tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47355943063157301382024-02-19T07:27:31.141-08:00the unseen blog of agr mooreAndrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-3810292954709461722014-05-07T08:18:00.001-07:002014-05-07T08:18:46.892-07:00#MyWritingProcess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCy7G1JgVoNxqd_OcrSk_y-47jR0jrjVmlibPlz0DLJFCjxungzZp7phmxTh0j2fgIiJYW21kzFSFk2kkX1GNLrlXPNadEb9X_0N0KsKzL-IBNZ5tbrPvW8nCOTg5bJF1oLpsNdeizJGu/s1600/IMG_20140507_155711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCy7G1JgVoNxqd_OcrSk_y-47jR0jrjVmlibPlz0DLJFCjxungzZp7phmxTh0j2fgIiJYW21kzFSFk2kkX1GNLrlXPNadEb9X_0N0KsKzL-IBNZ5tbrPvW8nCOTg5bJF1oLpsNdeizJGu/s1600/IMG_20140507_155711.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Recently the rather lovely chap, fellow geek and terrific local writer, <a href="http://therealbadman.wordpress.com/2014/05/05/mywritingprocess/" target="_blank">Mark McCann</a> asked me to take part in #MyWritingProcess. I'm pretty terrible at these sorts of things, I should probably blog more often but if you follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/AGRMoore" target="_blank">Twitter</a> you'll know I could probably 'microblog' for the world there anyway. For Mark though I feel I'd do my part! </i><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #7a7a7a; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.633333206176758px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></strong><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">What am I
working on?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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Well, for the past couple of years I’ve devoted most of my
time to writing the second instalment (in a planned series of four) of my
Amelia Black series titled The Unseen Trials of Amelia Black. It’s into its
final stages of drafting. I think. </div>
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The fun part with the second one has been trying to expand
on the world I created previously, and realise the much darker elements which
occupy it. I feel it’s slowing starting to take on its own identity and not necessarily
the fantastical worlds that inspired it first time round. So hopefully fans of
the first one will see that later this year, all being well. </div>
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All the while I started to write a brand new book away from
Amelia’s adventures and my first actually set in my hometown of Belfast. It’s
the first time I’ve set any of my stories in an actual place and it’s been a
lot of fun having to research Belfast’s history as well as bringing back echoes
and memories from my own, very happy, childhood. I feel that Belfast deserves a
more magical and whimsical tale than the stuff more commonly associated with
the city and country. Readers won’t see the finished product for a while but
I’m really excited to share it once it’s done. </div>
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Becoming an uncle in the last year has also inspired me to
finally finish this picture book idea I’ve had for my nephew about a kind,
gentle, monster who’s not quite a monster named Quentin Muldoon. Very rough
versions can be found on my blog somewhere.</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> How does my
work differ from others of its genre?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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I’ve got to be honest it probably doesn’t but I’ll expand on
that when explaining why I write. It’s never totally intentional but I often
get told that my work, which I primarily write for children, is considered
perhaps too dark by their parents. I think it’s healthy to scatter a bit of
darkness into children’s fiction within reason.</div>
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I’d probably consider Roald Dahl my favourite author when I
was a child and you only need to read The Witches or even The BFG to find some
quite unnerving things, usually involving children getting eaten to some
degree. </div>
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For a man whom barely scraped a C at GCSE English and never
going on to do any sort of English Lit or Creative Writing course, I consider each piece of creative writing to
be a learning exercise for me and I don’t think I’ll be the finished article
for a few years yet.</div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> Why do I write
what I do?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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I’m a huge believer in heroes. I think of all the fictional
characters I grew up, all the movies, books and cartoons I still look back on
with much fondness and I’d love to create that one character which kids of this
or future generations look on with a similar feeling. </div>
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Also I simply love writing for children. I’ve never felt as
proud of what I’m doing as the few times I’ve hosted public reading events and
seeing these amazing, positive reactions from the kids to these characters I’ve
created. Those moments make a lot of the other times where you struggle to get
words down on a page all worthwhile</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<strong style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> How does your
writing process work?</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #7a7a7a; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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It’s not hugely different now to how it was when I started
the first Amelia Black book back in 2009 (crikey!). With Amelia Black 1 it was
definitely a case where I kept going just to see if I got the end. I’d never written
anything longer than about 3000 words before that, never mind over 30,000 which
the final book resulted in. </div>
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The process evolved gradually with A Boy Named Hogg. There
was much more chapter planning and just writing short bits and bobs on small
pieces of paper. Then when coming to Amelia Black 2 I built this up again and
there’s a notebook of history and back story; some of which ends up in the
book, some that will come later and stuff that only I know and maybe allude to
with one line here and there.</div>
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The most fun I had constructing a story came from working on
my short story, A Gurumapa in the Wood. I came across the legend of the beast
while researching monsters for Amelia Black 2 and loved the name so much I
wanted to make an entirely separate story for it just in a more familiar
setting than ancient Asia. With a love for all things Disney I also wanted to
have a story featuring talking animals and the rest pretty much fell into
place.</div>
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My latest full length has probably been my biggest shift in
my work process as I’m gathering parts of real life history in relation to
Belfast, some of it truly surprising and really making me see the city in a new
light. </div>
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I used to get quite intimidated when I heard other writers
say they manage a few thousand words per sitting. I just can’t do that. I
torture myself over every single word I put down on paper and will be my worst
critic when I look back and know I could have done something better. Over time
though I’ve became less scared of the whole process, after all, it’s only
words. </div>
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==========================================</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>So there you have it! A brief glimpse into my haphazard world of writing. Please be sure to check out Mark's work, especially <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadfast-Mark-McCann-ebook/dp/B00FL5JNUM" target="_blank">Deadfast</a> and his wonderful entertainment site <a href="http://www.badhaven.com/" target="_blank">Bad Haven</a>.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>TTFN - Ta ta for now...</i></div>
Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-23393211853112501942014-05-01T06:18:00.001-07:002014-05-01T06:18:23.822-07:00Vinyl<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Alo people...</div>
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As you may know I'm in the process of selling off a lot of vinyl for couple of reasons, I'm moving house soon, nothing to play it on and frankly a lot of it isn't really my thing. I'm undecided at this moment whether to hang on to The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac stuff but mostly everything else is probably going to be shipped on...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.31999969482422px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Paint Your Wagon Soundtrack<br />
Easy Rider Soundtrack<br />
The Graduate Soundtrack<br />
Battlefield Band - Celtic Hotel<br />
Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick - Prince Heathen<br />
The Best of Ry Cooper<br />
Fleetwood Mac - Greatest Hits<br />
The Planxey Collection<br />
Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms<br />
George Strait - Great Strait<br />
Paul Simon - Greatest Hits etc<br />
Cliff Richard - Wired for Sound<br />
Universal Energy<br />
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life (DG)<br />
Spud - The Happy Handful<br />
Billy Connolly - Solo Concert (DG)<br />
The Five Faces of Manfred Mann<br />
Silly Sisters Maddy Prior & June Tabor<br />
Jimmy Buffet - Changes in Attitude<br />
Maddy Prior & Rick Kemp - Happy Families<br />
Lyle Lovett S/T<br />
Rowan Atkinson Live in Belfast<br />
Don McLean - Prime Time<br />
Van Morrison & The Chieftains - Irish Heartbeat<br />
Crosby, Stills, Young & Nash - Deja Vu<br />
Jimmy Rodgers - Famous Country Music Makers (DG)<br />
Steve Gibbons - Rollin' On<br />
Franz Schubert - Appeggione-Sonate, D21 (DG)<br />
Alex Campbell - Folk Session<br />
Various Artists - Here's to the Irish<br />
Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down (DG)<br />
ZZ Top - Eliminator<br />
Judy Collins - A Maid of Constant Sorrow<br />
John Williams - Bach Complete Flute Music<br />
Various - Irish Folk Night<br />
Yes - Relayer<br />
Christmas Carols from Winchester Cathedral<br />
The Chieftains Collection (DG)<br />
Whitney - S/T<br />
The Johnstons - The Barley Corn<br />
Eric Clapton Best Of<br />
The Rolling Stones - Love You Live (DG)<br />
Diana Ross and the Supremes - Baby Love<br />
Rickie Lee Jones - S/T<br />
Little Richard - Aw Wop Bop a Loo Bop, A Wop Bam Boom<br />
Leo Sayer Best Of Double Album<br />
Paul Simon - Graceland<br />
Eagles - Desperado<br />
Nanci Griffith - One Fair Summer Evening<br />
Neil Young - Comes A Time<br />
John Lennon - Rock n Roll<br />
The Beatles - Sgt Peopers<br />
The Beatles - Revolver<br />
The Beatles - Help<br />
The Beatles - Rubber Soul<br />
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours<br />
The Corrie Folk Trio - Cam Ye By Atholl<br />
Huey Lewis and the News - Fore!<br />
Phil Collins - No Jacket Required<br />
The Dubliners - Finnigan Wakes<br />
Billy Joel - Songs in the Attic<br />
Jethro Tull - Heavy Horses<br />
Stevie Wonder - Greatest Hits<br />
Highway - S/T<br />
Planxty - S/T<br />
Joe Cocker - With a Little Help From My Friends<br />
Dvorak - Klavierquartette Op 23 & 87<br />
Roberta Flack - The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face<br />
Antonio Carlos Jobim - Wave<br />
Various - Hits 5<br />
The Other Chet Atkins<br />
The Jaques Loussier Trio - Play Bach<br />
Joni Mitchell - Blue<br />
James Taylor - S/T<br />
Rory Gallagher - Fresh Evidence<br />
Jethro Tull - Living in the Past<br />
Paul Brady - S/T<br />
The Rolling Stones - Best of (Double Album)<br />
Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds<br />
Planxty - The Well Below The Valley<br />
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band<br />
Dolly Parton - Divorce<br />
It's The Dubliners<br />
Flatt & Scruggs - Kings of Bluegrass<br />
Planxty - Cold Blow and the Rainey Night<br />
Trackster Blues - The Brunning Sunflower Band</div>
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Enquire within...</div>
Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-30369818714308189732013-11-18T02:55:00.002-08:002013-11-18T02:55:49.810-08:00C.S. Lewis and Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVjMMIe_fLrNSgqT639Imako58Im7ytBqgXWS1LIPXBx8Py-CAktobtoDrQiP55R8T8kZnx2MbrSTvbGlZ0YxuZ5LbFFHW84gZc-v4kiG_PSc0EKno_mSNtxSxIsJd8zTFdijIq0CS2en/s1600/IMG_20130604_144621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVjMMIe_fLrNSgqT639Imako58Im7ytBqgXWS1LIPXBx8Py-CAktobtoDrQiP55R8T8kZnx2MbrSTvbGlZ0YxuZ5LbFFHW84gZc-v4kiG_PSc0EKno_mSNtxSxIsJd8zTFdijIq0CS2en/s320/IMG_20130604_144621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px;">C.S. Lewis was the first person to make me want to be a writer." - Neil Gaiman</span></i><br />
<br />
As an author growing up in the East part of Belfast, the works of another author from the same area, Clive Staples Lewis were probably harder to avoid than bumping into Van Morrison while walking up Cyprus Avenue. His tales chronicling the magical world of Narnia lit up my childhood while in many ways influenced the world I created for Amelia Black many years later.<br />
<br />
I remember as a boy, my older sister would take me to the Strand Cinema, not far from where we grew up. At the top of our street there was an old and rather frightful looking house; larger than ours but had fallen into disrepair, almost looking derelict. If you pass it today it's been restored to breathtaking quality but when I was about five or six years old my sister told me C.S. Lewis used to live in that very house. I never approached the house to see if those claims were indeed true and to this day I've had it neither confirmed or denied - perhaps in some ways I just don't want it to. I just didn't want to lose one of the few moments of mystery and magic left in my life.<br />
<br />
Lewis of course died 23 years before I was born, on the same day as John F Kennedy's assassination and the passing of another great writer Aldous Huxley, so even if he did once take residence there his memory or any trace of his works which may have laid dormant in that house were condemned to the sands of time.<br />
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As a child you don't let such silly logic get in the way and my imagination wandered. Part of my badly wanted to creep into this house and possibly find lost works or maybe a final Chronicle of Narnia which was never published. Remembering this over 20 years later shows the sort of impact Lewis had on my life.<br />
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I'm not saying I'll ever be mentioned in the same breath as Lewis when all is said and done and people are asked to list 'Great Belfast Writers', far from it. The fact that one boy from East Belfast who spent his days reading Beatrix Potter and illustrating his own stories about animals can make that sort of impact always gave me the inspiration to do the same. Perhaps more so than Mr Gaiman, because of this local connection, Lewis was the first person to make me want to be a writer.<br />
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Starting today Belfast celebrates the man, the life, the myth and the legend of C.S. Lewis with the first Festival in his honour.<br />
<br />
Please do come and maybe he'll also inspire you too...<br />
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<a href="http://www.communitygreenway.co.uk/CSLewisFestival">http://www.communitygreenway.co.uk/CSLewisFestival</a>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-89896137031783129802013-11-13T13:23:00.002-08:002013-11-13T13:23:54.553-08:00Botanic Gardens 1911 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/belfast/images/L_ROY_10098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/belfast/images/L_ROY_10098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Just who is that gentleman in the bowler hat on the far left...</i></div>
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Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-83233227150149218292013-10-15T08:36:00.003-07:002013-10-15T08:36:59.451-07:00Here I go again...Wow, I never thought I would get to a point where I see one finished book by me never mind starting my fourth - well, fifth if you count <i>A Gurumapa in the Wood </i>- full length story. Anybody who has supported, encouraged or read my works to date I'm eternally grateful to you for getting me this far.<br />
<br />
Now obviously I won't be dishing all the plot details right here and now because, to be honest, I don't even know all the details but that's part of the fun and adventure of writing a story. All I will say is this will be the first story I've written to be set in my home city of Belfast. I've always wanted to write a Belfast story rich in magic and myth but could never quite find the right hook or starting point until recently.<br />
<br />
And I thought just to shake my own process up a bit, as well as make a point to blog on this thing more, I would document some of the journey in a way I haven't with my previous works. For me this book will be as much about telling a particular story, adding a bit of myth and mystery, as it is educating myself about a particular period of Belfast history I don't really know much about. It's a tale of fantasy but in some ways it also serves as a love letter to the beautifully flawed city I'm fiercely proud to have grown up in.<br />
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It might not see the light of day for a long time but every story has to start somewhere and mine begins in 1911...<br />
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<a href="http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/belfast/main/full/L_ROY_02386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/belfast/main/full/L_ROY_02386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-3365717875173450112013-09-24T07:44:00.002-07:002013-09-24T07:45:55.480-07:00Back to blogging. 2013 and beyond...To say I've been neglectful of this blog over the course of 2013 is something of an understatement. I apologise for that. Many of you reading this have probably kept track of my movements through Twitters and Facebook and for the continued support I'm genuinely thankful.<br />
<br />
I've decided to start blogging again for a few reasons, the main one being the need to write itself. I won't bore you with the whimsical nature of it all, I'm just out of practice writing text which isn't 140 characters or status updates. So I'll start with a few announcements to get the ball rolling again...<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>INTERVIEW!</b></li>
</ul>
<div>
I sat down with my dear friend Heather McGarrigle on her Patchwork Quill blog a week or so ago to chat about writing and self publishing. To read what I had to say on the subject as well as talking about Amelia Black and Sebastian Hogg and also to visit her brilliant blog just click here... <b> </b><a href="http://thepatchworkquill.com/2013/09/13/the-pq-qa-agr-moore/">http://thepatchworkquill.com/2013/09/13/the-pq-qa-agr-moore/</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>READING EVENT!</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
The amazing staff at Ryan's Bar have asked me back for the second year in a row to host a family reading event as part of Belfast Restaurant Week 2013. It's next Saturday, October 6th 2013, it should be kicking off at 3pm and I'll be reading from my free short e-book (still available to download folks!) I released earlier in the year, <i><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325845" target="_blank">A Gurumapa in the Wood</a></i>, and will be giving away a limited number of printed copies to any reader interested in taking it home as a bedtime story.<br />
<br />
All the details are at this link here... <a href="http://visit-belfast.com/whats-on/event/lunch-book-reading-with-local-author-agr-moore-1">http://visit-belfast.com/whats-on/event/lunch-book-reading-with-local-author-agr-moore-1</a> Bring the kids and come on down, if nothing else the food in Ryan's is terrific.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTqHEFEyXd0nA7Lpd49xBxdOkEok6TC6MuCP3ceic_8C4W8FPv232kenzmvYilGFEd0OWD7qR4tPm9YPA8LcdsfgwCOXISwiFmW4LJWN6rUX5MT8Xf4jGFES6KfTuwk4Je-YzHrZ17u2t/s1600/1236152_10151873368530199_565739423_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTqHEFEyXd0nA7Lpd49xBxdOkEok6TC6MuCP3ceic_8C4W8FPv232kenzmvYilGFEd0OWD7qR4tPm9YPA8LcdsfgwCOXISwiFmW4LJWN6rUX5MT8Xf4jGFES6KfTuwk4Je-YzHrZ17u2t/s320/1236152_10151873368530199_565739423_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free books!</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b>HIGHLIGHTS OF 2013...SO FAR...</b></li>
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I've had a lot of really proud moments this year in regards to my writing, with hopefully more to come, but I thought I would highlight two particular moments which stand above the rest. First was being asked to take part in a huge family reading event during the 2013 Belfast Book Festival. Huge thank you to Hugh Odling-Smee and his team for asking me to do it, was a real honour as it's not something I think I particular deserve yet. Huge thanks to the children and parents on the day who lent me their ears to hear Amelia Black's story were fantastic.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z2L4nhRc39T8xeSzruG8OFrAilHrRjt6RCr6NlyAl4ZtB8RXn_9vFzGHhbyG5ppxWadpx-tovMb-LqjKFJG_VIiMybHckuiiUzeQe-1UApuInnImLPITfiHYtfqaVcHI4wi86u9-UPlF/s1600/5761_10151674398275199_740040587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z2L4nhRc39T8xeSzruG8OFrAilHrRjt6RCr6NlyAl4ZtB8RXn_9vFzGHhbyG5ppxWadpx-tovMb-LqjKFJG_VIiMybHckuiiUzeQe-1UApuInnImLPITfiHYtfqaVcHI4wi86u9-UPlF/s320/5761_10151674398275199_740040587_n.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken by Alana Fraser</td></tr>
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The only thing that could top that happened around a month ago. I got an e-mail from the mother of a girl who attended my first reading in Ryan's Bar last year, who loved The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black so much she asked her mum to make her an Amelia Black birthday cake. An...Amelia...Black...birthday cake. </div>
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I still have trouble trying to comprehend how that makes me feel. All I know is it makes me very proud. </div>
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You know it's funny, I've written three books (we'll get to the third in a moment) yet I've never truly thought that the stories have made that much of an impression on anyone - through a mixture of muddled self confidence and light hearted self-deprecation. Of all the amazing literary creations there are in the world, the Harry Potters, Percy Jacksons, Katniss Everdeens, Hungry Caterpillars, Spot the Dogs, Cats in the Hat, she chose my Amelia Black. That's just unbelievable. </div>
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All I can say is I hope she had a fantastic birthday and the cake tasted as amazing as it looks. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvILzNhV6NeZlNbKdn_pRoUqgGaLk5E4HcsgvrNNueC7_1joV4IziZ6fY340Pr-E1VpO1uyXKouPOT-OrlkryvSuzwYSj5QmA-wM73pMx_xZNgnjNV8P4PMNsT2jYRMViOSIVNGsiVFHoT/s1600/581516_292834204187730_53093945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvILzNhV6NeZlNbKdn_pRoUqgGaLk5E4HcsgvrNNueC7_1joV4IziZ6fY340Pr-E1VpO1uyXKouPOT-OrlkryvSuzwYSj5QmA-wM73pMx_xZNgnjNV8P4PMNsT2jYRMViOSIVNGsiVFHoT/s320/581516_292834204187730_53093945_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from the Eclectic Cake-Box </td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b>BOOK STUFF</b></li>
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<div>
I find it's always best to think ahead. I currently have two projects in the pipeline I'm not ready to talk about yet but besides that, I finished the first draft of my third book earlier this year. It's still not how I would like it to be but should be here around Summer 2014. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you'll know what it's called but if not here is a rough, rather botched Photoshop, mock up of the logo by me...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOThecO_8tTzzzkxfOsaNbDuHsbbacG3yLYP7mxtJ6BE_bv-1MDUxgzaIuflrMt5rZEwk2sl5Esa_vKaa6MHZxkQQXoBX5I5n65BYpf4c0HEVXqhbf1baTurDzM19POpCoLCnj5Arlbg2o/s1600/Unseen_trials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOThecO_8tTzzzkxfOsaNbDuHsbbacG3yLYP7mxtJ6BE_bv-1MDUxgzaIuflrMt5rZEwk2sl5Esa_vKaa6MHZxkQQXoBX5I5n65BYpf4c0HEVXqhbf1baTurDzM19POpCoLCnj5Arlbg2o/s320/Unseen_trials.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is why I employ outside illustrators...</td></tr>
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Not much else to report for now but I hope to get back into the way of blogging nonsensical ramblings once again. Thank you for reading as always.</div>
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<div>
A.G.R. </div>
Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-73791301561075372182012-12-07T02:26:00.002-08:002013-09-24T06:26:42.969-07:00Come one and all and hear the tale...It's here! It's finally here!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO9KqF2Qo_4RRkUQCqZHWK61Kb2xXXjToTepXFJpCQSilHMOaed8h2URNqJxjl9h7glyFgAyDj_8g014Il7gu56bReqeIafosKax8UXPtwwaImFApQ4CR8Bm7-DVwLKhk3L3v30uq0AM1/s1600/hoggseconddraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO9KqF2Qo_4RRkUQCqZHWK61Kb2xXXjToTepXFJpCQSilHMOaed8h2URNqJxjl9h7glyFgAyDj_8g014Il7gu56bReqeIafosKax8UXPtwwaImFApQ4CR8Bm7-DVwLKhk3L3v30uq0AM1/s320/hoggseconddraft.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>“Come one and all and hear the tale of a little boy named Hogg...”</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">On the dullest day since records began, there was a birth. The birth of a boy named Sebastian Hogg. An unfortunate child born into a home deprived of hope and full of bitte</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">rness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">All this changes when he meets a mysterious stranger who takes him on a road trip full of wonder and excitement. From folky musicians to vaudeville tricksters, Sebastian is opened up to a rich and vibrant world he had never thought possible with a real sense of danger lurking around every corner, and where the consequences of actions could impact on the very fibre of existence.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">At its core this picturesque fable tells of the power of an unbreakable friendship between two innocent beings and its impact on their lives and those around them.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Moving, uplifting, at times dark and macabre, a tale where magic and science collide in the most marvellous way. Come with me and hear the tale of A Boy Named Hogg.</span></div>
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Thank you,</div>
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Sincerely, A.G.R. Moore.</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
</span>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Available to buy on Amazon Kindle and related Kindle apps for £2.06 :: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Boy-Named-Hogg-ebook/dp/B00AJYYIT6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354875814&sr=8-1" target="_blank">HERE!</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>And for non e-book lovers, you aren't left out, here it is in glorious paperback for £6.99 :: <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/agr-moore/a-boy-named-hogg/paperback/product-20520517.html" target="_blank">HERE!</a></b></div>
</span></div>
</span>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-83191949920141189992012-11-19T03:07:00.000-08:002012-11-19T03:07:24.346-08:00Look...<div style="text-align: center;">
Coming to all good Kindles this Christmas. Hopefully not just mine...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLpC4Fddyhc/UKoSnwiYxXI/AAAAAAAAAXg/9q1ckmdahEI/s1600/155934_10151297110360199_2140794619_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLpC4Fddyhc/UKoSnwiYxXI/AAAAAAAAAXg/9q1ckmdahEI/s320/155934_10151297110360199_2140794619_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-48743830451883225652012-11-18T07:27:00.000-08:002012-11-18T07:27:19.013-08:00A Boy Named Hogg - Cover, Synopsis and Release Date revealedAfter teasing and occasionally dropping it into many conversations over the past six months, I'm finally at the closing stages of readying the release of my second book titled <i>A Boy Named Hogg</i>. A story that started with nothing but one single name and spun off into something completely removed from what I originally envisaged, but as a result became something far more personal than I had ever imagined also.<br />
<br />
Huge thanks to Anna and Caoimhe for their help in making this stage of my writing adventure a reality with the beautiful cover art and proof reading/editing duties this time round. Forever grateful for their help.<br />
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So ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, whimsical dreamers and ever so keen readers, for better or worse, I present to you all you need to know about <i>A Boy Named Hogg</i>...<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IAvM2jVD5w/UKj3GlBbecI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/X4ciCTmdj4Y/s1600/hoggseconddraft+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IAvM2jVD5w/UKj3GlBbecI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/X4ciCTmdj4Y/s320/hoggseconddraft+(1).jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cover art by <a href="http://annakatehenderson.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Anna Henderson</a></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Come one and all and hear the tale of a little boy named Hogg...”<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On the dullest day since records began, there was a birth.
The birth of a boy named Sebastian Hogg. An unfortunate child born into a home deprived
of hope and full of bitterness. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All this changes when he meets a mysterious stranger who
takes him on a road trip full of wonder and excitement. From folky musicians to
vaudeville tricksters, Sebastian is opened up to a rich and vibrant world he
had never thought possible with a real sense of danger lurking around every
corner, and where the consequences of actions could impact on the very fibre of
existence. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At its core this picturesque fable tells of the power of an unbreakable friendship between two innocent beings and its impact on their
lives and those around them. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Moving, uplifting, at times dark and macabre, a tale where
magic and science collide in the most marvellous way. Come with me and hear the
tale of <i>A Boy Named Hogg</i>.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sincerely, A.G.R. Moore.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Release date: Friday December 7th, 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Formats: Kindle (and Kindle app) & Paperback</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Price: TBA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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Opening chapter can be read from an earlier blog post right...<a href="http://agrmoore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/one-year-on.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-61158425459256256762012-09-26T04:40:00.002-07:002013-09-24T06:28:30.414-07:00My first reading event! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QLnbwH7uaPxP756dpfH4rbpb6tcwU2dq0lACK0Cxpl_Mi8PHOmi3I_J95GFJqUJVtn2avw24eD_dLNhm7Q_odkHi3mzNVJ3z9o__xTsWOwp1TPBtcIqkocqbIPoxHsDz-nUiPaA-zdXR/s1600/AB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QLnbwH7uaPxP756dpfH4rbpb6tcwU2dq0lACK0Cxpl_Mi8PHOmi3I_J95GFJqUJVtn2avw24eD_dLNhm7Q_odkHi3mzNVJ3z9o__xTsWOwp1TPBtcIqkocqbIPoxHsDz-nUiPaA-zdXR/s320/AB.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br />
Yes, through some act of insanity and the lovely persuasive words of the people at Ryan's Bar I'm giving my first ever public reading in Belfast next Saturday, October 6th. On the day I'll be reading three or four chapters from The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black, as well as judging a short story competition and colouring in on a few of the illustrations. I'll be giving away copies of the book in paperback and other bits and pieces as prizes.<br />
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Huge thank you to Gerrie from Ryan's Bar for asking me to do it. Should be a great day! Come one and all, if not for hearing me ramble then for the lovely food!<br />
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More details found here... <a href="http://www.gotobelfast.com/whats-on/event/book-reading-with-agr-moore-">http://www.gotobelfast.com/whats-on/event/book-reading-with-agr-moore-</a><br />
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Hopefully see you all there on the day.Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-29611552968210532422012-08-05T12:05:00.000-07:002012-08-05T12:05:16.582-07:00One year on...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7mScAlvKus/Tjp7Olvjk_I/AAAAAAAAANY/nzqhpyynC1w/s1600/286573_10150329694995199_500455198_9974362_2533846_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7mScAlvKus/Tjp7Olvjk_I/AAAAAAAAANY/nzqhpyynC1w/s320/286573_10150329694995199_500455198_9974362_2533846_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>And what a year it's been. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On this day one year ago I self-published <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unseen-Chronicles-Amelia-Black-ebook/dp/B005G8B7PS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312671020&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black</a>, on the internet for the first time. What originally started as an experiment, an ambitious project, eventually, by the time of its completion became an obsession, a passion, something I've started to revolve my life around. When jobs are few and far between and personal tragedies engulf the world around me, this kind, curious, wonderful soul kept me going, gave me hope. Been the cause of many a sleepless night and many times screaming in frustration at the computer, but what you going to do...</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Though my journey with Amelia Black is far from over - the sequel is currently in the works - I just wanted to take the time to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to anyone who has supported me. It's been an bizarre and overwhelming experience. If you've bought the book, enjoyed the book, tried the Kindle sample, wrote reviews, interviewed me, had me on the radio, stocked the paperback, marvelled at Gillian's incredible illustrations. Thank you. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>And so the journey continues. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've mentioned this a few times over the past few months but I have been preparing my second book, A Boy Named Hogg for publication. Eventually. Possibly late September. Possibly earlier. Possibly slightly later. Either way it's finished and is definitely coming. Like Amelia Black before it I've decided, for at least one more time, to self-publish the book.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Providing where you go on the internet, the concept of e-publishing is understandably a very prickly subject. If you use it as a get rich quick scheme then you probably deserve to fall flat on your face. I originally did it because it felt like the best option available to me at the time, yes I probably jumped on a bandwagon, my sales are humble at best. I don't like to get involved in the politics. I just love to write, how it gets out into the world is the last thing on my mind. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's a hard slog, sometimes insanely frustrating but so far it's been incredibly rewarding also. I wouldn't have traded the experiences I've had, the people I've met, the bizarre opportunities that's been presented to me for anything. From here on it's up to me how I take them and move forward. I'm not going to gush and say dreams come true or stay positive and it'll all turn out for the best. I'm just saying, by my own admission, it's a slow process but I'm in it for the long haul because somewhere along the way I've had a lot of people put their faith in me and one day I hope I can repay that. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And to you readers, both old and new, I finally present the first chapter of my upcoming fantastical folk tale, <b><i>A Boy Named Hogg</i></b>.<b> </b>I hope you welcome these characters and their stories into your hearts the same way you did with the ones which populate the world of Amelia Black. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thank you,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A.G.R. Moore.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>ONE</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>A BEGINNING</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Was
it love? <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Nothing more than empty lovers
through a window,” she replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Some people may tell the tale
differently but rarely with the level of truth as it was through my own eyes.
Who am I you ask? My role in this story is not important. Think of me as a
curious observer, nothing more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> In the beginning, William Arthur
Hogg was a shipbuilder’s son. And like his father before him he too became a
shipbuilder, living modestly in a small house in a rough part of an old town on
an old street called Willow Lane. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He married at the age of twenty four
to a young woman by the name of Rosamund Duffy, or simply Rosie for short. How
they met doesn’t matter, nor whether it was really true love. Regrettably their
honeymoon period lasted approximately two days, sixteen hours, twenty five
minutes and forty three seconds. This was the moment William found out the
famous shipyard was closing, and he was now without a job. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">William tried and tried, and with all
the good intentions in the world he could not find another job. Nobody wanted
to employ a young man of limited schooling for anything of real substance and a
decent wage. Those good intentions and positive feelings became increasingly
bitter and increasingly darker as the months went by. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This feeling of misery was compounded
by the news his fearful, beautiful wife departed upon him one dreary and
dejected afternoon. A piece of news normally received with gleeful joy and unrivalled
happiness. Yet for William, this news was met with dread, resentment and an
unsurpassable amount of anxiety. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He was soon to be a father. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It was the morning of April 11<sup>th</sup>.
It’s often remembered as a date which echoed through history as the most
unremarkable day, since records began. The records were wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The hospital was St. Raphael’s. The
midwife’s name was Mildred Warbler. The
timeless smell of disinfectant still echoes through time as potent as it was
the day the baby was born. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Steady now deary,” said the midwife,
calmly. “You’re now mother to a healthy baby boy.” Rosie cried with joy upon
seeing the baby’s face. “Isn’t he a cute one,” said the Midwife, earnestly. “Now
don’t think I say that about all the newborns, ‘cause I don’t. He looks like a
special ‘un. I’ll go get the father. I’m sure he’ll be utterly thrilled!’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“No, don’t...” said Rosie. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Oh...?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“He’s not here,” she explained,
steadily. “He’s...working.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Well he’s got to pay the bills I
suppose, after all there’s an extra mouth to feed now isn’t there?” said the
midwife, with a hearty chuckle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rosie said nothing to correct her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Instead she gazed upon the baby once
more, which gazed straight back at her, barely able to open his eyes. She
smiled profusely, yet sadness prevailed at the sobering realisation William was
not present to share the momentous occasion. The woman knew well the child was
conceived on a night, shrouded in desperation. He was just born into a
mess. The child’s name was Sebastian
Hogg. Being just a tiny newborn, right now, he doesn’t quite know this but this
is <i>his</i> story. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the story about how he saved
the world. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-2142850145373767362012-05-17T14:50:00.001-07:002012-05-17T14:50:16.267-07:00Kreativ Blogger Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrA4uVNU58DQf11cy-sCB2yoxnSt5a54esgNNGhYwKTflSnmi0XPEInEGxoc437zHrso89KO4GAWCV6xgm-PLTiSgBxD-EEwoUIstAjD1XHLhRkrcdvXn9AvOo5ue81vze4COpHUdRh8/s200/Kreative-colored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrA4uVNU58DQf11cy-sCB2yoxnSt5a54esgNNGhYwKTflSnmi0XPEInEGxoc437zHrso89KO4GAWCV6xgm-PLTiSgBxD-EEwoUIstAjD1XHLhRkrcdvXn9AvOo5ue81vze4COpHUdRh8/s200/Kreative-colored.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Damn that charming little scoundrel <a href="http://www.raveninthewritingdesk.co.uk/">Matt Sloan</a>. I try to avoid these things and he goes ahead and throws my name into the mix for a Kreativ Blogger award - what that is. No, no, that's rude. I love him really I do. In the words of dear ol Mary Poppins, "If I must, I must..."<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">The Rules:</span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="line-height: 26px;">1. Thank & link back to the person who nominated you.</span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="line-height: 26px;">2. Answer the ten questions.</span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="line-height: 26px;">3. Share ten random facts/thoughts about yourself.</span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="line-height: 26px;">4. Nominate seven worthy blogs for the Kreative Blogger Award.</span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="line-height: 26px;">The Questions:</span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;">1. What's your favorite song?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="line-height: 21px;">Cool answer: Dig for Fire by The Pixies. Real answer: ... probably I Just Can't Wait To Be King from The Lion King. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;"></i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;">2. What's your favorite dessert?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" />Jelly and ice cream. <br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;"></i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;">3. What ticks you off?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" />Working in retail for this long I'm going to have to say general ignorance. And bad time keeping. <br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;"></i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;">4. What do you do when you're upset?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" />Not as much as I probably should actually. There's a nature trail behind my house I go for a walk down listening to John Williams soundtracks. That usually chills me out or inspires me to do good. <br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;"></i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="line-height: 26px;">5. Which is your favorite pet?</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My cat Albert. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">6. Which do you prefer: black or white?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Black. Amelia or the shade, it all works. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i style="line-height: 26px;"></i></span></span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">7. What is your biggest fear?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">That would be telling. I wish it was clowns because that would probably be more manageable. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i style="line-height: 26px;"></i></span></span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">8. What is your attitude mostly?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Try to be a polite, nice bloke.</span></span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i style="line-height: 26px;"></i></span></span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">9. What is perfection?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">To be financially secure and loved. Oh sure, loads of material items and a huge house would be awesome too. </span></span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i style="line-height: 26px;"></i></span></span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">10. What is your guilty pleasure?</i><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">I've got a lot of pleasures, but none I overly feel guilty about. Least none I can think of at this moment in time. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">The Random Facts:</span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">1. At several points in my life I genuinely believed - in all seriousness - I would become Batman. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">2. Goalkeeper for a 6-a-side football team called The Tony Danza Football Extravaganza. </span></span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">3. Have a degree in Archaeology. I did consider it a possible career route for about five minutes, but was disappointed to discover it wasn't all shooting Nazis and finding lost treasure in the middle of the Amazon. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">4. When I was 14, my mates and I had a backyard wrestling federation. My persona was The Giant. I was also a mean...sometimes articulately awkward commentator. There's video footage out there I pray will never see the light of day. </span></span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">5. I was the singer of two bands. One was a nu-metal act called Asylum. We use to enter the stage wearing white make-up and fake blood. Then we recruited two new members, changed our sound to 'experimental noisecore' and called ourselves <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thenexusonline">The Nexus</a> - look the myspace page still exists! Some of the best days of my life were with the wonderful people in that band. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">6. Think I tried to write about three or four books before I embarked on writing The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black. Amelia Black was actually suppose to be a simple picture book about a girl and a monster in a far away land, then I thought about it too much and what you see today was the result. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">7. I'm into all the animated works of Walt Disney way more than any grown man should ever admit. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">8. Grew up on a street Van Morrison wrote a song about... </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">9. Infrequently partake in a film podcast called Panic Shots, talking nonsense next to two much more educated and interesting souls, Laura Shearer and Ross Thompson. It's on iTunes and everything. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br style="line-height: 26px;" /></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">10. There are only nine interesting facts about me. </span><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><br style="line-height: 26px;" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 26px;">The Nominations:</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">I've no idea...I'm linking it back to Sloan! </span></span></span>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-51044757516782234522012-04-29T12:42:00.000-07:002012-04-29T12:54:34.668-07:00The Storyteller // Flash-fiction // Unexpected Fairy tales<span style="color: #30110f; font-family: 'Josefin Slab';"><span style="line-height: 22px;">I've most likely totally missed the point of this competition, but thought I would give it a try. If nothing else I've got a head start on where my next book, after Amelia Black 2, might go. Or might not. That's a weird and wild thought which is currently too far in the future right now... </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #30110f; font-family: 'Josefin Slab';"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #30110f; font-family: 'Josefin Slab';"><span style="line-height: 22px;">So yes, Anna Meade (@ruanna3 through Twitter, seemingly lovely lass I started following recently), has laid down the challenge of an unexpected fairytale. It should contain 350 words max. With the deadline only hours away as of publishing this blog post I thought I would contribute something I've been pondering for a long time now. So my wonderful readers, a tale simply called <b><i>The Storyteller</i></b>...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #30110f; font-family: 'Josefin Slab';"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Claudius sat down in the bus shelter. It was a
bright day. It was a new day. Much like it was the day it happened to him. His
eyes had seen many things; the world had changed so much. He rarely would look
in a mirror, but only needed to see the countless wrinkles in his hands to
know.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Now was the time to
pass it on. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “Mommy,
mommy, when’s the bus arriving?” He looked up to see a woman and a little girl,
no older than seven, sit down beside him. He politely smiled at them both. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “It’ll
be here soon, dear, now sit down,” said the mother. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “Oh,
okay.” The little girl swayed her head, then looked towards Claudius and boldly
said, “Hello!” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “Hello
there,” said Claudius. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “That’s
a big beard!” said the girl. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Claudius could do nothing
but laugh, “Yes, it is.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “Penny!
That’s very rude. I’m so sorry, sir.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “It’s
no trouble at all, honestly,” he said. Little Penny edged closer towards
Claudius, becoming curiouser and curiouser. Claudius held tightly to the ivory head of his walking stick. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “What
do you do?” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “Me?
It’s a secret,” he replied, giving a knowing wink. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “Secrets?
I like secrets, I’ll keep it, I promise!” she jumped up and down and gave a
charming smile. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “You
have to promise.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “I
promise! I promise.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “Okay,”
he whispered. “I’m a storyteller.” The little girl and the mother looked
baffled, never hearing such a wild title before. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “What’s
a storyteller?” asked Penny. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “A
father, a brother, a wizard, a hero, a villain, an adventurer and above all a
dreamer. Someone who can see hundreds of lives yet live just one. Someone who
can spark a revolution. All with a little imagination.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “Wow!”
said Penny. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Claudius brought out
his golden pocket watch. The time was 1.05pm. “I don’t have much time but if
your mother allows it I’ll tell you a story. I warn you though, once told it
can never be untold. Once I’m done you must tell it to others.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“Yes, yes!” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“Are you paying
attention? Good. Now, once upon a time...” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=142534&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
</script>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-51858041887289027572012-04-17T08:10:00.000-07:002012-04-17T08:10:47.006-07:00Amelia Black in The Looking Glass & The Lucky Seven Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBHjGkp-mxo/T42BMDIv9TI/AAAAAAAAATg/-J0eDklstWg/s1600/532688_342897699100724_206957662694729_953269_1622274908_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBHjGkp-mxo/T42BMDIv9TI/AAAAAAAAATg/-J0eDklstWg/s320/532688_342897699100724_206957662694729_953269_1622274908_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I mentioned in one of my last blog posts that a chapter extract of The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black would be featured in the first issue of Dublin based children's literature magazine, The Looking Glass. Well after days of waiting eagerly by the door, the jolly postman finally delivered me a copy - as displayed in the photo above of course.<br />
<br />
It's a great read and seeing all the other talented writers featured does make one feel ever so slightly intimidated. Huge thanks to Elena and Joanne for featuring the work of Gill and I in it. If you want to support the publication definitely pay their Facebook page a visit over here :: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Looking-Glass-Magazine/120504311392360">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Looking-Glass-Magazine/120504311392360</a><br />
<br />
<b><i>The Lucky Seven Game</i></b><br />
<br />
Now, if you follow other writer blogs about you'll have noticed this doing the rounds. My next book is only a few months away - potential illustrations and couple more edits pending - and thought it would be fun to give the first extract from <b>A Boy Named Hogg</b>. So here it is...seven lines, from the seventh line, from page seven of the new book.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>“Hello, I’d like to be your friend.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>“Hehe! Awk, you are just too sweet,”
said the stranger, softly. Sebastian suddenly felt at ease, giggling more happily
and more innocently than he ever had done before in his all too brief lifespan.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A thunderous crash came suddenly from
the other room, and William and Rosie were shouting once again. Sebastian
wasn’t fazed, in the slightest. His attention was still fixated on this mysterious
stranger in his living room.</span> </i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
As you can see that reveals pretty much nothing, but as the months go on I'll filter bits and pieces of the plot and some sort of launch plan. I'm starting to become really excited by it, and I hope when it's published you will too.<br />
<br />
More to come.<br />
<br />
A.G.R.Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-68359848191017873982012-04-05T11:50:00.004-07:002012-04-05T11:51:06.344-07:00The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black now available in No Alibis bookshop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJcL6YH8a5s/T33kqSik1DI/AAAAAAAAATY/mbyMLpTiO1I/s1600/404075_10150771023850199_500455198_11921949_1975460324_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJcL6YH8a5s/T33kqSik1DI/AAAAAAAAATY/mbyMLpTiO1I/s320/404075_10150771023850199_500455198_11921949_1975460324_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sitting proudly next to Herge's Tintin books. If that isn't a dream realised I don't know what is...</span></div>
<br />
After putting it off for god knows how long, I finally worked up the nerve to pop into one of Belfast's leading independent bookshops, No Alibis and enquire about stocking the book in their glorious little emporium. As you can probably tell by the photo above it was a success! So yes, as of today the book is on sale in No Alibis for the same price as it is on <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/agr-moore/the-unseen-chronicles-of-amelia-black/paperback/product-16662299.html;jsessionid=7AE76078CEBE37C4C7E504148A08D713">LULU.com</a> at £6.99.<br />
<br />
So if you haven't yet got a copy of the book and happen to live in the Belfast area please support your local retailers and grab a copy. Or if you don't want to, that's okay too! Bit hurtful, but I guess I'll get over it...ahem, anyway, at least pop down to this glorious bookshop, located on Botanic Avenue near Queen's University, and show your support! <a href="http://www.noalibis.com/">http://www.noalibis.com/</a><br />
<br />
Quick line of other topics of interest while I'm here...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>My next book, A Boy Named Hogg is still on course for a Summer release. Can't really discuss too much yet but as always watch this space. </li>
<li>The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black recently featured in a new Dublin based Children's literature magazine, The Looking Glass. If you're in a position to purchase a copy, please do! Once I get mine I'll post a few photos of it on the blog! Support the lovely ladies putting it together at their Facebook page here ::
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Looking-Glass-Magazine/120504311392360">http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Looking-Glass-Magazine/120504311392360</a></li>
<li>Thanks for the lovely comments on Twitter and Facebook regarding my lovely Flash Fiction piece, Quentin and the Picnic. </li>
</ul>
<div>
That's it for today from the mindless ramblings of myself. Thanks for reading. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A.G.R.</div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-41183898748874842712012-03-20T12:20:00.007-07:002013-09-24T06:27:33.650-07:00Quentin and the Picnic // National Flash-Fiction Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">So the build up and celebration of National Flash-Fiction Day has begun in my glorious homeland of Northern Ireland - go "Like" it on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/NationalFlashFictionDayNorthernIreland">here</a>. I'll concede right now it's something I'm genuinely awful at. However, it just so happens I have a little children's book I've been playing about with for the past wee while, in between redrafting A Boy Named Hogg and writing Th</span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">e Unseen Trials of Amelia Black. So in the spirit of it all I'm going to put the whole thing in its current draft online for all to read along with a teaser illustration by the lovely </span></span><a href="http://elissaelwick.typepad.com/elissas_blog/" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left;">Elissa Elwick</a><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left;">If this ever sees the light of day as an actual children's book, there's a good chance some of the text will have changed and the illustrations would be much more expansive and hopefully present itself as a beautifully crafted wee book. For now though, if you have a little one </span><span style="text-align: left;">curious, peering over the laptop/tablet screen, by all means sit them on your lap and entertain them with the jolly little tale of when a mouse, a robot boy made of tin and a kind, furry, monster, who's not really a monster called Quentin Muldoon went on a picnic...</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgDt3TtDWulDV4tnE-palX-ofSlhUVkAeKG9mEDakmfXYiHns4oZh0j0LTen0Bdo2zk1x2x8xpZbG_jsmXUswCX8heA3rpkm3j2HC-QbmZdkeVkikyMNZgbIZb9QsiEkkng2vbr6aLyoE/s1600/6a00e553e5d32888330162fd3dc572970d-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgDt3TtDWulDV4tnE-palX-ofSlhUVkAeKG9mEDakmfXYiHns4oZh0j0LTen0Bdo2zk1x2x8xpZbG_jsmXUswCX8heA3rpkm3j2HC-QbmZdkeVkikyMNZgbIZb9QsiEkkng2vbr6aLyoE/s320/6a00e553e5d32888330162fd3dc572970d-800wi.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There once was this monster,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This kind, furry, monster,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who’s not quite a monster,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Named Quentin Muldoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And one day this monster,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This kind, furry, monster,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who’s not quite a monster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Named Quentin Muldoon...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">WENT ON A PICNIC!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But that day, that monster,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Named Quentin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Was lost,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So lost it seemed,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He stepped right on a house!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And who lived in this house?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who was it indeed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s was Mouse having biscuits, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And drinking some tea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But that Mouse with a house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Welcomed Quentin with glee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He whispered, “Don’t panic.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know where to be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They travelled far...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They travelled wide...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They travelled...thin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They also travelled within...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And while travelling within,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They met Mouse’s friend,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A curious little thing...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A boy robot made of tin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nervously he asked, “Can I come too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of course!” cried the mouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We have plenty for you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But where should we go?” Quentin did ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A beach,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Or a park or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A very large ark?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Best not,” Mouse said it was so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“One’s rather busy, and one’s full of bark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And since when was the last time,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Did you glance at an ark?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, what about this graveyard?” declared Quentin Muldoon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But don’t it have ghosts and horrid ghouls too?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t fear,” said Mouse. “They can’t hurt you!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay,” said the boy robot made of tin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I trust you more than my great granny’s bin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So that kind, furry, monster named Quentin Muldoon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And that Mouse with a house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And the boy robot made of tin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sat in a peaceful graveyard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For their picnic din din!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What did they eat?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, all sorts of treats!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some cheese for Mouse,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Goats, Stilton and Brie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some oil for robot boy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He drank mer-ri-ly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And what about dear Quentin, you may well say...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He had marshmallows with chips,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And orange juice coloured blue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why blue you ask?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Frankly I haven’t a clue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then look what popped up,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A ghost and a ghoul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They both said, “Hello,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Any ecto-plasmic gruel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I dare say we don’t,” said Mouse with a sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But next time we visit we’ll be sure to say hi.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Quentin brought out his watch, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And said “It’s time we must go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So they waved their waves, and gave good to their byes, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mouse went to his house, and the tin boy went back within. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While Quentin Muldoon flew up into the air, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With a huge big grin!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THE END<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-11283927454109163872012-03-12T18:28:00.004-07:002012-03-13T03:22:22.534-07:00Senseless rambling at 2am...<span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">I'm currently sitting in front of my computer screen, in the dead of night, collecting a </span>trolley<span style="font-size: 100%;"> full of thoughts. None of them particular exciting I must admit, no new stories, no rewrites, no new film to gush on and on about. Just bits and bobs really. It is a Monday night after all. If all the exciting thoughts were collected on a Monday, the rest of the week would seem somewhat dull in comparison. Anyway I digress...</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I was just doing my usual rounds of the interwebs before I retired to bed to continue reading more of George R R Martin's epic fantasy saga, A Song of Ice and Fire, when I stumbled across this wonderful video on Youtube...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span ><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CbIZU8cQWXc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Now obviously if Star Trek and/or Wars etc isn't your cup of tea, the idea of space travel might seem like a bit of a wet blanket. Frankly speaking the sheer idea of exploring the stars above utterly terrifies me as much as it insanely excites me. But the video makes a good point, when did the human race stop being ambitious? Stop...<i>dreaming</i>. Stop wondering what 'tomorrow' might bring us. Yeah sure technology is more prettier, faster, efficient. Hell, we've got a third generation iPad coming round the corner! I'm able to catch reruns of Neighbours on demand when I bloody well want! I can send e-mails from my phone! Thanks to the magic of the Kindle I've more books now than I'll read in a lifetime! It's the stuff my dad would've replied to as, "the mind boggles." </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Yet tomorrow shouldn't be about making life easier. Tomorrow should be about pushing the boundaries. In 1969 NASA landed men on the moon for the first ever time. Landed on the f*cking moon!! How is it in 2012 that idea seems as equally insane as it might have been to H.G. Wells when he first published War of the Worlds in 1898?! Yes there's something of a mix up in the world finances but will we ever have a world leader with that kind of vision for the future? Be nice to see it in my lifetime. Sadly it ain't easy being that idealistic, no matter how hard you try to be. And yes, at 2am in the morning I don't really know where this senseless ramble is going either...</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >I'll end on this though. One of the greatest pieces of life advice I ever received was during my journalism training in 2010, when I got the chance to work at the Belfast Press Association. The editor told me two simple things which have really stuck with me. The first simply, "Be ambitious. Aim as high as possible no matter how silly it might seem to others." The second was particularly poetic, "Be open minded about everything. If you don't you'll be a cynical asshole by the time you're 30."</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Time for bed...</span></div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-49025119735792571502012-02-08T03:09:00.000-08:002012-02-08T03:27:29.284-08:00BBC ARTS EXTRA INTERVIEW + QUICK BOOK UPDATES<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F35940097&show_artwork=true"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>I actually have things to put on this blog! Wow, good times. So last week I was just shooting out the door to meet my dear friend Heather McGarrigle (<i>check her blog too! <a href="http://thepatchworkquill.blogspot.com/">http://thepatchworkquill.blogspot.com/</a></i>) for a spot of lunch in The Potted Hen in Belfast - great meal it was too - when, out of the blue, I got a phone call from a lovely lady at the BBC named Ruth Sanderson asking me down to talk about e-publishing and Amelia Black on the show, Arts Extra. Bricking it though I was, it was a tremendous experience and the kind words from both Ruth and the host of the show, Marie, really gave me a confidence boost in regards to my work. </div><div><br /></div><div>So would like to say a huge thanks to them for having me, when far more knowledgeable sorts probably should have been asked. The snippet from the show itself is embedded at the top, and the main theme centres around Ewan Morrison's (<i>also featured on the show</i>) article he did the day previously for The Guardian which is featured here :: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/30/self-e-publishing-bubble-ewan-morrison">http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jan/30/self-e-publishing-bubble-ewan-morrison</a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Quick update on book related stuff while I'm here...</b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>My second book titled A Boy Named Hogg is now in its third drafting phase and progressing quite nicely. Aiming for a June/July release.</li><li>The Unseen Trials of Amelia Black has officially begun. Been so much fun returning to it again, after a year away from it.</li><li>Also possibly have a wee children's picture book story in the works involving a mouse with a house, a boy robot made of tin and a kind gentle monster, who's not really a monster named Quinten. It's not far off completion but I'm currently not 100% what I will do with it. </li></ul></div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-54739390097596054442012-01-15T16:51:00.001-08:002012-01-15T17:02:50.069-08:00New year, Oh The Places You'll Go...I realise how bloody awful I am at posting on this blog, compared to my dearly beloved film blog. Just never really know what to type here. Determined to make an effort this year though with random ramblings, photography plus updates and press bits on my books. Plenty of exciting stuff to come this year in terms of writing. <div><br /></div><div>Plans for 2012? Besides attempting to make a living from this gig, June will hopefully see the release of my second book currently titled, A Boy Named Hogg. While I polish that, I can confirm the sequel to The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black is in the early stages and with a prayer may see the light before the end of 2012. And maybe my first venture into children's picture books. Maybe...</div><div><br /></div><div>For now though I'll leave this first post of 2012 with some cause of optimism. A video from Burning Man festival 2011 of all of Dr Seuss' beautiful poem, Oh The Places You'll Go as told by the eclectic performers and attendees. Truly heartwarming and inspiring. </div><div><br /></div><div>TTFN (Ta ta for now...)</div><div><br /></div><div>A.G.R.</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ahv_1IS7SiE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-30303423057381724652011-10-31T03:47:00.000-07:002011-10-31T04:09:02.453-07:00Happy Halloween - All Hallows Read!I know, I've been terrible at posting on this blog for the past few months for one reason or another. If I wasn't currently burying my head trying to write my next book I would have had a little seasonal ghost story to share on this. But alas, it was not to be. <div><br /></div><div>However just want to post this video of the great, all knowing, all wise, Neil Gaiman talking about the wonderful idea of All Hallows Read! I think this is a fantastic concept! Anything to get more people reading.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which on that note, just want to say thank you to everybody who has bought The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black so far and even enjoyed it! </div><div><br /></div><div>So yes, go pass on scary books, horror books, gory books, even pass on my book this All Hallows Read! </div><div><br /></div><div>Take it away Neil...</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1tYtLeWN5NQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-8236059398379610242011-08-17T13:03:00.001-07:002011-08-17T14:04:04.050-07:00George Moore 1949 - 2011: A tribute to a good man, and a better father.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWUGXh18IKM/TkwfAaHqzoI/AAAAAAAAAPM/jjnNA3sYsBo/s1600/11541_216586661318_608231318_3595033_4638098_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PWUGXh18IKM/TkwfAaHqzoI/AAAAAAAAAPM/jjnNA3sYsBo/s320/11541_216586661318_608231318_3595033_4638098_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641918525060337282" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><i>Family portrait by the wonderful, the marvellous, Gillian Reid.</i></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u>
<br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u>
<br /></u></span></div>If you've been following me on Twitter or Facebook as of late, you may have noticed how hard things have been for my family. If you haven't then I regret to say that my dad, George Moore passed away in the early hours of last Friday, August 12th. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>In the build up to the service - which was sincerely beautiful - we had been fretting over finding a fitting passage, without being asked, I went away and wrote something from the heart, something I felt summed up my dad as a person for those who knew him and for those who didn't have the pleasure. Something fun and light hearted. He would've frowned had been otherwise. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>It seemed to go down a storm, but only because of my wonderful big sister Katy's magnificent delivery. Unlike this feckin eejit and my extremely wise and all knowing older brother Patrick (<i>I mean that with zero sarcasm</i>), both my amazing sisters, Katy and Hannah are fantastic public speakers and I know deep down I couldn't have delivered this poem with such cheer and such bounce to get a rare round of applause at a funeral. That's real talent. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>So my gift to all who have shown such amazing support to my family over this difficult time, is to share this genuinely personal piece of writing which I intend to hold close to my heart for all time. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Whatever may come after it, know that this is my proudest moment as a writer: </div><div>
<br /></div><div>
<br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>He wore glasses, rarely goggles. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>His iconic phrase was surely, “the mind boggles.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>He was a father, a brother,<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>A Morris Minor loving punter.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>He once owned an Audi, a Merc, and a Porsche. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>Some of my friends would say, he even had ‘the force.’<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>He was a tinker, some ways a tailor, <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>He loved movies with soldiers and spies. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>He loved museums, mainly the Ulster,<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>Chasing his children round Botanic would probably leave him in a fluster.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>When he married a beautiful woman called, Shirley, <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>Kids called Patrick, Katy, Andrew and Hannah were to follow shortly. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>He’d drink a fine wine, a port, a shandy, cite off one of his speeches,<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>And once all is said and done he’d shout: “We’ll fight them on the beaches!” <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>Music you say? Beware, you’ll be there all day,<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>Though with such wonderful company I know you’ll be glad you stayed. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>So I ask you to join me, in these friendships we’ve forged,<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:"Century Schoolbook","serif""><i>To celebrate the life of a man called, George. </i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-8135662494110975502011-08-09T16:42:00.001-07:002011-08-09T16:43:27.518-07:00The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnmnxK2e18Q/TkHGDphpl_I/AAAAAAAAAO0/60hkVVyPyws/s1600/286573_10150329694995199_500455198_9974362_2533846_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnmnxK2e18Q/TkHGDphpl_I/AAAAAAAAAO0/60hkVVyPyws/s320/286573_10150329694995199_500455198_9974362_2533846_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639005974433470450" /></a>
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Finally! Over the last year and a half I've spent a lot of my free time crafting this story, The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black. And after all is said and done, here it is finally for your own personal enjoyment!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div>
<br /></div><div>Price: £2.30 on <a href="http://amzn.to/pammwQ" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Amazon.co.uk</a> | $3.78 on <a href="http://amzn.to/qaUxuk" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Amazon.com</a> | EUR2.99 on <a href="http://amzn.to/oHAW1w" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Amazon.de</a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>If you buy it and enjoy it then, well I'll frankly never be able to truly thank you for it. Though I would appreciate if you were able to spread the word of my book, the character and her magical adventure. All devoted readers of the blog for the past two and a half years, now I ask of you to write a review for me.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Sincerely,</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Andrew (A.G.R. Moore)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>The Synopsis:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">
<br /><b style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; ">Amelia Black is a kind, curious and wonderful soul. Like her dear mother and father, who were equally kind, curious and wonderful, she was a keen explorer of the unknown. When her parents vanish without a trace, she finds herself swept into another universe. An Unseen Universe.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 26px; "><span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; "><b><span></span>In the Unseen Universe, Amelia discovers a power within herself, which will change her life forever. Under the watchful eye of her faithful butler and lifelong friend, Julius E. Dawson and an ill-tempered pixie (<i>just don’t call him a fairy</i>) named Sid, watch as the extraordinary girl ventures into a magical universe full of pure goodness and unrivalled darkness.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 26px; "><span style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; "><b><span></span>Revelations of her past lie with a mysterious King of the Unseen Light, while her destiny may lead her to what lurks in The Dark.</b></span></p></span></div></span>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-58294665178812990492011-08-04T03:57:00.001-07:002011-08-04T04:16:17.705-07:00Front cover and a release date! Exciting times.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7mScAlvKus/Tjp7Olvjk_I/AAAAAAAAANY/nzqhpyynC1w/s1600/286573_10150329694995199_500455198_9974362_2533846_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7mScAlvKus/Tjp7Olvjk_I/AAAAAAAAANY/nzqhpyynC1w/s320/286573_10150329694995199_500455198_9974362_2533846_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636953374187557874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Isn't it pretty? </span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The book will be released next week, Friday August 12th 2011! How exciting, right? Right! </div><div><br /></div><div>Few details still to be ironed out in the formatting department, but generally everything is ready to go. </div><div><br /></div><div>Title: The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black</div><div>Price: £2/$3.20* </div><div>Available on: Amazon's Kindle Market and <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/">Smashwords.com</a></div><div>Don't have a kindle? Kindle apps available for free: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_ipad_mkt_lnd?docId=1000493771">HERE</a></div><div>Hardcopy version? Coming soon for<b> a very limited time</b>. Watch this space. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >*U.S. price not confirmed, relevant to current exchange rates. </span></div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-61608639587600986292011-07-24T11:23:00.000-07:002011-07-24T11:38:10.150-07:00New illustration preview - fly my pretty!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QjBniRP-CDk/Tixjlu4vGhI/AAAAAAAAAK8/wyUnLDj1yWI/s1600/Chapter_12_preview.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 273px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QjBniRP-CDk/Tixjlu4vGhI/AAAAAAAAAK8/wyUnLDj1yWI/s320/Chapter_12_preview.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632986733825956370" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; ">The King ushered his honoured guests into the beautiful royal courtyard, where docked the most magnificent airship ever conceived."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; "><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Schoolbook', serif; "><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I know, I know, I've been saying this a lot over the past month, but I mean it this time! It's really not long now until the book is ready to launch. I'm so excited, terrified and hyper just thinking about it. Thank you all for your patience. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Two ladies I'll be thanking again and again over the next while is Gillian for her wonderful illustrations - once again, see above, below, right, but not left! And Laura Gray for the countless hours of her own time put into editing and cleaning the whole thing up. Both have helped make this reality, and I doubt I'll ever be able to truly repay them for it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>IT'S COMING</b></span></div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735594306315730138.post-31554486116302504472011-07-18T05:41:00.000-07:002011-07-18T06:31:51.606-07:00No Kindle? No Problem!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40PIYeOT2MY/TiQqSnhzb5I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Xs-T1wHez-k/s1600/kindle-e1294879568427.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40PIYeOT2MY/TiQqSnhzb5I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/Xs-T1wHez-k/s320/kindle-e1294879568427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630671933456740242" /></a><b>IDEAL SCENARIO ::</b><br /><div><br /></div><div>So come the end of the month, and <b>The Unseen Chronicles of Amelia Black</b> will hopefully be available on Amazon's Kindle site for your reading pleasure. I've managed to convince you to part with those two pounds. Excellent. Your kindness will never be forgotten. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>HANG ON :: </b><br /><div><br /></div><div>Eh, one problem. You don't own a Kindle e-reader and quite rightly don't want to break out at least £111 for one. That's okay, I completely understand. Nor should you! Obviously if you're well versed in this area you'll already know this, but might as well explain here and now that there's alternative ways you can read this book come the end of July, start of August! </div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>THE ALTERNATIVES ::</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Thankfully if you own the following, you'll have absolutely no problem reading my book - I hope. Amazon have smartly developed Kindle reading applications on the following platforms, for FREE!! :: </div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>IPHONE/IPOD TOUCH</li><li>WINDOWS OS</li><li>APPLE MAC OS</li><li>IPAD</li><li>ANDROID PHONES</li><li>WINDOWS 7 PHONES</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>If you're visiting this blog then you're most likely visiting it on those aforementioned platforms. Unless you're visiting it on a Blackberry. Then I'm sorry about that. </div><div><br /></div><div>For more information visit Amazon's own website here :: http://amzn.to/oC8MAg</div>Andrew Moorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05479597201375219945noreply@blogger.com2