The International Writers Magazine November Editorial 2016

TRAVEL

COMMENT

LIFESTYLES

REVIEWS

FICTION

Welcome to this November edition of Hackwriters. Read us and our amazing archives too. 17 years on-line, 7362 articles - reviews - stories - travel - share any feature you like and pass them on using the links. Our next issue will be Dec 1st.


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Editorial: November 2016 - Welcome to November Hackwriters. As Thanksgiving approaches in the USA I guess half the nation will have something to be thankful for, the rest will drown their sorrows whilst eating overdone turkey and all the fixings you can eat. It might all work out. The whole world has to hope so. Either way The Donald is in charge now.

A Source of Inspiration
I got to thinking about who or what inspires you when I posed the question in class and scored almost zero response. It either wasn’t something the students had perhaps considered or that they were already following so many influencers that it's a natural part of their lives. People concerned about diet or health follow Deliciously Ella - confused about sexuality? there's ten thousand people out there with a blog. Any issue at all, there's a million others with advice. This is an amazing tool which could have come in handy when I was young. Can't work out how to use your iphone - just Google it and every single aspect of it is on-line for free. Need advice on how to live your life? It's right here. Who needs a mentor?

Perhaps no one needs inspiration from a 'real life' individual anymore because they are completely overwhelmed by media coming at them from every direction.  It’s must be hard to discern good from bad – everything is filtered to reflect your preferences to discourage you from straying outside of the Facebook comfort zone. (Unless you actually seek out the bad stuff and then the exact same filtering effect will take place.  If you like this act of random violence – you’ll just love this one.)

Jean d’Arc was inspired by visions to lead the French to victory – numerous saints likewise found inspiration in God.  In latter years people have found what they need in drugs (but most likely promptly forgot what it was that captured their imagination when they came down).  Others, and I am one, have been in the past inspired by my muse.  Call it a crush, call it what you will, but to be so enamored by another person it inspires you to create your best work is often the most wonderful thing that can ever happen to you.  It might be later you discover the muse has feet of clay, but no matter, the work is done and you are better for it.  I for one miss that halo effect.  Creation in the arts inspired by deep and passionate love (often unrequited).  

Leonard Cohen had Marianne of course - a salutation to that man RIP where was his Nobel Prize for literature?
John Keats had Fanny Brown, Fitzgerald had Zelda (arguably the better writer) and of course the Greeks had nine muses - Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomeni, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Ourania and Calliope. Zeus entranced by young Mnemosyne slept with her for nine consecutive nights.  The result of their encounter was the Nine Muses.  Μnemosyne gave the infants to Nymph Eufime and God Apollo. When they grew up they showed their tendency to the arts, taught by God Apollo himself.  They were not interested in humdrum life; they dedicated their lives to the Arts. Apollo raised them in Mount Elikonas.  Since that moment, the Muses encouraged creation, enhancing imagination and inspiration of the artists.  Well that’s the myth anyway.
           
Perhaps I should advertise for a new muse, but muses are very hard to come by and the random rarity is what makes it special.  Nor can I say exactly who or what might inspire.  It can be a little smile, the way a person walks, anything…
I remember a girl from my past whom I adored called Doke M.  Stunningly beautiful, elusive, educated me about music. She was mysterious and cared not a fig for my devotion.  But perhaps that is as it should be.  She inspired me to start writing and broke my heart when she eloped with a man she just met without saying goodbye.  Muses only inspire, they aren’t supposed to be tied down and captured.  All is lost if they lose their mystery.

I hope my students find some individual to inspire them one day – it might well shatter them – but it will alter their life and they will emerge the better for it.  They could probably start with downloading Me, Earl and the Dying Girl - a witty, tragic, beautifully crafted indie movie starring Olivia Cook, Thomas Mann and RJ Cyler about a boy who finds inspiration and a girl who believes in him - well worth finding and watching...

Now you know who won the US Election and James Campion and Bill Roberts explain it to us here. Now I wonder if there will be upsets in Holland, France and Germany next year. Be aware before you draw that conclusion that this Chinese years influence will peter out in February and there will be a whole lot of new 'vibes' to shake the tree. It might be that this is peak madness - but then again.... However happy you are right now - it won't last. However miserable you are right now - it will last. So pace your drinking.

I might suggest that you now order our book J&K 4Ever - for this is the world we were writing about fifty years from now. Be warned, it ain't pretty. Order now for Christmas!
Have a great Thanksgiving America
© Sam Hawksmoor November 21st 2016

read J & K Forever – Love & Devotion in the Wastelands
See any article you like – please share it. More to come as the month progresses.

*As ever Hackwriters is supported by sales of our books - so do buy, print or kindle, we aren't picky.
**And thanks for those who do. The Heaviness, Another Place to Die: Endtime Chronicles are recommended.
The spy/romance Repercussions of Tomas D set in the Blitz has a small following now. Spread the word.

New in 2016: J&K 4Ever - Love and Devotion in the Wastelands Sixty years after the end of everything the city of Bluette survives, controlled by a malignant sect.  A place where men rule, girls receive no education and are matched at 16 to the highest bidder.  No one is ever permitted to leave the city and outside is a murderous wasteland of despair. Orphans Kruge and Jeyna have been devoted to each other through all the years of terror in this harsh regime and sworn never to be parted.  But the beautiful Jeyna has been betrayed by the Warden. Kruge has been swiftly banished to the Scraps, under the control of the Keeper. Jeyna is heartbroken; she will not accept her fate and escapes to find Kruge.  She is pursued by ruthless Enforcers on horseback, whose task it is to bring runaways back, dead or alive. 'A genuine romance in a bleak but plausible and terrifying setting'.

J&K 4Ever Sam Hawksmoor

MARIKKA- exclusively on Amazon Print and kindle 2 Based on a tragic real life event, Marikka flees from an arson attack on her home to the sea, where she meets Starfish boy – a runaway working for Jackson, a scarred man hiding a sinister secret from the world. Meanwhile her real father searches for her with the aide of Anya, ‘the girl who can read objects’. More about the writing of this book ‘Long after my tears dried, my heart stayed with Marikka, Starfish Boy and the strange girl who reads objects.’ CT You will smile, you will gasp with shock, and you will struggle to read the words through your tears. Gemma Williams - Amazon.co.uk 2015

The all new 2nd Edition of 'ANOTHER PLACE TO DIE: ENDTIME CHRONICLES By Sam Hawksmoor and Sam North (2015 version) Could you live in a world where antibiotics no longer work? Print & Kindle Q&A interview with the authors here A city gripped by fear as a lethal virus approaches from the East. No one knows how many are dying. People are petrified of being thrown into quarantine. Best friends Kira and Liz once parted are scared they will never see each other again. Teen lovers, Chris and Rachel, prepare to escape to the islands. Do you stay and hide, or do you flee? Review from the First Edition: 'Beautiful, plausible, and sickeningly addictive, Another Place to Die will terrify you, thrill you, and make you petrified of anyone who comes near you...' Roxy Williams - Amazon.co.uk

Spy/Romance thriller set during the Blitz in WW2 - Kindle download All proceeds go to keeping Hackwriters going The Repercussions of Tomas D A Hero? Or Englands Greatest Traitor? USA Paperback here 'Disturbing and very poignant YA love story that presents a chilling alternate future for an England that lost the war.' Marcel d'Agneau 'A brilliant imagining of living in the Blitz, well researched.' Amazon UK *download the Kindle version or buy the paperback from Hammer & Tong

'The Heaviness' for any reader who likes to think about such things as betrayal, revenge, relationships and the laws of gravity. An original Genie Magee story The Heaviness published by Hammer and Tong Genie & Renée have just 36 hours to save Rian or he dies 'Without a doubt, one of the best YA Sci Fi series out there.' Evie Seo Bookish Kindle & print Thanks to readers who have been buying this title this year. If you enjoyed it, please post a remark on Amazon or Goodreads. It all helps. * Just sold to Marti Y - The Turkish publishers of TOZ & Golge

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