Yesterday it rained so my thought of sitting outside in the sun was smashed, but when I arrived (late - what can I say, I'm a writer and getting up early isn't usually an issue) I found that the class was looking at little things. Botanical illustration is about the small over the large, and it… Continue reading Botanical illustration
Author: Kate
Kate Murray has recently completed her Masters in Creative Writing and is currently working as an illustrator and writer. Her first anthology of short stories ‘The Phantom Horse’ was published in December 2013 and she subsequently has had another anthology published by Raging Aardvark; “Love Just Is” looks at the truth of love, in all its guises from romantic to obsessive. She is currently working on an anthology of ghost stories which should be published at the end of October 2014 and is also writing her first novel. Kate runs two blogs, one is about her life as a writer (kate0murray.wordpress.com) and the other is a serialisation of a novel, “The Gone”; a disaster hits the world while Bitsy is on a flight from Italy. She lands to find that the world is completely altered and she must learn to survive in a place where everyone is not who they appear to be (thegone.wordpress.com).
Kate has had short stories published in magazines and e-zines, including ‘The Lampeter Review’, ‘Jotter’s United’, and ‘What The Dickens’. She has had short stories included in the ‘Twisted Tales 2013’ anthology published by Raging Aardvark, and the ‘Busker Anthology’ and ‘Spooky Tales Anthology’ published by What the Dickens.
Kate’s artwork has been exhibited at the Museum Of Modern Art in Machynlleth where she was selected after entering the art competition and at Aberglasney Gardens as part of the Mid Wales Art group. Her artwork has been published by companies from Norway to Australia and her latest works will have illustrations in it. She has also had a series of line drawings published by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust in their biodiversity action plan.
Kate currently works in the foothill of the Cambrian Mountains where she has a purpose built workshop that she affectionately calls her ‘house’ as she spends far more time in there than anywhere else.
Ill-health and a writerly struggle
I have a deadline coming up for an anthology of short stories. It is going to be tight, but it is still do-able. Except I did something silly. For the last four months I've been on iron tablets. I go anaemic easily and this time it was enough to worry to doctors. But after the… Continue reading Ill-health and a writerly struggle
Home?
Is there anywhere that is safe? The next part of 'The Gone'. #writing #novel #thegone
Geeks and Hackers
Will Bitsy find anyone on the internet? Is the internet even working?
The page opens and I watch as the hospital title appears. I know that this doesn’t necessarily mean that the internet is working. Typing in the address of a well-known search engine I keep everything crossed. It loads.
Making no sound I punch the air. Now I just have to find someone on. First though I type in BBC news.
Page not found.
Shit. Next I try my social media. Nothing. Finally I just type in yesterday’s date. There are only ten options and one of them is a forum. I click that one.
Do you want to join or use anonymously?
I click on the second and I’m in.
There is only one new heading – what is happening?
I enter and type:
Guest 234: Is anyone there?
J.H.: I am, comes the answer.
Guest 234: Who are you?
J.H.: John, you?
Guest 234: Bitsy. Do you know what’s…
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Busy!
I am SO busy. Why is it all deadlines seem to clump together? I have a theory that they are actually sentient beings and they follow a migration route. The one they are using at the moment reaches its conclusion at the end of September. Of course the result of this is that I am… Continue reading Busy!
Keyboards and passwords
Is Bitsy going to survive on her own? The next part of ‘The Gone’.
I can’t stop shaking but as I step into the gloom there is no hissing or screams, instead everything remains the same. Breath explodes out of me as I realise that I have been holding it. Setting my sights on the door I walk forward. I don’t look around, I can’t. I only have a little while to get in, find the information and get out. There is no way I want to be trapped here in the dark. Not with those things. I reach the glass doors and cup my hands to peer inside. I can see the reception desk. There is no movement. I consider banging on the glass, but that might bring others and I want to be quiet and quick.
As I push on the door it swings quietly inward. I stand on the beige linoleum floor and shiver, not in fear but because the air…
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Kid’s Books and Kindle
I got an email last night and it said that Kindle was launching something new... A Kindle Kid's Book Creator. Oh er...Was my first thought.Interesting...My second.Now, I understand that Amazon is a massive conglomerate and that most don't like them, but for me they have made things possible that I never imagined. I have books for… Continue reading Kid’s Books and Kindle
The Tracks
Loneliness is an interesting feeling. It hits you in the center of your chest and leaves you standing there feeling as if you have lost something but not knowing what. I suppose I do know what is missing. I suppose.Once, a while back, I walked this part of the line, listening with one ear for the… Continue reading The Tracks
Doors and Darkness
Doors and darkness. Bitsy takes a step away from Max.
She looks at me, shocked, as if I am doing something stupid. I probably am but it has got to be done. I don’t think she or Max have realised just how dangerous our position is. But I have to know what is happening and if the WHO is still there.
Dee points at an outside door. It looks more like a window but I can see a handle. “Are you sure?” she asks, some of her bluster gone.
“Yes.” I start toward it and then stop. “If I’m not back in a couple of hours lock yourselves away.”
“Why?” Max asks. I notice that he is now standing and trying to leave the table, but Dee has a hold on his arm.
“The glass,” I say.
“What about it?”
I sigh. “How many were in the car park? How many are hiding in houses? They are all going to…
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A trying time
I am finding everything a little difficult at the moment. Maybe it is the deadlines or the stress of family or the simple fact that for the last three weeks my life has been booked solid. I mean I have loved doing everything but now I just want to be able to get a whole… Continue reading A trying time
Kate Murray - Cleaver 