K. Morris's Blog, page 805

Testing!

Just testing that I am now able to post independently again!

Update to my About page

I have finally got around to updating my About page! You can find the updated page here: http://newauthoronline.com/about/

 

I am posting this with the help of a sighted friend as I am still having problems posting this independently.

Problems posting

I am experiencing problems in creating new posts. The problem appears to stem from some incompatibility between the screen reading software which I use (Jaws which converts text into speech and Braille enabling me to read my computer’s screen) and the WordPress interface. Everything appeared to be fine until yesterday then, suddenly I can not create new posts. I have raised this issue on the WordPress Forums (http://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/problems-accessing-dashboard-with-screen-reading-software-jaws?replies=1#post-1509979) and, with a bit of luck the problem should be resolved soon.

The above is being posted with the help of a sighted friend.  

Living in a Virtual World

Sometimes I feel as though I am living in a virtual world. All of my books are available solely in e-book format (there is nothing concrete which my readers can grasp hold of not counting their reading devices of course)!

Other than close friends, family and a smattering of acquaintences who I actually (shock horror talk to face-to-face) all of the communication regarding my writing takes place in the virtual realm (either on this blog, Twitter and, occasionally via Facebook).

Blogging is wonderful and I enjoy communicating online with readers and, of course reading other people’s blogs. However I yearn for something concrete which I, and others can reach out and touch. With this in mind I am considering having business cards produced with the address of this blog together with my contact details printed on them. It will be nice to have something solid to hand out to people as their eyes glaze over while I regail them with information about my books! Seriously the internet is great but there is no substitute for actually talking to people face-to-face about your writing and that business card is, at the very least a useful object for the kids to crayon on if nothing else!

For my Amazon authors page please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/K.-Morris/e/B00CEECWHY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

The Importance Of Research

The ability to express what resides in one’s head in a manner which grabs and maintains the interest of the reader is, in my opinion what makes a good author. Many people have interesting things to say but most of those never go on to write anything or, if they do their work remains unpublished.

As pointed out above it is the capacity of the writer to express himself in an interesting manner which makes a good teller of tales. However in many instances the good author is also marked out by his ability to conduct high quality research thereby rendering his books believable.

I set my long short story, Samantha, in the city of my birth, Liverpool, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samantha-K-Morris-ebook/dp/B00BL3CNHI. Despite my familiarity with Liverpool it was still imperative that I conducted thorough research. For example part of the action is set in a Whetherspoon pub in the city centre. I have visited the place on several occasions but not being able to recall the name of the pub or it’s location I visited JD Whetherspoon’s website to ensure that my portrayal of the place was accurate.

During the course of Samantha Sam is subjected to a rape. In order to ensure her compliance Sam’s drink is spiked with a date rape drug. Knowing nothing about such drugs I spent some considerable time on medical sites and forums (the latter warnn women about the dangers of date rape), in order to ensure that my description of how Sam was drugged and the effects of the drug where accurate.

While research is vital it can be the lazy person’s excuse for failing to express themselves with originality and flair. I recollect downloading a book from Amazon which purported to be an examination of a particular subject. Having downloaded it I found that the work consisted almost entirely of citations from Wikipedia. As you can imagine I was far from impressed and returned the title to Amazon for a full refund! Anyone can quote chunks from Wikipedia, it is the ability to use source material with discrimination which separates the effective researcher/writer from the lazy so and so who just wants to make a quick buck or book!

For my Amazon authors page please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/K.-Morris/e/B00CEECWHY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

The Hitch Hiker

God she’s beautiful. Her long dark hair blowing in the summer breeze and those legs! Slim bare legs slightly brown from the sun. What wouldn’t I give to feel that perfect young body pressed against mine. I don’t usually pick up hitch hikers, you need to be so careful, but she is a woman and a stunner at that. What can be the harm in picking her up?

“Hi can I give you a lift?” I say pulling up beside her.

“Oh thanks I’m trying to get to Liverpool. Are you going that way?”

“As it happens I am. I work in Chester and commute from Liverpool every day. I’ve finished work for today and am on my way home. Jump in” I say opening the car door.

“It sounds corney but you really are my knight in shining armour. I just had one hell of a row with my boyfriend and the bastard drove off leaving me at the side of the road. I’ve tried calling him but he’s not answering his phone. Heaven only knows what I would have done if you haden’t stopped for me”.

“How dare he behave like that! It makes me so angry leaving a young woman on the roadside. You need to be so careful who you trust these days. There are so many weirdos about. You hear horror stories about young girls getting into stranger’s cars and, later their body is discovered at the bottom of a lake or buried on waste ground. It’s a good thing for you that I’m a family man, in fact my daughter is probably around your age. You look about 18-years-old. Am I right?”

“Yeah you win the prize! I turned 18 at the beginning of the month” she says with a smile.

“Actually my daughter, Lisa will be 19 on the 21st so she’s almost a year older than you. I’m surprised that you didn’t call your parents to come and pick you up. Lisa always calls me if she needs help. There are so many perverts around. I worry about her constantly. Did you hear about that bloke in Liverpool city centre, the one who offered children sweets in return for touching him? Its disgusting, society is going to the dogs. Paedophiles and perverts are everywhere” I say my eyes fixed on those pert little breasts.

“Oh I’m a big girl. I can look after myself” she replies her hand absently massaging her right leg. Round and round her fingers go. Keep your eyes on the road man, you don’t want to have a bloody accident!

“I’m tom by the way”.

“I’m Laura. Nice to meet you Tom” she says with a bewitching smile.

“So, Tom you like young girls then?” I open my mouth to protest but she raises her hand to silence me. “I don’t mean anything illegal. I mean girls in their late teens, not little school girls. I’ve seen the way you’ve been ogling me. Come on we are both adults. You have nothing to be ashamed of”.

My mouth feels like sand paper. I moisten my lips. My voice, when I speak is hoarse with desire.

“Yes, god help me I have a thing for girls in their teens”. My face feels as though it is on fire.

“Well, Tom I have a thing for older men. My boyfriend is 48. Boys of my own age are just that, boys. They have nothing to recommend them. Give me a strong older man any day, someone who knows how to please a girl and can finish what he has started”.

I can feel the warmth of her leg as it presses against mine. I must have died and gone to heaven.

“Turn off here” she says pointing to a rutted track leading to a farmer’s field.

I turn down the track and stop the car close to the hedge which fences in the field.

“Get into the back” she says her face flushed with excitement. My hands are shaking but I manage, somehow to unfasten my seat belt and follow her around to the back seat. I open the door and get in closely followed by Laura. I pull at her clothes.

“Wait a mo” she says.

“What for? I need you now” I say pushing my hand up her skirt. Christ her skin feels so good. I’m going to explode in a minute.

“Condom” she says opening her bag. “Close your eyes” she says her hand still in the bag.

“Why?”

“It’s a surprise” she says her hand rubbing my penis through my trousers.

I close my eyes. I scream in agony. I’ve never felt pain like this before. I open my eyes and see the handle of the kitchen knife sticking out of my stomach.

“You mad fucking bitch. What have you done? Christ, Christ” I say reaching to remove the knife.

“No you don’t” she  says pushing the blade in further. I scream, the blood soaks my clothes turning the white shirt red.

“You won’t hurt me any more daddy. Its over. No more games with your little girl. Goodbye daddy” she says twisting the knife in my gut. I feel something break inside and throw up. I look into those eyes and see only emptiness, a vast void. I’m drowning in my own blood. I feel so tired so very tired.

“Goodbye daddy you can’t harm the little girls anymore. Yes I know that it wasn’t just me who you fucked. I know about Maria next door and what you did to my cousin when she came to stay with us for the weekend. I’m doing this for all the children, not just for me”.

“I’m not your daddy I gasp out. Night is falling for me, the black night of death.

“Don’t deny it daddy. You and I both know what you did. I’m going to finish it now. Its over, no more little girls will suffer” she says pushing down with all her strength on the knife. Lights out, great waves of nothingness wash over me.

 

—

 

I am on the way to pick up my wife from work. I don’t usually stop for hitch hikers but a young girl is so vunnerable. I stop. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to her due to me not having picked her up.

“Can I help you?”

“Thanks so much. I’ve had an argument with my boyfriend and he left me here”.

“I’m so sorry to hear that. Get in and I’ll take you where you need to go”.

 

The end

New Tool For Authors To Promote Their Work

amazon.co.uk and amazon.com have introduced a new discount tool which allows authors to discount the price of their book. The tool is different from the KDP Select Promotions Manager which enables authors to offer their e-books free of charge for up to 5 days in any 90 day period. For further information please see below which has been taken from an e-mail I received from Amazon.

 

“We are excited to introduce our newest KDP Select benefit – Kindle Countdown Deals. This is a new book promotion tool that lets you provide readers with

time-bound promotional discounts for your Kindle books, available on Amazon.com and

Amazon.co.uk.

 

Here are some of the benefits of Kindle Countdown Deals:

 

list of 5 items

• Set time-bound promotions – You control how long your book is discounted. The time remaining for your promotion will be visible for customers to help

generate excitement for the price discount.

• Customers get a great deal – Your customers will see the great deal they’re getting with the regular price included on the book’s detail page, right beside

the promotional price.

• Retain a 70% royalty rate – You will earn royalties based on your regular royalty rate and the promotional price. As a result, if you are using the 70%

royalty option, you’ll earn 70% even if the price is below $2.99.

• Increase discoverability – Customers can easily browse live Kindle Countdown Deals at

http://www.amazon.com/kindlecountdowndeals

– a great way for you and your books to get discovered.

• Monitor performance in real-time – A new KDP report displays sales and royalties at each price discount side-by-side with pre-promotion performance, so

you can compare results.”

 

 

For detailed information on the workings of Kindle CountDown Deals please visit the below link https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=201298260&ref_=pe_445910_34749920

“To want to abolish prostitution seems to me as dumb as wanting to abolish rain.”

Today’s Daily Telegraph carries an article entitled “343 French Sign Don’t Touch My Whore Petition”. The petition was prompted by a proposal, due to be debated by the French parliament which, if passed would impose heavy fines on those who pay for sex. Opposition to the proposal is summed up by one signatory of the petition who said

“To want to abolish prostitution seems to me as dumb as wanting to abolish rain.”

French feminists are strong supporters of the proposal to criminalise those who pay for sex and have expressed their outrage at the petition. According to some (but not all feminists) prostitution always constitutes the exploitation of women by men. Men have no right to “purchase” ladies and those who do so ought to be criminalised in order to deter others from exploiting women. This perspective underpins the Swedish Law on Prostitution which imposes a fine and/or imprisonment on those who pay for sex in Sweden. Sex workers are not criminalised on the basis that they are the exploited party and one assumes that proponents of the French legislation wish to criminalise clients rather than sex workers.

Opponents of the Swedish legislation and similar laws contend that consenting adults ought not to be criminalised merely because two or more adults decide to enter into a voluntary arrangement for the provision of sexual services. Prostitution is, according to this view a free choice for many adults who enter into the profession. It may not constitute most women’s first choice of career. It is for all that a choice freely entered into by the majority of adults engaged in the sex industry. Proponents of this view argue that the state should concentrate it’s resources on tackling forced prostitution rather than interfering in the lives of consenting adults.

To supporters of the criminalisation of those who pay for sex there is no such thing as choice in prostitution. People enter prostitution out of desperation (frequently after having suffered sexual abuse as children). Consequently those who pay for sex are perpetuating that abuse and should be fined or imprisoned for exploiting vunnerable individuals.

In my story, The First Time we meet Becky, a young graduate who enters the world of prostitution as a professional escort in order to clear her debts and avoid the threat of homelessness. There is no brutal pimp compelling Becky to enter prostitution so on one level it can be argued that she becomes a sex worker of her own free will. On the other hand the fear of losing the roof over her head acts as a powerful incentive for Becky to become a prostitute so although she is not subject to physical or verbal compulsion Becky is, it might be argued compelled by the dire financial situation in which she finds herself to enter the sex industry. She is, in effect left with Hobsons Choice which is, in reality no choice at all. Against this it can be contended that many people faced with severe financial difficulties do not go down the route taken by Becky. Therefore Becky does, in the final analysis still make a choice, she is not a mere victim of economic circumstance. For the Telegraph’s article please visit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/10415267/343-French-sign-Dont-Touch-My-Whore-petition.html. For my Amazon author page please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/K.-Morris/e/B00CEECWHY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

 

“To want to abolish prostitution seems to me as dumb as wanting to abolish rain.”

Publishing Is Easy

Reblogged from David Gaughran:

There are three primary tasks a writer must undertake to get her work into the hands of readers: writing, publishing, and marketing.

Out of those three, I respectfully submit, publishing is by far the easiest.

Writing

Writing a book is hard, and writing a good book is even harder - at least from the perspective of the inexperienced writer. Most people who think about writing a book never start one.

Read more… 924 more words

A great post. I agree that marketing is the hardest part. I've found that Amazon's KDP Select is one of the best ways to market my books. In return for making your title exclusive to Amazon they will allow you to promote it free of charge for up to 5 days in any 90 day period. I would also echo David's warning regarding paying large sums to companies which offer to publish your book for you. I spent almost £600 with a self publishing company when my first collection of short stories, The First Time was published. I would have been better self publishing myself (the path I have followed with my subsequent books).

Windy Nights

This morning I awoke at around 4 to hear the wild wind rattling my casements. The sound reminded me of Lockwood, in Wuthering Heights and the terrible evening he spent in the haunted chamber. There was no Kathy moaning that she had been walking the earth these twenty years but the sound of the wind as it shook my windows was as though some unearthly presence was seeking admittance to my dwelling. The gusts blocked out all other sounds, only an untamed beast clawing at my casements could I hear.

When I left my flat at a little after 7:30 the wind had dropped significantly. My guide dog, Trigger paused uncertain as to how he ought to navigate around the odd fallen branch and pile of leaves, however there was no sign in or around Crystal Palace of the devastation which certain casandras predicted.

I reached my local station only to find that there where no trains until at least 10. I called my boss who advised that I return home and take a days leave so here I sit at my desk blogging! I have no idea why the trains where not running. I guess that leaves on the line or, more likely fallen trees where to blame. The walk to the station was a pleasant one so I don’t feel that I wasted the morning.