Callum McLaughlin's Blog, page 82

Share Your World

Share Your World – Week 34

I’ve never taken part in the Share Your World series before but I have often read and enjoyed other people’s responses and decided it was about time I got involved!

1. What is your favorite smell? What memory does it remind you of?

As a writer and avid reader, it may sound predictable to say that my favourite smell in the whole world is books, but it’s absolutely true. It’s like a deliciously tantalizing prelude to the wonder that’s waiting to be discovered on the pages within. It’s a hugely nostalgic smell and it definitely reminds me of my childhood.

2. Name a song or two which are included on the soundtrack to your life?

This is a tough one as music is a huge part of my life. You could ask me every day and probably get a different answer each time but for now I will say All is Full of Love by Bjӧrk. The lyrics are gorgeously simplistic in their message while the song itself (not to forget its music video) manages to be simultaneously euphoric and heart-breaking. Here’s a live performance from a few years back.

3. Do you play video/computer games? Which one(s) or most recent?

I’m not a ‘gamer’ per se but I do enjoy playing them. I grew up with the Resident Evil franchise so I’d probably pick it as my favourite.

4. Which of Snow White’s 7 dwarfs describes you best? Plus what would the 8th dwarf’s name be? (Doc, Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey)

I’d probably say Sleepy, since sleep itself so often eludes me. As for the 8th dwarf, I’d name him Hangry (when you’re so hungry you feel angry; we’ve all been there).

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful for making it to the end of the first round of edits on my WIP and am looking forward to starting to receive feedback from a beta reader. Nervous but exciting times lie ahead!

A Bitter End

Twisted shadow hands

that harness so much power,

their mission is to lead us

to that whirlpool of decay.

We can try in vain to flee,

to evade the lashing grasps

snapping at our heels,

but the outcome – it is fated.

His presence, toxic.

His touch, a poison;

snaking through this world

with cemented intentions.

As the silence closes in around us

and the lights they flicker weakly,

I swear I hear him chuckling,

another victim claimed.

Slow and Steady

My WIP is slowly coming together.

I’ve officially finished the first round of edits for False Awakening, my current WIP. A beta reader will soon start working on it and cover art has already been taken care of. It certainly feels like momentum is building and I’m on track to meet (or perhaps, dare I say it, even exceed) the general October deadline I’ve had in mind for some time. I am well aware however that there is still work to be done and celebrations will have to wait for now; anything can happen in the realms of editing and publishing.

Watching this manuscript slowly but surely become a book is hugely exciting and I can’t wait to have another story out there in the world for people to read and hopefully enjoy.

What are you currently working on? Are you happy with your progress?

Shine

When the dull ache of a barren heart

chills you to the bone

lift your eyes to gaze upon the night sky,

for even the loneliest of stars shines bright.

When the thick fog of a cloudy day

blinds you to life’s worth,

let the spectrum of light illuminate your core

and radiate all you offer.

When a cold breeze steals your breath

and stifles your brittle voice,

open your lungs and scream defiance,

a mere spark can birth a fire.

Indie Book Haul

Support Indie Authors

I live for the day when indie and traditionally published books sit side by side on bookshelves, with readers choosing stories based purely on their appeal rather than their origins. Until then, it’s no secret that gaining exposure as a self-published author is hard and I, as one myself, am always happy to help support others. In light of this, here is a brief roundup of some of the indie books I have read over the last few months or so as well as links to the authors’ blogs or websites where you can find more info and links to buy, etc.

S.R. Carrillo

– The Soul – A book about good and evil; angels and demons; light and dark. The writing style is so immersive and the interaction between the lead characters is one of the most interesting dynamics I’ve read in a long time. It’s the first in a series and I for one will be queuing up to get part 2.

Melissa Barker-Simpson

– Sins of the Father – A Royal Marine turned body guard finds himself in the glamorous entertainment world when he is assigned to protect a renowned actress. The contrast between the two worlds is handled excellently, as is the growing tension between the leads and the splashes of action, humour and mystery throughout.

– The Conduit – An intriguing story that sees characters drawn together by a strange connection even they fail to understand. The interaction and relationships are where the strength of this tale lies.

Mishka Jenkins

– Stolen Bloodline – A seemingly normal young woman is whisked away to a world of darkness inhabited by imposing vampires. She soon discovers her connection to this place is far stronger than she could ever have imagined.

– The Queen’s Jester – When the Queen is captivated by the court Jester, she must wrestle with her own feelings if she hopes to retain order in her kingdom as well as her stagnant marriage, but this Jester hides secrets that threaten them all.

Rachel Abbott

– Only the Innocent – When a woman’s husband is murdered, she must reveal dark secrets long since buried if she hopes to protect the innocent. A fascinating book that interestingly, I stumbled upon on Amazon and bought without even realising it was self-published. It turns out Abbott became a UK bestseller and a US publisher has since picked her up for distribution over there; testament to the potential of indie authors.

Melissa Holden

– From Me, With Love – A short collection of poetry dedicated to the writer’s late step-father. There are some very interesting ideas explored in these approachable, relatable poems.

T.J. Wiltshire

– Born Broken: The Mistakes that Medicine Made – A collection of connected short stories that highlight the indignity and suffering involved in prejudice. A very poignant, affecting read.

I hope to make this something of a series on my blog, where I will post updates every now and then regarding the indie books and authors I have come across. If you have any recommendations, by all means fire them my way.

Escape

An impenetrable shield of lashes,

the barrier from unwelcome truths.

Hidden eyes that sparkle with possibility,

a heart fit to burst with unspoilt dreams.

Each night a blank canvas

not hindered by the stagnant rules

of a humdrum existence.

Rise into the canopy of stars

to dive into a glistening past

and long for a blossoming future;

create, relive, escape.

Look on the Bright Side

Why not try a little optimism?

 

I’ve seen quite a few posts recently about the hardships faced by writers and whilst I firmly agree that being realistic in your expectations is paramount and that true success in the industry is rare, I think it’s also important not to get too weighed down by the negatives. Many of the world’s most well-known, loved and respected works of fiction were either rejected or were produced by writers who overcame extremely dire odds to reach such heights. For example:

The first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before publication. Its author, JK Rowling, overcame depression and near poverty to become one of the most successful writers of all time.
Gone with the Wind was rejected 38 times before eventual publication. It has since sold over 30 million copies.
Agatha Christie faced continued rejection letters for five years before securing a single deal.
Beatrix Potter was rejected so relentlessly that she decided to self-publish 250 copies of her now iconic children’s book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
William Golding was told in a rejection letter that his classic, Lord of the Flies, was “rubbish and dull”.
Maya Angelou faced an incredibly turbulent childhood and without the money to attend college, she turned to prostitution. She didn’t take writing seriously until she was almost 40 and soon became one of the most celebrated authors and poets of our time.
Life of Pi won The Man Booker Prize and spawned a very successful movie. Before all this, it was rejected by 5 publishers.
When Stephanie Meyer approached agencies with Twilight, she was turned down 14 times.
Louisa May Alcott was told in a particularly cutting rejection to give up writing and “stick to teaching”. Her book, Little Women, published over 140 years ago, has never been out of print since.
Mary Elizabeth Frye, having never written before, penned Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep on a paper bag, to try and console a friend. She only circulated it privately and never sought recognition, despite its growing popularity. She was only confirmed as the author over 60 years after its creation, with the poem now considered one of the world’s most enduring and beloved.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover was rejected by so many UK and US publishers that author D.H. Lawrence initially self-published in Italy. It was banned for 30 years before Penguin decided to release it in the UK.
Stephen King was told that books like Carrie “do not sell”.
Simon Kernick’s first two books were never picked up for publication. He’s now a best-seller.
Mary Shelley began work on Frankenstein when she was only 18 years old. Upon its initial publication her authorship was left anonymous, with her age and gender often cited as the reasoning behind the decision. She was later celebrated as a serious writer, even in her lifetime, a rarity for women of the era.

There are many more examples where these came from and while I would reiterate the importance of living in the real world and working hard, so long as you continue to write out of passion, it can’t hurt to dream. You never know, one day those dreams just may come true.

Adrift

I’m adrift in your ocean.

Desperate eyes once searched for hallowed shore

but my love is the anchor

pulling me down towards unknown depths,

and so I welcome the darkness.

Overcome me with your power and pull me in,

your waters fill my lungs

with delicious poison and condemn me to this fate.

One Lovely Community

One Lovely Blog Award

Courtesy of Susanne Leist, fellow blogger and author of The Dead Game, I was recently nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award. The name of this particular award alone shows how kind and supportive the online writing community is, so I felt compelled to take part.

The rules tell us that we should of course thank the person who nominated us, share seven ‘interesting’ facts about ourselves and then pass on the nomination to fifteen other blogs.

So, let’s get started; interesting I’m not so sure but facts I think I can manage:

–

I love animals. I have a cat, a dog and a kitten, which, as utterly adorable and loving as she is, I swear is susceptible to periods of demonic possession.
I used to play clarinet at a decent level but gave it up years ago. It wasn’t the instrument for me in the long term but I would love to get back into piano (which I also dabbled in) in the future. I have huge admiration for people who play instruments.
Along the same vein, I love music and go to see artists live when I can. The person I’ve seen most often is Paloma Faith (four times) and the person I haven’t yet seen but most want to is Bjӧrk.
I’m the youngest of three brothers. We are all very, very different.
I hate coffee. I’m definitely a tea person.
One of my favourite smells in the whole world is pages in an old book.
I currently have three overflowing bookcases in my bedroom (not to mention the boxes in the attic). I had a ‘ruthless’ clear out recently and managed to part with a grand total of about four books. Of all the problems to have, hoarding books is one I can happily live with.

There you have it. As for my nominees, if you’re reading this, I tag you! I opted for an open nomination with a previous award and it seemed to go down well. It saves me the pain of narrowing it down to just 15 of you (as there would always be more I wished I could choose) and it lets anyone take part if they so wish. Plus, I genuinely enjoy learning about fellow readers and writers. Let’s not deny the fact that it also makes my life that little bit easier ;)

Huge thanks once again to Susanne and to you for reading.

Swansong

I turn my ear to the wind’s sweet lullaby

and decipher her painful truth,

Mother Nature’s tragic swansong

played with grace on the swooping strings

of my dusty, forlorn heart.

A beauty echoed in hollow souls;

the souls of thieves ruled by shadow

swallowing Her light with unquenchable thirst.

Fading into silence.

Fading.

Fading.

…