K. Morris's Blog, page 792
January 26, 2014
10 Writers’ Displacement Activities
Reblogged from Julia Lee Author:
We ought to be writing. We want to be writing. But when we get the chance, what are we doing instead?
1. Housework
If there are household chores that need doing, we’ll do anything else, which is only logical because housework is boring, tiring, and soon enough it’ll need doing all over again.
But when we’ve got some writing time, suddenly there’s an urgent desire – no, a compulsion – to clear away the breakfast things first.
I often feel that I ought to check out other people's blogs prior to beginning to write. Then I must walk my dog and, of course there are the endless cups of coffee and tea required to sustain the writing process. Despite having a cleaner (lazy man that I am)! I still manage to find things to do around the flat to distract me from writing!
By Command Of The Lord Chancellor
“By command of the Lord Chancellor, help the homeless”. The man stands there, in the train compartment bellowing out his command. Noone responds. “Help the homeless”, again the Scottish voice booms out on this London commuter train. Once more there is no response from the passengers on the way home to their warm apartments or, like me going to meet friends for a slap up meal, with a nice bottle of red wine in my favourite Indian restaurant.
The same journey, an earlier time.
“Ladies and gentlemen. I am sorry to disturb you but me and my friends need money to buy “The Big Issue” to sell. I wouldn’t usually ask but can anyone spare some change”. The same man, with the Scottish accent asking for money. On this (earlier) occasion there is the jingling of change as one or two commuters give money.
I am not the only person who has observed this gentleman on numerous occasions as he begs for money on the train as it wends it’s way from Victoria towards Crystal Palace. Noone believes his story about needing money for “The Big Issue”, we have seen and heard him before. However a sense of compassion has, hitherto moved some of us to give but, on this latest occasion the gentleman’s threatening manner illicits no charitable outpouring.
I wonder what this man’s story is? There but for the grace of god, chance or however one cares to frame it go you or I.
January 25, 2014
Teenage Kicks
Below is an extract from a story I am working on. The story looks at what happens when a lonely and confused 14-year-old girl, pretending to be 18-years-old, places an advertisement on the internet. Will she, as she hopes “have a laugh” or will what Lizzie perceives as a bit of harmless fun end in tragedy. This is just a taster. It is not my intention to publish the whole story free online. When finished and polished it will be on Amazon. I’d be interested to hear what you think. Kevin
“Don’t kiss me darling. You’ll smudg my makeup” Monica said giving her daughter a perfunctory hug. “I’ll be back late so don’t wait up. There’s a pizza by the microwave. Don’t answer the phone or the door to anyone. You know I’ll always call you on your mobile”.
Lizzie raised her eyes heavenwards. “Yeah mum, see you later”.
“Bye darling” Monica said picking up her fake crocodile handbag, which complimented the boots, and headed for the front door.
Lizzie grunted unintelligibly and headed for the stairs, the pizza could wait.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that darling. You can speak well when you choose. You don’t need to grunt like an animal”.
Without pausing in her stride Lizzie climbed the stairs. As she reached the halfway point the sound of the closing front door could be heard. Lizzie sighed continuing to climb the uncarpeted stairs. Reaching the top she walked straight on entering her room.
Lizzie pulled out a folding dining chair and, sitting down reached for her laptop. Clunk, she turned to see a screw from the chair lying on the threadbare carpet. Lizzie bent and retrieving the screw proceeded to tighten it with a mini screwdriver she extracted from the desk drawer. She knew her handiwork wouldn’t last. The thread of the screw was so worn but it should hold for a while longer.
Lizzie reached for the switch on her laptop. As she leaned against the desk it wobbled. The desk had come from MFI a DIY shop which had closed some 25 years ago and had been given to Monica, by Lizzie’s grandparents as had the Windows 2000 laptop.
“All my friends are using at least Windows 7 but I have to use fucking 2000!” Lizzie said banging her fist on the desk which shook precariously with the impact.
Lizzie switched on the machine and as it powered up glanced listlessly at her history homework. “World War I was caused by imperial rivalries between the great powers. Discuss”. “Who gives a fuck” Lizzie said outloud. “What has what Germany, Russia and the other countries did 100 years ago got to do with me? I don’t give a shit”. With a flick of her wrist Lizzie sent her homework over the edge of the desk. The momentum carried the papers across the room where they came to rest under Lizzie’s bed. The act of clearing her desk relieved some of the pent up anger in the girl. Feeling somewhat calmer Lizzie entered her password. Once logged on she sat stirring for long minutes at the monitor. Did she really want to do this? It was dangerous, you never knew what weirdos lurked out there in cyberspace. But she didn’t have to actually meet anyone. It would be a laugh, something to giggle about with her mates. She would put an ad on the web, maybe chat to some guys, get them all excited, maybe promise to meet them but she wouldn’t actually go through with it. God they would be pissed off waiting for a girl who never actually turned up. She imagined guys sitting in restaurants, glancing at their watches until, eventually the penny dropped that the girl they had been chatting with wasn’t going to show. “Serve ‘em right, the dirty pervs” Lizzie said as she clicked on one of the many sites which offer free advertising.
“18-year-old blonde seeks no strings fun with a generous guy”, Lizzie giggled as she typed. There was an option to upload a photograph. Lizzie thought about doing so. It was unlikely that her mum or any of her teachers would see the ad but, being a cautious girl she decided against posting a picture. Possibly she would send one to blokes if they asked.
“I confirm that I am at least 18-years-of-age or older and that I have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions”. Lizzie checked the box and clicked on the create account button.
A brief moment of panic seized Lizzie. What had she done? She was 14-years-old for Christ’s sake, who knew what pervs would answer her ad. But the site provided her with a unique e-mail address ensuring that no one need know her actual e-mail unless she chose to let them know it which, of course she had no intention of doing.
Time for that pizza Lizzie thought as she switched off the laptop. She would come back later to see what saddos had responded to her add. At the bedroom door Lizzie hesitated. She turned back and sat down at her desk. Lizzie reached for the laptop’s power button. She would delete her ad. “I must have been out of my mind putting that ad on there, I’ll delete the bloody thing. Fuck it, why should I? My life is boring as fuck. Mum doesn’t give a shit about me. I was an accident she once told me. A split condom in the back of a car and she couldn’t be bothered to have an abortion. Typical selfish bitch. I didn’t ask to be born but I’m here and I’m going to have a laugh. I won’t meet the blokes but it will be something to tell the girls about”. Rising from her chair Lizzie headed decisively for the stairs.
January 24, 2014
Translation By Roy Fuller
This is a wonderfully enigmatic poem by the poet Roy Fuller, http://overconvergent.livejournal.com/29022.html
January 21, 2014
Book Review: 12 Days The Beginning By Jade Reyner
I am not usually a lover of erotica (forgive the pun)! But, having read “12 Days The Beginning”, by Jade Reyner I can highly recommend it to you. The book is far more than a work of erotic fiction (although lovers of erotica will not be disappointed)! Reyner also deals movingly with the issue of domestic violence so anyone looking merely for erotica will be disappointed (although, as I said above there is plenty of steamy writing for those who enjoy the genre).
Elise Grayson is trapped in a deeply unhappy marriage. She coasts along supported by her best friend until she meets Vaughan Granger at an office party. There is an immediate attraction there and Elise is soon drawn into a world of passion and danger.
I will be buying the sequel.
For “12 Days The Beginning” please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Twelve-Days-Beginning-Jade-Reyner-ebook/dp/B00CLFHWS0
Dogs Are Not Allowed
On the way home from work this evening I popped into my local Sainsburys with my guide dog, Trigger for a few items. On reaching the till a young boy announced, in a voice which would do credit to a sargent Major
“Dogs ar not allowed!”
The obviously embarrassed mother reprimanded her son, (I could detect the rebuke by the tone of her voice but, not being able to understand French I was at a loss to know what, exactly she said). At the time I just smiled. However, in retrospect I ought to have said something along the following lines
“Pet dogs are not allowed in supermarkets, however, my dog is a working guide dog who helps me to find my way around. Because of his special training he is allowed into shops, restaurants and other places which pet dogs are not allowed to enter. All guide dogs will have on a special white harness so you will know (if you see the harness) that the dog is a working guide dog”.
Obviously I would have phrased the above in a manner easily understood by a young child and my words would have been accompanied by a smile so as not to intimidate the little boy. As I said above I don’t know what the mother said to her son but her words where brief and sharp which leads me to believe that the child was admonished for his statement rather than having the role of working guide dogs clearly explained to him, It is only through patient explanation that children learn and shouting at youngsters is not the way forward. Education is, as with so many other issues the answer.
For my Amazon Author Page please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/K.-Morris/e/B00CEECWHY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
January 19, 2014
Enjo Kosai
I am in the midst of researching my next story which will explore the world of Enjo Kosai (compensated dating). In Enjo Kosai, which originated in Japan but has spread to other countries including Hong Kong, South Korea and the USA, men pay ladies for companionship. The practice is highly contentious as many of the girls who participate in Enjo Kosai are underage and (if sexual activity takes place) the adult partner is guilty of child rape or molestation. Controversy also exists regarding to what extent the practice of compensated dating entails sex. It can, in some instances entail ladies accompanying men to caroke bars, having a meal etc, while other instances do involve sex.
Enjo Kosai is viewed by some as arising from the desire of girls and women to participate in consumer society. In return for company and/or sex participants are furnished with money or gifts which are considered desirable by the recipients. Others point to poor parenting and an abusive childhood as the key factors leading ladies to embrace Enjo Kosai.
This is a fascinating subject so watch this space. For an overview of the practice of Enjo Kosai please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enjo_k%C5%8Dsai
January 18, 2014
Update to About Page
I have updated my About page to include the link to my latest collection of short stories, Street Walker and other stories. I have also corrected the link to my Amazon author page. For my About page, please visit: http://newauthoronline.com/about/
Announcement
I have decided to spend more time on my writing which means that blog posts will be less frequent, 2-3 a week, sometimes more and, on occasions less. In addition to my blogging and writing I have a full time job. Balancing the competing demands of work, blogging, writing (not to mention friends)! Isn’t always easy, hence my decision to blog less frequently. I won’t be disappearing so don’t open the champagne just yet! I will continue to lurk in the depths of the web popping up from time to time with blog posts and comments!
I very much appreciate all my followers so rest assured I won’t be vanishing into the deep blue yonder!
Kevin
