Category: Writing and Blogging

#Blog Battle Week 37: Arrival

 

 

 

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It’s a while since I’ve done a #Blog Battle so today seems a good day to remedy that, the theme this week is  Arrival and my story genre is: Science Fiction, Human Interest. I don’t usually write Science Fiction so this is a bit of a change for me.   I read an article on my plane journey to Glasgow about the advances in technology expected by the year 2035, I found it fascinating so this is why I decided to write a story with a Science Fiction slant, I coupled this with an idea that arose from the recent events and loss of life that tragically occurred  on the weekend of Friday the 13th of November.

So the message behind the story is simply this: if only life could be simpler, perhaps we could live in harmony with each other. This is my dedication to the victims and families of the victims of recent atrocities, my heart goes out to you.

 

 

My Sweet Arrival

I stepped into the True-life booth. The empty booth had no visuals or sound to begin with it, it was dark and devoid of life, but then a cry filled the small booth, tugging at my heart strings; it claimed my heart and set it fluttering with sheer joy. Such a needy cry, a cry I remembered so well. The baby shrieked, its newborn lungs filling the booth with its plaintive cries. I held my baby shielding her from the world, crying into her newborn eyes, sharing my story with her.

Her due date had been the ninth of January but of course this strong minded individual had other ideas, a Christmas baby sounded much more exciting! She arrived early, two weeks before her time, greedy to meet the world. A perfect unexpected gift born on Christmas day, her birth recorded in the local newspaper, already she was a celebrity! The first of many sacrifices began, my schedule was no longer mine to organise, and instead a tiny child stole my heart and my day. I ate mouthfuls of Christmas dinner on the ward instead of a hearty meal with all the trimmings at a neighbour’s house! Yet, this unexpected celebration was altogether more wonderful. Her floppy body, and inability to feed would have fooled many but I was not fooled. A mother always knows her child. From that moment on her strength of character was apparent. She started her quest for liberation, stepping away from me whenever she could, this whirlwind toddler chatted to strangers, hid in shops, sang on stage, and when no stage was to be found she sang wherever she could, airports being her favourite gig. Our holidays away were spent chasing after her, as she scoured the beach searching for mysteries in each and every grain of sand. Her future was mapped, like her grandfather before her, she would travel to the furthest shore, see each and every delight of the world. She knew how to wake us up, shake us into taking notice of her, such power in those tiny lungs, that delicate body. The love was overwhelming, immediate, and everlasting.

But now I fear for every step that she takes, I long for her to stay by my side, because the world has become a volcano of smouldering hate. I return to the booth often to sooth my nerves, to try to take me back to that time when life seemed simpler, kinder, and altogether gentler. Hate roams the world voyaging far and wide it seeks to destroy us all with its evil kiss. We live in dangerous times, the target is our youth, our children who we have nurtured, whom we love.

In this time of unmatched technology, human accomplishments are phenomenal, yet we cannot live in peace. Our intelligence and progress has been our undoing, we have no purpose in life anymore, robots, our very own creation, manufactured to be articulate, clever, and purposeful have ensured that there are no jobs for us. So with nothing to occupy us we set out to destroy what we have built, piece by piece, bit by bit, the earth crumbles. We have been so blinded by our own capabilities, now we must pay the highest price, the loss of our dear children.

Last week my friend’s daughter was murdered. Her demise was bloody, and sudden. So cruel, she had been an angel, a sweet young woman just starting her life. A piece of me died that day, and can never be resurrected, so I go to the booth often to try to remember what it was like twenty years ago before the atrocities began. But try as I might it only gives me temporary comfort, and I leave feeling sadder than before. No advances in technology can sooth my friend, her heart is broken, fragmented by loss, and nothing can restore her to the person she was before. I see it in her eyes, now they stare, holding her suffering in blank pools of sorrow when once they used to sparkle.

They say that life is sweet but for me it has lost its gloss, and this shiny gloss has been replaced by clenched sorrow for my dear friend. The stark line of her tragic lips hold an unspoken story of a living nightmare that no booth however advanced, can ever erase. If this is progress then I long for mankind to return to the simple moments that we have lost, but technology is forever advancing taking us further and further into the abyss. It will be our undoing, I whisper into the booth, but the booth doesn’t respond. I look down at this computer generated baby and realise that we have no true enemies but ourselves, my sweet, dearest, child.

© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

Do share your views I’d love to hear your opinion on my #BlogBattle story.

 

If you’d like to join in with BlogBattle or vote for your favourite entry here’s the link to Rachael’s blog:

http://rachaelritchey.com/blogbattle/

Bye for now, do come by Kyrosmagica again, I love visitors.

 

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Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

 

All About Writer’s Groups Plus On-Line Writing Resources

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I found this quote on Pixabay and it seemed oddly appropriate to my intention today which is to share with you some information and advice about joining a writer’s group, and to inform you about Virginia Bergin’s forthcoming scheduled talk at Cambridge Writers, in December, debut author of sci-fi, apocalyptic/dystopian horror-thrillers, The Rain, and The Storm.

Writing Tip: Don’t wait for the storm to pass, don’t wait for the writer’s groups and opportunities to come to you, go out and find them, even if it is pouring with rain and you’d rather stay in and watch telly! Go out, switch the telly off, learn new skills, discover new friends, dance in the rain if need be, sample all there is on offer!!

I am very fortunate, as there are several Writer’s groups here in Cambridge. I joined Cambridge Writers over two years ago, and I’m so glad that I did, I have found it a wonderful source of help and support.  I’m coordinator of the Children’s Writing Group, and the go to person if you’d like to find out more about the group: http://www.cambridgewriters.net/members/51_marjorie_mallon

So with this in mind I’d like to share with you my twelve reasons why I think it is important to join a writer’s group.

Reasons why you should join a Writer’s group:

  1. It enables you to meet with and share ideas with other writers on a regular basis.
  2. There are often special evenings with visiting authors coming to discuss their novels/writing.
  3. As well as this you might find there are discussion sessions on particular topics which may be of interest to you.
  4. You will meet with a wide range of people, this is a certainty, writers tend to be an interesting bunch of people!
  5. It tends to be a supportive environment, with more experienced writers, (some of whom have been published,) giving invaluable advice and help to new writers.
  6. Yes, Positive criticism is offered, but it will be done in a way that is constructive and helpful rather than upsetting and demotivating.
  7. You have the joy of reading out your masterpiece in front of a small select audience of fellow writers who listen attentively and then pass comment.
  8. No 7. may sound a bit daunting. I have to confess this was a bit scary the first time I read out my story  but you will soon find that it doesn’t bother you anymore. It is such a confidence building exercise!
  9. Often there are differing groups which you can attend, depending on the size of the writer’s group. Cambridge Writers caters for poets, writers of long prose, short prose, travel writing, and children’s writing. You may try forms of writing that you have never tried before, in my case I am now finding myself drawn to short prose, travel writing, and I’ve even written a few pieces of poetry!
  10. There are all sorts of ways to get involved, in my case I have taken over as coordinator of the children’s writing group. In my new role as coordinator I have been able to use my social media contacts to find a speaker for the next author’s event, Virginia Bergin debut author of The Rain,  and The Storm is coming to speak at Cambridge Writers on Tuesday 1st December:  http://virginiabergin.com/
  11. It is fun! You will meet new friends, drink lots of tea and coffee, consume a ridiculous amount of biscuits, cakes, and crisps, and might even go to the pub afterwards!
  12. It is far better than watching the telly, if you join I promise that you will never be bored again! Boredom what is that?
If you are in the vicinity of Cambridge, do come along to meet Virginia. Here’s a link to find out more: http://www.cambridgewriters.net/meetings
As well as this we are also very fortunate to have a wonderful script writing group in Cambridge that you can get involved in if drama is your thing. I have been along to this a few times and sampled what they have to offer and have to say I was very impressed. I even had a go at some acting, which was such fun: http://www.writeon.org.uk/

There are also a plethora of on-line writing groups too, one that comes to mind is Rachael Ritchey’s Weekly Writing Blog Battle.  I’d definitely recommend this friendly bunch of Blog Battlers, do join in the fun:  http://rachaelritchey.com/blogbattle/

Esther Newton is a writing tutor that I met with in person this August at the Bloggers Bash event in London. She has a great blog with lots of writing prompts, a weekly writing challenge, and writing competitions, and markets for writers. Check out her current Flash competition, get your skates on if you want to join in, the deadline is this Sunday, 15th November: https://esthernewtonblog.wordpress.com/flash-fiction-competition-2015/

Sacha Black, one of the principal organisers of the Bloggers Bash, also has Writespiration prompts, writing tips, and resources on her blog. Here’s the link to her current writespiration prompt:  http://sachablack.co.uk/2015/11/11/writespiration-66-2-sentence-horror-story/

Via Esther Newton and Sacha Black I found out about the Guardian Stephen King Short Fiction Competition, up to 4,000 words. The closing date for this competition is 18th December: http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/oct/30/stephen-king-short-fiction-competition-send-us-your-stories

Dan Alatorre offers a Flash Fiction Challenge which you can get involved in: http://danalatorre.com/2015/10/09/flash-fiction-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-2547

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields has a Friday Fictioneers event, a 100 words writing challenge: https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/friday-fictioneers-2/

I’d recommend popping over to see The Secret Keeper’s wonderful blog and Writing challenges: http://thesecretkeeper.net/writing-challenges/

A flash fiction challenge from Carrot Ranch, this one has been recommended to me by fellow WordPress blogger Geoff at Tangental:  http://carrotranch.com/2014/11/06/flash-fiction-rules/

If you are inclined to writing poetry there are also lots of ways to get involved.  I’d recommend Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge : https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/category/haiku-prompt-challenge/

Ronovan is also starting a new prompt this Friday, Friday Fictions Challenge, I must be psychic!! Here’s the link to his blog to find out more about this too : https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/friday-fictions-challenge-1/

Also there are sites such as Wattpad, a free writing community for writers and readers: https://www.wattpad.com/

Describli, too, an online community “that uses writing prompts to spark creativity and connect readers and writers.”  https://describli.com/

And of course there is Nanowrimo, which I must confess I have never done!! One day perhaps, here’s the link to find out more about this online National Novel Writing Month: http://nanowrimo.org/

So what are you waiting for!!! No excuses there are lots of ways to get involved, either to start writing or to progress your writing.

No doubt numerous other bloggers offer word prompts and a range of ways to get involved, so if I haven’t mentioned you here and you would like to be on this list do leave a message in the comment field below, and I’ll add you too.

Hope you found this list of resources and advice helpful.

Bye for now, I’d love to hear from you!

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Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

1st Halloween Poetry Contest from Writer’s Treasure Chest and more!!!

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No, this isn’t an invitation to a Halloween party on my blog, not quite! Tee hee nearly fooled you didn’t I?

But it is a celebration of sorts, a Happy Halloween, and a bunch of stuff and nonsense that I’d like to share with you. So keep on reading – there are details about a couple of Halloween parties at the end of this post!!!

It’s also to let you know that I will be going on a blogging break in early November and to wish you a Happy Halloween.

Now here come’s the exciting part, I’ve got a secret to share with you.

I just love secrets don’t you?

I’m taking the plunge and entering the 1st Halloween-Poem Contest

on ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest’.

My poem:

The Alternative All Hallows’ Eve Bash!

 

It’s all Hallow’s Eve time for the party to begin,

Witches, vampires, spooks and demons of the night,

Come and join in this annual spectacular delight,

Bring your entry ticket, a glut of gruesome grisliness.

 

No glowing Jack O’Lanterns are permitted here,

No pretty Halloween plump pumpkins,

Our team of half dead bouncers search for sweets,

Ejecting sickly sweet cheerfulness with ferocious frowns.

 

Vampires savour red goblets of the purist human blood,

Witches devour human brains a spicy savoury delicacy,

Ghostly ghouls can’t ingest or digest. Oh what a shame!

 

Instead the smell of rotten candles fills their one time bellies.

Demons sit together in a clique,

They consume a spirit that no one dares to seek,

Their poker hot glances burn into your soul,

 

No one dares to join them, its too Lucifer hot!

The party’s over way too soon there is clearing up to do,

The kindly ghosts are left to pick up,

They wail boo hoo,

A ghost’s ghoulish life is over before it has begun!

 

The demon’s faces’ crease in a smouldering, bittersweet, smirk,

The vampires lick their lips, breaking into a blood-curdling smile,

And the witches cackle with ripples of raucous relish,

While Beelzebub bouncers pick up the ghosts and shake ‘em for fun.

 

Next year’s party committee is set!

A year from now a Hallibaloo of a Halloween bash is on its way!

Don’t forget, don’t be late!

Creepy Cameras at the ready, Blood, Cold, Shiver, Fire, Flash!

 
© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

Here’s the details:

Every author and poet are invited to participate and deliver a “Halloween-Poem” to my email address: aurorajean.alexander@aol.com, together with their picture.

There are a few rules to follow:
1.Your poem needs a Halloween theme.
2.Your poem needs a minimum of 99 words.
3.Your poem has to be delivered to my email address until Halloween, October 31, 2015, 9 pm Eastern Time.
4.Please avoid violence, bad language, and sexual content within the poems. It would be disqualified.

More about the contest and how to enter here: https://aurorajalexander.wordpress.com/2015/10/20/1st-halloween-poem-contest/

The Next Bloggers Bash is set for 11 June 2016 – I went to this year’s Bloggers Bash in August, so a bit of a poetic joke there! Not saying all of us bloggers are a bunch of witches, and devils, but ……. somehow the idea just grabbed me!!

Before I forget there are some Halloween parties going on today, a couple of bloggers are having a share your posts kind of parties today, lovely idea.

The lovely Suzie Speaks has written an excellent post about how to host a blog party: http://suzie81speaks.com/2015/10/27/how-to-host-a-blog-party/

and extended her invitation to you to join her in her Halloween Blog party: http://suzie81speaks.com/2015/10/31/halloween-blog-party/

Also there is an invitation to join in a Witch’s tea party at author Kirsten Weiss’s ParaYourNormal blog: https://parayournormal.wordpress.com/2015/10/31/witchs-teablog-party-2/

What fun, I think I’ll go as a …………. witch!! I have a very fetching red velvet witch’s hat.. and a red and black dress, or perhaps a black one, decisions, decisions……  plus some blood red lipstick perhaps?

Oh, and in case you missed my run down on all my Halloween activities, here’s the link to that.

There is something for everyone, photography, quotes, stories, haiku, poetry, book reviews, you name it: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/31/happy-halloween-2/

Just recently I went to see Wicked at the Apollo Theatre in London, it was fantastic! I’d go as the Wicked Witch but I don’t have enough green face paint so best to keep things simple!!

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Hope you like my poem, do comment I’d love to hear your views.

Have a very Happy Halloween, from your friendly good witch Marje!

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Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

Happy Halloween!!!!!!

 

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Happy Halloween!!!

To celebrate I’d thought I’d share with you some of the challenges and my favourite blogging activities I have done this October highlighting my Halloween Themed posts in case you’ve missed them:

So let’s start off with some photography challenges. I’ve recently joined Instagram https://instagram.com/kyrosmagica/ as has my friend and fellow blogger Hugh over at Hugh’s Views and News.

Hugh wanted to see what lurks in the shadows: http://hughsviewsandnews.com/2015/10/24/hughs-photo-challenge-week-3-what-lurks-in-the-shadows/

Here’s my contribution for Hugh’s What Lurks in The Shadow’s Photo Challenge:

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/28/hughs-photo-challenge-week-3-what-lurks-in-the-shadows/

I also had a go at Ed Mooney’s Capturing History Spooktacular Challenge: https://edmooneyphoto.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/spooktacular-2015/

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/26/spooktacular-2015-the-gallows-at-the-caxton-gibbett-inn/

Shadows even managed to sneak there way into my submission for Julia’s Camera Lucinda Photography Challenge, I kind of stretched my interpretation of the challenge, it was meant to be metal and rust so I cheated a bit! The guitar strings were a bit old and rusty! The shadows weren’t too spooky but I wanted to include this in this post to do a shout out for Julia’s challenge. It’s fun to join in.

Here’s the link to Julia’s challenge: https://myredpage.wordpress.com/2015/10/16/camera-lucida-metal/

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/25/camera-lucida-metal/

Some writing contests, and challenges captured my interest:

The 5th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest, this one sounded cute so how could I say no? I found it on Susannahill’s blog: http://susannahill.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-5th-annual-halloweensie-writing.html

 

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Here’s my entry: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/27/the-5th-annual-halloweensie-writing-contest-aahhhrrrooooooooo/

 

The 79 Word Story challenge from Chris at The Story Reading Ape:

http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2015/10/18/more-new-79-words-story-challenge-entrants/

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I went for a jog and wrote about a Halloween brooch. My mind works in mysterious ways!  https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/12/79-words-story-the-halloween-brooch/

 

Rachael Ritchey’s Blog Battle Writing Challenge, a weekly fun place to hang out and do blog battle : http://rachaelritchey.com/blogbattle/

Here’s a couple of my Blog Battle stories:

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A paranormal lakeside story about a hidden scar:  https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/13/blogbattle-the-scar/

 

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A paranormal/fantasy story inspired by the blood moon: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/09/29/blog-battle-blood-moon-a-rip-of-a-ride/

 

I love to join in Ronovan Writes Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge:

https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/category/haiku-prompt-challenge/

The prompt words that Ron came up with in that particular week were Tide and Flesh and they just seemed to fit the bill so well!

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/03/ronovan-writes-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-64-tide-and-flesh/

I’ve been taking part in the #redeyereadalong of horror YA books by Stripes publishing. This wonderful event has been run by two book bloggers,  Chelle at Tales of Yesterday Blog and Heather at Heather reviews:

http://talesofyesterday.co.uk/2015/09/tales-post-red-eye-read-along-october-2015/  https://heatherreviews.wordpress.com/2015/10/27/redeyereadalong-qa-with-tom-becker/

Here are my #redeyereadalong posts:

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/26/redeyereadalong-dark-room-by-tom-becker/

https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/29/my-kyrosmagica-review-of-dark-room-by-tom-becker/

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/24/my-kyrosmagica-review-of-bad-bones-by-graham-marks/

https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/19/redeyereadalong-bad-bones-by-graham-marks/

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/16/my-kyrosmagica-review-of-flesh-and-blood-by-simon-cheshire/

https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/10/redeye-readalong-flesh-and-blood-by-simon-cheshire/

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/09/my-kyrosmagica-review-of-sleepless-by-lou-morgan/

https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/06/redeyereadalong-sleepless-by-lou-morgan/

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https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/09/30/read-eye-readalong-frozen-charlotte/

https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/05/my-kyrosmagica-review-of-frozen-charlotte-by-alex-bell/

 

Do check out Colleen’s wonderful blog, Silver Threading, and her open invitation to join writer’s Quote Wednesday: http://silverthreading.com/2015/10/28/writers-quote-wednesday-a-silver-quote-2/

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For Colleen’s Writer’s Quote Wednesday I had a go at some Halloween Quotations: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/07/writers-quote-wednesday-halloween/

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My Halloween stuff and Autumn nonsense post, amongst other things celebrated some of the wonderful blogs who enjoy Halloween:

https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com/2015/10/04/halloween-stuff-and-autumn-nonsense/

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Also I just finished reading Caroline Peckham’s Creeping Shadow, a pre-release ARC and have just done a quick review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1417107616

Phew!! I have been busy. Don’t expect me to keep this up, or I may just turn into a shadow of my former self!

Oh and with all this blogging I had my best day for likes on October 27th, thank you all so much for liking and commenting on my posts. :))))

Newsflash: I’m having a well earned blogging break soon in early November, probably starting in the first week, and extending for all of November to do some much neglected writing, and I will be making some decisions about the publication of my manuscript Krystallos. More about that to come….

So bye for now.

I hope you have a very happy fun filled Halloween!

 

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From your magical good witch Marje @ Kyrosmagica !! xx

 

 

 

The 5th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest

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I’m joining in Susanna Leonard Hill’s  Halloweensie Writing Contest as this looked a bit of fun, what with my blog theme this month being Halloween stuff and nonsense!!  The word limit is just 100 words, excluding the title, so given that I decided to write a poem, which is a bit of a challenge for me as apart from writing haikus I don’t normally write poetry.

Here is a link to Susanna’s blog if you’d like to join in with this fun contest (entries have to be in by Friday October 30th by 11:59 PM EDT) : http://susannahill.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-5th-annual-halloweensie-writing.html

The Contest:  write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words costume, dark, and haunt.   Your story can be scary, funny or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!)  Get it?  Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 🙂  (And yes, I know 100 words is short but that’s part of the fun and the challenge!  We got over 130 fantastic entries last year so I know you can do it!)  Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. haunt, haunts, haunted, darkness, darkening, costumed, whathaveyou 🙂  

The Lonely Gatecrashing Ghost.

Time to Go a Trick A Treat,

Don a costume pretty quick,

Sneak out before mum says no,

Grab your lantern, here we go.

 

Stop! A ghost haunts that dark alley,

He pulls funny faces to be pally,

Everyone turns away,

A game that no one wants to play.

 

The kids scream in fright,

Scattering in a terrible flight,

Halloween’s for guzzling sweets,

Make believe dress up feats.

 

Not for ghosts gate-crashing fun,

Stealing sweets by the ton,

Scaring old ladies walking by,

A wicked recipe to die.

 

Take your nonsense,

And your conscience,

Don’t be a git,

Do a ghostly flit!

 

© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.  

 

Hope you liked my entry. I kind of felt a bit sorry for the poor old ghost being excluded from the fun!

 

Bye for now.

 

It’s so dark outside since the clocks went back, just makes me want to sleep!

 

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Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE New ’79 Words Story Challenge’ Entrants…

Lots of fantastic flash fiction 79 word story entries on Chris at the Story reading ape’s blog. Mine is the Halloween Brooch…

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

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I’m delighted to see that many of you STILL seem to be having fun rising to the 79 Word Challenge set byAuthor Andrew Joyce.

For anyone who still doesn’t know what this is all about and catch up with the previous 35 entrants, clickHEREto check out Andrew’s story and challenge, then:

HERE to see the first seven great entries

HERE to see the second post with ten more stories

HERE to see the third post with twelve stories

HERE to see the fourth post with six stories

😀

NOW READ TEN GREAT NEW ENTRIES BELOW:

(To visit the writers blogs, click on their names or photos)

The Train by Jane Dougherty

Jane Dougherty

The train raced along the disused track.

Rocking from side to side it clattered along the rusted rails, catching in the faint beam of its headlamps the brighter eyes of rodents and the wary fox, and…

View original post 900 more words

79 Words Story: The Halloween Brooch

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This Monday I’m doing something a little bit different for #MondayBlogs I’m exercising my word muscles with the intention of entering into Chris the Story Reading Ape’s 79 Words story challenge.

The next 79 story challenge entries will be going live soon – I’ve been a bit quick off the racing block – the shot gun hasn’t been fired just yet, so check the following link to the previous entry to find out more, and to read the previous entrants stories.

I believe when your entry is ready remember to check back with Chris for details how to enter. No cheating, wait for the shot gun!

Link:

http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2015/10/10/twelve-more-new-79-words-story-challenge-entrants/

79 words sounds pretty accurate, not much room for manoeuvre, I wander if I can rise to the challenge?

Well the good news is I have an idea, that’s a start. It’s funny where you find ideas, the other day I was out jogging, and being a seriously rubbish jogger (I kind of jog walk, mainly walk if I’m honest!) I don’t need much of an excuse to take any opportunity to stop and take an extended breather. So, on this particular day I saw this little shop, in the village that I’ve always been curious to go in and explore. So  I took the plunge and went in, dressed in my leggings, and trainers, goodness knows what the shop keeper must have thought!

Anyway to cut a long story short it was an Alladin’s Cave of Antiques and inspired my flash fiction Halloween themed story below:

The Halloween Brooch

Inside the shop I heard raised voices. I lunged in. The mysterious voices began to whisper. It was cramped, hardly room to move or breathe. Antiques jostled for my attention on over stacked shelves. I picked up a tiny painted brooch of a young girl crying. I heard a high pitched scream echoing, then riotous laughter. When I saw my reflection in an antique mirror, I wailed. A wrinkled granny stared back at me wearing the brooch, she cackled.

I hope you liked my creepy story!!

Bye for now.

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Marje @ Kyrosmagica. xx

What Wattpad Can Do For You Now

Reblog of P h Solomon’s view of the benefits of Wattpad to emerging writers, after reading this I reckon I should be on it.

Unknown's avatarArcher's Aim

I’m not usually an early adopter when new social media, software and other services hit the public. I like to sit back and see how well it works and let the kinks get worked out.

WattpadThat being said, I recently joined Wattpad – finally – and found that it’s been very beneficial. I know, a writer not on a form of social media designed to share writing. But there are several reasons why you should be on Wattpad, including it’s partnership with Smashwords to feature existing authors.

Reasons I Joined Now

1. With the release of The Bow of Destiny I wanted to share related, pre-release short stories as well as what I’ll be working on in the future.

2. I wanted to interact more with other authors. Let’s face it, writing is a solitary process so the chance to give and receive input from other authors is important.

3…

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#Blog Battle: Blood Moon A Rip Of A Ride

Week 29 Theme is Ride

Date to Post: Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

My entry for Rachael Ritchey’s Blog Battle this week is returning to a character I have visited in previous blog battles. This is an idea I am developing as a continuation from the first manuscript I have written, Krystallos.  I intend the sequel to Krystallos to be darker.  I am struggling with where to go with this so this is me flexing my writing muscles. Somehow writing this short story has really helped me solidify some ideas I have so I hope you like it. The focus is on the male character Ryder, and the inspiration this week has come from the Blood Moon!!

This sits very well with my blog theme this month which happens to be Halloween!!

If you’d like to join in #Blogbattle, I’d recommend that you do, it’s fun, here’s the link: http://rachaelritchey.com/blogbattle/

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy

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Title: Blood Moon A Rip of A Ride

It began with a rocking horse, a child’s toy, its springs were old and needed replacing. Ryder discovered this antique wonder in a quirky street in the lanes in Brighton. He carried it down the colourful street, and joined the queue for the busy student bus back to campus. A couple of ladies stared at his greediness, his decadence, taking up two seats on the bus. Ryder smirked, and patted the rocking horse’s head. The ladies glared. The corner of his mouth twisted, a smile with obvious intent.

When he brought the rocking horse back to his flat, his flatmates exchanged glances, it did much to catalogue Ryder even further into the depths of the oddity section. Only Olivia, his recent conquest gave him the benefit of the doubt. He appreciated that and made a mental note to reward her later. A midnight kiss would be in order.

After he left the warm embrace of slumbering Olivia the moon lay heavy in the sky, its orb red against the blackness. Ryder hung out his bedroom window staring, pleading with the moon to notice him. He dangled precariously, goading the moon to come closer. The pumpkin moon glowed red, blood red, a bleeding heart. The rocking horse began to move slowly absorbing the moon’s vital blood energy. Ryder could hear it behind him, creaking joints jarring to and fro. Then he heard the sound of an ice cream van, its tune winding its way towards him. He hung further out of the window wondering about this strange phenomenon, an ice cream van in the middle of the night. He grabbed his jacket, rushing to catch the van before it disappeared.

Outside he dashed, his senses filled with the promise of a midnight feast of sugary ice-cream. But, no van appeared. He waited. Displeased. Again he heard the jingle of the van teasing him, laughing at his foolish, childlike desires. The music grew louder and louder, he covered his ears and turned away, now desperate to escape. The van came to a screeching halt just as he took his first step. Ryder smiled. The hatch opened, a man peered out. He had a round face, the roundest face that Ryder had ever seen, vanilla white, pock marked, hair as black as the midnight sky.

There were no signs to state what kind of ice cream he sold.  Ryder waited for him to speak.

“Well, I haven’t got all night, what do you want?” said the man, as his creamy white face turned a surly red.

“I’m not sure,” replied Ryder, “What ice creams do you sell?”

“Ice creams? What? No ice creams here young man.”

“But you’re riding in an ice cream van, playing the jingle calling hungry kids.”

“That’s true, but that’s not what I do.”

“What do you do?” asked Ryder, frowning.

“Hop aboard, ride the van and you’ll find out,” said the man, his face returning to its original brilliant white.

Ryder hesitated. This was strange, but Ryder thrived on strange, so he agreed. The man opened the back of the van and Ryder climbed in.

Inside the van Ryder could see only darkness. A blackness drifted towards him filling his senses with a bleak sense of loss. The man handed him a tiny torch that gave off brilliant light.

“Come, this way,” he said.

The van was motionless, yet Ryder could swear that he felt movement. They walked and walked further into the darkness.

Suddenly they stopped.

A bright light shone from the torch on to a patch of turf. How curious. This van was playing with Ryder’s senses, revealing a vast land which stretched its tendril like fingers, shadows extending everywhere.

Ryder recognised the land. It was no picnic venue. He sighed.

“Home,” he said.

“Yes,” said the man.

“Why have you brought me here?”

“It’s nearly Halloween lad, when tainted creatures must visit the place of their birth.”

He heard the sound of the fairground, the laughter, candy floss and excitement beckoning, but behind it all he knew there was the ride.

There was no point in pleading with the man, asking him to take him back. He had to accept his fate, whatever that might be.

“Come your ride awaits you,” said the man.

Ryder lifted heavy feet, a ghostly chill settling in his bones.

The man opened the door of the roller coaster and let him in. The rollercoaster groaned. Ryder’s soul cried.

A jingle began to play, a cheerful ditty, but Ryder knew this would be short lived, soon he would hear a tune that would throw him into oblivion, and there was nothing he could do. Nothing at all.

The clamp locked around him. He gripped the sides of his seat, clenched his teeth, and prepared to ride. It started off slowly, a gentle teasing introduction, but soon the ride picked up pace, the jingle attempting to keep up with the speed of the ride.

Ryder’s face and body took a vicious pounding, his flesh almost ripping from him, his heart exploding, sweat dripping from his brow.

Then it stopped. No gentle ending. Just abrupt, no time to think.

Ryder could only see shadows. No light, no moon, no sun, no happiness only the bleakest most appalling darkness. A blanket of despair.

Then he focused.

A figure appeared. Hazy. At first he was uncertain whether it was male or female, but as his eyes grew accustomed to the light he knew who it was.

“Hello mother,” he said.

His mother walked towards him, she unbuckled the clamp, but said nothing. It was not their way, emotion was not tolerated in this land of childlike dreams, and nightmares.

He touched his eye, but knew the answer already, the beautiful crystal had been wrenched, a rip caused by the ride. His eye wept.  What price would he pay for its release? Only time would tell.

Rules:

  1. 1000 words max
  2. fictional tale (or true if you really want)
  3. PG (no more than PG-13) Content – let’s keep this family friendly!
  4. Your story must contain the word(s) from the theme and/or be centered around the theme in a way that shows it is clearly related
  5. Go for the entertainment value!
  6. State the Genre of your story at the top of your post.
  7. Post your story on Tuesday, by 11:59 PM PST
  8. Use the hashtag #BlogBattle when tweeting your story, put a link back to your #BlogBattle Short Story in the comments section of this page, and/or include a link to this page in your own blog post (it creates a “ping-back” which will alert me and our friends to your #BlogBattle post)
  9. Have fun!

© Marjorie Mallon 2015 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

Hope you enjoyed my story, do comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Bye for now. My cartoon character takes this battling so seriously!!

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Marje @ Kyrosmagica xx

The 777 Challenge: The Crystal Cottage

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Thank you to Annika for nominating me to take part in the 777 challenge.

Here’s a link to her lovely blog so do go and check her out: https://annikaperry.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/the-777-writers-challenge/

I’ve been nominated for this challenge a couple of times before so this time I’m going to have to bend the rules a little. I thought I’d share with you the first few opening lines of my WIP Prologue for my Crystal Cottage manuscript. By the way the title of the novel is still to be decided upon so more about that to come……  I started off with the intention of calling it The Crystal Cottage, but now I’m not so sure, I have other more exotic ideas buzzing around in my head!!

Here goes, a snippet of the Prologue:

Few smell the roses, and myrtle, or hear the distant cooing of doves. They cannot see the splendour of what lies below, as they walk on unaware, taking the muddy river pathway or walking by the meadow, they sense nothing, hear nothing, lost in their own footsteps. Others cast a shadow as they stand, longing for a welcome but never finding it. The chosen few hear silent whispers in the breeze,  the trickle of water, and the vibrations of the earth below their feet. The cracks, and loosened stones are like a puzzle, a challenge, which shifts and changes with each passing day. Lingering because they cannot bear to pass by; they long to discover the nature of the hidden secret that awaits them.

I hope you enjoyed! I won’t be tagging individual people again. So I hope that’s okay Annika !

If anyone would like to share in this challenge please do feel free to join in. The more the merrier….

The Rules of the Challenge:

The 777 Challenge involves going to page 7 of your WIP, scrolling down to line 7 and from there share the next 7 sentences in a blog post. After that please tag 7 other bloggers to do the same with their WIP.

Bye for now.

 

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Marje @ Kyrosmagica. xx