K.S. Dearsley's Blog, page 8
May 12, 2014
Oh, What Joy!
Readers might think it silly of me, but I get a ridiculous amount of pleasure from seeing that another book has been added to my list of works–and not by me either! The latest of these is Legendary, published by Jaffa Books. This is an anthology of fairytales, myths and legends given a new twist by 11 different authors, including me. I've read them all, and I feel privileged to be in such company. When I come down from the ceiling, I shall take up my pad and pencil with renewed energy!
April 27, 2014
Sing It Again
Discord's Apprentice, the second instalment of the Exiles of Ondd, raced on this week until one of the characters decided to be difficult and got herself stuck in a very tricky situation without giving any clue how to get her out. Working on the principle that if I think about something else, inspiration might strike, I've been trying to decide whether to write another series of Iyessi songs to go with each chapter of the new novel. On the whole, I think I will. After writing a long book, writing lyrics needs a different sort of discipline and is a refreshing challenge.
Here's the next Iyessi song for Discord's Child:
Once there were meadows.
Flowers fringed the stream,
The land swelled gently.
Then there were woods.
Marshes hummed with wings,
The slope stepped to the summit.
Which is best?
What once was, or what is?
Who can say?
Here's the next Iyessi song for Discord's Child:
Once there were meadows.
Flowers fringed the stream,
The land swelled gently.
Then there were woods.
Marshes hummed with wings,
The slope stepped to the summit.
Which is best?
What once was, or what is?
Who can say?
March 30, 2014
Next!
It's spring, and not only the birds feel like singing. Here's the next Iyessi song. To read the full series, originally intended for Discord's Child, or to find out more, go to http://www.ksdearsley.com where you'll also find another blog.
Sleep softly.
The reeds sigh,
The breeze cools,
The water ripples,
The sun warms,
It lights your bower
Sealing your smile with gold.
Sleep softly, you are loved.
Sleep softly.
The reeds sigh,
The breeze cools,
The water ripples,
The sun warms,
It lights your bower
Sealing your smile with gold.
Sleep softly, you are loved.
March 16, 2014
Cruelty to Characters
I suppose I must be cruel. I never realised it until I was listening to a blackbird joining in the dawn chorus this morning. However, you feel when you wake up, listening to birdsong helps to raise the spirits, at least it does for most people.
I would not wish to lose my love of music, whether it be reggae or Rameau, and yet I crippled Ro in Discord's Child with an inability to feel or appreciate music. She can't be jollied out of melancholy by a lively tune.
Before I start feeling too sorry for her, here's another Iyessi song:
And will you return, my bonny boy,
My handsome one, my darling?
Your mother loves her only son
And will not lose him lightly.
Yet you must go, so 'though she fears,
You will not see her crying.
For you must fight for Ondd and right
And have no thought of dying.
I would not wish to lose my love of music, whether it be reggae or Rameau, and yet I crippled Ro in Discord's Child with an inability to feel or appreciate music. She can't be jollied out of melancholy by a lively tune.
Before I start feeling too sorry for her, here's another Iyessi song:
And will you return, my bonny boy,
My handsome one, my darling?
Your mother loves her only son
And will not lose him lightly.
Yet you must go, so 'though she fears,
You will not see her crying.
For you must fight for Ondd and right
And have no thought of dying.
March 2, 2014
Act Fast
For one week only there are great savings to be had on Artists & Liars and Discord's Child as part of Smashwords' Read an Ebook Week. Until midnight Pacific time on 8th March 2014, there'll be a special catalogue with thousands of books from every genre, all offered at substantial discounts. To save 50 per cent on Artists & Liars go to http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/... and 25 per cent on Discord's Child go to http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/... and use the coupon code you'll find on the page.
February 24, 2014
Double Chance
Readers can now find Artists & Liars on Kindle and Discord's Child on Smashwords and vice versa. confused? Imagine what all that reformatting has done to my ability to think coherently. My Ts are dotted and my eyes are crossed!
February 12, 2014
Still Singing
My mother used to say that my father had a voice like a rusty bucket. Whenever we were on a long car journey, at some point he'd start singing the songs football supporters belt out in the stands ('I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' was a favourite), and my sister and I would beg him to stop the car and let us out. Poetic justice means that I have inherited his vocal talent. I'll leave you to imagine how this Iyessi song might sound.
There is a place in my heart that is empty.
It waits for hope to fill it.
Hope that I will be freed from chains undeserved.
How much does nothing weigh?
Tell me, how much does nothing weigh?
There is a place in my heart that is empty.
It waits for hope to fill it.
Hope that I will be freed from chains undeserved.
How much does nothing weigh?
Tell me, how much does nothing weigh?
January 26, 2014
Woof! Woof!
You can now find four of my stories at Alfie Dog Fiction (http://www.alfiedog.com) There are around 1,200 stories altogether on the site, with most of them priced at 39p, so it's worth checking it out.
'Bare Earth'–Keen gardener, Peter, has hopes of finding a girlfriend when his new neighbours move in. He is encouraged by their reaction to his floral presents and DIY help, but it is not long before he discovers a rival.
'Between Lives'–The narrator meets Greta and her young son when she is fleeing the Russians in Germany at the end of World War II. Greta is naïve, but sticking together as they try to cross the border seems the safest option.
'The Bitter Harvest'–In 1915, Jim Stokes arrives to work on the Lambourne's farm. There is little warmth in the marriage of Dolly and Frank Lambourne, and Dolly is finding it hard to cope now that their son is at the front. Inevitably, her relationship with Jim becomes more than employer and labourer.
'The Cup that Refreshes'–Elizabeth tries to avoid interrupting her composer husband, who is struggling to create his latest masterpiece, but his music gives her a headache. How long can she tolerate his selfishness before something has to give?
'Bare Earth'–Keen gardener, Peter, has hopes of finding a girlfriend when his new neighbours move in. He is encouraged by their reaction to his floral presents and DIY help, but it is not long before he discovers a rival.
'Between Lives'–The narrator meets Greta and her young son when she is fleeing the Russians in Germany at the end of World War II. Greta is naïve, but sticking together as they try to cross the border seems the safest option.
'The Bitter Harvest'–In 1915, Jim Stokes arrives to work on the Lambourne's farm. There is little warmth in the marriage of Dolly and Frank Lambourne, and Dolly is finding it hard to cope now that their son is at the front. Inevitably, her relationship with Jim becomes more than employer and labourer.
'The Cup that Refreshes'–Elizabeth tries to avoid interrupting her composer husband, who is struggling to create his latest masterpiece, but his music gives her a headache. How long can she tolerate his selfishness before something has to give?
January 19, 2014
Four Tales Resurrected
What does a writer do with stories that have already been published and/or won competition prizes but are no longer available in print? I decided to give four of mine a new lease of life by sending them to Alfie Dog Fiction (http://www.alfiedog.com). The publisher offers readers the assurance that they only accept work that meets their high standards. I'm honoured that they've agreed to take my work.
The stories are 'Bare Earth', 'Between Lives', 'The Bitter Harvest' and 'The Cup that Refreshes', and they'll go live on the site on 26th January. Visit Alfie Dog Fiction to find a full list of their individual stories, collections and books. In the meantime, you might like to try Artists & Liars at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/..., my anthology of short fiction and poetry on an art theme.
The stories are 'Bare Earth', 'Between Lives', 'The Bitter Harvest' and 'The Cup that Refreshes', and they'll go live on the site on 26th January. Visit Alfie Dog Fiction to find a full list of their individual stories, collections and books. In the meantime, you might like to try Artists & Liars at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/..., my anthology of short fiction and poetry on an art theme.
January 15, 2014
Ultra-shorts
Another week, another chapter of The Exiles of Ondd II finished. Between writing sessions I've been dipping into The Binnacle Ultra-shorts 10th edition, which includes one of my offerings, 'Oxygen'. Altogether there are 57 pieces of fiction distilled into no more than 150 words each. Thrillers, love stories, humour... every emotion and genre seems to be covered. Visit http://www.umm.maine.edu/binnacle to check it out.
