July 2013 | Vol. 1 Issue 2 WriteMag.net
Interview With Roberta Goodman
Inspiration Versus Discipline By Kimberley Finn
Interview With Kimberley Finn By Carmen Knight
Poetry Corner Short Stories The Artists & The Artwork
iContent
4 6 8 12 14 16 19
Book Spotlight The Atomic Circus by K.C. Finn Counterclockwise by K.C. Finn
Featured Article Inspiration Versus Discipline By K.C. Finn
Short Story Spotlight Short Story Written by Stephanie Harris
Author Interview Interview with Roberta Goodman By Carmen Knight
Poetry Corner Tate by Jared A. Carnie Capital by Jared A. Carnie Loyalty by Jared A. Carnie
Author Interview
Interview With Kimberley Finn By Carmen Knight
Artwork Showcase
Artwork by Savannah Riddle Alice and Hatter by Askya Pizzuto Frozen Lily By Blue Aqua by Askya Pizzuto
Till It Rises by Alison Breskin Dog Eat Dog by Kimber ley Finn Poetry by Nathan Bowman
iCredits & Meet The Team Meet The Staff Carmen Knight—CEO/Editor
Creator and Head Editor of Write Mag. Read more about Carmen on our About page.
K.C. Finn—Writer
Author of The Atomic Circus and Counterclockwise and new Column: Qouth The Raven.
Contributors Alison Breskin Askya Pizzuto Jared A. Carnie K.C. Finn Nathan Bowman Savannah Riddle Stephanie Harris
We are now accepting new Applications for joining the Write Mag Team. If you would like to join us, apply online on our new online form at WriteMag.net. Come join the Team!
From the Editor Dear Readers, Writers and Artists, We strive to help, inspire and promote our writers and artist. We encourage readers to create outside the box and expand the mind by exploring new ideas. Everyday there are new and creative ways for writing, poetry and art, we challenge you to inspire and get the creative juices flowing. As a Creator and Editor of Write Mag, I look forward to helping and collaborating with other writers and artists in creating an amazing magazine. Join us on our website and participate in our forums/groups. Sincerely, Carmen K.
Book Spotlight
Book Spotlight
Check out the latest and newly released book from indie authors worldwide.
The Atomic Circus By K.C. Finn A story is never a good story unless it starts with a murder. The more unusual the murder, the better the story, generally speaking. Meet Caecilius (KAI-KILL-EE-USS) Rex, a young detective in the not-too-distant future, a smog-filled post apocalyptic world riddled with crime and conspiracy. When a new case quite literally falls at Rex's feet, he teams up with his neighbour and associate Kendra Nai, an ex-army sergeant recently dismissed, to investigate. Little do they know that the events of The Atomic Circus will be the first step to solving the case of a lifetime. To buy this book, find it on Amazon.com. Join us to for more info at writemag.net.
Counter Clockwise By K.C. Finn Following the events of The Atomic Circus, Detective Caecilius Rex returns with a whole new mystery to solve. A series of stranglings spark a new intrigue for the young detective that is fraught with danger, along with an unlikely alliance and a startling discovery that will turn Rex’s world upside down. Continue the mysterious journey with the second volume in the Caecilius Rex saga. Amazon | WriteMag.net
Showcase you Book With Us Today! If you would like to add your book to the Book Spotlight, Send the following information to info@writemag.net
Book Title Author’s Name Book Blurb Links to Purchase Books
Your Book will be showcased on our next Issue!! Writemag.net | 4 | Write Mag
Classifieds
Submit a Art Article
Submissions Now Open!
We are now expanding the art section and letting our artist submit articles. Your Articles will be fully accredited and promoted in all social networks.
Articles we are looking for: Photography Painting Techniques
You can find an issue in several sites like magcloud, joomag, issuu and on writemag.net
Write Mag Email: submissions@writemag.net
Send in your article and inspire others. Join us at writemag.net.
Writemag.net | 5 | Write Mag
Featured Article
Inspiration Versus Discipline ly actually spending an hour or two each week actually practising my craft.
Now you may have your own style as a writer, and perhaps only writing when you’re ‘in the mood’ for it really does produce your best work, and perhaps you do get By K.C. Finn
novels and stories completed in that way. If so, then I applaud you, dear friend, for you are a rare breed. In my
There is a time-old question among writers: is it better to
experience in teaching other writers, the single most vital
write every day, or only when you feel like it? Does a
thing I have learned is that ‘lack of inspiration’ is the big-
burst of inspiration really produce the greatest work, or is
gest excuse that writers make for not producing any work
a steadfast, disciplined approach the sure-fire way to pen
at all, and that a prolonged period of feeling like this will
that bestseller that’s dying to pour out of your brain?
inevitably lead to the dreaded writer’s block. I myself have fallen into this trap too many a time over the years.
As a teacher of creative writing, I have often encouraged
But no more.
my students to always be writing, to pen notes, words and phrases as often as possible, every day if they can.
I have become the very thing I once despised the most:
But I have to admit I have not always practised what I
the disciplined writer, the scribe with a daily wordcount
preach. I used to hear tales of Philip Pullman going down
to hit, the embodiment of Pullman in my proverbial gar-
to his garden shed to pen his target words for the day and
den shed. And what’s more: I love it. Now that I write to
I always thought that that kind of writing could only pro-
a target of a measly 500 words a day, I find that I become
duce contrived and constricted prose that didn’t really
more and more inspired as I strive to reach that goal, and
have the flow of truly inspired writing. And so for many
invariably I produce a great deal more words than the
years I wrote only when I felt inspired to put pen to pa-
target itself, sometimes two or three thousand more in a
per, which resulted in something like six disastrously un-
single day. The disciplined approach keeps my mind im-
finished novels and me calling myself a writer whilst on-
mersed in my story every day and leaves me thinking
Writemag.net | 6 | Write Mag
about it even when I’m not writing, which has led to
his and his wife’s experiences of completing (and actu-
huge breakthroughs in working out the plot-holes and
ally winning) the NaNoWriMo writing event held
grey areas that would have previously given me the
online every November. Once you’ve signed up for
much-feared writer’s block, which would eventually
free, the calendar allows you to put in your desired
have stopped the manuscript from ever reaching com-
word count and time frame, (for example 60,000
pletion.
words in three months), and then calculates the words you need to type every day to meet the target. But
I will give you an example of this approach from right
that’s not all, oh no, because this fantastic little piece
here and now. I set myself the target to develop my
of programming grows with your novel. If you pro-
novel notes into a complete 50,000 word manuscript
duce more or less writing than your quota when you
from scratch for a competition this October. To com-
enter your figures, the calendar recalculates your daily
plete the manuscript in time I would have to write ap-
target to match. As I said before I started with 571
proximately 571 words a day. I started on June 27th
words per day to complete my novel in time. Now I
with the idea that I would reach my minimum target
have to write just 443 per day to stay on track, which
every day. As I write this it is July 6th, so I have done
is both satisfying and extremely motivating to help me
ten days’ writing. This should have produced 5,700
go on.
words, which would have been great in itself. But I actually have 15,078 words so far, more than a quarter
So if you’re not someone who’s ever tried the disci-
of the novel completed in such a short space of time.
plined approach, I say give it a go and see what hap-
And what’s more, I feel more inspired and confident in
pens. If you’re anything like me you’ll be dolling out
my writing than ever before.
the novels in no time and stay totally inspired all the while!
If this approach seems like something you would like to try, I will share a secret with you that has really helped me to keep tabs on my target. It is a fantastic
Find David S. Gale’s free ‘Write Track ’software at:
http://nano.davidsgale.com
little online calendar system called Write Track, designed by a smashing chap called David S. Gale after Writemag.net | 7 | Write Mag
Short Story Spotlight
Short Story
Written by Stephanie Harris
"C
utie I love you so much, please stay with me, please say you’ll stay!”
who had stepped in on my feeding time.
As I turned around I was five people before “What about you what is your name?” me. “If you’re after him take him, He’s learnt his lesson.” “Cutie.”
“Marcus I love you too but this is me protecting you, I’ll meet you back at home, hopeful- “I’m really after you, little one.” A man said ly.” as he moved closer to me. “Hopefully?”
“Do you mind if I call you D?”
“Well Cutie, I have to make sure that you don’t run so the boys here will watch you carefully.”
“Back off!” I growled. “Ok.”
“Those people are after me and I think they “You may be fast but what about your weakknow one of my weaknesses, I’ll go right and nesses?” He held up a thick silver collar and you go left.” chain. “Her not him, got it? Her only...” James said.
“No!” I growled.
“James?” I yelled.
“Yes....”
“Oh, she can hear us, c’mon.”
“No!”
“Run, Marcus go, I love you.” I blew him a kiss and I ran down the hallway.
“Tell you what you come with me and I’ll remain friendly to you.”
“Not that way, she’s this way I can smell her perfume.” I heard them moving closer to me.
“What’s the catch?” I asked.
After a few hours on the road in a car I asked where we were going and D said that I would find out. A few hours later the car stopped and D hoped out of the car and the tugged on the chain and I got out. D led me down to a hallway and into a different room and then the other disappeared. “You shall call me Master or Sir not D or Dimki.” “No, because you are not my master.”
“This.” He held the collar closer to me. “Leave!” I growled as I ran faster down the hallway. The hallway lead to a dead end. “Dammit....” I growled. “Oh good, a dead end....” He laughed. I turned around and I only saw him. “Haha, it’s only you I think I scared them off.” “Well let’s stay that they ran.” “I marked you and I made a promise now, I shall make it come real.” I moved closer to him.
“Yes you will.” “Ok.” I said in a small voice. “No I will not.” “You’re a good little girl.” He opened the collar and he placed it around my neck and he “You will, you will, you will...” locked it in place. “Or what?” “I am still thirsty, can I?” “Or I will punish you.” “Umm....” “You punish me?” “I’m already feeling it.” I tapped the collar. “Yes.” “Fine... hurry.” He bent down to me as I bent down to James. “Don’t think so.”
“As you wish, have my soul, you’re in need of one.”
“Now I can finish you off." I whispered against his skin as I bit into him again. “I have one but I’ll take you up on your offer, He moaned and I did and in seconds the I don’t say no to an offer.” I lightly traced my sound was cut off because he was fully fangs with my tounge. I raised my hand and I drained. had James against the wall in seconds. I stood up and I looked up.“ Now let’s go.” I allowed myself to feed on him, once I had my fangs inside his skin and I started drawing “What’s your name?” I asked. blood there was no stopping till I was done. After a few seconds I heard a footstep and I “Dimki but everyone calls me D.” removed my mouth because I wanted to see Writemag.net | 8 | Write Mag
“Have it your way then.” D pushed my body against and metal frame and he shackled my body to it. “This collar, it means I own you and you yourself cannot take it off.” “You do not own me.” I yelled. “But I do.” His soft hands touched the top of mine and he traced them all the way down to my ass. “Hands off.”
“Well you’re wrong and I need to sleep, you
him. “It’s ok to cry.”
“I want them off.”
have this room as your room to sleep in and you only sleep in my room when I say you can.”
With that said I let out my cry and tears ran down my face and he wiped some off with his finger. “Was it the strike?” He asked.
“And I want you.”
“Yes, Master.” I lightly chuckled.
I shook my head no. “Was it that you failed and that you talked?”
“No.”
“Almost there...” He unfastened the shackles and I fell to the floor. “The silver weaks you and you yourself cannot take it off.” He walked off and into a different room.
“No, my hands are on.”
“Well then no to you too.”
I nodded yes.
“Baby, its ok, now I need a shower.” He walked off and I followed him on all fours, we “Oh by the way when I come back from being reached the stairs and I started to climb them. “Oh you can later but only after I say you can, out I want to say daddy’s home.” He yelled. “You can walk up the stairs.” He said as I you speak only when I tell you to...” stood up and I walked up the stairs and as “Daddy’s home got it.” I yelled to him. soon as I reached the top I was back on all “No, I speak when I speak.” fours.
“Fuck you.”
“Shut up.” He slapped my ass. “One, two, three, four, five.” He counted as he slapped my ass.
“Make sure the water is nice will you.”
“Can you feel it?” He asked.
“Shorty you already know what it is." He whispered.
“No.”
“Daddy’s home.” I yelled.
“You speak only when I tell you to...” He turned around and he walked into the next room and I could hear him moving stuff around. He entered the room with a few things, but I couldn’t see what he was hiding it from me.
“No need to yell my love.” “Sorry.” I whispered.
“Come.” He held out a hand and I walked over to him. “Present your ass to me, you’re not on all fours.”
I nodded and I turned around to the shower and I turned on the water and I did till the water got the temperature that he likes. After brushing his teeth he noticed that I was on all fours and he patted my head lightly and he jumped in the shower. I waited outside the door. “You’re a good little girl, now come in.” I followed his instructions and I got in the shower and I sat on the floor. “Sweetheart, you’re still too sexy.”
“Can you feel it?” He asked again.
I looked up at him and I smiled. “Now wash my lower body as I do the top.” He handed me I turned around and I presented my ass to him. a washrag and soap and I started washing his “Now you get a choice one hard crack or five feet, after that I was legs and then his ass. His medium cracks.” eyes always watched me and they got darker.
“No.”
“One.” I answered.
After a few spanks on my ass he clamped a few nipple clamps on my nipples.
“More silver then.” He pulled a pair of rings “I thought I said no speaking when Im here and earrings out and he put them on me. “And without me saying you can, I am right?” now?” He slapped my ass again. I nodded yes. “Little bit, why are you doing this to me?” “Now two or ten? Nod once for two and twice “Because you left me and I’ve traced you for ten.” down for years.” I nodded once. “I left you? I don’t even know who you are.” He unfastened his belt and because of the “Oh yes but you do, the year was 1812.” amount of silver he forced upon me I felt anything and everything. Striking my on the left “You... but you died.” cheek I jumped and I placed my hand over my mouth to muffle a cry. The second strike was “No I didn’t, by the time my body and soul is on the right check and it hurt even more. fine, I woke and you where gone.” He did up his belt again and I took in a deep “It was over three days, I truly thought you breath and I was struggling to hold in my cry. past over into the sky’s.” He put his arms around me and I looked up at Writemag.net | 9 | Write Mag
“Master can I rub?” I asked and he looked down at me and I clamped my hands over my mouth. “Remember, Sweetheart you call upon me and I’d answer if you talk or not, now since its shower time, I’ll let it slide.” “Master.” I said. “I grant your voice.” “Thank you, I am sorry about before, may you forgive me?” “Yes, Sweetheart of mine I do.”
“Thank you.” “Now tell me one thing, do you miss him?” “Marcus?”
“Yeah.”
I closed my eyes, he hoped in and he started the engine.
“No.” I said but it was not true, I lied I missed Marcus so much.
“Ma..Mas...Dimki, no please remove this monster.” I gasped as I sat up and I opened my eyes.
“Truth?”
“Oh!” “Why don’t you climb into the back and rest.”
“Yes Master.” I climbed into where I was before and I laid down across the seats.
“Yes.”
“Sweetheart are you ok?” He looked at me.
“Why?”
“I had a nightmare, Master.”
“Because you are my master.”
“Poor little girl, come sit with me.”
“And?” “Because you own me.”
“Yes, Master.” I climbed into the front of the car and I sat down and I did up my seat belt.
“Yes, I do and your my good little girl.”
“Tell me more about yourself will you.”
After about 3 hours of driving Master parked in front of a gate and a female voice said: Welcome to the academy, are you visiting or moving in?
I nodded my head.
“Like what?”
“Moving in.”
“Tomorrow you shall come with me to our new home.”
“Like how have you been living this long?”
“Name and number please.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Well I’m a mixture of things and I’m said to be something.”
“Good girl.” I smiled as I pulled out my iPod and I looked through all my songs and I found a really good song and I put it on. I turned the volume up loud.
“Dimki, 784708.” “Good girl.”
“Ah, Mr. D we have been waiting for you for a long time.”
“Called what?” “Where are we? What is this place?”
“Sorry, my slave was hard to catch.”
“This place is an old in Institution.”
“A night slayer my real name may you ask?”
“Slave?” I said.
“Institution!” I gasped.
“Oh you’re related to Thorn Hale?”
“Oh.... Well that’s fine c’mon in.”
“Yes and tomorrow you shall be under my control.”
“No I am Thorn.”
“Thank you.” He said as the gates opened and he drove in.
“How can you be?” I nodded again.
“Come move her to the car but don’t wake her up and make sure she’s nice and peaceful.” I heard Master say and a few sets of hands picked me up. One set of hands were on my head, one on my feet, the next on my arms and I was hanging in the air. The person holding my head dropped it. “Careful.” A few minutes later all hands were gone and I heard a door close and I opened my eyes, I was in the car we came in. “Is she ok? Still asleep, I hope you didn’t wake her up, did you?” He asked.
“I changed before you became fallen and you didn’t notice the difference.”
“Sweetheart, while your here you will be naked all the time if someone comes over it will depend on how good your been.”
“You looked the same.”
I nodded.
“But I had changed.” “So you tell me.”
“When you’re outside of the room you will wear a robe and that’s it unless I tell you different.”
“I speak no lies in saying that.”
“Yes Master.”
“Whatever.”
“For now you can be clothed.”
“Are you mad with me, Master?”
“Thank you.”
“No.”
“And you can walk until I tell you to crawl and or be on all fours anytime of any day.”
“Thank you, how come we are moving?” “She’s still asleep, Dimki.” “Good well I’m off good luck and goodbye.” Master walked towards the car and
“We can have much more fun and I need to test you of and with things.” Writemag.net | 10 | Write Mag
I nodded my head and he hoped out so I jumped out of the car and I walked towards him.
“Nice little slave.” A female voice said as a hand sized my ass. I turned around and I punched her in the face.
“He took me..... From my loved one....... Please.”
“Raven.” I whispered.
“Ouch!”
“You poor thing, sure thing I will, want can I do?”
“What?” Master turned around.
“Dri...Drive to.. To Heartwood Street.”
She was back within minutes and she had two boys with her I was guessing they were her brothers. They came over to me and one brother got in on the drive side and the other on the other side of me.
“Your slave hit me.” She rubbed her face.
“That’s about 10 hrs drive away.”
“Hello, I’m Jake.” The one to my left said.
“Because she is a good girl and my slave should only be touched and toyed with only by her master, unless I say different.”
“Please...” I begged and then I started coughing up blood.
“Hi, I’m Kane.” The other brother said.
“Are you ok?”
“Hey, Jake and Kane...I...I’m Th...Thorn but everyone calls me Cutie.”
I looked up at this female and I grinned. “I’m sick... that’s all.” “Mr D. Welcome.” She said as she turned to me. “And to you to slave.” I tugged on master’s hand and he came down to my height. “Yes?” “Why do you and her keep calling me a slave?” “Because you’re my slave.” “I am not.” I yelled as I ran into the massive house and I ran down the right hallway and I climbed up the pillar and I climbed into the roof.
“Well, let’s go then.” She helped me up on my feet and she half pulled me to a car. She pushed me into the car and did up my seatbelt and I finally stopped coughing.
“Thanks and I’m glad to meet both of you.” I closed my eyes and I laid my head against the back of the seat.
Great she’s the only human around her and I’m in a lot of need of blood, I’ll have to wait till we get home if I last that long...... I thought to myself.
“Thorn!”
“So how sick are you?”
“So what it’s like being you, being one of a kind?”
“I’m just resting, trying to regain my strength.”
“Very much so that I’m closer to my death.” “Anything I can do for you?”
“Thorn!” He ran after me but I was way ahead of him.
“Thorn Hale we know, I’m glad to meet you.” Jake said.
“It’s alright, but people know my weaknesses and that’s what makes me weak as I speak and I’m in deep need.”
“Well yes..... I need...blo...blood.” “A deep need of what?”
“Go away.” I whispered. I heard him walk down and another hallway and he walked into a room.
“You’re a vampire? But I saw you outside during the day light.” “My name is Thorn Hale and I’m part vampire, angel, hunter, feeder, protector and things like that.”
“Blood, I haven’t had it in months and it’s killing me.” “I can give it to you.” “Do you.... Would you... mind?”
After being in the roof for around six hrs I finally climbed down and I headed to the female that I first saw in this place. I followed her scent and within minutes I stood behind her. Because I had gone months without blood I was weak, I fell to the floor and I just missed the female. She screamed a horrified scream. “Please help me.” I gasped.
“Omg, I’ve read about you, my mum told me stories about you and I wanna to be like you.” “Yeah.” I said as I closed my eyes and I laid my head against the seat.
“No don’t want you to die, your one of a kind.” “Thank you so much.” “How do I do this?”
“Feed upon me....” “I could just bite you.” “No you need to drive.” “I’ll go get my brother’s they can help.” She got out of the car.
“Oh, go for it then.” He said and I heard his heart beating faster as I placed my mouth on the skin of his neck.
“Me? How and why should I?” “Wait what’s your name?” “You are they only one here I can trust.” “What about your master?”
“Raven and you stay there and I’ll be back in a sec.” Writemag.net | 11 | Write Mag
I slowly tilled my head to drag my fangs across his skin and I took the bite......
“Oh my.” I thought as I sucked felling his warm blood fill my mouth, I fed till I was full then I leant back. "Thank you, Jake." "Anything for you Thorn..." he closed his eyes. "You'll be fine Jake."
Interview with Roberta Goodman
By Carmen Knight
"May you take my blood next, Thorn?" Kane asked. "Sure Kane, next time." I said as I closed my eyes. "Thorn are you ready to go now?" Raven asked and I nodded, I heard the car start and my body was starting to regain it's strength. "So it was heartwood street was it?"
"Yes, do u mind if I sleep if you need me just awaken me." "No my lady, sleep for you need to." Jake said. "Thanks." I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
"I'm sorry your driving all this way..." I said. "Its ok, we have no where else to go." "Oh I'm sorry, do you wish to stay with us in our mansion it's big enough."
Interview was conducted almost 2 years ago. Stay tuned for another interview with Roberta Goodman on our next Issue. Upon her first book debut, I had the pleasure of interviewing a great New Author, Roberta Goodman, Author of Snow Escape and hopefully many more in to come. With busy schedule, she was able to let me interview and review her book. From the exchange of emails, Roberta Goodman is extremely sweet and very professional. She is a doll and would love to see more of her work. We have much to see of this lovely and talented new Author and her work. Keep it tuned!
"Do you mind if I take a moment to talk with my brothers?"
What is your name? Do you use a Pen Name? If so what is it and why do you use it?
"No, you may." I smiled softly as raven and her brothers walked away to talk.
Roberta Goodman and no, I don’t use a pen name, though I do call myself Ro Goodman on my blog. Ro is my nickname.
"Will you ever return to me..." I heard a soft faint voice.
At What age did you start writing?
"Marcus..." I turned around slowly to see Marcus, I reached out to touch him but my fingers went straight threw him. "Marcus?" I whispered before I could no longer see him.
I’ve always been a writer to some extent, but I didn’t start seriously pursuing a writing career until I turned thirty-six. I was busy raising two kids, so I waited until they were both in school to concentrate on writing my first manuscript.
"Thorn are you ok?" Jake asked. "I..yeah I guess Jake." I smiled softly. "Do you know how long till we get to my house? Are you all going to stay with me and Marcus?"
"Yes we would like to, but we will drop you off at your house to let u settle in once again and to ask Marcus but we will come back later."
What inspires you to write? What doesn’t? I could hear a story or read something that clicks in my head. It’s funny because it’s not something I can control. When inspiration hits me, I have to sit down in front of my computer and just go with it. As a mother and a writer, How do you manage to do both? It’s not always easy. I’m fortunate that I don’t have a job outside my home, so I’ve been able to do the majority of my writing when my kids are in school. On days where they’re home and I have work to do, I always end up feeling bad because I do have to focus on the work. I just explain to the kids that I’ll spend time with them when I’m finished.
Writemag.net | 12 | Write Mag
What is the hardest and easiest part of the writing process for you?
Is there a certain person who has either influenced or inspired you in writing?
The hardest part is writing down what I want to convey in the simplest way possible. I tend to overwrite things. I also have to work on my sentence structuring. I sometimes overuse commas. It’s a bad habit I’m trying to break. The easiest part is the inspiration, because I have a wonderful imagination.
There isn’t any one person. Overall, I’ve been influenced and inspired by every writer I’ve ever read. The list is way too long to write down here.
Do you have any plans for your current book and any upcoming books? I’m hoping to sign a contract for a trade paperback of Snow Escape. Not everyone has an eReader and some people just prefer a traditional book, so I want them to have the opportunity to read the story. Snow Escape is the second manuscript I’ve written. After it was published, I decided to revise my first manuscript. I’m still in the process of doing this. It’s a tragic romance/family saga that’s loosely based on events that happened in my family. Growing up I heard lots of interesting stories and I decided to weave them together. I’ve also thrown in some fictionalized aspects. It’s very different than Snow Escape, which was purely fiction. It’s a tear-jerker. I’m hoping to land an agent with it. I want someone who will be as passionate as I am about the story, so they fight for me to get it published by a big publishing house. If I can’t succeed than I will probably go the independent publishing route again. What kind of genre do you classify your writing?
Do any of your books have any hidden messages for the reader? And what is it? Snow Escape does. “For every action there is a consequence.” My main character, Allegra, stalked a previous guy she dated. Maybe it wasn’t to the extent that certain individuals in the book made it out to be, but she still obsessed about this person and did things she shouldn’t have done to him. Knowing this, the reader can begin to understand why she was chosen to be tormented throughout the book. She wasn’t a random victim. I don’t condone what happened to her, but I view it as her karma coming back on her to a certain extent. Do you have any advice or tips to new writers?
If writing is your passion, don’t ever give up. Even in the face of adversity, push through it and don’t let others tell you that your work isn’t good enough to get published. It’s a tough business to break into. Sometimes you have to take a non-traditional route to get your work out there such as using an independent publisher or self-publishing. If you happen to get published, or you make the decision to self-publish, promote your work everywhere. No one will work harder to get your work the attention it deserves than you.
I’m primarily a fiction writer. Obviously, Snow Escape is a mystery/thriller, but I enjoy writing all types of fiction. I’ve written a third manuscript and it’s about my husband’s battle with cancer. He was treated earlier this year and is cancer-free, so there is a happy You can follow her.... ending. I wrote it as a way of coping with what we were going through, so I have written non-fiction, but it’s not something I Blog * Twitter * Facebook * LinkedIn * GoodReads would normally do. Are any of the characters in your books (published or unpublished) based off real people?
You can Purchase her new book Snow Escape:: Amazon * Fiction Wise * Write Words Inc * MobiPocket
None of the characters in Snow Escape are based on real people. Like I already said, I was inspired by members of my family for the manuscript I’m revising right now. My third manuscript is about my husband, me, and my family and how we dealt with a cancer diagnosis. Are any of the events in your books based on real events? If so, what inspired you to use them in your story? Writers write what they know, so that’s why I decided to write about things that happened in my family’s past for the first manuscript. Many times fact is stranger than fiction and I thought the things that certain individuals went through should be documented in some way. I feel that if I don’t write about it then these people would have lived in vain. I did choose to omit several things, because it’s too painful to go there. Overall, it’s been a cathartic experience for me. As far as my third manuscript about my husband’s cancer, I wanted to get the word out about the type of cancer he suffered with. I also needed the outlet of writing to help me cope while we were going through it.
Writemag.net | 13 | Write Mag
The Poetry Corner
Tate
Capital
By Jared A. Carnie
By Jared A. Carnie
We still flock to galleries And all our train lines Run past graveyards And two minutes Into a ten minute talk I put my headphones back in As the woman Cared more about her speech Than the art.
I come up the stairs And see Big Ben Through the London Eye And I think of Ginsberg Disappointed with the city His medieval dreams bombed And burned And I think of me Disappointed with the world And I think of God Disappointed with me And I think of you And notice the sun Stroking the river Like the last warm vein In this tumbling arc.
Loyalty
By Jared A. Carnie
“Oh, people Get divorced At the drop of a hat These days. Nobody fights For anything” They say Ignoring the husbands Curled up on sofas For weeks or months On end Or the wives In the other room “Because daddy snores” Or the children Trying to sleep Wishing their parents Could be happy Alone or together But happy nonetheless.
Write a poem or short prose story with the title, “Three Shades of White". Show us your poetry by logging on to our website Write Mag and post your poem in the comments or in our forums. Writemag.net | 14 | Write Mag
Dog Eat Dog
Till It Rises
By Alison Breskin
Like bones. No, like flowers. No, like smiles. Like coffee at 2:00 in the morning. Oh! I know, like tickles. Yes, like tickles, under my arms, laughter from the gut in the belly, love is strong, delicate and funny. But the fool said love was serious. Like business meetings. Like finals. No, like funerals. And he died in his vain attempt to love her... So, the willing man said "Love is like chances and forgiveness, and really, REALLY, REALLY, bad days." His tears, willing to accept this, apologies for imperfections.
By Kimberley Finn
You daren't think of running When you see yourself coming At the junction of Lovesick and Harm. Jealous of the Sun And the emancipated fun Of those who don't have to try to stay calm. Don't you get awful when they listen To imbecilic television? All this peacemaking's calling you to war; With a tendency to fear That message sitting in your ear, Like somehow you've heard it before. So desperate for love that It's a sign from above If the whiskey pours a heart shape in your beer. Put the barrel to your head, dear, Take your apathy to bed, 'Cause who you're looking for just isn't here. Well there's a proverb going round That the world is going down. Seems like everyone's searching for more. And the children starve in Africa While you ain't got the stamina To brave it ten feet from your door.
I shall shed this shallow skin Ignore the seven serpents of deadly sin And all their kin Burn the feathers of the Phoenix And from the ashes of my demons I will be born again From within Will come a life of love and bliss. But this false heaven is tempting It intices me, and grips me It takes ahold, of my soul And won't let go Through the catacombs Lies my throne My deceptive home My personal streets of gold. I can see Eden's leaves And I feast upon her fruit-filled trees This is my disease My constant cycling I can't help it I am helpless To the touch of this deceptive blessing...
To have your troubles melt You'd have to let them see the Sun. Release them and they'll play you for a fool. So you develop an affection For pathological rejection, 'Cause baby the world's just too cruel.
Then the lover said, "It is okay my love, for you are like a flower that grows in my heart, tickling my funny bone."
So drink to the nation From your hive of isolation, 'Cause the morning brings perspective *du jour*. And there's something to be said For having breakfast in bed, Except that you passed out on the floor.
So the lucky said, "I am lucky, and this thing in the English language called love, is a blessing."
One of these days You'll have to go your own way, if you Can't stand how this world's taking shape. Then close the shutters, lock the locks On your sequestered little box, But leave your sanity the spare key to escape.
Like a seed that flourishes in the night, when no one sees till it rises in the morning sun.
Poetry
By Nathan Bowman
If
Writemag.net | 15 | Write Mag
Call For Submissions Looking to showcase your poetry?? Submit your poetry to our email at submissions@writemag.net and get promoted on Write Mag.
Author Interviews
Interview With K. C. Finn By Carmen Knight
1) First of all, thank you for sitting with me for an interview. I found little information about you, so can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself? K) You're very welcome and it's a pleasure to be questioned! I'm not surprised that you found very little about me as it took me five months after The Atomic Circus was published to even add my author bio! I guess I'm a little shy of talking about myself, but I'll give you the basics. I was born in South Wales in the UK and now live in England, which is not as nice but at least it rains less. I'm a private tutor and a teacher of creative writing and am also studying for my MA in Education and Applied Linguistics, which is
not quite as boring as it sounds, I promise!
2) At what age did you started to write? What inspired you at the
ing? K) To be honest very little once I get going. Writing is very natural to
time? K) I've been writing for as far back as I can remember, I really think I started as soon as I could put sentences together and spent all my free time in primary and high school jotting plotlines and character profiles into the backs of my schoolbooks. As an adult I took up serious novel writing last November and have since produced 71,000 words split into two and a half novels thus far, which has resulted in a round of 'About time!'s from my
me and I relish just having time to craft the words and get my ideas down. The primary challenge for me is time management as I am self-employed and doing distance learning, so scheduling is always a nightmare, especially
now that I'm on a strict manta to write every day. I also find it hard to write with distractions so being able to shut myself away and produce my work is paradise when I'm able to do it!
family and friends. I was inspired initially by tales of great adventure and ensemble casts of strong, interesting characters, and that has never
4) Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
changed along the way.
K) I will always maintain, no matter how controversial, that my fa3) Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writ-
vorite author is Vladimir Nabokov. As a Russian novelist he has more control and finesse with the English language than I could ever dream of pos-
Writemag.net | 16 | Write Mag
sessing, and his grasp of the deep-seated emotions of humankind is some-
the central plot of this story as there's something very chemical going on in
thing every aspiring writer should experience. I read his most famous work
the mystery that Cae is uncovering.
'Lolita' when I was about fifteen, which most people would say is not a suita-
ble age to read such a book, but it changed my whole world view and really
7) For ‘Counterclockwise’, what was your inspiration behind this
gave me something to aspire to as a young writer and it taught me a heck of
story? How did you come up with the title?
a lot about character depth!
K) This novella continues directly after the events of The Atomic Circus and continues the story of Caecilius Rex; it's actually part two of the four-
5) You have two books out called ‘The Atomic Circus’ and
part saga that will tell the detective's whole story. Some of the mysteries left
‘Counterclockwise’, how long
hanging in TAC are further devel-
did it take to write both books?
oped in this novel and we get to
K) The idea for The Atomic
know Cae's detective partner Ken-
Circus came to me in November
dra a lot better in this story. But
2012 and it was completed by the
Counterclockwise as a title refers to
end of February 2013. I started
the specific mystery the duo are
Counterclockwise almost immedi-
investigating in this book, and if I
ately after that and it was finished
gave away any more than that you
in June 2013, so by my reckoning
wouldn't have to read it to find out!
that was 60,000 words in the last eight months. It's really spurred
8) What were the challenges
me on to produce the rest of the
(research, literary, psychologi-
series amongst the other writing
cal, and logistical) in bringing it to
projects I'm working on.
life? K) Imagining a whole new
6) For ‘The Atomic Circus’, what was your inspiration behind the
world and keeping it consistent has been a constant challenge, for example
story? How did you come up with the title?
remembering that when they are outside every character has to wear a gas
K) The Atomic Circus is the beginning of my futuristic detective series
mask to keep out the toxic smoke polluting the air around them. You
featuring the central protagonist Caecilius Rex. It's set in a post-apocalyptic
wouldn't believe how many times I caught my characters
world filled with crime and conspiracy, and The Atomic Circus is a location
scratching their chins or smiling at one another when they shouldn't be able
within this particular story where most of the criminal activity of the book
to because of their masks! I actually find it very easy to create the jigsaw
takes place. The circus part of the title came from the idea of a circus maxi-
pieces of a mystery and bring them slowly together, so I'd say my main
mus or a grand bazaar with a lot of activity going on, and atomic relates to
areas of concern are keeping the details in check to make sure there are no
Writemag.net | 17 | Write Mag
holes in the world I have created. 10) What was the hardest part of writing your book? 9) Can you share a little of your current work with us and what’s com-
K) Not wanting to stop for practical things like food, work and sleep. I
ing next?
love writing so much that if I could just go on forever I honestly would.
K) Ooh well there's a lot of projects on the go for me right now! I'm working on an entry for the Quirk Books 'Looking For Love' novel contest this
11) Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
October, of which I currently have 11,000 of the 50,000 words I need. That
K) That success is in the completion of the project regardless of whether
piece is a time-travel romance set primarily during World War Two, and if it
you profit from it or not. The publication of my first novel was a momentous
doesn't get picked up for the competition I'll be self-publishing it in the winter. I occasion for my self-confidence and knowing that I had the self-discipline
am also writing the third instalment in the Caecilius Rex saga of course, to pick and drive to realize my creations to the best of my abilities was an incredible up where Counterclockwise finishes, that's entitled 'The Face'. The other pro-
feeling. I am very proud to have my work out there and to call myself and inde-
ject that I will tentatively admit to is a fantasy/magic story that is still in its plan- pendent writer, because it means I'm free to express my work in my own way ning stages, but I'm thinking of making it my project for NaNoWriMo this No-
regardless of what publishing companies might think is
vember if I feel it's planned enough by then!
marketable or right for the audience.
12) Do you have any advice for other writers?
K) Yes, I do. As a teacher of writing I have five top tips that I give to my classes, so I'll share them here as well:
Keep going, even if you don't think anyone cares.
If you like what you're writing, then there'll be at least one other person out there who will too, so write for them if not yourself
Write every day. And that's not every day that you feel like it. I mean every single day
Don't be afraid to big yourself up and make a big deal of your work
Take every opportunity that comes at you to show off your work and your personality
Writemag.net | 18 | Write Mag
Artistic Spotlight
The Art and The Artists
© Askya Pizzuto 2013
© Askya Pizzuto 2013
© Savannah Riddle 2013
Writemag.net | 19 | Write Mag
Visit Us at WriteMag.net
Follow Us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Writemag.net | 20 | Write Mag