Fighting my Demons

 The Chronicles of Mark Johnson

                                               Alan's Demons

I often get asked, is your character Mark Johnson based on you?

Yes, he is, many of the ideas in the The Chronicles of Mark Johnson are based on my views.

In the later stories, the witchhunt comes from my reaction to a friendhsip I had with a lady in Ipswich at the time.

I have been asked, several times, could I rewrite the stories? No, I am not in the same mindspace now, I have gone back to my favourite genre - Gothic

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.

I hope to start writing again

 Alan Place - Short Story Writer

The Fantasy Writer

I have several projects in my WIP files which I can enlarge. There are some Gothic stories, Romance stories, Horror stories, and several Fantasy stories I enjoyed writing.

The last time I wrote one of my Speculative Fiction stories, I had to stop.The story was so weird, it gave me bad nights for weeks, and I knew what was coming, perhaps that was the reason. That story was based on an event that happened which happened to me, when I was stationed in Scotland

Lana Pawcel - Gothic Writer

 June's Journey

                                                     Lana's Lounge

On the app June's Journey, I have created a chatroom called Lana's Lounge, on here I will drop some book links by my alter ego, Lana Pawcel.

Lana's person has had moments of both humour, and confusion for me. I was asked by a writer I once knew, was I male or female? This was funny as we'd been in contact for months at the time.

Lana is known for her short story, Sexual Explosions; this steamy romance, is also a true crime story, how? At the core of the story is a crime I reported while working for Bristol City Council. I reported the theft in the story, but when I left the service over a decade later, there had been no investigation into the incident, why? The majority of the staff are ex-policemen, and the link to the Freemason society allows any crime, other than Treason to be left unquestioned.

Who was Lana Pawcel?

I set up Lana's persona as a pen-name a long time ago, during a time when I wrote for a charity, and I didn't wish for this type of story to be linked to the charity.

What is coming?

I envisage the new Lana to be a writer in the Gothic mode, both of horror, and romance. I have started two stories so far in this genre, tbh, I prefer to write old-fashioned stories, they go back to a time of mystery, when writing was valued

The Raven

 Steampunk

Gothic

When I was working in St. Nicholas Church Museum, Bristol, many years ago. I came across a lovely embossed watch case like this with a raven on the cover. At the time, I couldn't afford the price, and when I could, the watch had been sold.

How do I know it was a raven, not a crow, or jackdaw, as they are in the same family? A raven has a distinctive curved beak with ripping apart its prey, and is far larger than the other birds in the group.

When we think of this group of birds, we see dark, foreboding birds, but also in the group is the  colourful jay

The Night is Young

Gothic Romance

                                                                   The growing WIP

The night was still, only the sound of cicadas broke the silence, yet, there was nothing sinister on the mind of Alan Norris - the explorer - whose return from Africa had been lauded by the press as a great victory for science.

He had tracked down the African diety Akuji, and put to rest the fears of the natives in the area; though some said Akuji could never be conquered. Tribal rumor said that Akuji could travel anywhere with a man, once he had contact with him, Alan paid no attention to the rumor, he was a man of science, after all.

Even, though he didn't believe in the rumor of Akuji, Alan had taken the time to read the book https://www.draft2digital.com/book/143610, so he knew what he could expect.

Since the retirement of Sir Charles Palmerston, the year before https://www.draft2digital.com/book/32929, the world of exploration was without a hero, until Alan strode into action. 

Alan had been brought up in India, and traveled for years with his father in his hunt for specters, though his father believed in specters, Alan was doubtful of their existence, to say the least. He said, "I can't believe anything I have not seen."

Before setting off from his club in London, Alan had heard a rumor that Charles was planning another trip, this time in time and space. The rumor said he had a key in his possession that could open a time portal; again, this was too unbelievable to be more than a fad - or was it - Charles had been a keen studier of science during his days in college.

To Alan, Charles had always been far-sighted with an ability to see how things could change, to most of his friends, he was at best a worldly foreward-looking man, and at worst a madman who could be seen as dangerous to know. They would often talk about the world of spirits, and ghosts if you chose to call them that. While Alan was a skeptic, Charles was a believer in the existence of the other realms; to the extent that his beliefs almost cost him friendships several times, when in public he would discuss his adamant belief to the dismay, naw, horror of the company we would partake.

Nevertheless, for all his misgivings, Charles remained loyal to Alan, when others treated him as a fool. 

Alan's present venture is one such occasion, he had been invited by a man of reknown to prove, or disprove the world of the unknown by staying at his house. A house with a reputation for keeping people who entered from departing. 

Alan had to admit as he looked at the man, he appeared to be more of a person out to prove the existence of his beliefs than of a fool out to win a gamble. 

So, on the night in question, Alan rode in a carriage as far as the horses would travel. The horses would go no closer than several hundred yards from the house; no matter how the driver urged them on. It was as if they too knew there was something wrong about the house he was to enter.

Alan got out of the carriage, as he turned to pay the driver, the man said in hushed tones, as if not to be heard by the house, "There's no fair, guv, those that come here, never return. I feel sorry for their poor souls."

Alan replied, "Thank you, I shall need your carriage in the morning, here is a few pounds to cover the cost of your return in the morning, I bid you goodnight."

The driver doffed his hat, then stirred the horses; the horses didn't need a second calling to be on their way. The air around the house reeked of death, but Alan had taken the bet, and he would go through with the wishes of the man, to stay the night.

The large oak door resisted as he pushed it, as if the doot itself was not going to allow Alan to enter. Inside the dusty halls, the walls were adorned with paintings of elegant ladies attied with finery from another century. A time when elegance was in its prime, and gentlemen respected a lady's wishes.

Alan saw at the bottom of the stairs there were four candles, taking, and lighting one, he went up the stairs. As he ventured up the stairs, he had the feeling he was being watched, or was it only the wind flickering the candle which gave him this idea?

When he came to the top stair, the feeling of being watched became palpable, almost like a dread of something terrible about to happen, but what?

He had not been to this house, but it appearedd there was someone watching his movements from the rooms aboive, but who could be watching, and more imprtantly, why? 

Alan glanced at the doors on the landing as he stepped off the stairs; they were closed, except for one. This door was slightly ajar, from behind its opening Alan caught the sight of a fire; the night was chilled, so he paused before the door. As he did, a soft voice beckoned to him, "Come inside kind sir, you will find the picture of me on the stairs does my justice."

He turned to see a painting of an attractive young lady with flowing blonde hair looking at him, for a moment the picture appeared to smile, but how could it?

"I am a few years older now, but I am told my age has made me more attractive over the years; I leave that to other people to give compliments."

Alan gently eased the door, then stood in amazement, before him stood his personificaton of beauty; she had aged slightly, as she had said, and as she commented this had given her beauty a greater impact.

Where do I go?

 Fantasy or Gothic?

                                                               Alan Place - Multi-Genre Writer

Most writers concept of Writer's Block is to have a story which stops, and you find you cannot go on. My version is the opposite; being a multi-genre writer, I find myself with too many ideas to write.

I had a person tell me, "as you are versatile, you work lacks depth."

I could chose eithe of these stories to ecpand.

Shandra, a story in the fantasy genre.

I have other stories I can expand in my wip folder, and other ideas I have not put on the blog.

Here I go again

 On the road

                                                      My way

It's a new year, and hopefully this year will be better for my eBook sales than the last five years; it can hardly be worse.

One thing I hope to do is to change my page on Daft2Digital; last year, in trying to add an eBook I messed the pages up. I am hoping if I start a new page, the error won't be tranferred.

I haven't decided what I may be writing this year, there will be some Gothic stories, and the extension of my erotic romance.

Alan Place - Multi-Genre Writer

 Where do I go from here?

                                                                            A new era

If I start writing again, probably as an escape from thinking of the passing of my wife, last month. I am not restricted to a genre, as I am able to cross genres, sometimes within a story.

My earliest reputation as a writer is for Ghost Stories. My bestselling stories are my Science Fiction series - Forgestriker - I have written stories for cildren's books, and for charity books. I have written stories with sex in, they are NOT sex stories; the sex is part of the story, ot the theme.

I have written stories on Spirituality themes.

What do I like to write?

My favourite genre would be Gothic; I love the air of mystery you can add. I did consider writing a Steampunk story.

I am considering continuing my erotic romance, or perhaps continuing my story set in India.

The New Age of Alan Place

 Alan Place - Indie Writer

                                                                      Alan's Books

When I get the urge to write again I hope to begin with my erotic romance story. This excerpt garnered lots of praise from various sites online, how much was genuine is up for question.

Another aspect I may undertake, even for a short time, is to open a website called Alan's Books to see if I can get more sales this way than using Draft2Digital. The only way I could see less for my writing is if I paid the readers to buy the eBooks. If I got fees once in three years, that was a miracle, the reason is the use of the lending library system. This system allows readers to rent out as many books as they like for a fee, the library pays the distributor, but unless there are masses of sales, the writer never sees anything.

Some of the writing I may do will be in the Gothic styles, I have a romance I am working on, and a version of the story may be turned into a horror story, similar to Ghosts Don't Dance.

Crafting an Anthology: Combining My Ghost Stories

A major project 

I am a Ghost Story Writer who is regarded highly

This week, in conversation with a friend on Twitter, we discussed my life as a writer.

I am a Ghost Story Writer who is regarded highly.

Topics which arose were the length of time I have been writing, 15 years, and the variety of genres I have crossed.

I mentioned my early reputation as a writer of ghost stories, my friend asked had I thought of publishing them? I pointed out many have been for sale for over a decade, but few have sold. I also said I was thinking of combining the stories into an anthology.

This idea caught her attention; I added, to do this would be a major task as many are on my old blog, and would require a hunt to locate them, most would require some edits too.

Though, I write about India these days, I do have a couple of Gothic stories on file, one is designed to be a romance, the other I intended to be a horror story.

Were the signs shown earlier?

 Carmilla

Is it by coincidence, the Queen of England shares a name with a Gothic vampire from the late Victorian era, or did someone find out she was going to be trouble?

A Collection of Short Stories

 Alan Place's Anthology

                          Alan Place - Short Story Writer

One project I have in mind is an anthology of my short stories.

I have literally hundreds of short story sections I could include; these are stories in themselves, but I would struggle to turn them into anything larger.

These stories cover modern romance, supernatural, Gothic romance, Gothic horror, and almost all genres.

There is one genre I have not written, that is sex stories. I am not a prude, I have written stories with sex in, but I cannot write a story were sex is the theme, I did try, and I failed.

A writer of several genres

I am regarded as an excellent writer 

                                                  Noir Writer

The first question a book promoter usually asks me is what genre do you write?

My reply is I don't write in a genre, I see myself as a writer of several genres.

To explain this situation, I will expand.

The book on this post is the first eBook I sold, to a lady in Berlin, Germany.

The story is a noir thriller which has been highly praised for its authentic feel by a former police officer in Queensland, Australia.

My early reputation as a writer was based on my writing of ghost stories.

My bestselling eBooks are a Science Fiction series called Forgestriker.

The latest book I wrote is a mystery set in India.

I recently updated my romance set in Israel to include the main female character travelling to India, with the possibility of further stories, if the book sells.

The story I am working on is a modern erotic romance, with a strong female character as the leading role.

If you were to ask what do I like to write the most, my answer would be stories in the Gothic style, I have two on file now.

As you see, it is hard to pin my style down; I've tried most genres, my Amazon bestseller is a western horror short story called Holding Richmond.

I saw on Barnes & Noble some people complaining that my books are no more than a chapbook, a book containing a chapter, what did they expect for $2.00 at the most?

Wild Child

 One of two romances 

                                                    A new title

Marta de Ridder sat at her desk in her house in Selange, Southern Belgium. Being a best-selling writer gave her some privileges in her career, but she knew you couldn't buy happiness. Marta had her share of detractors and critics in her early years, and those knocks still bore scars on her confidence.

Fortune favoured Marta, at the point of giving up writing, she entered one final writing contest out of desperation. The prize was a prestigious contract with a top publishing house. However, she'd never written historical fiction before - she gained her reputation writing Gothic Romances - she decided with nothing to lose to have a go. Much to her surprise, although she didn't win the contest, her entry so impressed the judges they offered her a contract.

Martas' best friend is her agent, Helena Gerhoven. Helena got offered the job of a publicist at a new firm in Liege and was on the lookout for new writers to impress her bosses. Being a fan of Martas' writing, Helena asked her if she would like to be her client for the firm.

Not sure what to make of the newcomer to the scene, the bosses at MedHis Press were a little dubious about Helenas' choice of her friend as a client, but they decided to give Marta the chance to prove herself, and they never looked back, as her stature grew so did the firm. Now MedHis is one of the most famous publishers in Liege.

Marta lives in the same house that she grew up in, but her heart was not always there. She had grown up in Selange, but she longed for the days when her family visited their lodge in the mountains. Her career meant Marta had little time for such luxuries as time off, and being a writer, even if Marta took the occasional day off work, she would still think of storylines. Often, she wondered what it would be like to be able to relax her mind and enjoy life.

From her house, Martha could see all the forest in the distance. "The high life isn't all it's cracked up to be," she thought I spend my days writing about the lives and loves of my reader's heroes and heroines and rarely get the opportunity to enjoy the gains of my work. Perhaps, after the next release, I'll take a week off to visit the lodge.

As if to remind her of her obligation to the reality of life, the phone on the desk rang, she picked the receiver up and replied, "Martha de Ridder how may I help you?"

The voice on the other end was the familiar voice of her friend, Helena, "Hi, how are you fixed for dinner next Tuesday?"

Martha thought for a while and checked her diary. Helena usually kept track of Marta's' meetings, but sometimes she booked one, or two, without telling her friend. It was her way of having a little freedom, and Helena accepted the way Martha did things. Marta took a glance at her calendar, and then said, "At the moment, I am free on Tuesday, Helena, what's on your mind?"

Helena flicked through the book of addresses in front of her, and then replied, "I thought we could have a drink and a meal to discuss a new proposal that was put to me, to put to you."

Marta glanced at the treetops in her view, lost in thought for a minute, and then replied, "Yeah, I'm okay with that idea. Shall we say 8:00?."

Helena gently smiled and replied, "Let me guess, La Charbonnade."

Marta sighed, "Am I that transparent? I thought, after the next book, I might be able to take some time off, I feel jaded, and I worry that my tiredness will affect my writing, and the sales will fall drastically. I don't want to disappoint my readers."

Helena replied, "Marta, the last thing you are is obvious, that is why I enjoy being your agent as you keep me on my toes. Secondly, when have you ever let the readers down?"

Marta thought for a moment, and then replied, "Not as far as I can recall, but there's always a first time."

Helena sensed a cramp in her legs, so she stood up from her desk and took a walk around her office while she smoothed her skirt, and replied, "I can tell you, your books are selling better than ever. We have mass pre-orders for your next book, and only you know when it will be out. I know you like to keep things close to your chest, but a little warning would be nice. That way, we can book some promotional tours to coincide with the launch before you say it - I know you don't like signings. So, we're okay for 8:00 at La Charbonnade next Tuesday, be there, or be square," Helena quipped as she put the phone in her office on the cradle.

No sooner had Marta put her phone down than it rang; she replied to the caller, "Hello, Marta de Ridder, can I help you?

A man's voice replied, Hello, Miss de Ridder. My name is Roger de Coster, and my firm is in need of your legal aid.

Marta was taken by surprise but quickly recovered to reply, " Mr. de Coster, you have contacted the wrong lady. You need to contact my sister, Corrie, she is the lawyer. I am a writer.

Mr. de Coster made his apologies and replaced his receiver. Marta was still none the wiser about the call, she'd been out of contact with her sister since they had a row several years ago, and often she had thought of making peace. But, each time, she had the idea she told herself that in her mind, she had done no wrong, so why should she break the ice.

Chapter 2 - The enigmatic Mr. de Coster.

Marta's curiosity had got piqued, who is Roger de Coster, and what is the nature of his business that he needed Corrie's help so urgently? Having lost contact with her sister, Marta had no idea of the world and people that her sister was mixing in. Even as a child, Corrie appeared to live in a world of her own, Corrie made no friends, unlike her two older sisters, Marta and Anjetta.

All day, Marta puzzled over who Roger de Coster was and how did Corrie fit in his plans. The more she thought about the situation, the more convinced she was that her sister was getting involved in something either illegal or beyond her capability to understand the ramifications of her actions. Marta's concerns grew the longer she pondered the question. Surely, Corrie wouldn't break the law, but then again. They'd been out of touch for so long, what did Marta know about her sister?

Late in the evening, when she could bear the strain no more, Marta phoned Helena at home.

Helena's phone showed a number she knew, so formality was not needed to start a conversation; "Hello, Marta, something must be on your mind as I can't recall you ringing me at home, or this late before, what is wrong?"

"That is the question, Helena; I am not sure there is a problem; I am just curious if you know something about a man called Roger de Coster?"

"The only de Coster that I can think of is the chairman of the firm de Coster, Robert, Goebbers, and van Velthoven, in Ghent, why do you ask?"

"This afternoon, I had a strange call from Mr. de Coster asking to speak to my sister, Corrie. So, what does the firm sell?"

Helena gave a short laugh, then replied, "Oh dear, you do need to get out, Marta. They've been in the news almost every day for the last month. They are involved in a takeover bid for one of the largest motor contracts in our country in over two decades."

Marta rose for her desk; she began to feel her back again, "Oh, so there is little possibility that Corrie is involved in something illegal; I am pleased to know that. As for the break, I am hoping to get a respite break after we've signed the deal next month, I am hoping to visit both Madrid and Lisbon before flying home."

Helen smiled, then replied, "I don't know your sisters, but from what you told me; I'd say you were the most likely to get involved in something dubious as you're the gambler among the children of the family."

"That is true, Helena. Anjetta is too logical to consider the possibility of risking winning against losing, and Corrie is so pedantic to be untrue. Even if you told her she was on to a good thing, she would need to see the finances for the last year, and then, she'd turn her nose up at any opportunity to make a profit."

"Now I have eased your mind over Corrie, what are your plans for the trip?"

"We'll fly from Bruges to Barcelona for the conference. After that, I believe you'll be returning, but I will travel to Madrid as I have something I wish to visit in the area; Spain's ghost airport. After a day or two in the city, I'll be crossing to Lisbon for a week before returning."

"Did you say we'll be flying? I thought you were afraid to fly!"

"You are right; I do hate the thought of flying, but not as much as I detest the idea of driving for a day each way. I realize the journey is only 12 hours long, but we'd need a rest during that time, and as I have not driven at night for years, I don't wish to risk an accident."

"I agree, there is no point in getting there and feeling upset, that will only cause us problems when it comes time for signing the contract, and I know how obstinate you can be if you are feeling wronged, Marta."

"It's not only that; I think I need an eye test soon, I can't focus to type for longer than a few minutes before I get a headache. What I think I'll do is take a few days off before we fly to Barcelona so that I can clear my mind. I need to go get out and breathe for a while if this deal comes off."

Before Marta could finish, Helena interrupted and said, "I'll have none of this IF business, the deal is a done thing, the signing is only a formality and to let you get seen outside Belgium."

Helena could tell Marta was feeling cornered. She began the next conversation after she laughed by saying, "Okay, Miss Gerhoven, when this deal is signed, and I have got back from my vacation, I have the feeling I will be rushed off my feet for orders."

"Will that be a problem?"

Marta paused as she thought of what she planned for the trip to her cottage in the Ardennes, then said, "In some ways, yes, as I wanted to take some time to get my cottage back in shape before the hiking season begins."

"I'm sure we can permit our rising star to have a few days off to deal with her other business affairs."

Marta laughed and replied, "Oh, Helena, you make it sound as though I have a big business plan. All it involves is a lodge with a bed and some blankets for the hikers to feel welcome. This year is my first year running the project, so I have no idea if there will be any business. Anyway, I expect to be back before you realize I have gone. I'll have to love you and leave you, Helena, until Tuesday, see you later.

Marta put the phone in her pocket and walked down the hall to the door leading to the garage. Her mind was thinking of the list of items she would need for the lodge when she bumped into the door, "Merde'," she muttered as she turned the key in the lock.

Marta opened her car door and sat in the driver's seat, she reached down to choose a CD for the short drive to the lodge but changed her mind when she felt her head throbbing.

Marta hadn't been on the road long when a storm broke, and the rain poured. Never one to walk from the rain, she opened her window to feel the midday coolness the storm brought, then she realized there was another aroma in the air, she took in a breath then sighed, "You can't beat the scent of pine in the air to invigorate your soul."

She decided to stop at Dohan on her way to pick up some food for her short stay, while she was walking back from a store, Marta thought she saw a young man look her way, and wink at her. "Mmm, you seem nice, what a shame you probably have a girlfriend.

Time for some Gothic style story writing

 Not to everyone's taste

I am taking a break from writing the stories for my agent, we have one published, and another coming soon, so I am going to do a little Gothic Horror, and Gothic Romance for a short while.

This story has an interesting back story, and a funny moment too.

While I was on the Bookrix site, a writers site based in Germany, one of the groups I was in had the most people in, but the fewest people allowed to show posts.

Someone challenged me to write a story about the group,

The title refers to the number of people who left the group, but didn't delete their profiles. The story is about a young lady who longs for an age that passed, much like the leaders of the group who "claimed" to have the largest group on the site, yet, few people used the group for various reasons - mainly favouritsm - despite having site rules, this group could flaunt them at will, and not be told off.

I challenged the leader of the group to get rid of any profile, that hadn't been used in the previous six months; knowing she would not do it, doing this would have cut the members by 50%.

The funny part is though I had been chatting to members of the group for months, using my name, one of the group asked if I was male, or female?

What made me laugh, was not the question, but the fact he couldn't tell that Lana Pawcel, is an anagram of my name Alan W Place.

I was using pennames as I was connected to a children's charity at the time, and I didn't want some of my work to tarnish the charity image.

Recently, I started another Gothic story called "The night is young," I haven't decided if this is a romance, or a horror story yet. I may well do two versions, who knows?