Tag Archives: writing

Mandrake

At university back in the dim and distant past I read history and politics. One of the books I read as part of The History of Political Thought was a slim tome by the Italian writer Machiavelli entitled “The Prince” which, in essence argues that might is right and that princes (those wielding power) are entitled to use whatever means are at their disposal to retain power. Machiavelli’s arguments have lead to him being labelled as immoral by some while others argue that he is a political realist who was describing the real world rather than the world as we would, ideally like it to be.

I was reminded of my studies when my friend Brian asked whether I would like to attend a production of Machiavelli’s “Mandrake” at the Brockley Jack Theatre, in London on Saturday 15 June, I wasn’t aware (or at any rate I’d forgotten) that Machiavelli had, in addition to “The Prince” written a farce, consequently I jumped at the opportunity to attend. The fact that the theatre is located above the Brockley Jack pub was, I must confess an added incentive to go along!

The description of the play as it appears on the Brockley Jack’s website is as follows:

“Mandrake – Machiavelli’s greatest sex farce.

 

Callimaco wants Lucrezia: Lucrezia is married to Sir Nicia. Sir Nicia wants children. Ligurio wants to please both Callimaco and Sir Nicia. But what happiness

can Lucrezia find? And Siro, the unpaid servant, how can he turn things to his advantage?

 

It’s about marriage, lust, adultery, corruption and deceit – all aided by the Mandrake Infusion. Machiavelli’s comedy is one of the landmarks of the Italian

Renaissance – it marks the break with Medieval drama and is the forerunner of Shakespeare’s comedies.

 

It played to packed houses in the Florence of the Medici; in Venice it was so popular that the audience overwhelmed the stage and made it impossible to

complete. And it has remained popular ever since.”

I’m looking forward to attending. For further information on the play and the Brockley Jack please visit http://www.brockleyjack.co.uk/brockley_jack_studio_whats_on.html

 

Lucky Girl – How I Survived The Sex Industry By Violet Ivy

I have received a request from Violet Ivy, the author of “Lucky Girl – How I survived The Sex Industry” to review her book. No inducements have been provided. I have, however received a free electronic copy of the book. It is my intention to read and review “Lucky Girl” in the next 10-14 days. My review will, of course represent my considered, fair and honest perspective on the book. In the meantime I have included the book description, as provided to me by the author below:

    Lucky Girl – How I Survived the Sex Industry

“Lucky Girl – How I Survived the Sex Industry

 

The intimate autobiography of an international call girl. Scary, funny and bizarre stories recorded for your amusement, edification or simply for interesting dinner conversation.

The sex industry is clouded in mystery. It has to be to some extent or it wouldn’t survive. But in this age of internet porn, buying pubic hair trimmings online and wife swapping parties it’s about time the veils of mystery were taken down.

For moralists, let’s visit the chicken and the egg scenario. Which came first the prostitute or the client? If there were no clients then obviously there would be no sex workers. But what if there weren’t any prostitutes? Would guys wank themselves silly to porn? Harass their post-menopausal wives? Frequent bars trying their luck? Or hassle the secretary and risk being charged with sexual harassment? Would statistics for rape be on the increase? Is prostitution a necessary evil in our society? Don’t mindlessly believe and quote information spoon fed to you by friends, family or the media. Make an educated decision.

Although it was never my intention to get into this industry, I’ve travelled the world, had incredible experiences and bought several properties. I won’t have to rely on the government pension when I retire.

My closest friends are co-workers, madams and clients. Brilliant people who I would never otherwise have had the good fortune to meet. I will never regret my decision to enter this field. It has not always been a bed of roses, but when I compare it to what my life might have been; cleaning job, shitty boss, marriage, perhaps divorce, mortgage, kids, living in the burbs, scraping by to give my kids a better life than I was destined for, I feel that I have been rescued…..thank God.

Money doesn’t make you happy? Tell that to someone thrown out of his house because he can’t make the payments or the mother who can’t afford Christmas presents for her kids again this year. I’ve been poor. Money equals choices. Options of how to travel on this journey we call life. Did I make some mistakes? Sure! But there’s not too much I’d change. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Money gives security. Poverty causes ulcers. Financial hardship can also make you compromise yourself in ways that being a sex worker never will.

This industry eats its young and damages those not strong enough to cope. Every worker has a different personality, head space, upbringing, personal history and therefore experience. This book is a glimpse of mine. I am not advocating anyone join the profession. That is a personal choice.

When I started out I could never have imagined what my life journey would look like or where I would be now. I don’t even know where in the world I will be in twelve months. What I will be doing? Who I might be bonking, caning or smearing with hot wax? Exciting isn’t it? Carpe diem – seize the day. I’m a lucky girl.”

 

In Praise of the Traditional Book

Does it matter what form a book appears in? Both my books – The First Time and Samantha – are available in ebook format only (it was the easiest way of publishing and the cheapest).

As a reader I value the accessibility of ebooks. Being blind I can read electronic books using the text to speech facility on my Kindle or Voiceover on my Ipad. I am, however unable to read hard copy print books as my poor eyesight renders doing so impossible.

Having said all that I would like, in the longer term to collect my stories together (in real rather than virtual covers) and have them appear on actual bookshelves. There is something magical about handling a paperback or hardback book. Literature somehow appears more real preserved between covers than is the case when it flashes up on screen or is read aloud using voiceover or text to speech.

Print books can (and do) last for centuries and I guess that many owners of e-readers would feel long lasting pangs if their print books disappeared in a puff of smoke while the loss of e-readers would cause less profound turmoil.

Perhaps I am showing signs of my age (I’m 44 years young)! But, in my view print (and braille) books possess a value which their younger relative (the e-book) lacks. One can not sit in a room surrounded by e-books nor can one obtain pleasure from the texture of electronic publications. Long live the book in all it’s forms but god preserve us from a world in which only e-books exist.

Anyone for Tea?

One of the great pleasures in life, other than a few pints with close friends, in convivial surroundings, is a nice hot cup of tea. When writing I often sit with a cup of tea close to hand and, from time to time I pause momentarily, remove my fingers from the keyboard and enjoy a sip of that refreshing beverage.   I like my tea with milk and although I have tried to give up sugar, on occasions I succumb to temptation and put sugar in my beverage.

I love tea accept when it goes all over my laptop. Tea and laptops really don’t mix but despite my best of intensions yesterday wasn’t the first time (and it won’t be the last) when I send my favourite hot beverage splish sploshing all over my laptop, desktop and the papers scattered all over my desk. Well the laptop needed a clean anyway and the tea followed by the wipe down with a damp cloth and kitchen towel should have done the trick.

Anyone for a cuppa? I’m just off to make one.

 

TWO 4 STAR REVIEWS OF SAMANTHA WHICH IS CURRENTLY FREE IN THE KINDLE STORE

My book, Samantha is currently available free from Amazon. A reviewer of Samantha writes on amazon.co.uk as follows:

“This is an exciting story, well written with some good Liverpool background. The main characters are well brought to life. Samantha, the student from a

good background, drugged and date-raped by a pimp, seems credible.

 

Some of the strands haven’t been tied up at the end and maybe that’s just what the author intended.

 

The book is quite short and you can read it in one sitting. Because it is so readable you may want to do just that.

 

I recommend it.”

 

PS One or two pages seem to have got out of order but I’ve had this trouble before with Kindle”.

To see the review and download Samantha free from amazon.co.uk please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samantha-ebook/dp/B00BL3CNHI.

On checking Samantha’s page today I came across the following review of my story on amazon.com:

“This is a well-written, enjoyable short story, with an ending that leaves something to the

imagination. Suspenseful, realistic and fairly easy to believe. The course of true love

certainly does not run straight….”.

To see the review on amazon.com or to download Samantha please visit http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B00BL3CNHI/ref=cm_cr_dp_syn_footer?k=Samantha&showViewpoints=1.

Bookshelves

There is something reassuringly familiar about the presence of much loved books ranged around the room on book shelves. The scent of bees wax perfumes the atmosphere as you sit comfortably ensconced in an armchair. No noise can be heard other than the ticking of a grandfather clock and the periodic sound of pages turning.

 

On looking at the books displayed on my bookshelves within my KDP Select dashboard I was struck by the somewhat quaint and to me rather lovely reference to bookshelves which conjured up the above vision of a traditional library or perhaps a single bookcase displaying much cherished books. It is good to know that in this age of technology familiar references remain. Everything changes but, somehow remains the same. Oh gosh I am turning into an old fuddy duddy!

Samantha by K Morris free in the Kindle Store from 7-11 June 2013

In February 2013 I published my book, Samantha which tells the story of a young girl forced into sex slavery in the English city of Liverpool. Can this educated young girl, from a well-to-do background escape from her brutal pimp, Barry or will she end her days in the murky waters of Liverpool’s Albert Docks?

Samantha will be available in the Amazon Kindle store free from 7-11 June (the story usually retails for £2.03). For Samantha by K Morris please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samantha-ebook/dp/B00BL3CNHI.

Shutting Myself off, Not Quite!

Working full time has it’s advantages not least among them being the ability to meet those piffling little obligations known as bills together with other living expenses! The downside to being in full time employment is that I am usually fairly tired by the time I return home in the evening and my ability to write is, as a consequence diminished.

I want to spend time on long term writing projects which will entail me devoting less to blogging. My intention, at the moment is to cut down on my blogging to approximately 2-3 posts a week affording more time for long term composition. Some weeks I may blog more and others less. Rest assured that I won’t be disappearing so don’t break open the champagne just yet or, if you do, invite me along for a drink!

 

Kevin

 

Anyone Fancy Writing this?

While browsing gumtree.co.uk I came across the below intriguing advertisement

“A smart and attractive girl is needed to help a private detective in his investigation, a good remuneration in return.”

What a great basis for a short story or a novel. Imagine the possibilities. A private detective wishes to investigate the affairs of a criminal who is known for his cunning and suspicion of anyone who is not part of his own tight knit fraternity. He does, however have one weakness, a liking for attractive intelligent women. The detective finds his girl who manages to seduce the criminal mastermind and communicate his secrets to her employer. Alternatively the young lady falls in love with the criminal and they disappear into the sunset together leaving the detective high and dry!

What wonderful material for a writer to get his or her teeth into!

An Ode to Trigger

The below humorous poem was penned by one of my former colleagues and relates to the antics of my guide dog Trigger who can be seen in the below photograph:
There was a young guide dog named Trigger,

Who pursued people’s lunches with vigour,

Whether cold food or hot,

He’d go after the lot,

And caused many a smirk and a snigger.

Trigger in the office