indie writer

Those Small Moments

~ ChanAtkins ~ 1 Comment

Do you ever feel like life consists of small moments that seem to repeat themselves again and again? Often made up of the somewhat repetitive actions we perform day after day. I think about these small moments a lot. Sometimes I feel like I am living out groundhog day, always doing the same small things, reliving the same small moments that make up my life.

Often the day itself becomes a fast moving blur and the moments I feel trapped in, the moments that seem somehow illuminated are those at the start and end of the day. Perhaps they are the routines I practice the most, whereas the day itself can vary due to outside influences such as other people, even weather.

For me, I feel like I am always waking up wrapped in my warm blanket, dying for the loo. Then I am always outside letting the chickens out. Then I am always on the sofa eating my breakfast, drinking my tea, checking my phone. Later on, I am always getting ready for bed, writing, followed by reading or Netflix back in my blanket cocoon, waiting for sleep. Those are the longest, brightest moments that repeat themselves so much.

Image by NoName_13 from Pixabay

But there are others as well, all so familiar to me, all ingrained little habits and routines, such as sitting on the bottom stair, my body angled towards the shoe rack, where I pull on my Converse and tie them up, or the way I always have an ice lolly just before I go to sleep, because I’m thirsty but I know having a big drink will mean I wake up in the night to go to the toilet.

If I’m honest, I like my little routines and derive comfort for them. Every Saturday I have a long bath around 3 or 4 pm for instance, and I look forward to it all week. It’s my chance to close the door, shut myself away, submerge myself in warm comforting water, read a good book and drink a glass of wine. It always plays out the same. I feel disjointed and uneasy if this routine is ever interrupted. It always feels like the worries and strains of the week flow right out of my body and mind as I slip into the water.

But some moments are less fun, less desirable and instead they become monotonous. Driving my husband to work, turning around, driving back, driving my son to school, driving back. I could drive those roads blindfolded and I look forward to breaks in these routines. I could happily live without them forever, in fact.

Sometimes I think that’s what life is. Small moments, repeated, small moments savoured, small moments dreaded, small moments strung together to create a life from start to finish.

And it’s always the small things that mean so much to us. It’s the little things that count. It’s always the little things that make us smile and keep us hanging on. I recently wrote this little list poem about the small moments that come around again and again in my life:

New Day

Wake in warm blanket cocoon

One sock off, one sock on

The floor is cold

Socks don’t match

They both have pink toes

But one is long, one is short

No one will know

A dress with stars and skulls on it

Belt gets caught in the loops

I don’t have time for this shit

Sit on the bottom stair to tie up shoes

Day after day

A cold wind blows at the petrol stattion

It starts to rain

People huddle at bus stop

All the lights are red

As the Universe thwarts me

A man gets out of his car

To shout at the one behind

Nothing happens, we move on

The radio sings

This is a beautiful day

This is a new day

Character Interviews: Amelina Scott (The Curse of Time series by M.J Mallon)

~ ChanAtkins ~ 7 Comments

Welcome to a new feature on The Glorious Outsiders where I’ll be interviewing unique characters from other people’s books! You’ll find a character interview at the start of each month and today, I’m chatting to Amelina Scott from the YA series, The Curse of Time. I’ve read and enjoyed Bloodstone and will be starting Golden Healer very soon. So, let’s find out what Amelina has to say!

1. How old are you?

I am sixteen now. My story includes flashbacks to my thirteenth birthday when my dad disappeared. Since then, nothing has been the same.

2. where do you come from?

Believe it or not, I originate from this long line of Krystallos (crystal) magicians. It came as a shock to me when I discovered that.

3. where do you live? Describe it to us

I live in Cambridge in the UK, in a normal suburb. Don’t let that fool you! Our house has a hexagonal hallway, with a magical attic study, overseen by a key that talks and there is a much needed lookout point on the upper floor. If you visit, check out the clocks and the mirrors, too. You will find some mysterious surprises! Our house and the surrounding land is creepy and oppressive. I swear the house is a living entity; it makes a lot of grumbling, whispering noises! As our circumstances changed – with Bloodstone magic – the house reflected this by becoming altogether quieter.

Nearby, a short walk takes you to the river and the train tracks, where there is a pathway representing light and darkness. At the beginning, my mother warned me off going there, but how could I resist when there is a magical crystal cottage hidden there?

4. do you have a family, if so tell us about them

Yes, we’re a peculiar lot! There’s my dad who disappeared. He’s musical like me, a talented guitarist who lost his way. It is a long story… He surrendered his powers and succumbed to a terrible aging curse. It was up to me to cure him, to improve our life. Mum suffered too… and this manifested in her vicious tongue and her scary face. At the time, she wouldn’t have looked out of place as a scary wax exhibit in Madam Tussaud’s. I don’t have a sibling but I have a ‘sister,’ Esme. Some evil person, imprisoned her in the mirrors of our house. In the past, poor Esme used to self harm and suffered terrible mood swings whilst locked in the mirror.

My gossipy Aunt Karissa is such a hoot! We’re really close and I often confide in her. She has this habit of crushing you when she hugs you. I call her hugs corset-cinching. No family portrait would be complete without mentioning Shadow, my vanishing, mysterious black cat who knows a lot more. If only he could speak! Or can he?

5. who is your best friend and why?

Jade is my best friend, but we’ve had our ups and downs. Life became complicated when we both fancied the same boy, Ryder. I discovered some creepy things about him and warned her off. She doesn’t listen to advice about boys. She has her flaws, but I’ve known her since we were little. There is never a dull moment with Jade. That’s why I like her so much.

6. who is your worst enemy and why?

Ryder. Appearances can be deceptive. He’s beautiful, but his heart is anything but. He has this hypnotic personality that draws you in, fools you into believing everything he says. I discovered the real him, his darkness within, his shadow demon, which mars the sunshine, hiding the truth.

7. what are your talents?

I’d sum that up with five words: magical, poetic, artistic, musical, Krystallos. I harness the power of crystals. It was my destiny to meet Leanne and Eruterac, to discover the crystal cottage and harness the power of the crystals. I’m brave, and always a loyal friend.

8. what are your flaws?

I lose stuff. I should listen to Leanne. She advises me on all things crystals. I’m frightened of horses! I can be naive, but I’m learning not to be.

9. what do you think people think of you?

My friends think I’ve been here before. I caught them gossiping about me one day. Most people think I’m peculiar – if you saw me painting during my art exam – you’d think I was strange too. My aunt gives me gifts and sometimes they give me unexpected superpowers!

10. what do you wish people knew about you?

I wish they would be me for one day. It would be fun to see what they would make of all the crazy things that happen to me… meet the ghoulish repugnant spirits, fly aboard the grasshopper of time, and spirit walk out of your body to a crazy rollercoaster ride. If you stick with me through this series, you’ll see what I am talking about.

11. what’s your biggest fear?

Art coming alive! When I first met Eruterac, I nearly died. I painted him – and like a Halloween apparition; he came knocking at my door. Only joking, he’s not as scary as he looks… No, my biggest fear is the rollercoaster of time, and the master who controls the grasshopper. You’ll find out more about them if you read the 1st Bloodstone and the 2nd book in this YA Fantasy series, Golden Healer.

12. what’s your biggest hope?

To save civilisation from darkness… we are in great danger and I want to prevent disaster. I hope that light will prevail.

13. what’s your biggest secret?

I know how dangerous Ryder could become. He’s toying with his abilities like a cat with his prey.

14. I what is the worst thing you have done to another person?

I used to fight with my mum. She was horrible to live with after Dad disappeared. I hated her sometimes.

15. what kind of friend are you?

Loyal, and kind, I’m one of the good gals.

16. Is there anything about your life you would change?

I’d never take my aunt Karissa’s mad dog out for a walk. Never again, just saying, he’s a nutter! And I’d avoid taking my aunt, Shadow, and Toby to the cottage all together. Cats, dogs and crazy aunts and magical flying mats, say no more.

17. where would you like to be in 5 years time?

I’d like to be in Edinburgh sitting on a park bench in the sunshine. The one o’clock gun will sound and there’ll be fireworks in my heart because I’d know that my family and Esme are safe and free.

18. do you have any regrets?

My only regret is keeping this story a secret for so long! I kept it hidden in my camphor wood chest. I’d love The Curse of Time series to become more widely known. Please read this series, find about my family, review and share this story so everyone will know.

19. how would you like to be remembered?

Krystallos Girl, my mission is to save the earth from lies, darkness, and shadows.

20. What are your hobbies/how do you relax?

I play music, drums and guitar, write poetry and paint, harness the power of crystals… Heck, I bring art to life, and yes, my brushes talk! Pretty cool, hey?!

If you’d like to know more about Amelina and her amazing adventures, here are the links to follow author MJ. Mallon

Author Bio

I write YA fantasy, paranormal, horror/supernatural short stories, flash fiction and short form poetry. 

I’ve been blogging for many moons at my blog home Kyrosmagica, which means Crystal Magic. 

My eclectic blog shares my three loves: reading,  writing, and creativity: https://mjmallon.com/

You can access all my links here: https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor

April Writing Challenge: My Top 5 Authors (plus my top 5 books ever…and more…)

~ ChanAtkins ~ 4 Comments

At the start of every month I ask my Facebook followers to suggest some writing prompts and challenges and then I post the one I chose at the end of the month. For the second time I was most tempted by a non-fiction challenge from Becky Bekstar Paroz: What are your top 5 favourite authors ever? This question led me to creating more than one list and turned out to be the most expensive blog post I have ever written. Read on to find out why!

Top 5 Authors:

  1. Stephen King – for his character driven stories, writing style, sheer volume and reliability and unforgettable horror! He really is the master and I got hooked on his writing aged 12.
  2. Charles Bukowski – for his raw, honest, beautiful words about everything. The only author’s words I have tattooed on me. I picked Ham On Rye up in a book shop one day having never heard of Bukowski. That soon changed as I worked my way through his novels, short stories and poems.
  3. Chris Whittaker – for the best, flawed, beautiful, heartbreaking and memorable characters you will ever come across. Plus his writing style and incredible plots.
  4. SE Hinton – for inspiring me to keep writing as a teenager, for characters I fell in love with, for teaching me the skills of creating believable characters you root for.
  5. Kate Rigby – for being my favourite indie author with a huge and varied catalogue of gritty, character-driven books.

Top 5 books:

  1. The Catcher In The Rye – JD Salinger – one of the only books I can read time and time again and still get something new from
  2. Watership Down – Richard Adams – for inspiring me to write as a child
  3. The Outsiders – SE Hinton – for luring me away from animal stories and making me want to write about harder hitting topics
  4. Ham On Rye – Charles Bukowski – for being the book that introduced me to one of my favourite writers and poets.
  5. IT – Stephen King – for just being utterly epic and a book I could read again and again forever.

Top 5 Need to Read More From authors

  1. Amy Reed – Nowhere Girls and The Boy and Girl Who Broke The World are two of my favourite books so I need to read more of her. After I wrote this post I ordered Invincible.
  2. Alice Feeney – recently read and loved Daisy Darker, so have just bought Sometimes I lie.
  3. Andrew Michael Hurley – I had The Loney for years begore I got round to reading it and after that quickly devoured the intensely creepy Starve Acre. I’ve just ordered Devil’s Day and I can’t wait. His writing and settings are so atmospheric.
  4. Amy Engel – I was blown away by the disturbing The Roanoke Girls, then mesmerised by The Book Of Ivy and heartbroken by The Familiar Dark. I need more!
  5. Sarah Pinborough – I absolutely loved 13 Minutes a few years ago then recently fell in love with The Death House. These are both YA books. I then tried one of her adult books, Insomnia, so have just bought A Matter of Blood to try!

(Thanks to this list I ended up ordering four books from four of these authors, hence this turning into an expensive blog post!)

Top 5 Everyone Should Read These Books

  1. The Hate U Give – to have a better understanding of racism
  2. Nowhere Girls – to have a better understanding of misogyny
  3. The Outsiders – to have a better understanding of class inequalities
  4. Tender Is The Flesh – to think about how we treat animals
  5. The Forcing – to face the frightening future of climate change.

Top 5 Books that are as good or better than the TV show/movie

  1. Lockwood and Co series – Season One was amazing and had me so hooked I bought the first book in the series. The writing is superb, and I’ve read the first three!
  2. I’m Thinking Of Ending Things – the book was strange but brilliant. For me, the movie was just strange.
  3. The Walking Dead comics – in some ways as good as the TV show, in many ways better
  4. All The Bright Places – I just much preferred the book! The movie was just missing something.
  5. Any Stephen King adaptation – many of them are brilliant but none of them will ever match the books!!

Fortune’s Well Book 3: Days End released today!!

~ ChanAtkins ~ 3 Comments

And look out for a future post titled ‘how not to launch a book’!

Life has other plans, right? Life gets in the way.

Today was meant to be a big day for myself and my co-author Sim Sansford, as we released the final book in our YA trilogy, Fortune’s Well.

To recap, as we were coming out of lockdown, Sim messaged me to see if I’d ever consider writing a book with another author. The answer was no – but Sim and I have similar writing styles and interests and get on really well as business partners and friends, so I said yes, why not?

He had a vague idea that struck a chord with me – the image of an empty jar, a jar full of nothing and two teenage protagonists battling with mental health and family drama. I quite quickly created JJ Carson and Sim created Darcie Duffield. I dived in and wrote the first chapter and from there it just snowballed! We were soon writing a chapter a day each, sending them back and forth via email and discussing our plans for the story via messages on Facebook!

The amazing thing was the lack of planning and plotting. It was all very fast and organic and seemed to just fly! We soon realised we had enough material for a trilogy and today the final book, Days End was released.

A few weeks ago we had grand plans of a launch event, competitions, sneak peeks, Facebook Lives and more! Unfortunately, with family drama/work pressures and every day stresses, neither of us have had the time. Amazon then did a spectacular number on us by deleting our preorder link! Sim dealt with this fiasco and there was no real reason given for it being deleted. Our preorders were lost, refunds issued by Amazon and we’ve been left hoping that those people went back and ordered again.

Not a great way to launch a book but it is always tricky with a series.

Anyway, that aside, we are hugely proud of our co-written trilogy and we have already started planning another book together. More on that another day! Right now I am having a glass of wine to celebrate the final chapter in JJ and Darcie’s intriguing story of superpowers, dark organisations, and family secrets and it would mean the world to us if you would consider purchasing the book. Both book 1 and 3 are currently just 99p for ebook!

Here is the link to Days End:

And the blurb:

All things must come to an end…

With the Organisation hot on their trail and their powers growing stronger by the day; JJ Carson and Darcie Duffield are more determined than ever to save Fortune’s Well from the looming darkness.

But when history threatens to repeat itself, and an unseen foe is watching their every move, who will make the ultimate sacrifice to save them all and bring about the end of days?

Days End is the highly anticipated conclusion to the Fortune’s Well trilogy.