Who are some of the most memorable characters you remember from books you’ve read? One character that always leaps to mind when I’m asked this question is Daemon Sadi from the Black Jewel novels. The way Anne Bishop describes him, the way he walks, talks and moves are amazingly detailed and evocative.
The editing of my eBook, Confession, is rapidly drawing to a close in preparation for the release on Friday, March 13th, 2020. In the next week or so pre-orders will open, and I have to say I’m a little nervous. Actually, that would be an understatement. I’m starting to feel like a proper, grown-up writer and my moods are swaying between absolute confidence and ‘omg what am I doing?’ So, what am I up to today? I thought I’d give you a slight taste of the first chapter – not all of it, just a taste. This is the first 1,700 words of Chapter one. I hope you enjoy it. And, if you do make sure you stick around for the pre-order launch next week.
It’s been many a long day since I last posted in here, I had no idea. Quick update: Still sober, still cigarette free, still working from home so not much has changed in the last 2 years. I have been working on my novel, and I’m currently undertaking the Art of Storytelling Masterclass led by Neil Gaiman on Masterclass.com. This little story was one of the writing exercises. With it, you had to take a favourite fairy/folk tale and re-write it from the perspective of a different character as a newspaper article. The story I chose was The Princess and the Pea and the article is written, from the perspective of the mattress salesman who gets an order for 20 luxury feather mattresses to be delivered to the palace. Hope you enjoy, Mike The short story, Local Mattress Salesman Hits the Big Time, is after the cut.
When it comes to job hunting it can feel a bit like throwing things at a wall or screaming into the void. Most days it’s just you, your social media accounts, and the online equivalent of a recruitment agent.
I always find it annoying having to go through a process. Once I make my mind up to do something, I just want it done. None of this piss-farting about as the universe realigns itself with your latest command. Just do it already.
So, here’s the thing. I’m 43 years old. I’ve been setting New Years’ Resolutions for about 20+ years at this point. I have successfully achieved a grand total of zero resolutions over the years. It’s easy to know this because each year I basically set the same ones; quit smoking, quit drinking, lose weight, earn more money.
I was brought up under the misinformation that the Australian Liberals were better economic managers than the Australian Labor party. Given hindsight, I’ll have to say we’ll need to agree to disagree on that. Selling every Government owned enterprise not nailed to the floor is not necessarily good economic management.
So here’s the thing. Unemployed people in Australia are required to fulfill a mutual obligation with their job search providers to be able to qualify for Social Security benefits. While this is fair enough, people should be required to help themselves, I’m not overly impressed so far with either the job search providers or the Government’s response to helping people find a job. Â Frankly, I’m beginning to believe the Government would prefer the unemployed to just be unemployed, quiet and possibly dead.
I can’t remember a Christmas over the past decade or so that hasn’t ended in tears. The overwhelming sense of life passing me by, people who once were so important gone forever, family members who were the life of the party silenced.
Currently, in Australia, it’s Christmas Day. The humidity is suffocating, the heat not so bad. I honestly wouldn’t mind the heat if the humidity was not here. That said Christmas is going to plan. So far I’ve only dropped a bottle of cola and a bottle of lemonade. All in all, I’d call that a success.
Author of MM Romantic Fiction
Australian Horror and Suspense Author
Authors, Artists, Geeks, Husbands
recollections of one's travel
Writing in Shadows 