ve enjoyed how much detail I need to go into to make it even slightly realistic. And this hasn’t meant me going on and on, this has just meant being more concise and to the point to get the reader into the minds of my characters as smoothly and efficiently as possible. I have previously written and almost completed a long story from the first person view point so I might go back to it to keep it fresh in my mind. I’ll make that decision when I’m done with this story I think because it is hard work. But the good kind of hard work.

So, I’ve written 500 words which I’ve written from the third person view point. So much for liking first person and all that. I said last time that I wasn’t sure it would work but I think it has. Bit biased but there you go. As I was writing it, the impression it gave me was of two different paths meeting at the end of each of their respective journeys. Both meeting in a kind of inevitable conclusion. Or is it inevitable and is it the conclusion they both want? Who smeggin knows. I’ll come to that part when I’m right RIGHT at the end. Which should be soon and as always I’ll let you know.

Ok. As I’m quite tired I’ll leave it at that and go back to bed. I’ve already napped this afternoon which may or may not have been a good idea. Right then…

BYE

 

 

 

 

A couple more words and a fair few distractions.

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Hello

 

Since last time I’ve managed to get another 500 words written for my short story. I’ve laid out the story using 500 words for the two main characters. First is from the man’s point of view, second from woman’s point of view and so on. The last 500 I have broken up into 250 word chunks for each character as they are about to meet. I’m thinking of changing the view point from first person to third for the final part of it. Though I’m not entirely sure it will work but I’m going to try it. In my head it will works wonders but usually that thought jumps right out of my brain once it’s been written. Fingers crossed and all that.

As for the distractions, having moved out of the flat I shared with my friend all we now have to do is get the deposit back. But will it be, again like it is in my head, all plain sailing? Of course not! This is life! How can something so simple be that way? The estate agents have contacted us and have played a very strange game in order to get as much of OUR deposit into THEIR pockets. My friend has unfortunately had plenty of experience with this kind of thing. He knows what to do but it is all a bit distracting. I was hoping to get the deposit back so I could book my yearly holiday. Hopefully it will all be sorted soon.

And then to my day job. I’m currently loaned over to a team whose department is expanding and will be offering permanent positions doing what I’m doing now. I should be able to apply on Monday so I’ve been getting my CV in order. Which has taken time as I keep going over and over it. More distractions but if all goes the way I’d like it to, I’ll have a new job and lots to look forward to.

All this has stopped me from writing as much as I’d like to so I’m going to use the next week to make up for it. I’ll let you know how it goes.

To sign off, The Picture of Dorian Gray is still going strong. I’d recommend it already without even being half way through it.

Right, I’m going. Bye Bye

Some words written. Some feedback read. And a huge YES to getting back on it!

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Hello

 

I did say last time that I would post again on Sunday but, after doing some chores and going for a knee damaging run, I thought I’d leave it until I was feeling better. And now, after a non-knee damaging run and no chores, I’m feeling just fine.

I managed to get my first 500 words written in over a week. It felt good. I was also able to drive my short story along so the next time I add more prose to it, I’ll be close to the end. An end I have pictured in my head. It’s been there ever since I started writing it. The anticipation is something that I used to hate but now, it has become something I actually look forward to. If that makes sense. Anyway, after those 500 words…

Came the feedback I was looking forward to. It’s been a while since I posted anything on a website I knew I would get feedback from. And I’m delighted to say it turned out to be very helpful. One thing I always want from feedback, but am afraid to ask for strangely, is the critic correcting my punctuation and grammar. No matter how much I want to improve, I reckon it’ll just sort of happen one day. It will all sink in. I just want that day to come pretty smeggin quickly. The feedback was very helpful and has been dually noted. I do have another bit of feedback to go over as well which is exciting. Though after a quick glance I don’t think this guy is a fan. But, I want that as well. Maybe I am going wrong somewhere.

Both good and bad, all feedback can be used as long as it has some kind of constructive element to it.

And…YES to getting to back on it. It being writing and reading. I’ve picked back up The Picture of Dorian Gray. And it’s as good as I remembered it was and keeps getting better. Though, Oscar does like to go a bit with his descriptions. Which can be annoying.

Right, that’ll do. Till next time, have a good one.

Cheers

Not a word written. Hang on…did I just recharge my writing batteries by mistake?

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Hello

 

Since my last post I’ve accomplished a lot of things.

I’ve been to Leeds for a night out with a few of my mates which was pretty good. So good that it left we four all wiped out for Friday night. That ended up consisting of two large domino’s pizzas between three of us, the forth of us having fallen asleep and was thus unable to attend, and few more beers. We also, with what little energy we had #gettingold, ripped into how poor some of the ‘comedy’ from Sport Relief was. Though I think it is a good cause, I prefer to something of a higher quality from very rich celebrities trying to get me to donate. Surely they could all chip in and pay for all the things they were talking about easily? Anyway…

After recovering we got back on the beers for another good day/night out on Saturday. Sunday was spent being very hung-over and having to start cleaning the flat and helping my flat mate move some of his stuff out before our tenancy ended the following Thursday. This turned out to be a good way to get through a hangover. This could be a new trend for me. We shall see.

Monday had me back in work, still hung-over, and packing up as much of my stuff as possible. This all led to Tuesday when another night out beckoned. It involved going to watch Man Utd at Old Trafford. Utd were soundly beaten but the drinks afterwards helped us get over it. Then, more cleaning and packing on the Wednesday.

I moved out on Thursday, my flat mate had moved out on the Wednesday night, but had to clean for two hours after the estate agent, some picky bloke who couldn’t even get into the building and had to wait until someone else let him in, told me I had to do some more things or get charged for a cleaner. Wonderful.

After all this, I finally moved in with my girlfriend. I’m settling in now and I’m glad I’ve done it. It feels good and right.

With all this, no writing. None. So, now I feel like I wasted my writing week. Or have I? I feel recharged and raring to go. I’m looking forward to catching up and getting my latest short story finished. I’ll also be able to read some feedback from the first chapter of my story, The Searcher’s Want. It’s finally up for review via http://www.critquecircle.com! Oh feedback how I’ve missed you so. I’ll look forward to reading you very soon.

All this will be done within the next week, beginning on Sunday I think, and I’ll let you know how it goes.

I hope you’ve had a good week or so and will have another one. Or so.

Good Pie

Short stories for the win?

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Hello

Last time I said I was starting to write my second short story of 2014. So far it is going really well and I’m thinking I might just have cracked my own particular preparation and execution methods for short stories. Or maybe I spoke to soon. I’ll let time sort that one out.

So, this story concerns two random people, a woman and a man, who are getting ready for a night out at the same time across manchester. I’m enjoying writing the two different stories next to each other and making sure they are going down the same time line. I’m using TV and alcohol consumption to help me do this and it looks to be working well enough so far.

I’ve done this kind of thing once before for another story and it does keep you on your toes. That story had a battle scene, and so far one of the most important happenings of that novel up to now, which I decided to tell from the four different view points of the main characters. It didn’t get that confusing thankfully but it was a close run thing. With such questions constantly running through my head as….

What did he say?
What did she say?
Where was he or she standing when he or she said or did that?
What could they see?
How would they react?
How did the react and what impact did it have on those around them?

And so on. ALL THE TIME!

For any of you who are going to try this, I’d suggest having a blank piece of paper ready just for making extra notes. And a notepad open on your laptop or PC (if you are using one) to copy and paste what people have said or done in a previous chapter or paragraph. It helped me to make sure I got each view point right and in sync. If you have already done this before, well done. It is taxing isn’t it?

I have also found time to join a new writing website, http://www.scribophile.com. It is primarily focused around allowing writers to get feedback. I have decided to concentrate on websites that offer this service. As in, critque a story so you can get one back. I posted an extract of one of my stories last week to no response. It isn’t always a guarantee I’ll get feedback so I’m not fussed. It was worth a try. I have since posted it on critiquecircle.com and look forward to a response.

Right, I’m going to write some more of my short story. I hope you all have a good writing week or just a good week in general.

Cheers

An extract from my novel, The Searcher’s Want.

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Hello

As promised I’ve posted some of the first chapter for one of my stories. It has only been through a few edits but I would some feedback on this little part to gage how it is so far. I’m planning on posting the second half of the chapter in the future. So…

The following is the first two and a bit pages of my NaNoWriMo 2012 started novel, The Searcher’s Want. It centre’s around a group of hunters or ‘Searchers’ who hunt down and kill demons across the UK. There are groups like this around the world but this focuses on the UK contingent based in Manchester. There are four different kinds of demon that all possess certain skills for death, destruction, and general chaos. This wasn’t why they were created but they have rebelled and over hundreds of years developed into a real threat to mankind. The searchers, led by their immortal leader the searcher general, find and kill these demons before they can cause any large scale damage.

The demons are responsible for most of the crimes that happen in the UK. The searchers work in secret to stop them. This extract sees our hero, Aaron Watch, in the middle of a search and kill order (mission) for a demon spotted in the Northern Quarter of Manchester.

Feedback is more than welcome. Note: The extract is 1332 words long.

‘

The Searchers Want.

By John Robert Sermon.

 

                This particular demon had always been good at blending in with its surroundings. It has a well-constructed mask over its head to cover its true form along with stylish gloves to cover the talons. The way it dresses would lead you to think this catcher demon was just some fashionista type with too much money to burn and not enough sense.

No one in this fancy looking bar is paying much attention to it, or him as far as they could see, except maybe for the barman who was making good tips. You would have to look to the far end of the bar to find someone who cared. The searcher is keeping a close eye on his prey. Aaron Watch has a job to do.

“Can I buy you a drink?” she asked the demon after watching him for quite some time. The bar was busy for a Tuesday night. The ‘Mox’ bar was a place known to be an easy pick up spot for anyone looking for something that didn’t mean anything.

“I would say you can. Whiskey please. On the rocks.” The demon said. They had become very good at sounding charming, sophisticated, and most importantly, attractive.

“Coming right up. Oh barman, service please?” Aaron knew from looking at her that she is prime meat. She’s tall with an ample chest and backside to match. All this was just about held in by a tight, ill-fitting dress which showed it all off. He also spotted how pretty she was and the look in her eye.  The type of girl you met in this bar all looked as if they were destined for something greater but got very lost along the way.

“You shouldn’t stare you know.” A woman said as she leaned in and blocked Aaron’s view. The bar curved round so he could sit at the end of it and watch discreetly. He had always been good at spotting women who fancied the look of him and moving away whilst on a search and kill. Aaron was not a great looking man but he was nice enough and a lot of women thought so too. Every so often he would take advantage of this but not on this night.

“You shouldn’t talk to strangers.” He replied before taking a big gulp of water.

“I could change that for you if you like?” she said leaning in a little more. Aaron hadn’t taken a proper look at her yet as he was trying to keep as much of his eye as possible on the target. The demon was still at the bar and had just started to drink his newly acquired drink.

“And how could you change it?” Aaron asked turning to face her. What struck him first was the look in her eye. It seemed to be of forced desperation which put him on his guard. She wasn’t the best looking woman he’d seen but she did have nice, light brown skin and high cheeks bones. She was another woman who was ample chested and round bummed but in this case it was all in proportion, unlike the catcher’s possible prey. These kinds of women could either be prostitutes or actual women. It was difficult to tell.

“By flirting with you a little bit.” She was an actual woman. She was clean and had bright, searching eyes. He could tell she had not let her soul go so cold.

“You’re a cheeky one aren’t you?” He said with a smile. Aaron had a slightly chiselled jaw and nice teeth. His brown hair touched his ears in a by design scruffy way. She took her time eyeing him up at close range which he liked. If she kept smiling, he was in. If she became serious, she would be polite until she got her drink and then she would make an excuse. He learned this long before becoming a searcher.

“Do you like that?” she purred leaning in a little bit more. Aaron suddenly realised where he’d seen this before. He glanced over at his catcher demon, still entertaining his ample and potential meal, and glanced back at his. She matched his glances.

“That’s Sarah. She had her eye on you as soon you walked in. We’ve both been without men for a while so we figured we’d help each other out. I however, when asked to chat you up for her, decided I wanted you instead. She then spotted the hunch back at the bar and went straight over. He’s cute, but you’re sexy.” Her eyes changed as she finished talking. In truth, he wasn’t really listening. He was making sure his demon was occupied. He couldn’t take the demon out and kill it until it did something. If the demon walked out with Sarah he’d have to follow. This would mean that he would have to walk out with his woman and when all four of them met for the first time, the demon would run having immediately identified that he was a searcher. Searchers can identify demons from a long distance whereas demons can identify searchers from a short distance. It’s something Aaron wanted to avoid. He liked to kill his demons quickly and without them really knowing what had hit them.

“You keep looking over there. What can I do to keep you looking over here?” She said brushing her hands against her chest. Aaron was interested and to find a woman who looked like she did and wasn’t a prostitute wasn’t something that happened every day.

“Could I have your number?” He said hoping to get the number and leave. He would wait outside for the demon and kill it there.

“You can but under one condition. You kiss me in such a way that would make me want to see you again?”

“Kiss you in such a way? You don’t usually come here do you? Or dress so revealingly.” At this her face changed and she noticeably calmed down. He had an inkling she was putting on an act from the start. He glanced over and he could see that the demon was starting to charm Sarah now. It was the start of his move.

“No I don’t. I’m a secretary at a law firm in town. I usually wear suits or just casual jeans and the like. I only came here because Sarah wanted to and she is in the mood for sex.”

“That’s fair enough but you don’t have to dress like this. You could come in wearing your pyjamas and still be the prettiest woman in the room.” A more natural looking smile crossed her face and she leaned back taking something out of her handbag from over her shoulder.

“Here. It’s my business card. Call me and we’ll have a proper date.”

“Yes we will.” He’d been told enough times that he’s a ‘smooth operator’ but never really understood it. She stood up and straightened her long brown hair a little before putting some behind her ear. She walked off towards Sarah and the demon. Aaron looked at the card. Isabella Woodley. Williams Kim & Associates Barristers and Solicitors. “Isabella.” He put the card in his pocket and looked back at the demon. Isabella walked over and put a hand gently on Sarah’s shoulder and whispered into her ear. Sarah nodded and as Isabella turned to walk away spotted something on the demons neck. Aaron knew what it was immediately. Some of its mask was coming away to reveal the purple scaly skin underneath.

“What is that?” Sarah said looking frightened. Isabella looked over at me and frowned. Did she know this was why I was spying on him? Instinctively, Aaron got up and started to walk over to them. The demon turned and spotted Aaron, downed his drink, and quickly walked out of the bar. As Aaron passed them, trying to look casual before a full on pursuit began, Isabella continued to frown as she watched him leave.

‘

My second short story of 2014. Maybe I’ll get this done after all…

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Hello

Firstly, I’ve been saying I will post some, if not all of the first chapter from my NaNoWriMo 2012 effort, The Searcher’s Want. I shall do this tomorrow after a couple of edits. Though I know this will not iron out all of the creases it will give you fine people a better sense of what the story is about and how it will end up.

Okidoke. So, last time I mentioned I finished my first short story of 2014, I’ll live. I always do. A little bit of prose concerning the 20th immortal (born 1900) who now lives in Manchester and is still trying to find the reason behind his existence. Being immortal has allowed him the luxury of being able to go and do anything he has wanted due to the amazing amount of time he has in which to do it. But doing this has given him no answers. I’ll be editing this at some point, not to sure what point that will be, but I’ll more than likely put a sample of it on this blog.

Once this story was done I wanted to start on another as soon as possible. Now, I didn’t want to just throw anything down on a computer paper so I racked my brain for a few days trying to come up with something and then I remembered another idea I have been sitting on for a while.

When I was single and went on a night out with my friends I, when I was younger at least, would consider it a good night if I met and got off with (kissed and squeezed and that) a girl. If not I would consider it a failure. In the past few years I’ve moved more towards having a good time and the girl would be a happy side note. But I always wondered, how would a story read of two completely random people going on a night out and meeting up? From them getting ready to that moment they catch each other’s eye?

One of my favourite films illustrates this really well and inspired me to have the idea in the first place. The film adaptation of The Rules of Attraction by Bret Easton Ellis. Roger Avery uses split screen to show what Sean and Lauren do on the morning before they meet for the first time. It focuses on different aspects of their separate journeys all on one screen. This is back from 2002. I’ve been sitting on this for so long I’m surprised it hasn’t melted. Hopefully it will look as good on paper as it did in that film.

Anyway, I made some notes and started writing. It seems easier to go straight into writing another story instead of leaving a gap of a month or so like I usually do. Maybe I’ll get this one short story a month plan done after all. I’ve never started writing so quickly after finishing so this could be how I should have been writing all along. Or not. Whatever.

I’m off to edit The Searcher’s Want. And I leave you with a question…Do you know of any films that use the split screen gambit to great effect?

Later

 

One down…and lots more to go.

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Hello

 

I finished the Bottle Imp! It was a really good story and towards the end was sending me all over the place emotionally. The ending wasn’t what I expected either. If I can write with even just a fraction of brilliance of Robert Louis Stevenson at any point in my life, I’ll be a happy man.

After that I started to read The Picture of Dorian Gray. I’m only a few pages into it but already it’s good. I’ve already gotten past the great line, ‘It is silly of you, for there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.’ Ha! That immediately took my brain back to a Monty Python sketch. See for yourself;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxXW6tfl2Y0

I haven’t gone back to it since last week, due to a combination of a cold and forgetfulness, but I shall soon. Maybe tomorrow. Or even tonight. So far the story has already intriguing me, and after five pages no less.

In-between this and getting over a cold which threatened to derail two nights out (which it didn’t, get in!) I finished my first short story of many for 2014. A little tale about an immortal living in Manchester initially entitled, ‘I’ll live. I always do.’ It about Henry and his quest to find the meaning behind his eternal existence. But when he commits an act that leads to him finding out this meaning, is it what he had hoped for?

Probably. So far I have ended it how I wanted to the first time I started to think about it. I will be going over it again along with continuing to write The End Solution and editing some of a finished first draft of a long story of mine, The Searcher’s Want. I recall saying I was going to post Searcher’s on this little blog of mine and Solution someplace else. I will hope to do that soon and, hopefully, await your feedback and anyone else’s.

Right, I’m off to possible get an early night as my first run in over a month has knackered my out.

Bye Bye