Attempt At Poetry Wednesdays! (No.7)

Seven already... It feels like bloody seven thousand. And seven is my favourite number, so that will be this weeks theme.

The Killers Seven

Seven individuals they were
Savages born and raised, to live with a care
Calculating and cold
Never afraid, living life so bold

Raised in blood, without any sign of love
Poor little Jimmy's face lit up as he murdered that dove
Tortured by themselves as they tried to make ends meat
Their first attempts are murder proved quite the treat

Now that they're older
Each attempt has grown bolder
They've killed many times
And committed one too many crimes

For now they lay still
Scattered around the bank tellers till
They've had their fun
But, bullet ridden they're done

These seven little killers.

Story-time with the Three Bananas + Guests (No.5) BUMPER EDITION!

I won't say much today, other than thank you to all this weeks guests! It's a big one! Robots! So enjoy :)

False Control by C.S. Bailey

You push me around, you decide when I eat and you disrupt my sleep at every possible chance.

You shout at me when you’re angry, you hug me when you’re happy and I’m never sure of what mood you’re in.

You stroke my hair and call me your best friend until someone else comes along.

As I lie here feeling abandoned, I cry in silence wondering if this is all that there is to my life. 

I’m tired of this life of mine, constantly waiting for you to take care of my needs. 

I’m through with being Stuart’s prized puppy. 

Rotting Fruit by Nav Logan

A murder of crows perch on a pylon, standing like a lone sentry upon a battlefield. Rubble and bodies lie everywhere, fresh fruit ripening in the desert sun. The crows wait, looking hungrily down at the harvest. They watch a starving dog worrying at a corpse. For a moment the dog gorges itself on fresh meat, its belly swelling at it feeds.

A loud crack breaks the silence and the dog howls, staggers a few feet and falls over, more food for the crows.

The last rocket falls in fiery rain. Silence descends. Another ceasefire has begun. Crows will feed.

SOLACE AND DREAMS by Rick Haynes

As I was sitting comfortably with an ice-cold beer, I watched the sun gently subside over the endless horizon. I was thinking of a title for a new book.

‘Dreams over the rainbow.’

‘Golden orb above the clouds.’

‘The not so blue sky.’

It was hopeless. My brain appeared to be functioning but the words did little justice to my imagination.

Then a quiet voice echoed in my ear.

‘Should you not have a semblance of an idea to begin with?’

Now that is a thought.

What story should I write?

Sod it! 

Back to the sunset.

And the beer.

Giga-thoughts by Michael Brookes

Everything began with a single thought. A pure singularity of consciousness where nothing existed. That first thought begot another and then more. Time formed to mark the passage of one concept to the next.

A universe created to encapsulate the phase-space of infinite possibility. The calculation of perception stratified into a framework of existence.

Immensity expanded into complexity, which in turn compressed into beings with their own thoughts. Nova of consciousness sparked throughout the expansion of the first thought. A billion minds increasing in number creating a confusion of experience.

From ‘I am’ to ‘We are’. What will come next?

The Show by Ken Magee

"Today, Beth and Steve join us on the show," announced the host, a cheesy grin spread like Dairylea across his face.

Applause

"Steve's here to find out the results of the DNA test to tell if he's the father of little Jamie. Beth says he is, but Steve says she’s been sleeping around, so God only knows who the father is."

Boos

"So here are the results..." he opened the gold envelope.

"Steve," pause for effect, "you are the father!"

Applause

"And hold on, this is unusual," longer pause for bigger effect, "Beth, you are not the mother."

Rapturous cheers.

The Hunger by A.K Michaels

Her lips were parched, cracked, sore, her throat? That was so dry it hurt. Needing a drink, fluid to soothe her sore lips, relieve her painful throat. Knowing she was getting weaker, needing the ambrosia of liquid or death, soon.

Hiding as 'they' hunted her. Concealed, safe, meant no sustenance, nothing easing her hunger. Her nose twitched, food, could she get it? No choice she had to...or die.


Easing her aching body from the darkness, seeing the food, making a grab, holding it desperately. A smile coming over her face as she sunk her fangs into the man's neck...blood...her nectar.

Robot by Bryan Thomas

The world's media had descended on Newcastle University, England. The main hall was packed to the rafters as Professor Johnson and his team unveiled 'Kristina', the world's first sentient robot.

After Kristina had introduced herself, the professor invited questions from the media.

"Professor, Dan Oliver of KQXL TV, Chicago. Kristina is obviously female, but how female is she?"

"Kristina is anatomically perfect. She is fully capable of a sexual relationship. One of my team has made advances to her on several occasions. To date, her response has been consistent."

"And that response is?"

"Not tonight, pet. I've got a headache."

To the point of self-destruction.

You know, everyone at least once in their life comes to a point where they just want to say 'fuck this'. Just quit trying and move to a peaceful island, surrounded by clear seas and sandy beaches. This happens at least once a week to me, more frequently in recent times.

There I was, harmlessly writing, in a pleasant mood. Then the nuclear explosion of life dropped down from above and once again, I was left ready for a murderous rampage.

Sorting out all the dates for the second Maybe, Misery I checked the book because I noticed an irregularity. Yes that's right... Another fucking bastard of a mistake! The month of the last chapter is printed as October rather than December! Cue... redness of cheeks, profanities galore and the throwing of said book.

Luckily, I quickly adapted. I edited the document, removed a few typos that had been pointed out to me. Resubmitted it every-fucking-where and now there's a second edition.

It's just so fucking ridiculous you know. I had planned a second edition with added chapters, but no, we can't have that can we! If you every write a book, do yourself a favour and never fucking include dates.

I'm still ever determined, just not as much as I was an hour ago.

Haunted.

It's a dark and stormy night. The only sounds to be heard are the rain drops battering the window and the keys of a small Dell net book being pressed at with heavy fingers. Left click... Amazon UK ... The horror! He looks on in frustration as his eye's cast upon the screen... Maybe, Misery Act One has fourteen five star ratings!!! Yet the full book is rated at only four and a half stars with three ratings! How did this happen! What cruel world I dwell within... Sadness... Feelings of failure... Fade to black.

Over-dramatic writings aside ^, it does bother me that the full book is somewhat lacking behind one of the singular acts. Now I know what you're going to say. "But Chris, it's only been two weeks! Don't you think you're being a bit impatient?"

Yes. Yes I am. I've spent along time with this book and I want to hear peoples deepest opinions. I don't want to know if it's good or not. I want more than that... I want to know what precisely was so good or bad about it. I could spend all day talking about my book and I strongly believe it wouldn't be self-absorbed. It's not like I'm seeking praise, I'm seeking constructive views. Don't get me wrong, I love it when people tell me they've enjoyed my book... Who wouldn't! But I want to know why they enjoyed it, down to the tiniest detail. I'm actually tempted to give away some free copies in exchange for constructive reviews.

I showed my Nan this picture today...

It's basically just me messing around with concepts on create-space, nothing serious, just a free ten minutes. Nan described it as 'all-right' and 'Are those sausages and doughnuts?' Safe to say, this will NOT be the cover to Maybe, Misery II. I just want to say hello to the Polish readers as well, thank you for viewing my little blog. I can't wait until Tuesday, drabbles galore... :)

  

Bubbles.

I just got a sudden urge to phone in sick tonight. To be naughty and miss work. Obviously I'm not going to, I get to see all the people whose company I don't actually mind though the whole ear-phone thing will once again test my temper. The reason for the urge, is because I'd rather be writing. I've literally been writing since I woke up. At this moment, I've finished the first chapter to the third act of The Talon Strand (Maybe, Misery II). 

Writing to me, has become something productive and important. It's like Maybe, Misery took my yearning to write one book before I die, And just completely destroyed it. If my little book could talk, I'm sure it would say "Fuck you Chris, you're giving me some brothers and sisters." 

I don't consider myself a writer, but I do consider myself an author. I think a writer is more driven to the idea of having his work published for a career. You know, writing because the publisher requires the second book in your series even though you don't want to write it. I actually want to write the second book to Maybe, misery because I bloody know it will be completely different. I know already that the story is left open, yet I've no idea if I will ever write the third. Of course, there's a folder already been created but unless I come convince myself that it deserves a third, then there will never be one. 

Saying that though, if someone came and gave me enough cash to keep me in Subways for a while, I'm sure I could be swayed :p I'm just joking... maybe. 

I really am dying to share some of it with you guys... or anyone... anywhere! I'll hopefully be sending out the first completed draft before Christmas, that's my goal. Also I noticed that quite a few of my page views came from Turkey, so to you I say welcome - I hope you were at least moderately entertained :) 

I hope you all have a productive day in your bubbles.

C.S

The Weekly Round-Down. (No.2)

Well it's that time again. Your weekly summary of news, so lets get to it. Today, as I was walking to the bathroom at work, I walked through the double doors and saw a woman approaching. I took two steps backwards and opened the door for her, do you know what she said... Absolutely nothing, not even a polite smile. People without manners should just drop dead.

As you may not know, I've already started writing again, it feels fantastic. I think it will eclipse the first... otherwise, I just won't release it. I'm not one for back tracking or doing things twice, like the fact I had to order the brainy Jess a brand new cup for winning my quiz... bloody royal mail.

The Halloween story is taking a turn for the brilliant. I'm sure all you guys will love it. Though I'm waiting for the sex and violence to kick in. This in no way will be a children's book.

When I play my Nan at cards, we usually bet each other for food. Up to now, I'm owed two subways, £5 worth of fruit and soon a curry. So my plan is to bet her; that if I win, she will get a kitten but if she wins, I'll never mention it again. I'm not sure if she'll take me on yet, but it would save me looking for a place that excepts pets :p

I managed to watch two films this week! The Amazing Spiderman 2... As a fan of Marc Webb with 500 days of Summer being one of my many favourite films, I was utterly disappointed with this latest outing. Amazing, it was not. Even the score had potential, so I got that... Another missed opportunity.

Transcendence - The first film in a long time to make me feel sleepy at 7pm. An interesting premise let down by an atrociously boring film. I almost slipped into a coma.

I finished watching the Following season 2 which was great. I'm not sure how much longer they can keep it going for. I've finally got round to watching S.H.I.E.LD. I'm about five episodes in and... It's awful, as much as I love Marvel. Where do they get the idea that make a show full of utter moronic characters will make a good show?  I hate them all (except for Coulson obviously) and I wouldn't blink and eye if they were all killed off. It's almost as bad as the show we won't mention *cough The 100 cough* I'll give it a fair chance though.

I've also just finished reading Fifth Season by David Wailing. There are two short stories told through the eyes of children. It's light, easy reading and fantastic. It made me feel nostalgic, something I rarely feel... unless I see a small child playing with Lego. There's also some excellent bonus drabbles Plus it's 77p! So get it here: Fifth Season

Tuesdays story time is going to be epic! A bumper edition! There's myself, Bryan Thomas, Michael Brookes, Ken Magee, Nav Logan and Rick Haynes! So you can look forward to that :)

Enjoy the weekend people. I'll leave you with my Top 15 of the week with some 80's chucked in...

(Lwp)
1. (n/a) Love & Pride – King
2. (n/a) A is for Action – Ima Robot
3. (n/a) Black Star - Celldweller
4. (n/a) Sweet Dreams – Eurhythmics
5. (1) Flowers – Son Lux
6. (2) The Matthew Effect – Nothing More
7. (4) I’m the One – Seether
8. (3) Poltergeist – Deftones
9. (6) Have You Ever – Incubus
10. (7) Talons – Bloc Party
11. (5) The Courtesy Call – Aperture Science P.L
12. (9) The 2nd Law (Unsustainable) – Muse
13. (8) Androids – Eminem & LP
14. (15) The Lines – Bear Tooth
15. (n/a) Falling On – Finger Eleven

Whatever it is, it's a milestone.

Yes we made it! Thanks to you guys out there, all over the world... I made it to 2000 views! Just for the record, I'm still not sure if it's good in terms of blog views. But considering how young this blog is and the content shared, I am definitely grateful :D

Whether you read my blog regularly or just pass by infrequently, you're all awesome in my book. So thank you and if that wasn't enough, here's a picture of me saying thank you (again)...

I hope you've all have (had) a lovely day. And here's a toast... to you guys :)

Much love

C.S