K. Morris's Blog, page 842
January 10, 2013
Quacking ducks and poetry reciting robot women!
What is it to be human? Surely one of the many and highly complex capacities which converge to form the human animal is our ability to create and appreciate art whether in the form of painting or literature. My dog has many admirable qualities but I’ve never seen him take down a book from my shelves and lose himself in it. No the ability to derive pleasure from literature and other high art is confined to we humans, or is it? Some proponents of artificial intelligence (the theory that we can create machines which equal or perhaps surpass us in intellectual capacities) contend that robots and computers will, one day possess the capability to understand and create high culture. Indeed the inventor and technological guru, Ray Kurzweil argues that machines will be able to create and comprehend art in precisely the same manner as we humans do. In the same way in which we can be moved to tears by a profound poem or other expression of artistic prowess so, in years to come will our artificial creations be moved to tears by the self-same cultural expressions.
In “Hemlock”, the final story in my collection of short stories, “The First Time” we are introduced to Becky, a robot who recites Keat’s Ode to a Nightingale with passion. She truly feels the beauty and sadness of Keat’s magnificent poem or does she? Perhaps Becky’s apparently genuine responses to Ode to a Nightingale are mere tricks stemming from clever computer programming. Becky is according to this perspective a mere shell with no thoughts and emotions of her own, she is in the true sense of the word a robot. However others would contend that we are all products of our genetic programming. Becky’s responses are therefore no more or less genuine than those of any other “programmed” creation whether of the biological or the non-biological variety. “If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck then it is a duck”, or is it? I will leave you, my readers to decide.
(For “Hemlock” and the other stories in “The First Time” by Kevin Morris please visit http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Time-ebook/dp/B00AIK0DD6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357854695&sr=8-1&keywords=the+first+time+kevin+morris. For John Keat’s Ode to a Nightingale please visit http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173744
January 9, 2013
Decline in print book sales slows in 2012
A piece in today’s Guardian (9 January) observes that the decline in print book sales slowed in 2012. While ebooks and ebook readers proliferate the love of traditional books dies hard.
The article points to the huge discounts offered by ebook retailers such as Sony and Amazon in order to enhance ebook sales. For example some best selling authors have had their ebooks sold for as little as £0.20. The two authors interviewed by The Guardian admit to having mixed feelings concerning the discounting of their work. On the one hand they welcome the increased exposure which discounting provides (more people buy their work) while, on the other hand the writers feel that such discounting devalues books as it fails to take into account the great effort in terms of time and money expended in producing works of literature.
For this interesting article please visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jan/09/printed-book-sales-2012
January 8, 2013
Samantha and the city of Liverpool (1)
My novel in progress, Samantha tells the story of a young girl forced into prostitution by her brutal pimp Barry and is set against the backdrop of Liverpool. The city of Liverpool has a special place in my affections as I was born and spent my formative years there.
Many of the places mentioned in Samantha exist which does, I believe lend authenticity to the story. Sam’s first proper date with Peter, the man with whom she is falling in love begins in the Walled Garden a tranquil spot situated in Woolton Woods. The woods are located in the village of Woolton (Woolton forms one of Liverpool’s suburbs). It is autumn and the peace and tranquillity of the autumnal woods contrast sharply with Sam’s tortured mental state. She finds solace in the beauties of the Walled Garden and in the company of Peter, she is, however acutely conscious of her life as a prostitute which Sam conceals from Peter.
The lovely woods and garden seem worlds away from Sam’s encounter during the early hours of Saturday morning with Nick a man whom she is forced to have sex with by Barry. Beauty and ugliness exist side by side but while Peter can see only the beauties of the autum woods and his girlfriend, Sam, on the other hand knows only to well that corruption and beauty can exist (often unperceived) side by side.
For my online novel, Samantha please visit http://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/samantha-part-10/. Part 10 links back to previous chapters.
For information on Woolton Woods and the Walled Garden please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woolton_Woods_and_Camphill.
January 7, 2013
The First Time by Kevin Morris availible free from 7-14 January
I am giving away free copies of my ebook, The First Time, by Kevin Morris. The giveaway ends at midnight (UK time) on Monday 14 January 2013. In order to obtain your free copy of The First Time please send an e-mail to drewdog 2060 @ Tiscali.co.uk (the address is rendered in this manner in order to try and defeat spammers).
In this collection of short stories I examine what causes young women to enter prostitution. In The First Time, the first story in this collection we meet Becky, a young graduate who becomes an escort in order to clear her debts. Other stories look at what happens when machines attain human-level intelligence.
Anyone for Facebook!
I have never been a huge fan of Facebook. As a blind writer I use Jaws software which converts text into speech and braille allowing me to read my computer’s screen or, more accurately have the content relaid to me via voice and braille. Facebook is difficult for blind access technology users to navigate their way around, however it is, potentially a good means of promoting my book. Consequently I signed up for an author’s Facebook page (facebook.com/newauthoronline). A sighted friend assisted me in setting it up and with her assistance the first couple of posts where posted. However I am now finding that posts intended for my author’s Facebook account are ending up on my personal Facebook page! I’ve wasted several hours attempting to ascertain what is going awry but without success! My right arm is sore from me shaking it at my hapless computer, however I’ve now attained a state of mild amusement and am sitting here smiling. In the great scheme of things my inability to figure out Facebook comes far down the list of the world’s problems. I’m off out now for a nice cooling pint or two! I’ll return to the problem bright eyed and bushy tailed later.
(For my book, The First Time, by Kevin Morris please visit the Kindle Store on Amazon.com or amazon.co.uk).
January 6, 2013
My author’s Facebook page
I have today set-up an author’s page on Facebook which can be accessed here https://www.facebook.com/newauthoronline. Please do feel free to visit and comment.
The First Time by Kevin Morris now availible in German
I don’t speak German however for those of you who do I am pleased to announce that my book, The First Time, by Kevin Morris is available in German (please see http://www.amazon.de/The-First-Time-ebook/dp/B00AIK0DD6).
In the first story in this collection, 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. The story examines the effects of Becky’s decision on her and her fellow escort and friend Julie. In other stories I explore what happens when machines attain human-level intelligence.
To purchase a copy of the First Time please visit the above link.
January 5, 2013
Samantha Part 10
Below is part 10 of my story Samantha. For part 9 which links back to previous chapters please visit http://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/samantha-part-9/
Sam glanced at the bedside clock. It’s luminous dile indicated that it had just gone midnight. She couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t the sound of Peter’s gentle snoring which made her wakeful, it was the myriad thoughts chasing one another around her whirling brain. Sam held Peter close her head pressed against his chest, trying to block out the recollections which came crowding in on her.
—
It was a Friday evening and the student bar was packed. A group of 4 students seated on the table next to Sam’s where engaged in an earnest political discussion. Sam listened half heartedly attempting to push her concerns about daddy’s health to the back of her mind. “The Soviet Union was never truly Communist. You can’t say that because Stalin murdered millions that Marxism inevitably leads to tyranny”. “Come off it, everywhere that Communism has been tried tyranny and famine have been the result. There is something fundamentally wrong with the theory, its not just the practice”. Normally Sam would have waided into the debate, she loved a good discussion and had won a number of debates as a member of Cheltenham Ladies College’s Debating Society, however thinking of her father’s near fatal heart attack all this politicking seemed supremely unimportant. Sam’s eyes pricked. She hastily reached into her handbag to retrieve a packet of tissues. She blew her nose and dabbed at her eyes with a cleanex.
“Are you OK?” Sam looked up to see a man with black hair and dark eyes staring at her. He was, Sam guessed in his early twenties and was rather handsome in his neatly pressed blue jeans and crisp white shirt. “I’m Barry. You look upset. Can I do anything to help?” “I’m fine thanks. Well actually I’m not, my dad’s just had open heart surgery. He had to have it as an emergency procedure as he’s had several heart attacks and the doctors said he’d die if the hospital didn’t operate urgently”. Sam didn’t know why she confided in this stranger but she felt an overwhelming need to unburden herself, to talk to someone, anyone about the pain inside. “I’m very sorry to hear that” Barry said taking a seat next to Sam, “Do you know that you are gorgeous even with those puffy eyes?” Sam smiled weakly “Thanks. I haven’t seen you around before, what are you studying?” Barry lowered his voice and winked conspiratorially “Don’t tell anyone but I’m not a student, I sneaked in to have a cheap drink! I was just about to get myself another pint when I saw you, can I get you anything?” Sam hesitated fractionally before replying but Barry’s open face disarmed any suspicions which she might otherwise have entertained, “Thanks I’ll have a rum and coke please”. “OK its very crowded at the bar but I’ll be back as quickly as I can”. Barry walked across to join the queue at the bar leaving Sam to her thoughts. Sam was so deep in thought that she failed to notice Barry’s return until he touched her lightly on her shoulder, “Your rum and coke” Barry said with a smile. “Thanks” Sam said taking a gulp of the dark liquid. “So do you come here often?” Barry asked. “Come on that’s a really corney chat up line” Sam said smiling despite herself. “It is but it’s the best I can manage!” Barry said. Sam took another sip of her drink. She felt suddenly dizzy. Surely she haden’t drunk that much? This was only her second drink, she couldn’t be drunk. Sam attempted to stand and had to grip hold of the table to stop herself from collapsing on the floor. “Are you OK? You don’t look well”. I feel dizzy and my vision is blurry” Sam replied hastily reseating herself. “Do you live on campus?” “No I’ve got a flat near to Hunts Cross station, just above the post office”. “I’ll call you a taxi” Barry said reaching for his mobile. “You don’t need to, I’ll be fine”. “You don’t look fine, I’m ordering you a cab and I’ll come with you to make sure that you get home OK”. Sam was to tired and confused to argue.
Several minutes passed during which Sam must have dozed before she felt Barry shaking her awake. “The taxi’s outside” he said supporting Sam as she rose shakily to her feet.
—
Sam awoke feeling like death warmed up. She lay in the unfamiliar bed trying to recall the events of the previous evening. However her mind was a complete blank. Feeling an overriding urge to urinate. Sam got out of bed holding onto the headboard for support until the room ceased spinning. Once Sam’s vision had cleared and the room had stopped girating she looked around for her clothes. They lay in a heap on the floor next to the bed. “I don’t remember undressing” Sam thought a feeling of growing unease rising in her. She put on her jeans,
pulled a t-shirt over her head, and opening the bedroom door went in search of the bathroom.
The bathroom was directly opposite to the room in which Sam had past the night. She entered, locked the door and gratefully relieved herself. A clean bath sheet hung on a towel rail affixed to a radiator. Laying the towel next to the shower cubicle in order that she could step out onto it once she had finished her shower Sam entered the cubicle, turned on the taps and soaped herself thoroughly with the Imperial Leather shower gel which stood on a rack attached to the wall. Stepping out of the shower Sam towelled herself dry, dressed and feeling a little more human exited the bathroom.
A steep flight of uncarpeted stairs lead down to a hall. Holding on to the banister for support (Sam still felt rather odd) she descended the stairs. “Hello, come in here I’ve got something very interesting to show you”. The voice came from the living room which was situated to the left of the staircase. Sam entered to see Barry fiddling with a laptop. “I’m not that technical Sam, ah there we go” Barry said turning the screen so that it was directly facing Sam. Sam could feel the bile rising in her stomach. There displayed in full colour lay Sam completely naked with a man’s penis in her mouth while another man penetrated her from behind doggy style. “You raped me. Oh my god” Sam wailed rocking backwards and forwards. “Prove it. I heard you up in the bathroom. The stuff I used, GHB leaves the body very quickly. You have peaed and showered, there won’t be anything to show the police not that you will be going to them anyway”. “Bastard” Sam said her nails reaching for Barry’s eyes. Barry’s right hand caught Sam a crushing blow across the face the ring he wore on his right index finger drawing blood. “Don’t you ever try anything like that again you little whore! Sit down” he said pushing sam down roughly into a straight backed wooden chair. “You go to the police and I’ll send those photos straight to daddy. I’m sure he’d be very surprised to see what his little girl does for kicks. Oh I almost forgot, daddy’s got a dodgy heart hasn’t he. Wouldn’t it be tragic if those pictures killed him. You don’t want that do you Sam? Of course you don’t. Tell you what I’ll do a deal. You see a friend of mine, keep him company for the evening and I won’t send those pics to daddy. If you are stupid enough to go to the cops I’ll say that you consented and Daddy will get a nice set of glossy prints of his little girl in the mail”. “You arsehole! Don’t try to stop me leaving or I’ll scream”. “You can go Sam but if you aren’t at my friend’s place at 8 tonight those photos go in the post. Here is the address” he said handing Sam a dirty piece of paper with an almost illegible address scrawled in pencil on it.
That evening Sam had gone to see Barry’s “friend”. She knew that he would expect sex and Sam provided it feeling numb throughout the encounter. Afterwards she had begged Barry to destroy the photographs. “My friend really liked you Sam. We are onto a good little earner you and I. I won’t be binning those pics just yet”. So had begun Sam’s career, if one could call it that as a prostitute.
My goodreads blog
I have just published my first blog post on goodreads.com. For the post and to follow my blog please visit http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6879063.Kevin_Morris/blog
Introducing myself!
In December 2012 I published my second collection of short stories, The First Time. The stories explore why young women enter the world of prostitution while other stories look at what happens when the worlds of sex and technology collide.
In “The First Time”, the first story in this collection, we meet Becky a young graduate who enters the world of prostitution in order to clear her debts. The story looks at the effects of prostitution on Becky and her fellow escort and friend Julie. In “The Pain Behind the Smile” Issie presents her friend, Peter with a birthday cake, however things are not what they seem.
In “Lucy” the acquaintances of a crusty old bachelor speculate how he could attract and retain the affections of a beautiful young woman. As with “The Pain Behind the Smile” things are far from what they seem.
“Hemlock” explores what happens when machines attain the capacity to appreciate high culture. The story is both humorous and deeply serious. For The First Time please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-First-Tim.... For my blog please go to newauthoronline.wordpress.com.
Over the coming weeks I will add to this blog. Bye for now!
