Sunday Musings and The Maltese Falcon.

I thought I’d do a little post and let you know what I’ve been up to. I’ve not done a personal post for a long time now, mainly using this blog to post my 100 word episodes of The Package.

I've been getting some good writing done just lately but I have a feeling that’s going to quieten down as my work schedule starts picking up again. I have promised to manage my time better this year, so...hopefully...writing will still be on the agenda.

I’ve been working on my novel and I’m also looking at putting a short story collection together but they will mostly be new stories -- that need finishing up. Not sure when that will happen, though, as I have no idea how Kindle Direct Publishing works. I’m sure it’ll be straight forward enough when I actually come to do it.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading.

I didn’t start 'serious' reading until I was, say 18-19. I can still remember that it was a rainy day on holiday in Majorca and it was a Jack Higgins novel. I finished it in a couple of days and thought to myself, “What have I been missing out on?” Since then I always have a book on the go...sometimes 3 or 4.

I'm currently reading The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

I read it years ago and originally watched the film years before. It has to be said that they made films in those days the way the book was written.  I decided to watch the film in segments, and only watch what I'd read of the novel.  Apart from the obvious little fillers, and, I have to say, there aren't that many, the film is absolutely true to the story.  Dialogue wise, you can almost read along to the film.

Hammett was a fantastic writer, his ability to set a scene within a couple of sentences a major strong point.  I will certainly be getting hold of his other novels.  It just shows how your mind and appreciation of fine writing never stops learning.  As I've mentioned, I read The Maltese Falcon years ago.  Then, I probably read it and never really thought that much about it.  Now, though, and probably due to my love of writing, it certainly is a thing of beauty.  Well written is an understatement.

Sam Spade is a wonderful character and through the terrific writing you certainly get  to know and love him instantly.  Humphrey Bogart plays Spade to a tee.  His steely expression and his ability to smile whilst frowning was faultless.  It almost feels as though the character was created for Bogart to play, although George Raft was originally cast to play Spade but turned it down because he didn't want to work with a 'rookie' director - John Huston.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I've not seen the original 1931 version, starring Ricardo Cortez, but I don't think anyone could have played Spade better than Bogart.  I just hope that, in this current trend of Hollywood re-makes, nobody ever tries to beat Bogart.  To try and re-make this classic would be a travesty.

I cannot speak any more highly about this novel/movie and I urge anyone trying to improve their writing and their love of the craft to read The Maltese Falcon.  It's a must!

Well, that's me for a few days.  Enjoy your Sunday, my friends.

Later!

P.s.  Pop back later in the week for part 7 of The Package.  Catch up with it here.

A Short Story - The Package, Part 6.

Here's the next 100 word instalment of my short story, The Package.

As this story seems to be taking off, I've decided to give it its own page.  I will add each episode to it so you only have one link to click to catch up on earlier episodes.

The Package.

OK, the words that had to be included were: mandarin, spume and assemble.

As ever, this idea is inspired by my good friend Lily Childs'.

Hope you enjoy.

The Package, Part 6.

“What’s happened?” he asked, chewing on a segment of mandarin.

“She got away. Spencer beat...”

“NO!” he screamed, spume and pith spilling over his lips. “I want my stones back.”

“I’ll assemble my best men. We’ll get your stones. What are we to do with Venus?” Frankie Jones asked.

“Kill her.”

“Sir, she’s your dau...”

“No, she’s nothing to me. She’s a bastard child to an affair my bitch wife had."

Ralph Henderson ended the call.  He looked at the photo on his desk and smashed it, glass cutting into his fist.

Blood dripped onto the smiling face of Venus.


...to be continued.


As usual, all comments/feedback are very much appreciated.


Thanks.

Later!!

A Short Story - The Package, Part 5.

Here's the next 100 word instalment of my short story, The Package. If you missed earlier episodes, click on the links to catch up.

The words that had to be included were: riddle, hook and Venus.

Part 1.
Part 2.
Part 3.
Part 4.

This experiment is inspired by Lily Childs' and her Friday Prediction.

Hope you enjoy.....

The Package, Part 5.

Venus stepped from the train and followed the throng of commuters. Rail workers were shouting orders, some being obeyed.

“Sir,” one guard said, “That way means ‘THAT WAY’! It’s not a riddle. Now go!” he finished, pointing to an exit.

Venus walked past the guard, concern etched across her face.

“Miss, are you OK?”

“I...I...I’m being...” Venus stopped talking and stared straight ahead.

“Miss?”

* * *

Frankie Jones’s henchman is standing at the other end of the station. Then I see her, push past commuters and hook an arm around hers.

“You want to live, come with me.”

...to be continued.


All comments and feedback will be greatly received.

Thanks.

Later, peeps!

A Short Story - The Package, Part 4.

Here's the next 100 word instalment of my short story, The Package.  If you missed earlier episodes, click on the links to catch up.

The words that had to be included were: crucify, hare and conserve.

Part 1.
Part 2.
Part 3.

This experiment is inspired by Lily Childs' and her Friday Prediction.

Hope you enjoy.....

The Package, Part 4.

Driving to the train station I had time to think.

I knew who’d been behind the earlier ambush.  Frankie Jones was a bad man.  I’d seen him crucify a man once.  Literally, the whole shebang: nails through the hands and feet, even a crown of thorns.  He was a nasty bloke.

Nearing the station the traffic got heavier.  My call must have worked.  I swung my Audi into the Hare and Hounds car park.

I checked my gun again, a habit I had even though I knew it was loaded.

“Conserve the package. She’s worth more than the gem stones.”

...to be continued.

Feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!

Photo-Finish Friday...New Moon on Monday!

I'm always after capturing a "perfect" photo of the moon.  I have yet to do so but I will continue to try.

So, in the words on 80's pop band, Duran Duran, the following photo was taken last week and was a.......

New Moon on Monday!

PFF is the creation of Leah J. Utas.  Please stop by her blog and have a browse.

Thanks!

A Short Story - The Package, Part 3.

Here's the 3rd instalment of the short story I'm attempting to write in 100 word shots, all part of my friend, Lily Childs' Friday Prediction.

If you missed the previous instalments they're here:

Part 1.
Part 2.

This weeks words were: mangle, penalty and dice.  Here goes...

The Package, Part 3.

“So, you’re telling me that she got away, even though you took Tony Spencer out of the picture?”

Frankie ‘Howard’ Jones placed his gold dice on the table and looked up at the man standing in front of him.

“Sorry boss, she just disappeared into the crowd...”

Frankie slammed his fist onto the table, the dice bouncing into the air.

“Very sloppy, John, and you know the penalty for sloppy work?”

“Boss, it won’t happen again.”

The mangle press that Frankie kept in the basement was no stranger to killing.

“Find her!”

“Yes, boss.”

~End~

Photo-Finish Friday.

I took the following photo in France last year.  What I liked so much about it was the fact that it looks as though he's wearing another lizards tail!  I know, I know, re-growth!

Photo-Finish Friday is the brainchild of Leah J. Utas.

 
Be back over the weekend!

Later!

A Short Story, Part 2.

I'm writing this short story over at Lily Childs' 100 word challenge, Lily's Friday Prediction.  I posted Part 1 last week.  I'm hoping to carry it on every week, if the words are kind.  Who knows when it will end or where it will go.  I'm just having fun with it.

The words for this challenge were: evacuate, ruby and blade.  Hope you enjoy.

The Package, Part 2.

“Piccadilly station.”

A few taps on the laptop and I found the train times.

“Ok, it’s got to be the 13:55.”

I grabbed the phone and dialled, pressing141 before the number.

“What’re you doing?”

I held up a hand as someone answered. “There’s a bomb on the next Manchester to London!” I said and ended the call.

“What the fuck?”

“Look, with security as it is, they’ll evacuate the train. We can’t let the package get away. It‘s too valuable, and I don’t just mean the ruby.”

I grabbed my snub and blade from the drawer. I was going armed this time.

~End~

Comments and feedback are much appreciated, thanks!

Later!

A Short Story - Part 1.

Over at Lily Childs' blog, The Feardom, she has a weekly challenge - Lily's Friday Prediction.  There are 3 new words every week that you have to include in a story of no more than 100 words.

Last weeks words were: London, Sham and Collect.

My 100 word piece won last weeks challenge, so the pressure is now on to take this further.  Part 2 has already been written and is up at her blog as this weeks words were perfect for it.

Hope you enjoy...

The Package - Part 1.

“All you had to do was collect the package, bring it back and get paid.”

“It wasn’t that simple. It was a set-up. Someone else knew.”

“Don’t talk bollocks. It was a simple task that you made a complete sham of. Fuck!”

“What? You think this apple sized lump on my noggin’ is a fucking sham?”

A phone rings.

“What? You sure? It’d better not be some wild fuckin’ goose chase. OK.”

“Well?”

"You’re in luck.”

“Don’t even...”

“OK. We’re in luck. The package has just been seen boarding a train to London.”

~End~


Any comments or feedback would be appreciated.  Part 2 will be posted later in the week.

Have a great Sunday.

Later!

Photo-Finish Friday...A Motto To Live By!

This is my first Photo-Finish Friday of 2012.  It's nothing special, but I just think the words on it are something to live by.  After all, it is the reason I bought it and I look at it everyday.

 Col Bury, was with me when I bought it.  He was gutted.  He'd wanted one but I'd picked up the last.  Sorry, mate, you could download the photo and put some moveable 'hands' on it.  :-)

PFF is the creation of Leah J. Utas.

Have a great weekend, folks.

Later!