Beautiful Moon

  This is the beginning a story I recently wrote for an anthology. They didn't like it, but I love it. Read the full story (910 words) by clicking on Random Short Stories.


  Kevin sat motionless and listened. As usual, he was fascinated, trying to figure out what she said to her mother, who called five minutes ago. It sounded like she was angry, but it could easily be misinterpreted, in the end, what did he know? She turned to face him and briefly smiled before letting go of another salvo of words he didn't understand. Her body stiffened and she fiddled with the hair band which kept her thick, almost black, hair in a loose knot. He knew instantly it wasn't good news when she did that. It now fell down her back like the hair of a model in a shampoo commercial. Strong, heavy and with a shine that would probably make any other woman jealous. It was late at night and the moon was beautiful against the dark sky. He watched her small frame relax as she turned to look out of the window, nodding, obviously in agreement with what her mother said.
    Of course it was bound to be difficult. Although her parents always accepted she lived in England, far away from her country of birth, they made no secret of their hope she would come back after finishing university and marry a Japanese man. They were traditionalists after all. And she had always said she'd go back, didn't plan on staying here. She loved Japan, the language, the food, the culture. Things have changed since he [....]

Attention, lovers of short stories and flash fiction!

Recently, I got in touch with Mark Turner, who is the editor and one of the partners of a new magazine called voluted tales.
The best part is, not only are they really friendly and supportive, but you can get your name out there and be paid. They are fairly new, but growing fast.
I asked him what their goals are, and what kind of stories/genres they are looking for. Here is the answer:
Ideally, the objective is six distinct editions, General (mixture of everything), Themes (different theme each issue), Serials (to serialise longer works that might no otherwise get published), Young Adult (mixture, older teens-twenty-somethings), Paranormal Romance (no porn, focussed on the Paranormal elements, rather than all the 'sof porn/romance that just happens to include a vampire' type of stuff abounding, trying to be different, and Noir/Thrillers, some of which are close to 'Horror' in many ways, but mainly coz they offer interesting 'twists' to stories, mysteries, etc.
So, monthly for the General edition, and the others as the material and finances allow. They'll be on as many online outlets for ebooks and e-magazines as we can get, priced somewhere around $2.95.

You can find here a free copy to download. Pop by, send your submissions and spread the word about a fine new magazine that will hopefully conquer the world.

Charities that give.

Tomorrow it will be a week ago, since the world stood still for a moment. The pictures and footage left almost everyone in shock and reeling. Since then, many authors, editors and artist, independent and well-known gatherd together to set up several project to raise money for the tsunami relief in Japan.

Here are the ones I'm involved in:

Authors for Japan an auction offering editing, tutoring, art, etc. ending on Sunday, so you better pop over to grab some of the goodies.

New Sun Rising - Stories for Japan Authors and artist creating an anthology with a Japan theme. Submission deadline will be the 11th of April. Please take a look at the blog for more information.

Indie Authors Relief Fund another auction with loads of useful and great stuff. Ends also on Sunday.
 
Excuse me, where is the exit?  My collection of comical short stories, all proceeds go to Japan. See more here.

Words to Music An anthology that has been out for a bit longer now, donations go to several different charities.

Please stop by and visit the links above. They certainly will be something for you. Remember you're not only doing something good, but getting something good in return.

Warm up your kindles! My book's out! All proceeds go to Japan.

****UPDATE****

Sales have risen to 82 so far; keep them coming. Please help to get enough together to make a difference. I've now decided to donate all proceeds to the BritishRedCross and Doctors without Borders.

 





I plan to raise money to donate to the people who have lost everything in Japan.I've set a low price so that as many people as possible can afford to buy it. All profits go to charity.

Excuse me, where is the exit? is now available to download from amazon UK  at �1.14 and amazon US at $0.99. You can read some excerpts of the book if you click on the link, there above, under my name on the top of the page.

Review from a reader:  I've just finished reading this. It's a collection of light hearted short stories written from a woman's point of view. I recognised myself in some of them! Obviously I enjoyed some more than others - my personal favourites are Cycling, Housework, Wasps and Hairdresser. Some of these had me laughing out loud!

I hope you enjoy it. Leave me feedback and recommend it to anyone who can't run fast enough.

Please help. It's not only an entertaining read, but it's for a good cause, too.

I'm working on making the book available via POD, for those who prefer a paperback.

If you'd like to have a signed copy, please contact me via e-mail. You can find the address to the right.

Love,

Stella

My heart goes out, yet again.

It has been only a few weeks since the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand, today, the next horror-news arrived and I couldn't believe it. Japan got hit terribly, especially the tsunami the quake has triggered. The footage was heart-wrenching and my thoughts were immediately with the people I know in Japan. Followed by those friends on mine that are in the tsunami warning - area, and all those people who have lost loved ones, those who got killed in the immense waves that swallowed everything in their way. There was no way to escape at the speed it washed over the country.

And I'm sitting here, sound and safe in London, trying to grasp the whole affect this catastrophe will have. I'm shocked, I feel my own little problems put into perspective and I feel heartache for the innocent lives that have been ended.

I cannot begin trying to understand how it must feel to be surprised by an earthquake or see the devastating pictures live, to escape from a tsunami. I've never experienced anything vaguely similar. But I know someone who blogs about her repeated experience and feelings in Christchurch. If you can pay a visit to her blog.

And here is a thread on authonomy which is constantly updated with information and links.

In the meantime, I hope that the toll for the victims will stay as low as possible and hope people manage to stay safe.

My neighbours, my rant

Some of you might know that I have severe differences with my upstairs neighbours, well - one of them. They are two girls, first in a line of guys. I've lived in my flat for almost four years and always got on well with the blokes. When I moved in, I had two guys living upstairs and we became friends almost instantly. They left their door open when they were home and when I came home from work, I would go upstairs and we would 'hang out'. Or they would knock on my door at the weekend and asked if I'd like to have breakfast which they made. We often cooked together, ate together, went out together. We basically were the inseparably three.

 This is us joking around on a night out.

I was really sad when they moved out. But they moved not too far away and we still saw each other. One moved back to Spain and the other one, I'm going to see tomorrow, actually. So my first neighbours became friends and I'm really glad I met them.

The next two were all right too. We got along, they were nice lads.

Now, 1,5 years ago, I got the first pair of girls. I was excited. It started out really badly, sort of. It rained thoroughly into my flat because someone had a shower upstairs. This was the opportunity to sit together and get to know each other. It was 2am when I went upstairs and it was lovely. I was so happy to  have some nice neighbours again. And I actually really got on with Y. and still do. She gave me piano lessons. (Yes I started to play last April.)

Then: it happened. Our house felt like a tube station. Permanently, there were people trampling through the hallway, slamming doors, laughing, etc. Even the guy in the shop downstairs asked me what is going on. Then, E. began to work in a pub and everything got worse. She always had people around, but they constantly rang my buzzer, one of those very shrill tones, and that at every time. Even in the middle of the night. They all slammed the door and stomped about upstairs. This house, which once was one, is divided into two flats, wooden floors, poor insulation, thin walls.. you get the picture. When they leave their flat, slamming the door, everything in my flat shakes. Literally.
She would come home after work, bringing a few people with her, music loud, shouting and laughing and I couldn't sleep. She would throw parties with 35 to 40 people upstairs and they would last until the morning. We're talking 7 or 9am here. Now talking didn't actually change anything, although I've tried in the most possible nice way, I got the snappy answer that she's allowed a life. I agree, but not if it means, I need to suffer. This house is not made for parties.

One Sunday night, I had enough and banged their door at 3am. Nobody opened the door, though I know they heard me. 45 minutes later I banged again, harder and more persistent. I heard E. through the door telling her friend to just ignore me. But her friend wanted to restore the peace and opened the door. She apologised, but I wouldn't have it anymore. They then went one level higher which they could've done when they got home, but couldn't be bothered to, for it's much nicer to keep people from sleeping.

I complained to my landlady and this weekend, they are moving out. I'm anxious to see who will be next and somehow I hope for two nice guys again. I think I'm done with female neighbours.

Show me the way to SAA (scented addicted anonymous).

For those who know me, know that I'm not that girlie. Most of the time, I go out without any make-up at all, I also hate shopping unless I'm in a DIY-store. I don't collect shoes or handbags and I don't care what the latest trend is. But...
I love my body creams and butters, scented soaps and shampoos.

This is just a part of my shampoo/conditioner 'collection'. I literally go crazy over Lush, The Body Shop, and a shop nearby, which sells all sort of creams, butters and hair products. I'm that mad, I actually try to have a fruity soap, together with the shampoo and then a body butter, oil, or even mist. It ranges from raspberry, plum, apple, pomegranate and, of course, my favourite: chocolate in the form of cocoa butter.

Part of my soap, bubble-bath, body butter, oil and mist collection. 

 
So yesterday, I went into this store next to the market where I buy my vegetables and fruit, and bought an everyday body cream and a huge tub almond-scented massage cream. Can't wait to try it.

Though, I've run out of honey, coconut and fruit soap. That means I need to pay Lush a visit. Even if they are against keeping reptiles in captivity, I know I know. With those products, it's a lot more fun to look after your skin. And you always smell deliciously, almost edible.

Try it out and soon, you might be as addicted as I am.