A sun dappled path, leading back into the past. Losing myself amongst the green, half reality, part dream. At one with the trees, yearning to be free, to escape the hate, before it is too late.
The Path
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Have You Ever Interviewed One Of Your Characters?
My thanks goes to Jade Reyner of Jade’s Jungle for providing the inspiration for this post (see Jade’s piece entitled “Have you ever interviewed your characters” http://jadereyner.com/2014/02/13/have-you-ever-interviewed-your-characters/). Having read the above article I determined to interview a number of my characters, starting with Barry, the pimp in “Samantha” who entraps Sam into prostitution, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samantha-K-Morris-ebook/dp/B00BL3CNHI.
Interview
Me: “Are you a sociopath?”
Barry: “Are you insulting me? I don’t understand big words but if you’re fucking insulting me I’ll break your bloody neck. Whats a soio, whatever you said anyway. I grew up on a council estate and I ‘aven’t got a clue what you’re on about”.
Me: (taking a step backwards), “A sociopath is someone who sees others as means to his own ends. Others don’t matter, only the sociopath’s needs matter and he will do anything to obtain his needs. Basically he lacks any sympathy for others. So, Barry are you a sociopath?” (placing my back against the wall).
Barry: “I want to make money. All girls are dirty whores, they’ll open their legs for a guy with a bit of cash, I am the middle man allowing that to happen. Whoring is a business, I’m a businessman”.
Me: “You haven’t answered my question” (as I glance nervously towards the door).
Barry: “When I was growing up no one gave a shit about me. Mum would lock me in the cupboard under the stairs for the slightest thing. She was a dirty bitch. She never gave a fuck about me, why should I give a stuff about anyone else. You middle class types don’t ‘ave a clue about the real world. I do what I ‘ave to survive”.
Me: “Do you have any regrets about forcing Samantha and other young women into prostitution?”
Barry: “You must be fucking deaf. I told you, no one gives a shit about Barry O’Connor so I don’t give a flying fuck about them. If someone pisses on you, you piss right back. I’m getting bored with you, fuck off before I do something you’ll regret”.
(Barry clenches his fists and rises from the table he has been sitting at. I grab the door handle and run as though my life depended on it).
OMG I’VE BEEN TAGGED
I was surprised and delighted to get tagged by Kev Cooper, http://kevs-domain.net/2014/02/09/omg-i-got-tagged/. The idea behind tagging is that the author being tagged tags 3 authors in turn helping to promote them and their work. These authors then need to answer 4 questions and tag a further 3 authors who should do likewise. Kevin Cooper is the author of several excellent books including Mieddo and The Devils Apology both of which I can recommend.
My answers to the 4 questions are as follows:
What are you currently working on?
I am working on a story exploring the world of Enjo Kosai or compensated dating, a practice where men pay women for companionship and, on occasions sex. This is a very sensitive subject as the practice can entail the exploitation of teenage girls by much older men.
How does your work differ from others in the same genre?
The honest answer is I don’t know. I have read writers tackling similar themes, however I have my own voice which does, I hope come across in my writing.
Why do you write what you do?
I write about those issues which interest me. Flowers and lambs gambling in sunlit fields have their place but it is the darker side of human nature which holds a fascination for me. We are all a mixture of saint and sinner and it is this combination which fascinates me.
How does your writing process work?
I sit down and write what is in my head at the time, a stream of consciousness if you like. On occasions I hear people talking in my head and commit those conversations to paper (well virtual paper)! I do edit but most editing takes place once my manuscript has been written in it’s entirety.
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You’ve Been Tagged!
The rules of this tag are to answer the following four writing questions, and then tag three other authors. Next week these three authors will answer the
same questions and tag three others, and so the chain continues to grow larger. This will enable readers to get to know more authors and their books. It
will also allow everyone to get to know these authors a little better.
12 Days the Beginning by Jade Reyner http://jadereyner.com/
12 Days tells the story of Elise Grayson, a young woman who falls in love with her boss, Vaughan. However Elise is trapped in an abusive marriage and the course of true love does not run smoothly.
Lucky Girl: How I Survived The Sex Industry, by Violet Ivy, http://www.amazon.co.uk/LUCKY-GIRL-How-Survived-Industry-ebook/dp/B00BJKJ3W6.
In this book Violet Ivy provides a no holes barred account of her participation in the world’s oldest profession. Vilet’s account is often funny and, on occasions sad. This book is well worth reading for anyone seeking to understand the world of the high class escort girl.
Margaux’s Blog, http://margo187.wordpress.com/author/thisismargaux/.
Although to my knowledge, Margaux has not published any books, her stories have appeared on a number of sites and provide the reader with tremendous pleasure.
Intruders
Despite the security at my place of work intruders have been detected. Unauthorised visitors have been found wandering the coridors without the requisite credentials on previous occasions. Action has been taken, the authorities called in and the unwelcome guests sent packing. However try as the powers that be might, intruders keep breaking through our security barriers.
Things have gone missing from the filing cabinets and drawers. The unwelcome guests are circumspect being rarely seen. They generally operate in darkness when all good people and true are safely tucked up in their beds. However, on occasions colleagues have caught a glimse of the intruders, a mere flash of movement but none the less a sighting which is logged with the authorities. I think that the time has come to call in the services of that most stern of enforcers, Mr C, for with his powerful spring, sharp teeth and claws he will, surely rid the building of these pesky mice!
Rainbow
This morning my guide dog Trigger and I got soaked. Thor swung his mighty hammer and hailstones bounced off us. Nature, as is often her wont has exhibited her sense of humour, hailstones have been replaced by Apollo’s bright rays. Possessing only limited vision I don’t know whether a beautiful rainbow now brightens the sky tempting me to follow to it’s end and obtain the pot of gold which, lies buried in a wood where birds sing and the winter sun slants down through the branches casting shadows of light and shade on the forest floor. Shall I follow the rainbow, undertake the quest without end for rainbows have no beginning and no ending. Like our dreams they call us ever onwards to explore the mystery which is life.
Of bloggers, Birbal and birds: How to make yourself heard
An old post revisited
How many of us bloggers are out there?
A mind-boggling number very hard to grapple with for sure.
Our sheer numbers reminded me of a well known tale of Akbar and Birbal I came across recently on my flight back to the US from India. It was a version of the story in animation adapted for kids which I watched on the screen trapped in my little space in the sky.
It goes something like this:
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Guest Author Kevin Morris
Thank you to Chris Graham of The Story Reading Ape for hosting me on his blog. Chris continues to do stirling work on behalf of authors.
The city of Liverpool is famous for being the birth place of The
Beatles but the group pale into insignificance when one bears in mind
that it is privileged to have as one of it’s former inhabitants my
good self, Kevin Morris. Actually they expelled me on pain of death
and I now live in London but don’t tell anyone!
My short story, Samantha is set in the city of my birth. Samantha
tells the story of a young girl forced into prostitution by her brutal
pimp, Barry. Throughout Samantha it is touch and go as to whether Sam
will survive or end her brutalised existence in the murky waters of
Liverpool’s Albert Docks. By day the docks are a magnet for tourists
with Liverpool’s Maritime Museum, trendy restaurants, shops and bars
all bussling with activity. However, come the darkness of night the
place is deserted, the sound of the…
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5 Reasons To Start Blogging
I am delighted to host the below guest post by Margaux of Margaux’s Pen, http://margo187.wordpress.com/. I always enjoy reading Margaux’s “word of the day” together with her short stories.
This week I also hoped to be hosting a guest post by Jade Reyner,author of “12 Days the Beginning”. However this will now appear next week due to me requiring assistance to upload the photographs kindly provided by Jade to accompany her post.
Five Reasons to Start Blogging
A little less than a year ago, I started blogging. At first, I was cautious about the new endeavor – posting sparsely, sharing photos like I would on Instagram,
and a few short observational pieces. With time, I started posting more, following more interesting people, reading their post, and interacting with them.
I didn’t realize, until later, however, how much blogging has helped me in my writing journey. So, if you are a writer, a professional in any field, an
amateur, or a mere hobbyist, and you haven’t sunk your teeth into the blogging world, yet, here are five reasons why you should.
It’s Good Practice
One of the most important advantages of blogging is that it provides a medium for practice. Don’t underestimate the power of an extra 100 written words
a day. The more you write, the better you get at writing. Use blogging as an excuse to write more. Remember: Practice makes perfect!
Also, if you’re writing a book, articles, any other form of prose, or poetry, blogging can help you take your mind off the work. It sets you free, as it
allows you to write about anything you have in mind; it makes you practice being concise – and if you love to ramble on your own blog, who’s to judge;
and it alleviates the stress accompanied with the foreseen critique of an editor.
Professionals, amateurs and hobbyists can benefit from practice, just as well as writers. Talking about your products, interests, services… can improve
your marketing skills and, probably, even point out some marketing errors.
It Helps you Build an Audience
We all know that building a customer base is the main step in selling. Whether you are marketing a book, a product, a service, or yourself, blogging can
be a great way to do it. Blogging takes away the official feel between the writer and the reader; because of that, the reader becomes more connected and
thus is more inclined to listen to what the writer has to say.
This is especially true when the blogger is someone who is well known in his or her community. With a few words posted on a blog the readers feel that they
have received a customized message, and, thereby, feel more connected to the messenger. Besides, it’s free publicity! Building a loyal customer base is
incremental for increasing your profits. Bloggers, especially the ones who connect with their followers, can build a strong and potentially loyal audience.
It Surrounds you with the Right People
We all know that the people we surround ourselves with have a great impact on how we behave, on our decisions, and , therefore, the course of our lives.
Connecting with people of the same interests – whether writing, reading, fitness, politics, or collecting Happy Meal toys – is a major step toward achieving
your goals.
For instance, I feel obliged to learn new words, habitually, because I want to add new words to the Word of the Day section on my blog. For the same reason,
I feel compelled to finish reading new books – for the Bookworm section of my blog. Reading more and learning new words has not only given me topics to
blog about, it has also made me a better writer.
Giving your audience something to look forward to, gives you a new task to accomplish. Who’s to say social media can’t make us productive?
It’s Lucrative
Although, your personal blog may not generate revenues on its own – unless you have thousands of followers and interesting products to sell; there are ways
blogging can make you money. Many companies hire freelance bloggers to generate posts for them. In spite of the fact that not all bloggers are highly paid,
giving professional blogging a swirl could add a few bucks into your pocket at the end of the month.
Most companies may hire you to write about specific topics: like their products and services, or the industry in which they operate. Find a company which
operates in a medium you’re interested in; and if they need a blogger, Chiching!
Of course, keep in mind, that most blogging jobs require high speed and productivity. Some of the prolific bloggers generate over 50 posts a month. If you
feel you’re not up to the job, don’t take the unnecessary risk.
It’s Fun
Say what you want about blogging, but I think one of the best things about it is that it’s fun. I, personally, love to meet people from different walks
of life, diverse backgrounds, and opposite perspectives.
Blogging is a medium of self-expression. You can talk about anything you want, and reveal your true self. The more you reveal your true self, the better
you blog, and the better your followers will like you.
So there you have it, the five reasons you need to start blogging more – starting today. What in your opinion are the best things about blogging?
Alt+Shift+r
Apple
As a blind person I find the iPad accessible. With the assistance of Apple’s in-built screen reader, voice-over I am able to use the device with few problems. One aspect I have never mastered is the on screen keyboard. The keyboard is usable by people with little or no sight (tap once with voice-over enabled and you hear the name of the key announced. Tap twice and the key is activated). Despite it’s accessibility the on screen keyboard is, in my experience somewhat cumbersome from the perspective of the visually impaired. Consequently I use an Apple Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad. Once paired the keyboard works well enabling the user to enter text without having to contend with the device’s on screen keyboard.
Approximately a month ago the Bluetooth keyboard stopped working. I changed the batteries and it began functioning again. However about a week later the keyboard once more ceased working. Again I changed the batteries and it started functioning once more for a brief period. When the same problem happened for the third time I took the keyboard into the Apple store in Liverpool’s Paradise Street. The Apple representative quickly diagnosed that the keyboard had gone to the great Apple heaven in the sky and replaced it with a brand new (working)! One. Prior to visiting the store I had envisaged protracted explanations and a long wait before my issue could be resolved so I was pleasantly surprised with the speedy and efficient response of Apple. In these days of poor customer service it is refreshing to experience first rate treatment. I take my hat off to Apple.
Virtual Girl
On 26 October 2013 I published “Dark Angel” (for the original post please visit http://newauthoronline.com/2013/10/26/dark-angel/?relatedposts_exclude=1377).
“I love you because I can tell you my darkest secrets, things which would make the strongest of men go blubbering in search of his mummy. You judge me not,
my blackest fantasies are your deepest desires.
In the depths of night when all but the vampire sleeps we speak of philosophy, of the darkness which lurks within the human heart. You are always there
for me, my girl beautiful and serene. You laugh in time with my laughter and weep as I weep. Never changing, fixed, emortal caught in the brightness of
my screen you are my virtual girlfriend, a machine”.
Back in October I gave no inkling as to how I came to write “Dark Angel” but, coming across the poem today I thought that an explanation might be of interest.
I am no scientist (the results of my school biology exam are best forgotten)! I have, however always maintained an interest in matters scientific. In particular the subject of artificial intelligence has always held a fascination for me. Back in October I came across various articles regarding men who have “given up” on the idea of finding a relationship with a human, opting instead to seek solace in the arms of virtual girlfriends, hence the artificial lady in “Dark Angel”.
Flesh and blood humans possess what philosophers term morality or ethics. It is sometimes claimed that one reason why people (mainly but not exclusively men) use the services of prostitutes stems from the fact that they can play out their darkest fantasies with sex workers without being judged, (the prostitute may, of course inwardly pass judgement but she is extremely unlikely to vocalise her thoughts). In contrast the voicing of one’s darkest desires to a loved one may cause him or her to head for the hills never to be seen again.
As artificial intelligence develops it becomes easier for individuals to interact with virtual persons. We all do it, for example many banks now have automated systems enabling customers to perform certain financial transactions without the necessity of communicating with a fellow human being. Such technology is also being employed to create virtual chatbots which can act as tools for education or, as in the above poem sexbots allowing the user to express his/her most secret yearnings, the articulation of which would make Mr or Ms average (and perhaps some sex workers also)recoil in horror. Machines have no such scruples which does, perhaps help to explain the popularity of virtual girlfriends in countries such as Japan.
K Morris - Poet 