Tuesday 26 August 2014

Crossword Puzzle - August 2014

Complete this crossword puzzle, and e-mail me your answers before 23 September 2014, for a chance to get featured on this blog. Plus, the first correct answers I receive before that date will win a free electronic copy of one of my books (your choice).

Good luck!

Clues

Across
1 Operator of a software package (4)
3 The end of a cat's foot (3)
6 Yoko (3)
9 Zann, Lovecraft character (5)
11 Free of something (3)
12 IBM Compatible PC (8)
13 No more after (3)
14 Type of beer (3)
17 It's the limit (3)
19 Japanese warrior code (7)
22 What 1 Across did (4)
25 Sixty Minutes (4)
26 Sink a ship (7)
27 In the bud (3)
29 It doesn't matter which (3)
31 Small dogs do this (3)
33 Powerless (8)
38 Singular (3)
39 Pale brownish yellow colour (5)
40 What 1 Across does (3)
41 In the centre (3)
42 Highest point (4)
Down
1 Card game (3)
2 Preacher in a Methodist church (3)
3 Hole (3)
4 What a thespian does (3)
5 Done to eggs (5)
6 Found deep underground (3)
7 Last teen (8)
8 Strange (3)
10 Officiates sports (3)
14 Left after a fire (3)
15 People from Laos (8)
16 Flightless Australian bird (3)
17 Thus was it written (3)
18 Yes (3)
20 For holding ashes (3)
21 Egyptian viper (3)
23 Pamper yourself (3)
24 Of a white wine (3)
28 Just an expression (5)
30 A rocky peak (3)
31 And I (3)
32 urine (3)
34 1101 (3)
35 Doctor of Philosophy (3)
36 Leaves for boiling water (3)
37 Male evening-wear (3)

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Crossword Puzzle - July 2014 Answers

What's that, you say? You didn't get the answers to last month's crossword puzzle in time? Well, better luck next month.

That said, bet you're tearing your hair out by now, waiting to find the answer to that one clue that you missed, aren't you?

Well, wait no more! Without further ado, the answers to the July 2014 Crossword Puzzle!

Across
1 A drama in classical music and singing (5)—opera
4 Don Diego de la Vega (5)—Zorro
6 Tibetan animal (3)—yak
8 Castle (4)—rook
9 Public House (3)—pub
11 Single (3)—one
12 People say it ain't nothing but a number (3)—age
13 Person of colour (derogatory) (5)—Negro
15 Start again (5)—reset
17 Rift (5)—chasm
21 Animals (5)—fauna
25 Small, lesser demon (3)—imp
26 Spit (3)—gob
27 A female deer (3)—doe
28 Thirteen to Nineteen (4)—teen
30 Gardening implement (3)—hoe
31 Eskimo house (5)—igloo
32 Not strong (5)—muted
Down
2 It flies (5)—plane
3 Fourth month (3)—Apr
4 Founder of Paramount Pictures (5)—Zuker
5 Colour on the cheeks (5)—rouge
6 Over ___ hill (3)—yon
7 Barrel of beer (3)—keg
9 A dance step (3)—pas
10 Make a wager (3)—bet
14 Australian Rugby Team (4)—Reds
16 Afrikaans woman's name (4)—Elma
17 Criminal Investigations, dept. of British police (3)—CID
18 Chinese ethnic group (5)—Hmong
19 A primate (3)—ape
20 Marketing slogan (5)—motto
22 Expression of disgust (3)—ugh
23 Rope for hanging (5)—noose
24 Honest Mr Lincoln (3)—Abe
29 A war from the '50s to the '70s (3)—Nam

See you next week for the August 2014 puzzle!

Tuesday 12 August 2014

The Thing in the Window

To listen to this story on YouTube, click here

Last month, I enjoyed writing about being in the wrong bathroom so much that I decided to try another prompt from the same website. This one's called The Open Window, and it goes like this:
You had that dream again. The one where the beast with the drooping hands and wicked fangs stares you down from your window. Except the windows open this time—and you’re awake! What happens next?
Once again, the prompt asked for a response in no more than 500 words. I've been writing a little bit of horror lately, first with Billy's Zombie, and then with a short story called Under the Sheets that I entered into a flash fiction contest (which my newsletter subscribers know all about). With that in mind, I thought, how hard could it be? Here goes:
Mary's mouth hung open. She wanted to scream, but no sound came out. She wanted to slam the window shut, but her arm wouldn't move. She wanted to turn and run, as far away from her room as possible. But she didn't know where to go. The thing would be in the room and upon her before she reached the door. Besides, her feet wouldn't have been able to move if she tried. She was frozen in fear.

“Hello, Mary.”

Mary swallowed hard. “H-how do you know my name?”

“Oh, we've met many times before. In your dreams, night after night. It's good to finally meet you in person.”

As she stared at the beast, with saliva dripping off its fangs, she suddenly knew who it was. “Marty? Is that you?”

The thing threw its head back and emitted a deep, slow laugh. “Marty is the name your subconscious gave me, child. My name is Ciz'que.”

Although still frightened, Mary was beginning to regain her senses somewhat. She knew this creature from her dreams, although she knew him as Marty. He was frightening then, but not overtly hostile, and she felt that if she could defeat him in her sleep, she could defeat him here, in the real world.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“My name, child—my true name—means 'Bringer of Souls'. I want your soul.”

Mary thought about this a moment, then snapped, “Well, you can't have it!”

Ciz'que seemed to take a step back, apparently shocked at the audacity of this child. After a moment, he brought his head through the open window, stopping centimetres from Mary's face. Mary's gaze met his, and she found herself unable to move or speak, transfixed by the creature's glowing yellow eyes.

The beast opened its gigantic maw and breathed hot, fetid breath into Mary's face. The stench was terrible, unlike anything Mary had ever experienced before. But as she was no longer entranced by Ciz'que's eyes, Mary was able to think quickly. She reached out her left hand and felt for the letter opener that she knew lay on her writing desk. Finding it just within arms reach, she grabbed it and plunged it into Ciz'que's open maw.

The creature screamed and stepped back. It swiped out at Mary's face with a heavy claw, running three deep gashes along her cheek, causing her to crash to the floor. Ciz'que reached into his mouth, removed the letter opener and examined it. Blood dripped off the blade. He tossed it away, and leapt all the way through into the room.

Ciz’que's massive frame covered Mary on the floor, and once again she found herself unable to move.

“And now,” he said, “your soul.”

Ciz’que’s yellow orb-eyes filled Mary’s consciousness. Nothing else existed for her. She opened her mouth to scream—a whooshing sound came out instead. And with it, out streamed a long, black trail. The last thing Mary was aware of was her soul being pulled from her body.

What did you think of this story? Loved it? Hated it? I'd love to know! Tell me in the comments below.

Oh, and if you'd like to visit my All Books page, and check out the rest of my writing, I'd be exceedingly grateful!

Image: "Lady Gaga withThe Fame Monster" by John Robert Charlton - [1]. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lady_Gaga_withThe_Fame_Monster.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Lady_Gaga_withThe_Fame_Monster.jpg

Tuesday 5 August 2014

Billy's Zombie, Coming Halloween 2014

Who doesn't like a good zombie story?

Young Billy MacIntyre has always been a weird kid, always taking every little slight to heart.

One day, he decides to exact his revenge on all those simpletons who have done him wrong. And he does it by taking a book of Necromancy out of the library, and raising a zombie from the dead!

On Thursday, 30 October 2014, just in time for Halloween, I will be releasing my newest story, all about Billy and his zombie. If you love a good zombie romp, and a quick read (it will be short), you'll want to read this. Best of all, it will be completely and forever free!

I'm really excited about this book, and I'll be giving more information about it as we get closer to launch date. To whet your appetite in the meantime, here's a short excerpt:

That's my creation down there. Do you see?

Shambling along the empty suburban street, in the middle of the night. Past the parked car to its left. To its right, a dog lies on his back. He rolls over onto his feet, hackles raised, and barks as he sees the creature. The creature turns its grotesque countenance towards the animal and glares at him. The poor thing cowers as his brave bark becomes a pathetic whimper.

Look, now it's standing under a lonely street light. Through this crystal ball, you can truly appreciate its beauty, with its clothes tattered and muddy, and the grave worms still crawling in and out of its empty eye sockets. My creation.

Excited yet?

Well, I have a special offer for you, my loyal blog readers. Sign up for my newsletter between now and 30 September, and you will receive a special, limited edition, pre-launch copy of the story, a full week before release!

That's right, simply enter your e-mail address into the box below, wait for my e-mail, and let me know which format you would like to read the story in (e-book formats only, I'm afraid; no print).

Oh, and keep glued to this blog, where I'll be revealing the cover soon!