Hi
A friend lent me a book recently, called Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter, that she thought I might enjoy. I have not read anything by this author before so I gave it a try not knowing what to expect. It is written in an unusual style. In places I found it a bit confusing but overall it was an intriguing if rather weird story. It has a lot of descriptive passages and tries to be a bit philosophical from time to time. The main character was called Fevvers. She was a larger than life cockney who sported a pair of wings and hence the life in a travelling circus show.
I found her character developed well and I grew to sympathise with her as the book gradually revealed her life history as it followed her romantic involvement with a newspaper reporter.
If you have read this book or anything else by her I would be pleased to hear your opinion.
Friday, 27 August 2010
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
My Short Stories; Imagery
Hi
Here is another very short story about two people meeting for the first time.
It is called Imagery.
Dorothy sighed. She hated cleaning this room. She glanced around the art studio to see what Monsieur Dupont’s latest project was.
The large picture window frame and balcony covered in plastic flowers looked cheap and tacky but her mind drowned her senses with romantic images. Knowing that she was unlikely to be disturbed at such an early hour Dorothy climbed up behind the window and was lost in a moonlit scene.
She watched the stranger approach; the gentle evening breeze fluttering his blonde locks. His pale blue eyes smiled into hers. She leaned out of the window to better hear the words of love he was serenading her with.
“What on earth are you playing at? Come down from there at once.”
Dorothy blinked back into reality. The shock of finding herself trapped half in and half out of a window with a tall dark figure storming towards her upset her balance and she plunged into the scenery.
She lay still hoping that the plastic flowers would somehow hide her.
She felt him kneel and tentatively remove fake petals from her crimson cheeks. Their eyes met. The silence stretched into eternity. He helped her stand. His touch gave her goose bumps. His lips parted.
Then he laughed.
With as much decorum as she could muster, Dorothy grabbed her vacuum and left the room, earnestly hoping that Monsieur Dupont’s creative urges never again disturbed him this early in the morning.
Here is another very short story about two people meeting for the first time.
It is called Imagery.
Dorothy sighed. She hated cleaning this room. She glanced around the art studio to see what Monsieur Dupont’s latest project was.
The large picture window frame and balcony covered in plastic flowers looked cheap and tacky but her mind drowned her senses with romantic images. Knowing that she was unlikely to be disturbed at such an early hour Dorothy climbed up behind the window and was lost in a moonlit scene.
She watched the stranger approach; the gentle evening breeze fluttering his blonde locks. His pale blue eyes smiled into hers. She leaned out of the window to better hear the words of love he was serenading her with.
“What on earth are you playing at? Come down from there at once.”
Dorothy blinked back into reality. The shock of finding herself trapped half in and half out of a window with a tall dark figure storming towards her upset her balance and she plunged into the scenery.
She lay still hoping that the plastic flowers would somehow hide her.
She felt him kneel and tentatively remove fake petals from her crimson cheeks. Their eyes met. The silence stretched into eternity. He helped her stand. His touch gave her goose bumps. His lips parted.
Then he laughed.
With as much decorum as she could muster, Dorothy grabbed her vacuum and left the room, earnestly hoping that Monsieur Dupont’s creative urges never again disturbed him this early in the morning.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
My Short Stories; Going Green
Hi
Here's another short story I wrote. I wrote this to include that famous invention of the word misunderestimate.
It's title is 'Going Green.'
“Hi Mum.” Charlie bent to kiss her cheek.
“I still know it’s there no matter how high your collar is.” Her tone was disapproving. “I thought you were going to have it removed.”
Charlie shrugged as he tucked into his Sunday lunch. “I’m used to it now and girls find it fascinating.”
He gave her a cheeky grin.
His mother nodded. She had noticed his confidence growing.
She looked at the spreading branches weaving their way up his neck and disappearing into his hairline. Who would have thought that having his torso tattooed as a tree would achieve her ambition to see him settle down.
“I guess I misunderestimated the importance of going green in today’s world.” She smiled. “Do one favour for me though, grow your hair for the wedding.”
Here's another short story I wrote. I wrote this to include that famous invention of the word misunderestimate.
It's title is 'Going Green.'
“Hi Mum.” Charlie bent to kiss her cheek.
“I still know it’s there no matter how high your collar is.” Her tone was disapproving. “I thought you were going to have it removed.”
Charlie shrugged as he tucked into his Sunday lunch. “I’m used to it now and girls find it fascinating.”
He gave her a cheeky grin.
His mother nodded. She had noticed his confidence growing.
She looked at the spreading branches weaving their way up his neck and disappearing into his hairline. Who would have thought that having his torso tattooed as a tree would achieve her ambition to see him settle down.
“I guess I misunderestimated the importance of going green in today’s world.” She smiled. “Do one favour for me though, grow your hair for the wedding.”
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Short story publication
Hi
My first set of short stories has been put out as an app today. Decimal Swan have made them into an app for android phones. The set is entitled 'A Touch of Life' and consists of four short stories of roughly fifteen hundred words each. They are suitable for adults and teenagers and could pass the time on a bus or tube ride. They are listed under Short Stories and the set costs 0.99p. I hope you enjoy them.
My first set of short stories has been put out as an app today. Decimal Swan have made them into an app for android phones. The set is entitled 'A Touch of Life' and consists of four short stories of roughly fifteen hundred words each. They are suitable for adults and teenagers and could pass the time on a bus or tube ride. They are listed under Short Stories and the set costs 0.99p. I hope you enjoy them.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
My Short Stories: Beauty and the Farmer
Hi
Hope you are enjoying these very short stories. This one is the first meeting between two people called Beauty and the Farmer.
“Hey.” The rough country voice bellowed. “You there, what do you think you are doing?”
Sharon stopped and turned round. “I’m looking for some lavender.” She watched as the young man approached in his green wellies.
“Lavender?” He was astounded. “You won’t find any here, this is a corn field.”
“Oh sorry.” She looked abashed. “Do you own the field?”
“Yes, and most of the land you can see from here. I’ve farmed it for eleven years now, ever since my father passed away. He bought it on the day of my birth twenty eight years ago.”
‘Umm, four years older than me’ she thought. She smiled shyly as she realised that she was trespassing and needed a good line to get herself out of this one. “Sorry again. I think I’ve destroyed some of your crops.” She looked around anxiously.
“Not too much damage. I’m Mike by the way. What do you need lavender for?”
She was relieved that he didn’t sound quite so cross now.
“I’m Sharon.” She offered her hand. As she shook she felt how rough his skin was. “I work at the local beauty parlour it's used in treatments. You should come in some time.”
He looked shocked. He laughed. “Now there’s a thought. A farmer in a beauty parlour. I don’t think so.”
“It’s my job to do the manicures,” she added with a sly grin.
"Well, I might just pop in sometime then!"
Hope you are enjoying these very short stories. This one is the first meeting between two people called Beauty and the Farmer.
“Hey.” The rough country voice bellowed. “You there, what do you think you are doing?”
Sharon stopped and turned round. “I’m looking for some lavender.” She watched as the young man approached in his green wellies.
“Lavender?” He was astounded. “You won’t find any here, this is a corn field.”
“Oh sorry.” She looked abashed. “Do you own the field?”
“Yes, and most of the land you can see from here. I’ve farmed it for eleven years now, ever since my father passed away. He bought it on the day of my birth twenty eight years ago.”
‘Umm, four years older than me’ she thought. She smiled shyly as she realised that she was trespassing and needed a good line to get herself out of this one. “Sorry again. I think I’ve destroyed some of your crops.” She looked around anxiously.
“Not too much damage. I’m Mike by the way. What do you need lavender for?”
She was relieved that he didn’t sound quite so cross now.
“I’m Sharon.” She offered her hand. As she shook she felt how rough his skin was. “I work at the local beauty parlour it's used in treatments. You should come in some time.”
He looked shocked. He laughed. “Now there’s a thought. A farmer in a beauty parlour. I don’t think so.”
“It’s my job to do the manicures,” she added with a sly grin.
"Well, I might just pop in sometime then!"
Thursday, 5 August 2010
My Short Stories: Waiting for Dawn
Hi
Here is another very short story for you. I hope you enjoy it.
Waiting for Dawn by Jay Freeman
We sat patiently, waiting for the sun to come up. Being cold and damp no-one was in a good mood. Anticipation kept the adrenaline flowing. We jumped at the slightest sound or glimpsed movement. Things didn’t usually get going till dawn but you still had to be alert for danger. It wouldn’t do for the enemy to surprise us. We had maneuvered silently under cover of darkness. The ground was soft and muddy under our feet. We were in position and raring to go. All we needed now was the dawn.
As the first rays chased each other over the land we stood as one. The cry went up. The sun hit our freshly polished shields and sparkled back at our enemy blinding them. They thought having the sun in our faces would be to their advantage. Now it was our turn to smile. We let them charge up the hill towards us, slipping and sliding until the ground was a muddy river. Then we charged into them. Our full weight knocking them off balance, we watched them roll down. We cheered as our flag was planted into their base. We congratulated ourselves on a job well done. We had changed the course of history. Our tactics would be discussed for many club meetings.
Then we turned and marched the losers off to the pub. Well we couldn’t go without them could we? After all they would be paying.
Here is another very short story for you. I hope you enjoy it.
Waiting for Dawn by Jay Freeman
We sat patiently, waiting for the sun to come up. Being cold and damp no-one was in a good mood. Anticipation kept the adrenaline flowing. We jumped at the slightest sound or glimpsed movement. Things didn’t usually get going till dawn but you still had to be alert for danger. It wouldn’t do for the enemy to surprise us. We had maneuvered silently under cover of darkness. The ground was soft and muddy under our feet. We were in position and raring to go. All we needed now was the dawn.
As the first rays chased each other over the land we stood as one. The cry went up. The sun hit our freshly polished shields and sparkled back at our enemy blinding them. They thought having the sun in our faces would be to their advantage. Now it was our turn to smile. We let them charge up the hill towards us, slipping and sliding until the ground was a muddy river. Then we charged into them. Our full weight knocking them off balance, we watched them roll down. We cheered as our flag was planted into their base. We congratulated ourselves on a job well done. We had changed the course of history. Our tactics would be discussed for many club meetings.
Then we turned and marched the losers off to the pub. Well we couldn’t go without them could we? After all they would be paying.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Book Review: Sue Grafton E is for Evidence
Hi
I have just finished reading E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton. This continues the story of Kinsey Millhone who is a private investigator. It reveals more of her past life and we get to meet one of her previous husbands. Once again she solves the crime while surviving personal attacks. It is quite a short book but moves along at a good pace. I am looking forward to F is for Fugitive. I believe she has released U this year so I have a lot of catching up to do.
I have just finished reading E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton. This continues the story of Kinsey Millhone who is a private investigator. It reveals more of her past life and we get to meet one of her previous husbands. Once again she solves the crime while surviving personal attacks. It is quite a short book but moves along at a good pace. I am looking forward to F is for Fugitive. I believe she has released U this year so I have a lot of catching up to do.
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