Special Feature: Wishbone

Welcome to the Writers’ Market Group feature.

Today’s feature is slightly different. Since the dawning of Red Bubble, we have seen writers either come and go or stay on and shine before our very eyes. One of the writers who has been around from the beginning and doing very well for herself is Kate Smith (also known as Empress).

Not only was her short story entry in the Unleashed07 competition a winner, she since has had a few stories published as eBooks or in online ezines with various independent publishers.

Her stories can be found at Mobipocket, Fictionwise and with publisher Mystic Moon Press. You can also listen to her story “Bad Hair Nights” via Parade of Phantoms or if you wish to read the story, purchase a copy at MMP.

One of her first and successful stories with Mystic Moon Press is Wishbone. A mystery/crime/fantasy wonder mix.

“I love blending flashing dialogue between two characters with an ensemble cast, even if most of them are off stage for most of the action. It’s my way of building a world and inviting the reader in…” says Kate.

The story’s blurb below:

Ariel Thorne does not believe in coincidence.

She doesn’t believe in curses either.

But the increasingly odd and dangerous events around Wishbone Street have her believing one thing absolutely:

Something’s going to snap.

Wishbone has since called out a related story titled Zap – Pandora’s Edge.

“Zap for example takes place during the first half of Wishbone; one of my first published stories The Dominant Rose links to the last chapter,” Kate explains.

I highly recommend reading both. If Wishbone and Zap leaves you hanging for more, never fear as Kate hints there is another part in the works. “There’s the unfinished novel that started it all currently titled Welcome Home. I’ve taken it out of the file for the first time in years. It has good bones.”

Looking forward to seeing this instalment.

Kate is a work-horse when it comes to writing that I sometimes wonder if she has time for anything else. At Red Bubble, she co-hosts the Short Stories – Spherical Scriptings group with Damian (who has been featured here previously) and has been involved in collaborations with other artists. One of the collaborations has opened the way to her new blog site The Sirens Gate.

As you can see, Kate truly is a motivation for writers.

Special Feature: The Blue Vase

Welcome to the Writers’ Market Group daily feature.

Today we feature a story titled The Blue Vase by Hilary Dougill.

A light, heart felt story about family relationships and love.

Here are some of the comments the story received:

this was cool liked it…

Well written great stoy. Good work

This is a great story Hil, I just loved it…marvellous…love a great love story… 😉 We all need one of those…

Below is a snippet of the story.

The Blue Vase

‘Mother. How could you?’ challenged Virginia and Cicely together.

‘The man is a guest in the house. You saw him at lunch for God’s sake Mother.’ said Cicely.

‘And to threaten someone with a loaded gun is awful.’ said Virginia.

‘Oh it isn’t loaded’ was Mother’s retort.’you don’t think I am foolish enough to point a loaded gun at someone do you?’

‘Not loaded. Oh Mother that’s almost worse. You frightened the poor man almost to death with a empty gun. Whatever got into you?’

Click the link to read the full story.

Hilary is professional psychologist who lives in a small market town in the United Kingdom and has a PhD in Natural Medicine. Photography and writing are her hobbies.

A sample of her works which are available for view and purchase at Red Bubble

Special Feature: Jihad

Welcome to the Writers’ Market Group daily feature.

Today we feature a poem titled Jihad by Natella2020.

The word Jihad is an Arabic word which means struggle, a word which suits this poem well. I saw this poem a motivational and inspirational piece, indicating the need to survive great odds; failing and triumphing in the end.

Here are some of the comments the poem received:

beautifully written

Deep, Powerful imagery, very thought provoking, loved the first stanza and the second and the third, actually I can’t quite decide. I loved the title best of all, very fitting and stirring…

…this is one of the best written pieces I have read to date from you. Imagery, yes – powerful, yes – but the words used and how they are constructed in the verses are outstanding…

Below is a snippet.

Jihad

Broken ax meets solid summit
Solid power, solid fear
With a force of golden passion
And a tide of joyous tears

Click the link to read the full poem.

Natella2020 is a writer who is passionate about islam and science. I find her pieces are thought provoking and offers conscience messages readers can take with them.

In Natella’s words, “My goal is to start a revolution in scientific thought by adding a spark of artistic style and the eloquence and power of the written word. If I make an impression on the mind of one person, my journey will be worthwhile, and my goal accomplished.”

Special Feature: Match Met

Welcome to the Writers’ Market Group feature.

Today we feature a story titled Match Met which is part of a serial written by Jcmontgomery. It’s an enticing read full of power plays, tension and those heart pounding moments that make you want to quickly turn to the next page. She has the gift of hooking your attention with the first three lines and keeping it right to the end.

Here are some of the comments the story received:

omg….this is soooo good…..i don’t want it to end like that!!! pretty please?!

Brilliant piece, I really think you have something great happening here jc…it picks off beautifull from where you left off, its got suspense, excitement, gives you the story and then leaves you with little bits and pieces of infomation you want resolved. I also think you are bring each piece of the whole its own climax, kind of like a sci-fi/fantasy/horror serial or novel with chapters…I could go on…
you’ve started something here jc LOL!

Oh wow! I can only add to what is said before. This is just great! 🙂

Below is a snippet of the story.

Match Met

Gaelan? I’m sensing a…..no….NO! Gaelan, get out. Get out now!

Before Gaelan could answer the room went dark. Jumping from his chair he raced around to where Devlin had been just moments before. Reaching out to grab him by the collar, Gaelan instead felt his hands go numb. It was only because of his quick reflexes that he was able to prevent them from shattering into irreparable shards.

Click the link to read the full story.

Jcmontgomery is a native San Franciscan currently residing as a Northern Nevadan. Firmly believing that fulfillment doesn’t come with a dollar sign, she hopes to one day find that perfect match between her talents and someone willing to support her addiction to skinny vanilla lattes.

You can also find her reading and reviewing books as The Biblio Brat and posting to her online journal Loose Leafs from a Commonplace.

She also co-hosts the A Novel Idea group at Red Bubble.