Webcam video from August 31, 2014 3:40 PM

Translator Box

For those readers who used the translator box please note that a Google translator is also available on my web site which now includes this blog. Thank you for your support.  www.raystoneauthor.com

The big move

This is to let you all know that I am transferring this blog to my web site. My web site is undergoing a great change and will feature serials, individual works, my blog from Malta, interesting editing advice and news, a shop where you can buy my books and those of some of my friends with sample chapters. Short audio samples of my books read by a top ACX reader will also be available. There will also be the drop down language feature for all my foreign readers who have started reading the Story Mint serials.

So please visit www.raystoneauthor.com and keep up to date. The site is FREE and readers comments are welcome on any literary subject featured on the site. I welcome any writers who wish to contribute short stories or samples of their work including poetry. Why not visit and like my Face Book author page as well. www.fb.com/raystoneauthorpage  Please be patient as we change things around but be assured the site is available 24/7.

Working hard in Seattle to finish 'TWISTED WIRE'

Just a small reward for a good boy.

1200 words nearer the end of Twisted Wire. The cover is being designed and the book will go into print before the E version. Isia's Secret will be going on offer through Bookbub probably in August so watch out for that. In the meantime I awarded myself a moment of relaxation with my personal underwater pedicure mermaid, Kimber.

Read all the latest posts on my web site.

www.raystoneauthor.com

The Fayre - Chapter 7 by Iliena Bosu

Well done, Iliena, what makes a good chapter even better is when the writer does something a little more original as with a short verse that creates more tension and mystery. Readers do notice this and will remember this chapter for its originality. Great chapter. Loved it.

Click on the link to read Iliena's chapter and the rest of the story.

http://www.thestorymint.com/serials/fayre-fw

Please leave comments or if you have an article or interesting topic please write to me so that I can post it.  ray@raystoneauthor.com

Enda Osin will be speaking to you soon.

I cannot wait until Monday. The first 15 minutes of Trojan Towers will be ready to listen to. The full 10 hour recording of Isia's Secret will be available just after the end of July. As from the 8th of this month I will be re publishing my books on Smashwords as well as Amazon. This means the books will be available through 13 outlets across North America and throughout Europe - in print and E and audio versions. Thank you for your support and friendship.

www.raystoneauthor.com

Julie Ryan Reviews Isia's Secret

An Enda Osin Mystery

Political correspondent Enda Osin and his beautiful assistant Jessica Du Ross must foil one man’s political dream for Cypriot Sovereignty. With a powerful position in Brussels Paul Hrisacopolis, who has an heir with hatred in his heart, could bring a terrorist war to the island. While Enda struggles to end the nightmare, he infolds the tragic tale of two women living lives of poverty and an illegitimate son.


Enda Osin is a sharp cookie when it comes to political intrigue. His daily column in the Herald is controversial and popular. Upsetting the incumbents of the White House and Downing Street over an embarrassing article, his editor has been forced to side-line him. He has been assigned to write a series of articles for the Herald’s Sunday supplement about Paul Hrisacopolis, a shipping billionaire with a thirst for power in the European Union and a believer in Enosis for Cyprus.

To help him is art correspondent, Jessica Du Rosse, a beautiful and sophisticated West Indian half his age and with whom he is soon falling in love.

Hrisacopolis has offered to transport priceless artifacts that the British Museum has agreed to relinquish claim to, from London to Athens on board the flagship of his cruise line. He’s looking forward to partying on the cruise with influential European politicians who can vote him onto a powerful committee chairmanship. That position could be used to influence public opinion against Turkey and cause the return of civil war on Cyprus. With news that Paul’s only grandson, essential key player to take his grandfather’s place as figurehead, has agreed to end a family feud, the old man has everything going his way. A few loose tongues need silencing. Ahmet Zeki, Paul’s murderous Turkish shipping agent is ordered to deal with the situation. Ahmet however, has his own plans. Working for the KKA, a Turkish terrorist group and the Turkish Secret Service, his sole aim as a double agent is to destroy Paul and profit from the chaos by using his son as an impostor to replace the real grandson.

It doesn’t take Enda long to get entangled in the Hrisacopolis family mystery involving Paul’s brother, Ioannis, George his dead son and Isia the young girl George hoped to marry. Dating back to the dark days of the EOKA terrorist campaign from the fifties to the seventies, Enda and Jessica find themselves unearthing Isia’s secret, something that would rock Greek and Turkish societies and bring shame and disgrace to Hrisacopolis if made public. Escaping an attempt on their lives, Enda and Jessica learn of a heart-breaking story involving an illegitimate lovechild and Isia’s desperate bid to find freedom; a freedom that ends in tragedy. Enda is even more determined to seek the truth when he is told the grandson, Baki, is dead by one source and alive by another. Confusion reigns while Enda struggles to control his own personal demons that haunt him; involving a fire from his childhood that killed his parents.

Baki, surviving an explosion, escapes the army and hides his true identity behind the name of ‘Anthony’ He has hatred in his heart for a man who broke a promise to his father and caused his mother to lead a life of poverty until her untimely death. On hearing the news of his grandfather’s philanthropic plan, Baki vows to kill the man in a terrible act of revenge. Hiring the services of a ruthless ex legionnaire, Baki makes meticulous plans to confront and kill his grandfather in a daring assault on the liner.

 

 

My Review

This is such a fast moving spy thriller that you almost need a ‘who’s who’ to keep up with the ever- changing list of characters. However, as it is well written I’m prepared to forgive the author on this occasion. The story is set against the backdrop of Cyprus in 1974 and takes us from there to the present day passing through Turkey, Greece, the South of France and various other locations that are described in such detail that the reader feels immediately transported there.

I enjoyed the modern politics less than the relationship between newspaper columnist Enda and his colleague Jessica. Nevertheless, this novel will appeal to those who love a thriller with lots of twists and turns – I didn’t read the blurb beforehand so each development really was a surprise – and equally to those who enjoy a good story set in some fantastic locations. It will certainly keep you on your toes.

http://www.allthingsbookie.com/402250928

Goin' Fishin'

News black out for three days from tomorrow. I will be travelling to the USA for 3 weeks. By the time I get back Twisted Wire will be finished and off for proof reading. Isia's Secret comes out in audio in a few weeks time too so busy times ahead. I am now working on the plot for the final book in the Enda Osin trilogy. See you again in 3 days. Ciao, ciao.

Visit my website for all my posts and a lot more
www.raystoneauthor.com

Illusion - Chapter 5 by Ray Stone

This serial appealed to me. The preface was written by Suraya. Still in progress, this is once again testing the writer's imagination. See what you think.

Elizabeth’s heart raced. She re-read the note. Excitement welled up from the pit of her stomach as her trembling fingers folded the note. ‘You’re not here by mistake.’ The words conveyed a feeling of promise yet there was an underlying edge of foreboding; that some dark force was at work. Don knew she was there. How long had he known? Why did he avoid her? What did the message mean?

Confused and tired, she decided to walk to the end of the street in case she saw him again. After reaching the next corner, something caught her eye. Just ahead, lying on the sidewalk was another envelope. She stood looking at it, anxious and trying to reason why Don would be so mysterious. Perhaps he was in trouble, she thought.

After looking about her, she stooped and grabbed the envelope. Tearing it open, she read, ‘You have been chosen. The path to complete spiritual happiness is yours to tread. Join us.’ At the foot of the letter was a drawing, depicting the secret sign that Don had shown her.

Her heart thumped. She pushed the letter into her pocket and walked quickly back toward the bus stop. Don had found her. They would be together again. He had found the peace and tranquility he told her he would find in Auckland. She reached the bus stop as the bus came laboring up the hill.

*****

A bright shaft of sunlight broke through the net curtain, casting the delicate net pattern across the pink duvet. Elizabeth stirred and opened her eyes. Her face slowly transformed from innocent sleep to a wide-awake smile.

It was Saturday and the day was hers. The job at the nightclub started that night at 7.00 p.m. She had all day to contact Don. She was sure they would meet shortly and had an idea he may have been playing a game with her emotions. She dressed and bounded down the stairs to the kitchen. Chitra had prepared breakfast and left early. A note, propped up against the milk carton explained that the manager of the nightclub would call on her at 5.00 p.m. and take her to see her new apartment. She was to pack her belongings.

An hour later, Elizabeth was on the bus going to the city centre. She decided to return to the street where she found the mysterious notes.

“Good morning, Elizabeth. I hope you have recovered fully from the bus accident.”

Elizabeth, surprised at the closeness of the soft voice behind her, despite the noisy diesel engine, turned and looked over her shoulder.

A small man with long black hair and bushy eyebrows smiled at her.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I know you,” quizzed Elizabeth.

The man rose as the bus pulled up. Without answering, he handed her a note and left.

Opening it, she read, ‘Danger and evil await you tonight. Stay on the path to peace and join us. I will come for you. D.’

http://www.thestorymint.com/serials/illusion-m

...and the plot rolls on into darkness and danger.

TWISTED WIRE is taking shape.

Working tonight. I am on chapter 36 and the second part starts to unfold. The Skyflo has crashed. Enda has stopped a catastrophe but is this the end...or is the real plot about to unfold, drawing Enda and Jessica into the dark world of spies and diplomatic intrigue? They are about to find out that all is not what it seems as they race to corner a mole.


Read my latest posts at www.raystoneauthor.com

Talk is free - words might cost a little more

This is such a great article for anyone who writes and self publishes. It was sent to me by Irene Kimmel who is the CEO of Archetype Marketing. Click on the main link to read a whole lot of common sense.

Who’s Afraid of Very Cheap Books?

Posted on June 9, 2014by davidgaughran

A common meme in publishing is that cheap books are destroying the world or literature, and that low prices are undermining the viability of publishing or writers’ ability to make a living.

I’ve long thought this position is nonsense – a narrative which plays on misplaced fears of change and a confusion of price and value, which is also based on flawed assumptions and analog, zero-sum thinking.

And, if anything, the opposite is true.


http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/whos-afraid-of-very-cheap-books/

What's in there? by Dan Oliver

Another preface for a serial written by Dan Oliver. One of the most intriguing things about writing serials is that the experience teaches writers to experiment in different genres and this leads to a more all round knowledge of writing techniques. Dan is an accomplished author who demonstrates these qualities with every new preface or chapter. His work is refreshing and interesting. I look forward to more. Why not go to www.thestorymint.com and read a selection of serials. 

It’s just so perfect!” sighed Mandy.

“It really is,” replied Brad, her husband. They stood at the window of their newly purchased house, looking out over the four acres of their lifestyle block.

They were there – in their dream house, in a delightful rural community out of the big smoke. The bargain asking price was too good to resist, and the property was the kind they had dreamed of one day buying together to spend their middle ages in the tranquillity of the country side.

From the front lounge window they could see almost all of their section cascading down in rolling undulations to a stream that wandered through the valley at the edge of their land. To their left a dark clump of pines stood in neat rows. To the right, in contrast, was a weathered old shed. Outside of the shed a dilapidated tractor perched on a set of four gnarly tree stumps. The vehicle had once been red, but was now covered mostly in rust patches, dirt and bird droppings. Its wheels were missing, and it had clearly been there, a testament to bygone labour and effort, for some time.

To Brad and Mandy, it all added to the picturesqueness of the property. To Jackson and Matthew, their two sons, it added to the adventurousness of their new home.

Mandy turned to Brad, “Do you know where the boys are at the moment?”

“They went down to the stream. They’ve convinced themselves they will find buried treasure so they took the shovel.” At 11 and 7 years old, they were capable of looking after themselves.

“I guess they’ll be a while then. Is the bed set up?” enquired Mandy. She gave Brad a suggestive look. Brad met her gaze and a smile touched the corners of his mouth. Their thoughts, however, were extinguished by the sound of shrill voices coming from down the farm. The boys had finished their treasure hunt early.

Brad sighed, and Mandy chuckled. As she walked off to the kitchen, Brad opened the sliding door to the deck and went outside to meet the boys. To his surprise they were carrying something and wore huge grins across their dirty faces.

“We found the treasure, Dad!” called Matthew, “Look!” A small artefact, no bigger than a shoe box, was held aloft.

“Wow, nice work!” shouted Brad. “Let’s have a look at it.”

The boys marched up the stairs of the deck and plonked their discovery on the outdoor table. To Brad’s utter bewilderment it actually looked like a miniature chest. It was not locked but the aged hinges stubbornly resisted. As Brad prised off the lid he felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle in sudden apprehension. Inside was a single, crumpled piece of paper. Brad carefully unravelled it to view the

contents. What he saw overcame him with such a terrible fear that his eyes started watering and he felt physically ill.

He screamed.

Dan Oliver (NZ)   copyright  Dan Oliver 2014

Dear Prime Minister

I took a morning off from writing today so that I could see an eye specialist at the hospital. I have to have laser
surgery for broken blood vessels.  I arrived at 9.10 for my 9,30 appointment. Standing room only so by 10.00 I asked where I was in the queue. "Soon," the receptionist said. I asked again at 11.00 and the same answer - "Soon." Then she explained that the specialist was one and a half hours behind due to emergencies and seeing in house patients being wheeled down from the wards. At 11.15 I asked for another appointment. Not until after July 17th, I said. Oh, that's okay, I can't fit you in again until August 21st.
Prime Minister, YOUR HEALTH SERVICE SUCKS! - but I still like you. Malta has a wonderful hospital - where are the computers? One hundred office staff running around with folders does not work, mate! Invite me for a chat and we'll sort it out.

I doubt I will get a call but I do wish he would put 2c tax on petrol to help pay for a decent computer network for doctors and records clerks.

www.raystoneauthor.com

1

Much ado - Let's talk

contestation\kahn-tess-TAY-shun\

 

 

noun

 

:	controversy, debate

 

 

The location of the new high school has been a recurrent item of contestation at town meetings.   "Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke told reporters the division of the [Nelson Mandela] estate … had been accepted by Mandela's family earlier on Monday with no contestation so far." — Miami Times (Florida), February 5, 2014

 

 

 

If you guessed that "contestation" is somehow connected to "contest," you're right. They're linked both through meaning and through etymology. "Contest" can be a verb meaning "to dispute," and "contestation" essentially means "an act, instance, or state of contesting." Both words can be traced to the Latin verb "contestari," meaning "to call to witness." "Contestari" itself comes from "testis," a Latin noun meaning "witness," which is also the source of "attest" ("to bear witness to"), "testify" ("to bear witness"), and "testimony" ("a declaration made by a witness"), among others.

Action! Roll Em!

This preface, written by Angela Shaw, moves at pace and injects excitement. When I got to the end I was looking forward to the next writer’s chapter. Angela’s characters are real and she has introduced tension right at the start of the serial. What is really neat about this is our expectation that some catastrophe is about to unfold and we have to read the next chapter. This could be the opening of an action movie. Great work, Angela.

Go to http://www.raystoneauthor.com/other-works/serials/action-roll-em/ to read this work and follow the serial.

Off to the USA for a break

June 24th and out I fly to America. Of course the laptop will be going too but at least the book should be all
but finished. I am already editing. By the time I come back in three weeks I should be somewhere near sending the MS to Jenny Jensen in Australia for proof reading. On July 14th all my books will be available on Smashwords as well as Amazon and the first audio book will be released by the beginning of August. If you have not seen the amazing header for the new book go to my facebook author page or to Google+. Irene Kimmel has done an outstanding job once again and will be formatting and publishing 'Twisted Wire' - another Enda Osin Mystery - later this year.

ray@raystoneauthor.com

www.RayStoneAuthor.com 

www.fb.com/raystoneauthorpage

http://xeeme.com/TwistedWire

http://about.me/ray.stone

http://raystoneauthor.blogspot.com/

https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RayStone1946/posts

Let's Hang Out Together

I have been shown a tool on Google+ that will create a lot more writing time for those serious writers who

work at finding an audience for their work. Take a look at this article. I will be following up on this and posting examples of what can be achieved. I am so excited with this free tool and recommend all writers to seriously look into the potential it has for displaying work and increasing an audience.
http://www.raystoneauthor.com/e-lounge/lets-hang-out-together/

Please take a moment to go and read all about it.

Greg Rochlin - 500 excellent words

I think this is one of the most professional pieces of work from Greg. It has everything to keep the reader interested.

CONFESSION - Chapter 10  

Many years have passed since that day. I suppose I have found happiness, in my own way.

It's true that now I work at a job I like well enough, although Jenna thinks I could have done better. I sell life insurance, and I like to think it gives the client something to look forward to — giving succour to his loved ones when he passes away.

Danny dropped out of geology and became a carpet salesman. I had always thought he had a head for mathematics, and was keen for him to be an actuary, but he would have none of it. He does not tend to take my advice.

Elise became an audiologist and lives in Edinburgh with her boyfriend.

As for Iqbal (or Ian, as he now calls himself), in the end he preferred to stay with William. I think Jenna as not averse to this arrangement. Slowly, he had less and less time for me. He once said I was a "mystery man". He graduated in aeronautical engineering last year, and wanted to apply for the RAF, but William said it was too risky, what with the security checks he would have to undergo.

And as for my father, he never did come to stay. It was a wild dream, as it turns out. Especially under the circumstances. You see, I am not his child.

We were in that dark room, the two of us shut up together.

"I'm so sorry, Thomas, I had to tell you. You see, Marion had an affair while I was in hospital for three months."

He paused to allow what he said to sink in. "The timing, you understand."

He went on, "We brought you up as our own. But I am afraid it was never the same between your mother and I."

I tore myself away from him. I felt the walls closing in on me, everything seemed false, the books were all laughing, and the photo still in my hand now depicted strangers.

I had to be alone, I fled, into the car, and drove and drove, until I was in my own home in its suburban street, with its honeysuckle growing up the wall and its wonderful oak tree. Then, a week later, while I was still stewing in my stupid anger, Ronald (for that's how I think of him now) went into a depression, it seems, caught a bad cold that grew into pneumonia, and passed away in the space of days.

I often wonder if it is not better to hold secrets inside of oneself.

Sometimes, however, I wake in the night, and the moon is reflecting off the leaves of the apple tree outside the window, casting its light through the flimsy curtain, onto Jenna's round face. Then I think of one of the happiest moments in my life, the moment when Ronald came to my side in the hospital, unscathed, and with shining eyes.

Greg Rochlin (AUS) http://www.thestorymint.com/serials/confession

An unusual record player

Well I did promise more of her and I have to say Azadeh is at the top of my popular writer list. She has a wonderful way of writing about life, both real and make believe, and making her characters come alive in a natural way. This work has a realistic feel to it as though Azadeh observed the action from a hidden vantage point. The story is well balanced and I love the 'just right' mix of Descriptive work and Dialogue. Unusual and definitely different, I like the concept and hope she might expand this story. It has a lot of potential.  

Title: A Melody ©

Written by: Azadeh Nafissi

Early morning and a cool breeze came inside through the balcony. Edward felt it on his face and his feet which were not fully covered by the sheet. Seven o’clock on a Sunday morning was usually too early for him to get up but he remembered why he had to be early on that day. It was his little son’s birthday and they were going to have lots of fun. After the breakup, waking up alone in the morning was dreadful for him but whenever his son was with him he never felt low and lonely.

Edward headed to the kitchen to make his son’s favorite breakfast- pancakes with whipped cream on the top. 

To Edward’s surprise, Todd was awake sitting in the living room and drawing some pictures of feathered creatures.

“Daddy, are we going to the auction house today? They have finally brought that old record player” Todd asked while pointing at an announcement in the newspaper.

Edward started to play a couple of favorite tunes on the piano while Todd was enjoying his pancake. Edward looked at the announcement again. He knew how tricky an auction could be but he didn’t want to disappoint his son on his birthday.

In half an hour they were ready to go.

………..

“Is he going to find the way? It’s been about one thousand year now.” The turntable anxiously trembled.

………..

Barbara loved this time of the year; passing the whole day with her dad at her parents’ old house and talking about his antiques and huge record collection. After retirement, Randy spent all his time collecting antiques and vinyl. It was his birthday soon and Barbara wanted to surprise him. As far as she remembered, he was in love with music, especially old vinyl. For more than a month, he had looked forlorn as he couldn’t find an antique record player. Apart from good music he believed antiques delivered souls. That was why he wasn’t convinced by a shopkeeper who suggested him to get one of those new ones. 

“If it’s not antique, it doesn’t carry a soul,” her father said.

She came across an auction house and their cheap opening bid, only $10. Randy never liked going to an auction house and placing a bid. But this time could be different, Barbara thought. Every once in a while museums wanted to get rid of some stuff, it was their chance to buy an antique with an affordable price.

She called Emily, her colleague and friend to see if she wanted to accompany her. They were working on a short film together about antiques.

Barbara was fixing her hair in the mirror when Emily honked her car horn outside.

“Doesn’t she come in for a cup of tea?” her dad asked.

“We’ll be back in the afternoon,” Barbara answered. 

…………

The auctioneer and his assistants were taking some paintings and some pieces of furniture to the hall when Edward and Todd entered the building. They were early. Todd ran towards the hall but Edward stopped him.

“We have to wait here, don’t go inside now,” Edward said

Todd glanced at the record player through the open door.

“It’s there, dad” Todd said cheerfully.

The auctioneer was carefully polishing the record player before putting it on a large table, right in the middle.

As a crowd gathered outside, the auctioneer pointed at his assistant to let everyone in.  Edward took a seat in the corner of the room to become invisible but people recognized him. To his admirers, he was a shy gentleman. Some other celebrities also arrived. No one was happier than the auctioneer to see some celebrities and artists there.

Emily finally found a parking spot. As soon as they got off the car a tall lady in a formal dress passed.

“I told you not to put on jeans,” Barbara said to Emily

The assistants were about to close the doors when they entered the hall. They were looking around to find a spare chair when Barbara’s eyes met Edward’s. He was patiently signing and taking pictures with his fans. People were chitchatting while looking at Edward and other celebrities.

“Edward, the rock star, is also here. I didn’t know he is interested in auctions!” Barbara whispered in Emily’s ear

Edward looked busy talking to a supercilious girl with unnaturally highlighted hair. Her banality was unexciting. 

“I’ve heard he bites…..”Emily said jokingly.  

The auctioneer had to grab a microphone to ask participants’ attention. The program of the day was distributed.

Todd tired of the crowd around his dad, slowly made his way to the front row, as close as possible to the record player. Barbara captivated by the allure of the turntable sat next to him without knowing who he was.

“Are there fairies inside the record player?” Todd asked Barbara

She didn’t know what to say.

“If it’s the real one, there are. I read it in a book,” Todd said

Barbara just smiled at him.

After the paintings, the record player was brought.

“Only $10, anyone?” bawled the auctioneer.

To Barbara’s surprise, Edward was the first person who raised his hand: $20. Todd got excited. 

Barbara took a deep breath and said“$25” while looking at Edward.

$30, $ 50, $80,… $20000 it was going higher and higher. Barbara’s head was spinning.

A mysterious old man from the back row shouted $200000. People turned their head to see his face. Graham had tracked it for more than a thousand year and was there to go home with it. He put down his cane and stood up to be seen by the auctioneer.

Todd pulled his dad’s sleeve to continue.

As the participants hesitated, the auctioneer unwillingly announced an interval.

……….

“My darling is here, come closer.” The turntable shook

………

Todd drifted around the record player, touching its wooden bottom. He positioned himself where he could read a small engraving at the back of the turntable.

Later, when Edward was back, he tried to tell him.

“You must see it yourself,” Todd whispered

“Not now Todd,” Edward said

The auctioneer repeated two hundred thousand dollars several times.

Barbara glanced at Todd who looked very upset, his dad was ignoring him. She thought whether to continue or not. Barbara and Emily exchanged a look.

“I think we should get your dad something else,” Emily said

Barbara always admired her friend’s sense of humor. 

The assistant announced ‘sold’. Barbara and Emily decided to leave.

Edward thought what a terrible idea to come to such a place on Todd’s birthday. He blamed himself.

Barbara saw Todd outside, standing alone and crying quietly.

“Hey, do you want an ice cream?” Barbara asked

Todd hesitated but then nodded.

“It supposed to be my birthday present,” Todd told Barbara

Pure coincidence, Barbara thought.

Edward went out to tell Todd that he had asked if they could look at it.

“You can show it to me,” Edward told Todd

Barbara came back with the ice creams. Todd picked one and jumped up and down cheerfully.

“Thank you, you can also come with us and look at the record player if you want to,” Edward Told Barbara

……

Graham was finally alone in the room with his beloved record player. He uttered some words in Latin but nothing happened.

“Come on my love, I've waited so long,” Graham said desperately

……….

“The password is not enough my love, you should have known it so far” the turntable rattled. ……….

The auctioneer ushered them into the room where the record player were kept.

Graham didn't want any intruder but agreed to let them look at it.

As soon as the auctioneer left, Edward and Todd looked at the engraving; a motto in Latin, saying ‘True Hearts, Honest Souls’

The turntable started whirling. Graham fell down on the ground and his head transformed to the head of a wild tiger.

Edward’s hand glued to the turntable. Once Barbara joined him, one of the loveliest melodies ever heard in the world was played. 

“I knew it’s real, dad” Todd said before falling asleep

………

Barbara and Edward found themselves in a castle where a young princess covered with feathers was listening to the same melody through a record player.

“Oh my love, you are here,” the young princess said

As the princess embraced and kissed Graham, his transformation was complete.

A creature half tiger, half horse stood next to them.

“This melody is played every thousand year when true souls touch it and the gate to the parallel world is opened,” Graham said in a husky voice

In less than a second Barbara and Edward got back to the room in the auction house, not sure what exactly happened to them. Emily and Todd were still asleep.

To the auctioneer’s surprise, there was no sign of Graham.

“I think he left,” Barbara said

 The last bid before Graham’s was Edward’s, and he was officially its new owner.

………..

Barbara still could hear that magical melody. Her dad was so pleased to have some guests on his birthday and a record player.

After eating a delicious cake, Randy brought his collections for Todd to choose.

“Happy Birthday, now choose a record from my collection,” Randy told Todd

He was only 9 years old but such a good companion for his dad, Barbara thought.

Edward and Todd were about to leave after dinner when Barbara stopped them.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take the record player home?” Barbara asked

“You can bring it when you visit us next time,” Edward said smilingly

Todd put the record in his backpack and waved at Barbara.

(Copyright Azadeh Nafissi 2014)

All fiction submissions are edited by the writer and not re edited in any way before they are posted. What you see is 100% writers work.

GREAT INSPIRATION

A writer's legacy

Submitted by Suraya Dewing on Wednesday 28 May 2014

Whenever a group gathers, the value of their collective purpose is multiplied many times and the capacity to do good is increased manifold.

 So it is important to join those groups that gather to educate, inform, and contribute. This was the case last weekend when over 50,000 people gathered in Auckland to listen to 150 global writers.

 They came from disciplines across all sectors…creative, mathematics, history, theology, physics, art and entrepreneurship. For example Pulitzer prize winning author, Alice Walker was there as was this year’s Booker Award winner, Eleanor Catton.

 What struck me about all these people was their humility and willingness to share insights with those who might aspire to follow in their footsteps. There is plenty of room in this world for high aspirations. The underlying message was, ‘you will join us if you work hard'. Where you start is irrelevant.  Sir Ray Avery began his journey as a runaway orphan living under a bridge in England. Sandi Toksvig is the daughter of  high achieving parents. Her father worked as the Danish foreign correspondent in New York.

 My one regret was I didn’t get to see Alice Walker whose writing and fearless work has inspired me ever since her ground breaking novel, ‘ The Colour Purple’ came out.

 These writers have proven anything is possible. They the ones to hold up as role models as their success can be ours.

 French mathematician Jacques Roubaud, at 85 years old is a European academic statesman with a huge career as a professor of mathematics and poetry.

 Although author of Mathematics (a novel) he is also a practitioner of the ‘constrained writing technique’. When he recited the poem below the inflections of his voice filled the room with ironic meaning. It was marvellous.

LIFE: SONNET

    000000 0000 01

    011010 111 001

    101011 101 001

    110011 0011 01 ….

And on it goes.

 I recall the twinkle in his eye and hear the inflections of his voice as I read it. And the French accent takes a lot of beating.

That was the beginning of what became the most wonderful two days in a long time. Jim Ali Khalili, a world leader in science was asked ‘when will the world end’. This sent a chuckle through the auditorium and set him up to debate the universe, black holes, the big bang theory and the concept of time.  Holding his hand up he said that his watch now ran at a fraction of a second slower than it had when he had his hand down. The further we move away from the centre of gravity the slower time goes….only by tiny fractions but time has to be adjusted on satellites to accommodate this change so that signals arrive back on earth within the right time frame.

 An hour with Danish/British writer, comedian and broadcaster, Sandi Toskvig was riveting.  She was entertaining, insightful and delightful. After ditching Sean Plunkett as her chair, a kind of political statement on its own, she went on to tell us about a trip she made to Kawerau to watch a woman’s boxing match. A strong exponent of women’s rights she talked about the power of boxing to make woman feel in control and able to defend themselves .

 She had many anecdotes. The one I absolutely loved was of the moon landing when she was at NASA with her parents. She came upon a visibly upset woman and held her hand to calm her.  It turned out later she was holding Neil Armstrong’s secretary’s hand. What a memory! Eventually she left the stage so that Sean Plunkett could establish the format of chairing the session. He brought her in and set about chairing the session. Every session Sean Plunkett chaired was well managed. He allowed the guest to be the star and drew them out with short, succinct questions.

 The next day was highlighted by a debate on the Gender Divide. We learned from Sandy that women still were not well represented in the senior areas of the BBC. When Booker Award winner Eleanor Catton was asked which writers influenced her the most she answered George Eliot, Jane Austen and others from that time.  That highlighted the legacy these writers leave. Imagine influencing writers, including a Booker Award winner two and a half centuries on from when you lived? Now that is Awesome

WELCOME

I would like to welcome new readers from China, India, and Lithuania to the blog. We are becoming a truly international fellowship of writers and readers. I thank you all for your continued support. If you have something you wish to post please E mail me ray@raystoneauthor.com  thank you.

Deep Water - Chapter 7 written by Mat Clarke

Mat Clarke is one of the original 'Minters' and here is chapter 7 from 'Deep Water,' a serial that became one of the most popular in the early days. Mat is still a member of The Story Mint and also runs his own writers club in Melbourne. Last year they published a book of short stories. Mat is an actor and can be seen on Australian TV in many dramas.

Another gulp of water. I gag and more water shoots into my mouth. I can’t stay up, oh god I can’t stay up. My leg hits something hard. I’m being dragged along the river floor. I can see the sky past the few inches of water above my head. I could be closer to the shore than I thought. I could stand! I wave my arms through the thick water and turn myself around and face down stream and push against the rocks below, the life jacket helps me surface. Air partially fills my lungs again. The shore is only yards away; although it’s the opposite side to where Artie has been left.

I scramble over the wet slippery obstacles until I’m back onto sun cooked rocks. Water spurts out from my stomach and I cough and shake. Everything has gone so wrong and Artie is dying. No rafts and no people are in sight but I can hear far off voices and yelling. A track leads along the river. It’s my only option. For Artie’s sake I push myself up and hobble faster than I think I should on whatever is broken in my foot. But for Artie, I have to for Artie.

‘Help! Bruce, anyone, help me, I’m over here. Hey!

My voice echoes off the walls but there is no return cry. I can hear someone screaming. Others must be hurt as well. It’s like a nightmare. It is a nightmare. Of all the stupidest trips this has to be the worst. Why couldn’t Artie just take me on a date. Why couldn’t Artie realise what I feel for him. Idiot! My hand flies to my mouth. He’s hurt and may be dead and here I am I’m cursing him. The hot sun is warm but my face is still wet. I keep crying like a pitiful child but can’t help myself. I gulp a chunk of air like it’s going to run out, sniff and try not to think of future birthdays without Artie.

The track takes a sharp turn moving away from the River. A hiss. I step back into a prickly bush. A snake the size of a cell phone is coiled and upright. It’s almost comical in its size but still scary and looks like it may just attack out of spite.

‘Help, anybody.’

My throat feels so sore. I can’t even yell out properly. I’m so useless.

But then an answer to my call and I can hear running along the path.

‘I’m here! Artie’s hurt we need to help him. Hurry.’

Then someone comes into view and stops on the other side of the small snake. He isn’t wearing the wet gear like everyone in the rafts. Instead he’s in camouflage clothes and a rifle is slung over his back. He steps forward and crushes the snake, then just stands there as if waiting for a reaction.

Mat Clarke (Australia)     copyright Mat Clarke 2012

http://www.thestorymint.com/serials/deep-river