Samuel Colbran's Blog, page 7

Part 4 of Pack of Wolves

Sun rose on the Smith farm; all the foster children were up
and working doing their chores. They were all told that it is not a charity on
the farm if they want to eat, the kids worked. Benan is out with Ruairì and
James shovelling out the barn then redoing the hay. Heidi and Mariah milking
the cows, Betty, Kelvin and Brad feeding the chickens, pigs and other animals.

All in all, it was a typical morning thing for Benan, but
sometimes he wondered why the Smith’s kids never helped them with the chores,
besides the twins coming over kicking over buckets or complaining that the job
wasn’t done right. Any complaints about Joeb or Gertrude would mean at least
being ignored or at worst punishments.

Washing up and getting ready for the bus for school by
7.30am, the fosters had to wait for the bus while the twins left later as they
got a lift from their mother. Once on the bus, the seven fosters took up the
front seats as this is the only time they have to themselves.

Benan looked at Ruairì, “I’ve been finding our morning
chores easier today, how about you?”

Ruairi shrugs, not even a bead of sweat on his face. James
crinkles his eyebrows, “You tore through that pile of hay in no time. Been
on the ‘roids, Benny?”

“‘ Roids? Haha, little Jimmy.” Benan barks out a
laugh, posing like a bodybuilder. “Like we could afford that sort of stuff
and aren’t we supposed to start getting big muscles?”

“Yeah, but it seems weird.” James turns to look at
Ruairì. “You guys have been weird since being sick.”

Benan hears a laugh from the barn door, “You, Fatty, with muscles? Best joke I have heard this week.” It was Joeb, Benan thinks to himself, why can’t there be one day that this little pest leaves us alone? “Even if you got muscles, you’ll still be a discarded loser!”

Just take it Benan, his words can’t hurt.

Ruairi stares at the farmer’s teenage brat. “Go, we
have work to do.”

James nods, “Yeah, piss off, Joe.”

“You can’t talk to me like that. Or are you fighting
Fatty’s battles now?” Joeb sneers. “My father would like to know that
you tossed out trash were picking on me. He might just send you away if I
complain enough.”

All the foster children knew that Joeb’s parents were decent
people but would and have believed everything their twins have said. Neither
one could do anything wrong in their eyes.

Benan gives an involuntary growl. His body shakes in anger,
calling him names was one thing but threatening his family was another
completely different kettle of fish. As he turns, Benan’s skin starts to
stretch, the growling increases to deep bass.

Taking a step forward towards Joeb, Benan could feel his anger rising, his body flushed with heat. This is a trespasser, a threat to our pack! Fight to preserve pack!

Those words reverberate through Benan’s mind. His muscles bunch and grow. Skin starts to break, and slick wolf hair could be seen emerging underneath. The very air around crackled with anger around him, all there was to do is remove the threat!

The scent of fear and urine stung the air, Benan growled an appreciation of this, you should fear the pack, intruder! Now it is time to remove the threat!

Before the change could completely take control, Ruairi
steps in front of Benan. His own eyes have started to change, a reaction to Benan’s
transformation. Just starting into his eyes, Benan knew the pack was safe, not
need to worry.

As Benan takes a deep breath. Words were exchanged with the interloper, but this was ignored by him. The flush of instinct cooled, Beta will fix this, the hunt has not started.

“Wow, where did that come from Ben?” Benan blinks
at the pup, his eyes blurred realising he was looking at James. “That gave
me the willies.”

Ruairi came over to Benan, “He is gone and won’t say
anything. Let’s get back to work.”

James gives an affirmative while Benan shrugs at Roy’s
comment and heads over to the new hay bales and picks one up in each hand. Why
should he care about the Smith’s children or William any more he is a wolf, not
the fat 15-year-old anymore, I could just run away and be a wolf. Hunt and have
fun, not caring about all this shit!

At least one thing the chores have been getting easier for
me Benan thought not realising that he is carrying two bales.

Snapping the ties of the bale with a twist of his hand,
Benan starts to spread the hay over each pen’s ground. James, with his face
full of worry, calls out. “Didn’t that hurt Ben?”

“He is fine, James.” Ruairì says. “but Ben
should be using the knife as he would hurt his hand doing that.”

Putting on a fake grin, Benan picks up the knife and cuts
the next bale.

After all the chores, the children rush around getting
ready. It is their responsibility to be on time for the bus, not Farmer and Mrs
Smith. Ruairì and Betty get the lunches ready, while Mariah double checks the younger
one’s bags are adequately packed.

Being the last to have a shower, Benan could hear the
commotion going on in the main living area. Looking at his reflection, could he
see muscles under his flab?

Keep dreaming fat boy, you are an overweight failure who will be a nothing forever. You will never get a girlfriend because you are disgusting. You are pitiful and pathetic, just run or die. A little ‘pick me up’ for each morning. Guess you are nothing, and no one can make you feel worse.

Knowing that he will be at the library today, that will mean
he will have to be quick out of class before his bully corners him again. If he
could, he would just run away and be a wolf. No one would pick on him as he
could just run away or bite them. His luck he would only be shot by some
hunter, either way, Benan would not be missed.

Three loud bangs on the bathroom door distracting Benan with
his musings. “Come on, Ben, you will miss the bus!” Mariah yells.

“I am coming, keep your shirt on,” Benan grumbles,
dropping his voice. “It not like I am excited about school.”

Pulling on his shirt and shorts for another beautiful
summer’s day, Benan leaves the bathroom. Everyone else has their backpacks on,
Ruairì and Betty have packed the last of the lunches, only his and Mariah’s are
gone.

Putting on a big simile. “Sorry, Mariah just was lost
in the mirror on how sexy I am.” Posing like a model on TV, all the
younger kids laugh. In a fake Fabio voice. “What can I say? I am the most
beautiful man in the world, ha ha ha.”

This got another round of laughter, Betty, with a big smile.
“Hey Fabio, here is your lunch.”

Bouncing over to the bench, winking at Betty. “Thank
you, my dear, you are most awesome.”

Betty laughs at Benan, he is always silly in the morning,
let’s hope he has a good day

Dropping back into his normal voice. “Hey, Betty and
James, me Roy and Mariah are playing Fantazim in the library today, want to
come to play too?”

“Sorry, Ben, but I am with my hockey squad this lunch.
We want to do a few drills for this weekend’s game.” Betty replies.

James shrugs. “Why not, is Mariah playing with her
counter deck?”

“I choose a different deck today, want a bit more of a
challenge today.” Mariah gives a snappy comeback.

“Bring it!” Both Benan and James yell.

Pack of Wolves (Part Three)

Staying low, the three approached their bunkhouse. Being foster children, they weren’t allowed in the main household as that was for only Glenn, Marcy and their twins, Joeb and Gertrude tormentors of the children.

The lights were still on for the main household, so it
should be a quick run and back through the window of their rooms.

Benan whispers to the others. “Didn’t realise it would be so
smooth sailing tonight.”

Ruairì rolled his eyes and growled a little, Mariah pressed
her finger to her lips, her dark eyes absorbing the light from the house. “Quiet!”

Doing a quick sign of zipping up his mouth, Benan followed
the other two towards the bunkhouse. As they reached the window, Mariah heard a
bang of the screen door, motioning for Ruairì and Benan to stop moving, she
moved to the edge of the wall to peek around.

Glenn was standing at the door, drinking something, more likely
a beer; scratching his beard then the groin. Throwing the beer bottle at the bunkhouse,
he slammed open the screen door and stomped his way back in.

Breathing a sigh with relief, Mariah moved back to her pack mates.
“It was just his nightly beer bottle throwing.”

Ruairì nods. “I’ll make sure to pick it up in the morn
before the young kids leave for school.”

In the bunkhouse, there were five other children, Betty,
James, Heidi, Kelvin and little Brad. They all have been here for years. The
bunkhouse has four rooms, one for the boys, one for the girls, lounge and
kitchen with a small bathroom. They had to pull their weight around the farm to
earn food and other needs. It was a hard life, but they all banded together to
make sure no-one was forgotten.

Climbing through the back window, Benan flopped on to the ground
making a racket. Two lights popped on, and the two eldest besides the pack came
out of their perspective bedrooms.

Betty and James saw Benan sprawled on the ground, both
started to laugh but covered their mouths so no-one from the main house could
hear.

Ruairì and Mariah came through then, seeing Benan rolling
around on the ground. Ruairì kicked Benan with his toe. “Enough, you are making
too much noise.” With a tsk from Mariah, he bent over to help up his fallen
pack mate. “Was this to entertain someone?”

“Well not all of us can be like you, Rory,” Benan said,
rising to his feet. Then pulls a super serious face. “I could just be like this
all the time, woe is me…”

This got giggles and laughs out Betty and James. Mariah held
up a hand, everyone stopped, she then cocked her ear to listen. Nothing. “They
are not coming out tonight. What are you two up for?”

Betty, a mousy brown headed girl, smiles with buckteeth. “I
heard something crashing around I thought I would check.”

James, an awkward Asian boy with a large purple birthmark on
his face. “I saw that these two,” Pointing at Ruairì and Benan. “Weren’t in their
beds, so someone had to protect the kids.”

Smiling at that, Mariah turns to the two younger children. “Glad
we had you two holding down the fort, but it is time for bed for all of us.
School tomorrow.”

Both of them started to ask questions, but with one look
from Ruairì, they both quieted down. Benan came over and scooped up Betty to
carry her off to bed, while Ruairì laid his hand on the back of James to lead
him back to his bunk.

Mariah headed to the bathroom to make sure she washed off
everything. A few smudges of mud and a little bit of fur in her hair but all in
all, she was cleanish. Thinking to herself The shower has to wait until
tomorrow.

Coming back in, there were her pack mates standing there. Benan
heads into the bathroom, leaving the eldest by themselves.

“Do you wonder Mariah why that wolf scratched us and made us
into wolves too?” Ruairì asked

Thinking a moment, Mariah replied. “Not sure, now we know we
can change. I think I might do a little research in the library tomorrow. Did
you want to help?”

Ruairì shrugs, “What else am I going to do? Too weak looking
to play sports and you want us to stay under the radar.”

Since the attack, they have been stronger, but because of
the outcast situation in high school, they couldn’t just start going around beating
up the bullies. Even if they really wanted to.

Mariah nodded. “We will bring Benan as well. Just caught him
three days ago from losing his temper at that bully, William.”

“What about William?”

A spitting hiss from behind them as they turn they see Benan walking out of the bathroom. His face ruddy with anger, his fists are white at the knuckles.

Worry glinted in Mariah’s face. “Ben, we are heading to the library tomorrow to study more on our condition. I would like you to come too.” She pleads to Benan.

“Why should I hide from that prick anymore?” Benan walked over and grabbed the back of three-seater couch, the wood frame cracked under his grip. “I am no weakling or fatty-fat loser anymore.”

Ruairì walked over, grasping Benan’s shoulder, his grip firm. “We know you are not a weakling or loser, you never were, Benan.” Then patted Benan’s shoulder. “We are just foster rejects, we have each other, and now we are more. Come to the library, and we’ll play a game of Fantazim.”

Benan’s eyes lit up, the anger drained from his face. He loved playing Fantazim, a card game where you play a Magi who commands the very elements. “This time I will beat you, I have a new deck made from earth and fire!”

Mariah walked over and hugged Benan. “How about a three-way
game, I have my air/dark deck?”

Benan mumbles under his breath as Ruairì guides him the bunkroom.
“I hate your deck, too many counter cards.”

Mariah smiles at her now true brothers but was surprised in
the feat of strength Benan showed. Heading to her bed, she wonders How powerful
will we all become?

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Pack of Wolves (Part Two)

As the three teenagers wash off the blood and dissolving wolf flesh, they put on their threadbare clothes. Their shoes are worn down to a fragment of a sole. Besides that they are more than just foster children living together, they are pack.

Mariah looks up at the sliver of a moon, seeing that it has moved
to be above them now. “We might miss our curfew. Fingers crossed they will not
notice us coming in.”

The squat tubby one known as Benan, “Sure, Alpha, that is going
to happen. And maybe the pigs will learn to fly.”

Standing behind Mariah is the lanky Ruairì, a quiet sort who
goes out of his way not to waste words. Mariah rolls her eyes at Benan. “You
know we refer to each other as our names, not of pack rank.”

“Yeah, I know but wish we had more people in with this secret.”
Benan whines.

“Enough, Benan,” Ruairì scolds. “We can’t talk about us turning
into wolves. We’ll either be locked up or killed.”

“Yes, oh so serious Rory…”

Before the two fools start up again, Mariah steps in between
them. “We need to be going, as we are already late. I understand the frustration.
We have these new instincts with no outlet until tonight.”

Ruairì, in his deep voice, contradictory to his slight body.
“The chase and kill felt good. When do we hunt again?”

Benan bounces up and down. Being a large boy, his boundless
energy surprises many. “Yeah, Mariah, can we go out again tomorrow?”

Scratching at her mop of curls. “I don’t think so but next
weekend. If you two are having any issues with part changing come and find me,
okay.” Both nod, “Good, we have a bit of a jog to get back. Let’s go.”

Benan grumbles under his breath, “Would have been easier to
get back home as our wolves.”

Since their first change only days ago, the three foster children have noticed a few things. As their senses sharpened since the attack, their strength, speed and endurance have increased tenfold.

As the pack bound over fallen logs and rocks the three stay in the same formation they run as wolves, it took them no time to get out of the forest to the large farmhouse their foster parents live. The journey in the past would have taken them over half an hour, now they arrive back in less than ten minutes.

It has been ten days since the attack. It was when their foster parents, Glenn and Marcy Smith were out with their own children. They were supposed to be doing their chores but decided to bludge and lounge around the barn. Suddenly the animals started to go wild, bucking and kicking at their doors. Mariah was the first to see a large wolf standing at the barn’s entrance.

Not wanting to get in trouble, Mariah picked up a rake while the boys following her example, grabbed hay pitchfork and shovel to drive the wolf away. The boys, Benan and Ruairì who look towards Maria as a big sister following her lead.

As they approached the wolf, it looked undaunted by these three teenagers with farm tools. As they make moves toward the wolf thrusting out the ‘weapons’ hoping to scare it away. The wolf started to shake and grow, it’s flesh started to expand and rip. This image assaulted their minds, their sanity rebelling to what they saw. Dropping their improvised weapons, they all fell back in fear from the growing monster. Then blackness came to all three.

Hours past and they were woken by Glenn. Mariah, Ruairì and Benan could not explain what happened or why they all had four scratch marks on their shoulders.

After a week of fever and sickness, the three of them felt the
need to leave for the forest. In the darkness of night, their newly acquired wolf
form ripped out of their soft human shell. Which brings them to today and their
first hunt.

Breaking free from the forest and moving over the cow paddock, Ruairì could see the lights of the homestead. This might be the last foster house they will all live in when they reach adulthood. Mariah is only six months away from her eighteenth birthday, Ruairì a year and Benan nineteen months.

What are they going to do as people or wolves? A troubling
time indeed.

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Pack of Wolves (Part One)

Running through the undergrowth, branches smacking the three
young creatures. Their panting is sharp, the night is young. The most youthful
misjudged the jump and snagged in a bramble patch. Fur ripped from his side.

With the yelp from the pup, the elder two stop and look at
their youngest pack member, brown-furred with blond streaks through the coat,
piercing blue eyes and even in this predicament the cub’s tongue lolls out in a
wolfy grin.

The Alpha, Mariah, standing over the cub, covered in dark
fur and deep black eyes. With a yip, a wiggle of her ears, an understood
message was sent to the youngest. “Enough, Gamma, we must return soon or be
discovered.”

Benan, the young cub seeing his alpha reprimanding him,
tucks his tail between his legs. “Sorry, Alpha, I got caught in the thorns. It
hurt.”

The third wolf, Ruairì,
with a grey coat with a shock of auburn down the back with green eyes, aware
with nose to the air, checking for threats. “Alpha, we need to move, the herd
is reacting to our Gamma’s thrashing around.”

Benan growls at his Beta’s remarks. “So serious, it is our first hunt. Have some fun, Beta.”

Ruairì stares at Benan, his hackles rise with the challenge. Then Benan dips his head and rolls on to his back, showing his belly to the grey wolf.

With a whine, Benan cowls before Ruairì, “Um, I didn’t mean it.”

“Enough, both of you,” Mariah commanded. “We have a hunt,
eat and then back to the house.”

As she takes off, her pack follows in her wake. Dodging
around trees, the smells of the forest come alive as they run. The feel of the
moss under their toes, the hoots and calls of night birds swooping down to
catch their midnight meal. The scent of prey and fresh meat on the air, the three
plunge faster into the woods.

A glimpse of a horn, a crack of a stick and the chase is on.
Mariah drives forward to break off a weak member of the herd. Benan moves off
to the right while Ruairì breaks off to the left.

Spotting a young deer retreating after its mother, Mariah
pressures it, howling and barking to cause a mistake. Ghosting either side of
Mariah’s pursuit is her pack, making sure when it is time to attack, they are
ready.

The fawn trips and its mother bounds away, only the strong
survive. As Mariah comes into hamstringing the poor fawn, it jumps away
quickly. Now the real hunt has started.

Leaping over the underbrush, the deer narrowly misses
another bite from Mariah. Little does it know that she is just herding it to an
ambush ahead. A fallen log with a wide river next to it, an excellent place for
an ambush.

As the fawn reaches the log, it has three choices; jump,
duck or go around. All three possibilities have been prepared by the pack. With
the biting and barking from Mariah, the fawn tries to run around the log.
Waiting for it is Ruairì, with a leap and snaps, he bites down on the fawn’s
back leg.

Benan runs over and bites the neck and with a quick twist,
snaps it. All three wolves look down at their meal, their mouth-watering with
hunger.

Mariah bows to the fawn. “Thank you, little one, your
strength will be added to my pack. Know that your purpose in life has been
fulfilled. Be at peace.”

Then with a bite and rip, Mariah starts to eat. Benan and
Ruairì sit there panting with hunger, but the alpha eats first. After a few
moments, Mariah moves back, and Benan dives for the meat. With a growl, Ruairì
jumps on Benan biting his throat, dragging him down to the ground. His snarl
vibrates through Benan’s throat, the young cub swallows, knowing his mistake.

Leaving this to the Beta, Mariah trots over to the river and
starts to shake. Her fur starts to fall off in chunks, underneath fresh brown
skin. With a popping, her knees reverse direction. Her canine teeth begin to
fallout being replaced with human incisors. Ripping out of her wolf body,
Mariah the person screams to the night sky.

Her brown skin awash with goosebumps from the cold air, her
mass of brown curly hair still with an ear attached to it. Shaking her head,
the ear flies off into the woods. Stepping out of the pile of wolf flesh, she
walks over to the river to wash the blood off her body and to rinse out her
mouth.

Behind her, she hears two more sound of ripping flesh, as
Mariah turns her dark brown eyes on to her pack. Ruairì standing in his wolf
leftovers. Pale skinny body, face and hair with bright red hair. Benan, squat
with blond-brown hair, his blue eyes bright on his chubby face.

Mariah, tall and gangly standing naked in front of her two pack mates. “Wash off, we need to head back to our house, or our foster ‘parents’ will be pissed.”

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A New Story

It has been a while since I have written a blog and I don’t want to talk about writing or editing I want to have some fun. So I have decided to write a serial story, something to parallel my next book Bloody Coin.

The first thing is what is the theme going to be? Giving about 30 seconds of thought, I want it to be about shapeshifters, a new pack created from newly changed werewolves.

[image error]My Pack

I start with either a concept or a strong character, as my MC is the pack, we’ll start there. There needs to be at least three, Alpha, Beta and Gamma. Looking at how wolf packs work, you need this dynamic.

Usually, there is a female and male Alpha, this time I do a female Alpha, male Beta and (?) Gamma, I might add a few more members in the future, but I will keep it to this three. Make them foster kids, as I can pull something from my background into the story.

As it will be a coming of age theme to link the emergence of their therianthropy, I will say they are between the ages of 15 to 17, the gamma being the youngest, beta and alpha being the same age.

Ethnicity is important, but as these three have been raised in the foster program, their ethnicity would impact their stories/backgrounds but not their interactions with each other. I will have to think on this one.

The setting is the next step. I want a large town but make it a blank slate, could be in Australia or the US or England. There will be colloquialisms, but I don’t want it to be stereotypical of an area. Urban and Contemporary.

[image error]Nice Quiet Town…

Conflict is the cornerstone of stories, adaption to their new forms, dealing with a new world, other supernatural powers (Could be Vampires, Sorcerers/Magi, Demonic Bad People or DBP for short or even ghosts) or other wolf packs. So many things to draw on

[image error]Possible Bad Guys!

This Sunday I will start the story with a new addition to the story every Sunday.

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To Rant about Ranting.

It has been a while since I have had a little rant, I do like to rant but only to describe why ranting is so good for the soul. There are times that you come to a point in your life that you want to climb a mountain and scream your frustrations to the world. Unfortunately, that seems to be counterproductive in the public arena of life.

Seven years ago, I started my path on Ranting about the rant, it was very therapeutic as it allows me to write down the feeling of my I rant without the emotional attachments to the rant itself.

[image error]Defining Ranting

I have delved into the meaning of the word ‘rant’, how it was derived from ranten which originated from the Dutch word from the late 16th century or the fact there are five words in German, which mean to rant, four in Spanish and only two in French. Does this make the English language is more efficient than the Germans or does it say that our rants are just more annoying!?

Why I do like to rant about ranting without pointing out other ranters and how they choose to spend their time ranting. It’s merely that you can express words on a page without the preconceptions of actual meaning. Reasons and purpose don’t seem as crucial like facts and truth or even falsehoods and lies.

[image error]

It is good without the drama of knowing the inner thoughts of the subject that no one cares about lacking the sincere conviction of your happy place. So go out there and rant away those meaningless meanings of nothing but everything except for the lack of excitement of brilliance.

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Searching for the right voice.

Since I have been listening to audiobooks, I have been wondering how my books would be as audiobooks. From my publisher and many others think my voice would be the best, but I am no voice actor. I want someone who is professional and can bring the level of emotions and nuances to my characters and worlds.

The Brilliant Mr Marsters

I have been picturing for my book, Lake Merrin and the Great Spoon Heist, a pure voice with a bit of sarcasm hinted in his affections. If I really went out of my way, I would choose, James Marsters who did the narration for Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden Files. I think his voice would be perfect for Lone, but I am a poor indie author, that is a pipe dream.

So that brings me back to the drawing board, who to look for to capture the world of Lake Merrin. Someone who is not afraid to be witty and self-deprecating or throwing out random thoughts. Also needs to have enough range to interpret the other characters. Joan Stillwater, she needs an authoritarian voice but with friends a softness, especially talking to WayWocket.

WayWocket is another issue, his personality needs to have a range that could switch between insane genius to a sociopathic scientist. Gunnar is probably the easiest, he is gruff and sullen with sparks of respect with Joan. Also, he needs a buried hatred to half-breeds like Lone as he is racist as heck.

While my other series, FableLands has a character that is based on one of my role-playing days, James and ‘Jimy’. I don’t think I could let anyone else do his voice but the rest of the cast, wouldn’t have a clue who to cast as their voice actors.

The journey to find the right one is going to be hard, even listening to some sample clips doesn’t show me their scope. If my magical actor can handle this, then he is hired, by luck, it happens to be Mr Marsters, we are all good.

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Reinventing 2019

It is strange to think I am heading into my third year of being a published author, so many plans and thoughts on how I can move forward. This is important to me as it reflects my growth as a writer and author, the first thing to tackle is my blogs.

I have decided this year to write more blogs, but again the abundance of blogs, review sites and other mediums cause me to balk at the realisation that I am a guppy in a grand ocean.

The thing I need to concentrate on is what do I like to write about and how is it different on what I have done before. My interest is beyond the scope of just writing as I love watching a movie, tv shows and anime also have been into the last year of audiobooks. So that is what my blogs will be about my interests and how they impact my creativity.

[image error]
Movies, Netflix, Audible and Anime is my topics to start this year

Over the next few weeks, I will be talking about the Anime Winter 2019 season, what I am watching on Netflix and Stan and also movies I have watched on top of the books and my own passion projects. These won’t be straight reviews but my thoughts on the shows/movies/books and how their writing/storyline interests me. Later on, I will be expanding it to other blogs/podcasts and Youtube channels to give my own take on their subjects.

Currently, I am watching/listening:
On Audible, Lies Ripped Open: Hellequin Chronicles by Steve Mchugh
Winter 2019 Anime Season; The Rising of Shield Hero, Promised Neverland, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Sword Art Online, Hinomaru Sumo and more.
TV Shows: Punisher Season 2, Bull Season 2, Stargate SG1, Robotech, Good Place, Young Justice Season 3 and more
Movies: Glass, How to Train a Dragon 3, Aquaman, Reign of the Supermen, MCU, DCEU, DC Animated Movie Universe and more.

#WIP: Bloody Coin, Book 2 of Journal of an Adventurer; Jamila and James: Ardour, Book 1 of FableLands Fugitive; Rise of the Green and Crusade of the Orange, Book 2 and 3 of Favinonian Tales.

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Being a Good Man… In a World of Toxicity

With all the toxicity that surrounds today’s life, I have to wonder why it is so hard to be a good man. Where is the empathy for the hurt? Where is the love of the rejected? Why is apathy runs rampant in today’s society? I can’t answer this as it would rub many people the wrong way but when will enough be enough?

I just wrote something up on a series of tweets by Julius Ghost about relating to the women’s experiences today. So I responded with this.

I always have to be aware of my presence could upset women. I’ll give them distance and smile a lot so they can feel safe.

I can’t go up and offer help to accompany a lady down the street with her bags as they will assume that I could be a predator. So I always leave them to finish the walk alone.

Being a good man is hard at this day and age but in the end, it is about the woman’s wellbeing and them feeling safe, and that is what matters.

Part of the reason why I have empathy is I too was a victim of abuse, and I can see fear and apprehension in the eyes of women when I am around as I am 6’2″ with a sturdy build.

I wish the world weren’t like this, I could ignore the feelings of women, like many men with power do but I cannot! This is not right!

These people are our mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers and most of all daughters. How can many ignore the pain they are in, as it is evident in every day of their lives.

I try to be a good man, but I also tired of this toxicity of today’s society. We need to feel empathy for one and other; not just turn a blind eye on what is happening.

So I will continue being a good man… in this world of toxicity.

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Review of Parts, Pieces and Aspects of a Frozen Mouse By AJ Mouse.

One thing I love about AJ Mouse’s novels was experiencing something that you don’t think is common, but it is surprising how her books have a connection to me/my life that spans beyond what we deem as normal.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of her new book, Pieces and Aspects of a Frozen Mouse. It picks up from the first book, expanding from Alternatives to a Frozen Mouse. I love this series, and each work allows me to see in my mind’s eye of these ten beautiful people.

Again taking up the pen are Jade and Anne, but we had a bit more of an insight into the others. Peter’s survivor spirit, Ray’s dance parties, Jane’s calm and beautiful soul and Lucy’s understanding of passion and touch.

Miss Mouse gives us much warning when the rabbit-hole could be too profound for some, but I would suggest you read even with this advice to skip as you need to see and feel. Monsters are not hiding under the bed but in plain sight.

I adore this book and the series. My love of these ten people makes my heart sing. The honesty and compassion of this book brought me to tears, laughter, anger and joy.

This again has knocked another big-time fantasy author off my top ten #1 books. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to see the world behind that curtain people fear to open, that monster hides behind normality, and a mental disorder does not mean you are an odd duck.

Exceptional and insightful, 5 out of 5 stars!

You can pre-order at the links below, at her website: ajmouse.com or at Ocean Reeve Publishing: oceanreeve.com

P.S. Thank you for sharing your lives with me, Jade, Anne, Lucy, Peter, Neil, Zen, Jane, Nancy, Ray and of course Mouse.

 

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Mouse and her 9 brothers and sisters. Love you guys!

 

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