M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

June 7: Flash Fiction Challenge

June 7, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about man glisten. It was a fun term coined by two men with glitter in their beards. What more could it embrace? Look to the unexpected and embrace a playful approach. Go where the prompt leads. – https://carrotranch.com/2018/06/08/june-7-flash-fiction-challenge/

Respond by June 12, 2018.

It’s a bit early for a Christmas story but this is what occurred to me so I went with the flow!

Man Glisten – Progress!

‘What’s that?’ asked the little girl in the department store.

‘It’s the new Father Christmas. He’s called man glisten, because he listens to all the little girls and boys while he glistens.’

‘But I liked the old Father Christmas with the long white beard, fat tummy and the red suit,’ said his daughter with a tear in her eyes.

‘It’s progress, honey. Old Father Christmas wasn’t bringing money into the department store anymore.’

‘Do you want to meet him?’

‘No!’

‘Look! His long beard, psychedelic suit and his reindeer glisten.’

‘I don’t care! I want old, fat, red suit!’

Winner of Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge no. 7 with my murderous flash – Mr Blamey. https://carrotranch.com/2017/12/19/winner-of-flash-fiction-contest-7/

1st Place Winner of Bloggers Bash 2018 Blog Post Competition: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/the-bloggers-bash-blog-post-competition-2018-the-queens-dress-down-day/

Buy Paperback Book link: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media:
Authors Website: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Founder of Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
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#ABRSC #Review The Congress of Rough Writers: Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1 (Congress of the Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology)

Goodreads Synopsis:

Witness great feats of literary art from daring writers around the world: stories crafted in 99 words.

Flash fiction is a literary prompt, form, and tool that unites writers in word play. This creative craft hones a writer’s skills to write tight stories and explore longer works. It’s literary art in thoughtful bites, and the collective stories in this anthology provide an entertaining read for busy modern readers.

Writers approach the prompts for their 99-word flash with creative diversity. Each of the twelve chapters in Part One features quick, thought-provoking flash fiction. Later sections include responses to a new flash fiction prompt, extended stories from the original 99-word format, and essays from memoir writers working in flash fiction. A final section includes tips on how to use flash fiction in classrooms, book clubs, and writers groups.

CarrotRanch.com is an online literary community where writers can practice craft the way musicians jam. Vol. 1 includes the earliest writings by these global literary artists at Carrot Ranch. Just as Buffalo Bill Cody once showcased the world’s most daring riding, this anthology highlights the best literary feats from The Congress of Rough Writers.

My review:

Thank you to Charli Mills for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and very well structured. It delivers a wide range of flash fiction and so much more. The anthology succeeds in celebrating the wonderful sense of community that is Carrot Ranch and the benefits of participating, therein. Charli Mills has created a welcoming, nurturing community of ‘Rough Writers,’ who develop through practice – the necessary skills to polish their flash fiction writing, overcoming the challenging constraint of 99 words.

I’d highly recommend this anthology to EVERYONE, but particularly to writers and aspiring authors. But, don’t let that discourage the general public as they will most definitely enjoy reading this compilation too.

Being a part of Carrot Ranch Community is indeed a fantastic thing to do for experienced writers and wannabe writers too. I just wish I had more time to join in Carrot Ranch more regularly. But the community allows for writers to come and go as they wish, which is a positive aspect of Carrot Ranch. No one feels pressurised to write flash, it is a very free and giving group.

My rating: 4.5 stars.

Highlights:

A very engaging Foreword from Charli Mills.

Part 1 : Best of Show

Part 2 : A New Flash Fiction challenge

Part 3: Expanded Flash. This interested me as I recently attempted this and struggled to take a story from 99 words and expand it to 1,000. It isn’t easy!

Part 4: Essays From Memoirists: An unexpected section entitled Essays From Memoirists which I found fascinating. Particularly as I am currently penning a 3000 piece memoir about my dad’s early years, national service, and first taste of exotic travel for a competition!

In this section individual writers penned their thoughts and feelings about writing memoirs:

Sherri Matthews: From Memoir to Flash Fiction And Back Again. How writing flash, ‘energised,’ and enabled her ‘to soar,’ ‘and write fearlessly.’

Paula Moyer. In Praise of Nine Year Olds with Vision. Flash allowed for a ‘Parallel universe’ where the writer could ‘feel free’ ‘I am called to write.’

Lisa Reiter – How Flash Fiction Helps My Perfectionism by letting go and putting words on paper. Allowed her to realise that ‘The words are good enough’ ‘To Let it go,’ ‘the discipline of a little flash fiction is a good way to practice that.’

Jeanne Belisle Lombardo – How The practice of Flash Fiction Hones the Craft of the Memoirist – ‘focus on the moment’ and on ‘honesty in one’s work,’ which is what readers are looking for in memoirs.

Irene Waters – Defining Differences between Memoir and Fiction – ‘Writing fiction gave me a freedom I had not experienced before.’ ‘no room for unnecessary words.’ ‘major benefits’ – ‘freedom of expression’ – ‘honed technical skills.’

Part 5 : Building community with Flash Fiction

Part 6: Acknowledgements and Bios

Amazon UK Buying link: The Congress of Rough Writers Vol 1 Anthology

My A – M Reviews: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/a-m-of-my-book-reviews/

My N – Z Reviews: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/my-kyrosmagica-reviews-n-z/

Let me know if you’d read the anthology I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Please note: When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

I’d love you to leave a comment but if in doubt please read my Full GDPR Privacy and Compliance details: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/2018/05/20/privacy-and-gdpr-compliance/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media:
Authors Website: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
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Meet The Board #RRBC

I recently joined #RRBC Rave Reviews Book Club so I’m saving this invaluable information. Do take a look and consider joining #RRBC.

via MEET THE BOARD

#RRBC – June Books Of The Month!!!

I’m delighted to say that I’ve joined #RRBC and as a new member I’ve picked my first book to read. A WW1 short story Conflict by Eric Halpenny. I’m so excited about being a member of #RRBC.

Do check out all the June Books of The Month they all looks so awesome it was so difficult to decide which one to pick!

via #RRBC – JUNE BOOKS OF THE MONTH!!!

20 Questions Book Tag

I came across the 20 Questions Book Tag via Jenny’ s blog and thought I’d join in.

Here’s the link to her post: https://jennyinneverland.com/2018/06/04/20-questions-book-tag/

And here are the questions:

How many books is too many books in a series?

It amuses me to admit this but I’m really bad at reading books in a series. Shocking really as I am writing a series myself! I have to LOVE them a lot to do so!

How do you feel about cliffhangers?

I love a good cliffhanger. It gets the old pulse going so that’s got to be a wonderful thing!

Hard copy or paperback?

A paperback. It’s easier to store, more forgiving and lightweight for taking on the bus or reading by the beach! I so wish I was away on some exotic, foreign holiday… Sigh…

Favourite book?

I have fifty-eight books on my favourite list on Goodreads!

Here are some of my 4/5 star favs: Caraval by Stephanie Garber, Nevernight by Jay Kristoff, I Let You Go, I See You by Clare Macintosh, I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai, (memoir,) In Order to Live A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park, Simon Vs. The Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng, A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak.

Least favourite book?

I like to focus on what I like and love rather than on what I don’t.

Love triangles, yes or no?

Yes, if the love triangle is well-written. I enjoy reading romance from time-to-time so I wouldn’t say no to an exciting love triangle!

The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

I always finish books and sometimes I am surprised when I realise just how much I enjoyed them when I might have started off uncertain.

A book you’re currently reading?

I’m reading two at the moment! Charli Mills – The Congress of Rough Writers: Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1 (Congress of the Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology) and Matt Haig’s How To Stop Time.

Last book you recommended to someone?

A book of poetry by Annette Rochelle Aben – A Haiku Perspective. Here’s the link to my review: https://mjmallon.com/2018/05/24/book-review-a-haiku-perspective-2018-annette-rochelle-aben/

Oldest book you’ve read?

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 1890 closely followed by Dracula, published 1897.

The newest book you’ve read?

I’ve just finished reading an ARC of Lizzie Chantree’s If You Love Me I’m Yours which I will be reviewing as part of her blog tour. So that fits the newest book category! It’s a very sweet romance and the characters are fantastic. Really enjoying it!

Favourite author?

Oh difficult. I read Nevernight by Jay Kristoff recently and was blown away. Here’s the link to my review: https://mjmallon.com/2018/03/03/review-of-nevernight-by-jay-kristoff/

Buying books or borrowing books?

Both! I love to buy books when I can afford to but the library is a great option. Or, pinching YA off my eldest daughter’s overflowing book shelf when I’m short of cash.

A book you dislike that everyone seems to like?

Don’t know. Can’t think of one.

Bookmarks or dogears?

I tend to use bookmarks, or whatever I can get my hands on to mark where I’ve read to. A receipt, a piece of paper, anything!

A book you can always re-read

Poetry books are great to re-read, or memoirs because you can pick up something extra on that second, or third reading.

Can you read whilst hearing music?

If the music is on low that would be okay. But, in our house my hubby blasts loud rock music most of the time so probably not in that case!

One POV or multiple POV’s?

I don’t mind either as long as it is done well.

Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Over multiple days as I am a slow reader and also find it difficult to find the time. I would love more opportunities to read. I have been known to peek at a book whilst ironing or cooking! Luckily, I haven’t burnt the clothes or the food yet…

One book you read because of the cover

I love a beautiful cover but the book itself has to be great for me to want to read it. I loved The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton and the cover persuaded me to buy the book!

To see more about my enthusiasm for books do pop over to my Goodreads account: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

If you’d like to join in the Book Tag please do. It’s been fun. I haven’t done one of these for ages.

I’d like to invite some of the Bloggers Bash guests that I met this year, (some albeit briefly, plus some old pals who I have met many times before,) who I think may enjoy doing a book tag.

Don’t feel obliged to join in. It’s up to you!

Ritu: https://butismileanyway.com/ Zoe: zooloobookblog.co.uk/, Willow: https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/

Barb: www.barbtaub.com, Jo and Isla: http://www.joandisalovebooks.blog/,

Linda: https://lindasbookbag.com/, Jemima: http://jemimapett.com/,

Sam: http://lovingthefiftysomething.com/, Sheila: www.scskillman.com/,

Deborah: https://deborahjayauthor.com

And anyone one else – who’d like to join in, please do! Sisters of The Fey?

Perhaps, Annika might like to? https://annikaperry.com/

Please note: When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t leave a comment on my blog. Full GDPR Privacy and Compliance details: https://mjmallon.com/2018/05/20/privacy-and-gdpr-compliance/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group #ABRSC:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

Meet The Bloggers Who Attended The 2018 Bloggers Bash

Hugh’s done a fantastic job of the video of The Bloggers Bash in London. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

My Interview With Author MJ Mallon

Thank you to Carolina Russo, the amazing artist who created portraits of my characters Esme and The Creature for this beautifully presented author interview on her blog. Pop over to read my answers to her lovely questions.

Carolina Russo |Sa'Reyah

The Curse Of Time One Bloodstone ©MJ Mallon – Illustrations ©CarolinaRusso

My Interview With Author MJ MALLON

Author MJ Mallon

Today post is my interview to British Author MJ Mallon, a nice way to get to know her and discover her latest work, the new released book “The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone” I am very happy to introduce you with MJ Mallon, she is a debut author and blogger, her interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. MJ write Fantasy YA, and middle grade fiction as well as micropoetry – haiku and tanka.
Some of you that follows my Blog remember one of my latest posts: “Characters Illustration – A Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon” where I was announcing my artistic collaboration with Marje Mallon. We had a wonderful collaboration together .

Today post is my interview to MJ, a nice way to get to know her…

View original post 1,297 more words

Winners Of The 2018 Bloggers Bash Blog Post Competition

Thanks to Hugh for putting together this post about the winners of The Bloggers Bash Writing Competition. Well done to us all, and special thanks to the judges and committee members for making The Bash such a wonderful annual event. 🙂 x

#Book #Review A Haiku Perspective 2018: Annette Rochelle Aben

Amazon Synopsis:

This is a magical journey through a year in the life of a poet, presented in the format of haiku. Be entertained,and enlightened as you enjoy the worlds of reality and imagination are combined artfully. Dreamers will love this book. Writers will enjoy this book. Readers will enjoy this book. Even those who think they could never appreciate poetry, will enjoy this book. Come and be enchanted by the verbal imagery of A Haiku Perspective 2018.

Thank you to the author for a copy received in exchange for an honest review.

My review:

This is an enchanting book of poetry. So many wonderful haiku! I love short form poetry and Annette Rochelle Aben’s book covers a multitude of poetic topics in a warm and inviting way.

The first poem Strings is a poignant haiku love story. I read this particular poem several times and seemed to take more from it on each reading. I read it down and then from the bottom up! The family dynamic in this poem changes when a new baby is welcomed and Annette Rochelle Aben captures this to perfection in this thought-provoking poem. The message within will no doubt resonate with many. Love can be the most exquisite emotion. But, there are many loves. Can the love of a child be so consuming that your partner, wife, or husband feels neglected? I loved how this was expressed in a musical way.

Thereafter, the haiku flow in short bursts of inspiring magic. There are no images to break up the poems. This is pure poetry. And it works.

This is such an amusing, warm-hearted compilation of poetry.

My recommendation: Definitely read! You will be uplifted, you’ll smile and perhaps you might cry. Poetry takes our hearts on a journey. This poetry collection succeeds in transporting you to this special place and this feeling lingers long after you have finished reading.

My rating: 4.5 stars.

Annette Rochelle Aben’s Blog: https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haiku-Perspective-2018-Annette-Rochelle-ebook/dp/B07BRBDF19/

To read a selection all my A – Z reviews please follow these links:

https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-m-of-my-book-reviews/

https://mjmallon.com/2016/11/27/my-kyrosmagica-reviews-n-z/

Have you read Annette Rochelle’s poetry? Do let me know if you have. I love comments. 🙂 x

Please note: When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t leave a comment on my blog. Full GDPR Privacy and Compliance details: https://mjmallon.com/2018/05/20/privacy-and-gdpr-compliance/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media:

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com

Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Tumblr: http://mjmallonauthor.tumblr.com/

Privacy and GDPR Compliance

This is a short post regarding GDPR which came into effect on May 25, 2018.

Any cookies on my website are used to ensure normal website functions. These cookies cannot be switched off because the website wouldn’t function properly without them. However, it is my understanding that these identifiers do not store any personal data.

When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

But please rest assured that your personal information will not be sold or shared with any third parties under any circumstances. If you wish me to remove your data for any reason please get in touch.

If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t leave a comment on my blog, or join my newsletter or sign up via google tours for blog tours.

If necessary I might amend this policy in the future. Therefore don’t forget to pop back and check this page from time to time to see any changes that might have occurred.

I am no longer an Amazon Affiliate but if I do decide to do this again I will clearly state so on this privacy page.

I will be adding helpful links re – GDPR below to assist people:

https://dgkayewriter.com/important-notice-gdpr-effect-25-2018-blog-ready/

GDPR – How it Affects Authors in 2018 – With FREE Privacy Policy Template

http://nicholasrossis.me/2018/05/15/gdpr-and-authors-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.codeinwp.com/blog/complete-wordpress-gdpr-guide/

A humorous take on GDPR via Charli Mills: https://carrotranch.com/2018/05/23/raw-literature-cake-cookies/

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