Rewriting an Award Winner

 The Chronicles of Mark Johnson

Alan Place - Editor

You may ask, why rewrite your award winner?

The answer is not long after the stories earned their award, I took an editorial course, and in reviewing the MS, I can see flaws, both in the style of writing, and the story flow.

My hope is to edit the MS, and release the new version on my Amazon page.

I have nothing to lose, as the book was sabotaged, in 2012, by an editor I used to know, she was jealous I had eared an award, as she kept putting my work down online

An unknown Vampire story

 Fantasy or Gothic?

Something wicked this way comes

This vampire short story depicts the battle between two brothers of a fated count, one wishes to embrace the vampire legacy, while the other fights to deny his heritage.

Adult Content

 Only Fans

Alan Place - Sex Object?

Yesterday, Twitter marked two of my posts for Adult Viewers, this gives the impression I am posting images or videos of an intimate type, nothing could be further from the truth.

I was invited by several young ladies to partake in their Only Fans videos, but for several reasons I turned the offer down. I found it distasteful to show myself to girls younger than my youngest daughter (31).

I have never considered myself attractive to ladies, however, in recent months, it appears several ladies find me attractive.

Adult Content on Twitter

 Misleading Information

Sexual Content

I had to smile this morning, Twitter has marked two of my posts as Adult Content. From this, you could think I had posted images, or videoes of sexual content, nothing is further from the truth. This is the most revealing image I am posting.

I don't mind the site flagging the posts, it has raised the numbers of readers 😼😼

Misleading Information

 Provocative Words

Twitter Twists

A few minutes ago, I had to warn a lady on Twitter, than her words could be misread, and lead to a lot of trouble.

She has one photograph showing her with her legs open, and wearing a pink teeshirt, the mesaage she put on says, "Guess what else is pink, and can't be seen?"

She contacted me, asking me to move to Zangi, which I did. Her original comment was "Show me your dick, please." To which, I replied, "If you show me your panties."

After a quck chat about arousal, I asked her what aroused her?

Her reply is "I am not willing to chat about that," considering her opening remark was less than ambiguous, I found her prim and proper reply off putting. I know many men would have caused a row after reading her comment about a man's penis. I let the matter drop, with a message warning her not to lead men on

Too late the Hero

 The Awakening

Alan Place - Writer

Last month, there was masses of interest in my book, The Awakening, unfortuately, the interest came too late to save my carreer as a writer, five years too late.

After a 15- year struggle to get reconition, I gave up writing. I always knew it wouldn't be a success, but at least I did have a moment in the highlights, in 2012 a book of short stories earned an award. Then, nothing.

How ironic, my golden year was the same year as the year the world was supposed to end LOL, well, mine did end

David Bowie or Bertolt Brecht?

 Mythology

Baal

When the name Baal is mentioned, most people associate it with the character in Mythology. 

In Germany, the name is also associted with the opera by Bertolt Brecht.

Devout David Bowie fans may recall, he did a mini-opera, the soundtrack I have heard.

However, the character in my eBook is not related to any of the above.The character in my short story,  is a storyteller, more akin to a character in the Black Library stories based in Medieval History.

My Baal is a storyteller, whose wishes are to please his listeners, and have enough for a meal, and a place to rest at the end of the day.

Drax of the title is a hound who he finds wandering, and as they grow together, he finds out some disturbing news about a mystical being emerging

Does a shared loss deepen a romance?

 Clara - my love

Finding love in later life

In the last two years, both my friend, Clara, in Whitchurch, and I have suffered the loss of a loved one. Our shared heartbreak, we feel is forming a stronger romance for us.

The last two months have been exceptionall hard on us, for some couples it would have been breaking point, yet, we bonded stronger, and came through.

A wrong assumption

BBW ladies

50+ ladies

Several years ago, I was approached online by two young, black ladies, who assumed because they were young, coloured and had large breasts, and a large bottom, i would be aroused, wrong!

They were young enough to be my daughters, while to some men that doesn't matter, to me it does.

Both had what I class as oversize breasts, while I enjoy a BBW lady, a fuller figure, means the body is in proportion.

One of the girls had an oversize bottom to.

Show me your dick!

That request to some men may appear to forward, my reaction is if you show me your panties. Underwear is a big turn on for me

have stopped using Twitter

 A writer with no Twitter

I am only posting to Twitter

From now on I am only using Twitter, to post blog pieces too, I am not chatting there. Since Elon Musk took control, the site has become a haven for scammers.

I won't miss the site, it has been useful for raising the readers to the blog, but it hasn't helped my eBook sales

There is NO Mystery

 The Roman 9th Legion

Annihilation

An enduring mystery in military history, to many people, is what happened to the the Roman 9th Legion, they were fighting one month, then disappeared.

For  me, there is no mystery.

One thoery is they vanished fighting in Scotland, based on the find of an eagle standard. Not a chance of this happening. The eagle was so small it would have become invisible at around 15 paces, and Scotland was an area that the Roman fighting tactics could not be employed, plus it is too far to be supplied.

The most likely scenario is so simple, people never consider it, as the elite force, they were sent to battle first to break up any attacks. This meant they hit the opposition at its strrongest, and took the heaviest casualties. The legion probaly took so many casualties, it was disbanded, and mixed in with other legions

Alan Place - Ghost Story Writer

 A Challenging Prospect

Ghost Casebook

A YouTube channel, my late wife and I enjoyed watching is Ghost Casebook. While some of the cases are most likely misunderstood natural occurences, some do raise my interest.

One in particular which I watched tonight is about a barmaid at the Red Lion, Malmesbury, who dislikes men with beards. As Malmesbury isn't too far, I may take a trip in the Summer, to challenge Rosie, the barmaid.

After all, I am a noted writer of ghost stories

Seaforth Highlanders

 RAF Lossiemouth

Scottish Regiments

Many years ago, my interest in military history was piqued by a regimental badge I came across. I had a feeling from the badge the regiment was based in Scotland, I was correct, however, I was wrong about which regiment. I thought it could have been the King's Own Scottish Borderers, it is from another famous regiment, the Seaforth Highlanders.

The odd thing about the connection between my badge, and my history, is that the regiment has its base in Inverness, not far from Elgin, where I was sttioned when I was in the Royal Air Force. Having served in Scotland, I am entitled to wear the RAF tartan, not that I would as my knees show the scars of many falls.

I did consider the option when I was in Scotland, also I thought about buying a book on the history of the clans.

A little-known fact is I own some land in Scotland

YouTube Favouries updates

 The History Guy

                                             Pirates

My viewing of YouTube has changed since my wife passed away in January, 2025. We used to watch Tasting History with Max Miller, and the last Christmas present I got her was his bestselling book.

I went through a series of months when I watched a lot of videos about India, and Indian music, to try to calm my nerves.

Through all this, I had several channels I kept watching, mostly about history, whether history in general or the history of Hollywood. I have watched Hollywood Mysteries for over two years, other channels include History's Forgotten People,  The History Guy, and several on the history of piracy in the Carribean

Readers in Pakistan

 UK readership is falling

Gaining UK readers

I have always struggled to gain readers for the blog in the UK.

This has now go the stage where I have more readers in both Finland, and Pakistan that the UK.

The surge in readers in Pakistan could be from my posts about the violence connected to the Islam faith, a fact I have witnessed since the 1970s, when I was in stationed in Germany with the Royal Air Force. This situation is mentioned in my story, Secrets, I only mention these incidents of Muslim terrorism in passing, as they are numerous, and ongoing.

One of the few times I got paid for writing an article was when my late friend, who lived in Seattle, asked me to outline the events in Europe, as the USA news service never mention them. That was in 2012, she couldn't believe what was happening. Stockholm, once had a beautiful city, had become the r##e centre of Europe, with police issuing maps of no-go areas to tourists. The Prime Minister of Norway, at the time stated, "If you don't stop these people crossing the border, I will authorise an armed response, and close the border."

Why don't I Praise myself?

 Self Promotion

                            Chronicles of Mark Johnson

To this day, years after the book, Chronicles of Mark Johnson, earned an award for me, I keep being asked, why don't you sing your parises?

The answer to the question is based in my philosophy, "Self-praise is no praise," I would rather repost a reader's comment, than say how good it is. It is the same when it comes to the Self Promotion of the Forgestiker series of 7 eBooks I wrote at the same time (2012). Though the series sold over 1,000 eBooks, I rarely mention it.

Another short story that I rarely talk about is Sea Ghosts, a story which earned an award given by Facebook for coming third in a writing contest, again in 2012.

I recently checked the MS for Chronicles, and I decided to re-edit it, as my skills as an editor have expanded

Alan at 69

 If Romance calls

About me

Here is an updated short biography, more details are available if you get to know me.

I am from Yorkshire.

I have lived in the Bristol area since 1963, and in Bristol since 1983, when I got married.

My wife of 38 years died in January, 2025.

I am romantic, and believe in love.

I can cook, I enjoy gardening, growing herbs, walking by the sea, and in the woods listening to nature.

I am teetotal, partially by choice.

I am disabled, but I can walk, if slowly. My disability is a torn tendon, the short version of the injury is I got it playing sports in the Royal Air Force in 1974. For years, I knew it was there, but it wasn't an issue, until one rainy July day in 2011, when the tendon tore for good.

After leaving the RAF, I worked for Bristol City Council for 15 years in the museums.

My music tastes are varied, ranging from classical to jazz of the 50s, and from folk to rockabilly.

I am an awardwinning writer, a matter I rarely mention

50+ ladies in the Bristol area

Silver Surfer

Alan at 69

I have almost resigned myself to spending my last days with no female companion. I was in contact with a lady who "claims" to live in Whitchurch, not far from where I live in Hartcliffe, Bristol. Clara has said we were in a relationship, for the last five months, this is hard for me accept as we have not met, and each attempt to meet has been rejected by her.

Though I am not seeking romance, if a lady in her 50s, living in Bristol, was to approach me, I would consider the possibility of another relationship

How do you define a Relationship?

 Is Clara in Bristol?

                                             Romance in Whitchurch

For several months I have been chatting on WhatsApp with a lady who "claims" to live in Whitchurch, Bristol, not far from where I live in Hartcliffe.

Clara says we are in a relationship, I would disagree as we haven't met, after 12 dates, and she keeps giving me reasons for not meeting.

I agree, we have a strong bond of friendship, but I question whether it is a relationship. For several weeks I have been putting off requests to meet ladies who I was chatting to on Twitter, as Clara said I am "her man," unless things change (radically) by the end of May, that shall change.

Is Clara in Bristol?

 Is she in the UK?

Are we in a relationship?

I have been "friends" with a lady called Clara for several months, and I am still not sure how we stand, why?

She "claims" to live in Bristol, when I asked her where she lived, she replied Filwood Park. When I said, "You're only up the road from me," she chanhed her address to Woollands Lane, a road 4 miles away, near Whitchurch.

We keep arranging to meet as Asda in Whitchurch, but she always has a ready made reason not to turn up.

Our "relationship," if we had one is vague, as we are yet to meet after a dozen cancelled dates. Clara says we have a relationship, I am not sure, I'll wait to see if we meet before making my decision.

I couldn't say with any certainty if she is in the UK.

I don't wish to think she is a scammer, but it is looking like that from my pov.

The Alan Exclusive is over

If Romance calls

For several weeks, I have put of requests for meetings from ladies, as Clara said I was "her man." The longer she keeps me waiting, the sonner this situation will end, while I am not seeking romance, if a 50+ lady in the Bristol area asked for a date, I would consider the option seriously.

I think after a dozen cancellations, Clara has no interest in me, other than my money

If Romance calls

50+ ladies in the Bristol area

I am NOT seeking romance

While I am not actively seeking romance, if a lady in her 50's living in the Bristol area was to ask me, I would seriously think about having another romantic relationship.

You may ask, what about your relationship with the lady in Whitchurch?

That is a good question, what about that relationship?

From her view, we ARE in a relationship, and have been for months. However, from my view, we are in a state of flux as we are yet to meet, after over a dozen planned dates. Each date we plan, she has a reason not to turn up. I am running out of patience, quickly, with this scenario.

1,000 followers on Twitter

 50+ ladies

                                       Fatal Attraction

This morning, my follower total on Twitter passed 1,000.

While a good section is young girls on sites such as OnlyFans, there is also a growing selection of 50+ ladies.

The older ladies have a better chance to win my favour, as always I cannot understand my atttraction to ladies, that could ne my charm, I never push myself

Back to the USSR

 Russia

Russia returns

For many years, Russia was the area where my old blog had the majority of its readers. I have no proof, my theory is this is because I could relate to the readers. never having had a lot of money. Yesterday, the situation was close to being repeated, with Russia coming third in the list of countries reading the blog. The UK came a lowly 5th behind the Netherlands (again).

Is it too late?

 I still don't believe what I was told

Alan Place - Writer of Ghost Stories

Despite being told many times that other writers consider my work as excellent, I still find it hard to accept.

My issue is a lack of confidence in my ability, this is borne out of a lack of sales of my eBook selection. I will clarify the situation, I never expected my selection to earn a lot, but I hoped they would have sold better than they did.

There were two main obstacles, one was I entered my award-winning book, The Chronicles of Mark Johnson, into a Kindle Free Weekend, in the hope it would boost its Amazon rating. The weekend did the opposite, the book crashed and didn't recover.

The other obstruction was that the magazine Abandoned Towers wanted to serialise the stories, but I needed some editing done, the person I asked, not only didn't do the task, she went online and trashed the book

There are stories I won't write

 Alan Place - Multi-Genre Writer

Sex and Violence

There are some areas of writing I will not write about, for several reasons.

I won't write stories were the main theme is violence. Years ago, I wrote a story for a lady who got her thrills reading about the spilling of blood during sex, a little rough sex, within reason is arousing. This lady knew no boundaries, where you it lead? Writing that story made me physically ill.

I won't write a sex story, I tried, but got nowhere. Several of my stories have sex in, but that is part of the story, NOT the theme. I found it too boring to keep drawing the story to sexual encounters, sex in my stories is sensual, not sensational, I won't go into intimate detail, or use some of the modern terminology

No thanks

Alan Place - Book Promoter

                  A little-known area of my Writing life

Many years ago, I devoted my time to promoting the works of writers, via my blog. What happened?

Two writers were awarded contracts from my blurb writing content, another in Queensland, Australia saw his sales rise from 20 books a month, to over 200. What thanks did I get,none. Not even a quick email of gratitude, it was at that point I decided to play hardball, and stop promoting other writers, after all, nobody promoted my writing.

I earned my reputation as a writer of ghost stories, before I came into contact with other writers. My reputation as a writer has been spread by myself, and now, after a 15-year struggle, I have made a breakthrough. I have a literary agent interested in my story, The Awakening.

In conversation with Rick Riordan

 Alan Place - Children's Author

Angels Cried

Yesterday, I was contacted by bestselling author, Rick Riordan, writer of the Percy Jackson series, about the charity book Angels Cried. In 2011, I was asled to participate in compiling stories for a charity book to send money for the Sandy Hook massacre. I have stories in other antholgies, mainly for the Children's Charity books written by The Peacock Writers. As these were for charity, we didn't expect a payment.

One anthology of this time features two of my stories, but this antholgy left a bad taste with the writers, though the book sold out at a festival in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2012, none of the writers who contributed saw a nickel.

In Praise of Older Women

 The Allure of the Older Lady

Secrets on Amazon

There is a line said by a minor character in my book, Secrets, which typifies my view of older ladies. The young man says "Are trees that have aged with time, not as beautiful as young saplings?"

Cinema is ageist with regards to ladies, once they get in their 40's, when many are at their prime, they get replaced. 

Mae West was at her best in her 40's, her last films, when she tried to maintain the glamour of her appeal were a disaster.

Some younger ladies, in my opinion, get better with age, Jenny Agutter is a good example of this

The Netherlands reads this blog more than the UK

 The UK is lagging

The disappearing blog

In my 15 years as a blog writer, there has been one constant. No matter how well it does in other places, getting readers in the UK is almost impossible. To give you an idea of this, last year, I had more readers in both Hong Kong, and Singapore than the UK. Yesterday was another low for the UK with less readers than the Netherlands

I'm a celeb

 Alan Place - Award Winning Author

The Appeal of my eBook - The Awakening

For a few months, I was a celebrity, but I never bragged about the matter. The story above earned an award from a writing site in the USA, this was followed by my short story, Sea Ghosts, coming third in a contest organised by Facebook, both events happened in 2012.

This year, my story, The Awakening has gathered lots of interest from publishers. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do much as I am a disabled pensioner, and my little money leaves nothing to fullfill my dream

Boycott Morrisons

 Weighing the prices

Waitrose

This graph showing the decline of the financial status of Germany, may well represent the downfall of Morrisons soon.

They sacked a loyal employee after 17 years for apprehending a shoplifter. This action, only weeks after Waitrose did the same could become a trend.

The men should be publicly applauded for thier vigilence, not lose their jobs. In defence of the companies, the cost of a court case far outways the value of the goods taken, so a court case is not an option, why not lower the prices?

Angela Rayner's Housing Policy

 Labour Lies

Opposition Party

I maintain the Labour Party are the surpeme party to have in opposition, why?

If you are the opposition, you do NOT have to do anything, all you do is complain that the government is not doing what it said. Labour are excellent at that, mainly because every Labour government since the 80's has left the UK in a worse debt than when they took power.

To give you an idea of their ineptness, before the scandals, Angela Rayner got laughed off the bench, why? She "claimed" Labour would build 1,000 houses to home illegal immigrants each month. My late father worked for George Wimpey, the builders, for over 25 years. So, I know a little about the trade. Discarding the legalties of permits, closing roads for the builders, and getting the materials together, it IS impossible to build a house in less than a month, so her claims for a 3 houses per day is total BULLSHIT.

It takes half a day for quick setting concrete to dry, if the weather is fine

Are you interested in me?

 Pretty Woman

                                     The Allure of the Older Lady

My story for sale on Amazon, is a break from my usual genre area. This story has a political theme theme, laced with an adult LGBT+ scenario, and a possible series if it sells.

If I am to believe, which I don't believe, it got the interest of a man "claiming" to work for Netflix. I have said often, I can write better than some of the stories I saw on the channel, that is no idle boast. But, with no books published, or an agent to promote my work, the possibility of being noticed is slight, not impossible.

Though I have not considered the possibility of remarrying, I have not discounted the possibility either. The lady would need to be in her late-50's, at the youngest, and interested in me as a person, not only be attracted to me as a lover.

Abolish the Monarchy

 The Queen of Thieves

A Royal Disgrace

In the last two years, since the death of Queen Elizabeth ii, the British Royal Family has gone from being something to be proud of to something that is to be reviled.

From Camilla Parker Bowles being saved from prison by being a member of the Royal Family, then Prince Andrew involved in the Epstein scandal. Both King Charles iii, and his son, Prince William saying the UK should welcome Islam.

The issue is the Royal Family, and the Church of England clergy have no concept of what life is like, they live in a protected state, where news is filtered.

The Netflix Option

What to Believe

Last month, I was approached by a man named Chris James, he claimed to work for Netflix, and was interested in my story, Secrets, especially when I said it has possibilities for a series. He may be telling the truth, there again why would the company be intersted in a writer like me, I don't have an agent, or contract?

                         The Appeal of my eBook - The Awakening

On the topic of agents, and contracts, I am suprised at the interest my story, The Awakening, is mounting. There is an agent in the USA who is very interested in book as it crosses several genres

What do I find arousing?

A little teasing

                                            What arouses me?

What I find arousing is a lady who knows she has charms, yet doesn't feel the need to display everything at once. A little flash of breasts, or panties. A skirt just below the knees, or a dress with a cut up the thigh are enticing to me.

What turns me off?

Ladies who think showing everything at once is the attraction, that does nothing for me. I like to see a glimpse of the treasures, not the whole cache at once.

Is Angela Rayner better than Kier Starmer?

 A desperate Labour ploy

Labour brings the UK to its knees

In short, yes, Angela Rayner is better than Kier Starmer. Having said that, she doesn't have a lot to beat, when you lose MPs each month, and your party want you out, you have left no conpetion for your successor.

The issue with Labour is basic, and no change in leaership can change the trend which has been going on for decades. They came to power in the wake of the General Strike. Since the late 60's, the party has been constantly losing the confidence of the voters. The situation has escalted radically since the Tony Blair era.

In short, they are losing votes each election, they cannot hold hard-core voting areas like Liverpool, and Glasgow

Am I a Sociopath?

 Thief

Mordhiem

I wonder if I have sociopathic tendencies?

Why do I consider this question?

War games are always popular computer games, the feeling of being in control of a huge killing machine as in the Warhammer games can be thrilling.

Yet, I prefer the personal touch of Thief, or Mordhiem, that sense of creeping around is more exciting for me than blowing buildings up with massive blasts of rockets

King of Islam

 Islamophobia

                                     Muslim Crimes

I think, like many people in the UK, I thought Prince William would save the UK from the damage done by his father, King Charles iii.

How wrong we were, last week he said Muslims can live with other people in peace - it is easy to say that, when you never meet them - the violence mentioned in my book (Secrets) is not fiction, I witnessed the crime spree which took over Germany in 1978.

I only mention the crimes in passing as there are so many, and the violence is endless. In 2000, a group of ISIS terrorists broke in and destroyed the museum in Baghdad, not only that, they videoed it. If they are willing to destroy their culture, why do you think they want to come to Europe?

A question often asked online is "If they complain about the West why not go to a Muslim country?"

The answer is self-evident, you cannot give to Allah, what Allah already has

Return to Tropico

 Tropico Focus

Frostpunk

This month, I was having doubts about how seriously my friend, Clara, in Whitchurch, Bristol was viewing our relationship. For the last two months, I have walked from my house in Hartcliffe to see her, it is only a 3 mile walk. Each of the 11 times, she has had a reason to turn me down, you can see why I doubted her.

Until a few days ago, I thought our relationship had gone from the warmth of Tropico to the icy wastelands of Frostpunk, yesterday, the air was cleared, I now agree, we ARE in a relationship

I am teetotal

 I cannot drink beer

German beer

Since I returned from my Royal Air Force tour of Germany in 1978, I have not been able to drink beer.

I was never a heavy drinker, but since my return, my consumption has gone down radically.

Two months ago, I visited my local pub in Whitchurch, Bristol, I used to have two pints, and a meal. This week, I struggled to finish one pint, I am not concrened about this as I prefer tea or coffee

Draft2Digital Fees

The new Draft2Digital Policy

 Draft2Digital / Smashwords

I would advise new writers to avoid Draft2Digital.

The site is imposing a $20 fee for opening an account, another thing to watch is the policy of using Lending Libraries. These libraries pay the distributor, then get their money from lending fees, but the writer doesn't see a dime unless the books sell well.I have been waiting three years for my royalties to reach the $10 minimum for electical payment.

Finding Love in later life

 Romance in Whitchurch 

I am in a relationship

When my wife, Linda, died in Janurary of 2025, I thought at 68, I would not have another romance.

This was not only because of my age, I never considered myself attractive to the ladies. I was wrong on both counts.

I put myself in isolation for several months to grieve, then returned to Twitter. Within days, I had ladies asking if I was available to meet them, some wanted a relationship, while others were looking for a fuck buddy.

I soon found out that ladies not only on Twitter, but on Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Zangi were asking for dates.

The one lady who is willing to form a lasting relationship with me is my friend Clara, who lives in Whitchurch, not far from where I live in Hartcliffe, Bristol.

Author in Demand

The Allure of the Older Lady

                              More books raising interest

Again, I have been approached about the promotion of one of my books. This time the book is my Adult Romance set across Europe, the Middle East, and settling in India - Secrets - the book may upset some readers, I didn't intend the story to have LGBT+ themes, but it has some. The story ends with an open ending, if it sold, there is room to begin a series of stories.

As you see from the photo, the cover does NOT feature a young lady with little on the actress on the cover is from Belgium