creative

If you like dark short stories

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If you are the type of person who enjoyed watching Tales of the Unexpected and finds they enjoy a tale with a sinister twist, then you might enjoy my short stories. Here is what a few Amazon reviews had to say –

“Thoroughly enjoyed these short stories reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s ‘Tales of the unexpected’. Particular praise for ‘Clocking Off’”

“All the stories here have their own flavour. Another review mentioned Tales of the Unexpected and I’d say that’s on the money. Imaginative, well-written, I’m looking forward to more from this author.”

“Six creepy stories that are guaranteed to lodge themselves firmly under the skin. Each story invites the reader into a world where you are certain that from the very first word, things are not going to end with a cheery musical number. They are ‘dark’ stories for a reason. A quick read for those looking for a chilling end to the evening, each tale comes with its own twist. Personal favourites include ‘Doctors Visit’ and ‘Clocking Off’.”

And if you would like to read the story mentioned a couple of times there, you can find it here – Clocking Off

(c) K Wicks

The option of a tip/contribution

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Although lots of my products and creativity is available, either for free and some for sale, I thought I would give people of the option of leaving a tip or contribution to my site if they would like to. I create and post for free and do not expect financial reward for any of it, and appreciate the time people have taken to read and like my various photos, articles and assortment of items I throw at you every day. But if you would like to, then please do, it would also be appreciated 🙂

Content Contribution/Tip for MKW Publishing – minimum £1.50

Thank you for being part of my creative journey.

(c) K Wicks

New poetry book coming soon

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I have decided to put together another book of poems, this last year and a half has seen my need for finding reason even greater than before and it’s how I capture my mood with words. And I seem to lack the ability to present it in any form other than rhyming, so Rhyme and Reason 2 is coming soon. They all follow a theme and might be nice to have them in one place, even if just for posterity. Someone on twitter commented that they would like to see one of them taught as a lesson, when all this is over. It’s a nice idea, but I prefer the concept of ‘when this is over’.

I may change the title as it turns out there are a number of poetry books named so, which I didn’t check before naming my first! But this time I am taking more time and have a different cover design lined up compared to the usual black and white I like. I have updated my non fiction cover as well so need to get a new copy of that for new photos.

This last year has been a strange one to say the least and being able to be creative and write fiction has been difficult. Especially since some of that faction was based around a totalitarian regime being rolled out with the medi being used against us. It stopped being fiction and being honest, I didn’t want to write it anymore. I am trying to find my writing again, with a number of half finished projects lingering and waiting for their slot. Hopefully the poetry book will get me going again, and the book of short stories that needs only a couple more can materialise. I am considering a follow up book to Meeting in the Middle of Nowhere, but am not sure from what angle yet. And the novella which was so rudely halted by reality, maybe that will even find itself again.

(c) K Wicks

Painting – Oil paints #2

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My painting isn’t coming along as quickly as I would like. Finding the time and the inclination together at the moment is fleeting. Life can be distracting at the best of times, but currently – and rightly so, my brain is occupied by more pressing matters. However, in an attempt to try something from Bob Ross’s series, thought I would try clouds, mountains and trees.

I was not happy with the clouds at all, but since it has dried, I don’t mind them so much, subtle, yet still cloudy. But that is not what I was going for. The mountains went wrong too in my opinion and I just about rescued them.

Then came the foreground. The trees were easy enough, if you seen any of my other paintings, you’ll know I have spent time doing trees already in both watercolour and acrylic, so they were passable in my view.

But then I totally faltered. The middle of the painting went wrong, twice. My want to put in misty hazy trees and some water just didn’t work. I didn’t know what else to do, so put a random cherry tree right in the middle.

So far, learning to paint has been a mixture of relaxing, exciting and mild panic. I am a bit of a perfectionist – having usually worked with intricate detail in black and white (gallery here) painting is quite out of my comfort zone. I’m trying to get over that though and take time and not be too disappointed when it doesn’t work as I would like it to.

(c) K Wicks

Painting – Oil Paints #1

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So, after watercolour and acrylics going well and a bit of a break while work got a busy for payroll and tax year end, I decided it was tome to face my nemesis. Oil paints. I dramatise it though, really I tried them once when I was 15 with no guidance or knowledge and it was a mess. But after watching a fair few Bob Ross episodes, I thought – be brave. They won’t be mistakes, they’ll be… yep, happy little accidents.

This is how it started – fully prepped and with my new little easel and palette. And, my grandmothers paint brushes. She passed away about 5 years ago now but my grandpa sent me the rest of her art supplies recently so it’s inspired me to try more.

In progress – trying to be all meticulous without a real clue of what I am doing. Bob makes it look so easy. But I’m working out how much paint is enough, brush technique for lots of different brushes, mixing colours and all the other things that come with painting. I can’t believe I ever though it was as simple as just pick up a brush and paint! And for some people it may well be just that, but not for me.

Honestly, I was quite pleased with where it went and ended up. My first oil painting.

Followed very quickly by a second, not as pleased with it, but had to start somewhere with more than just blending so a pale background and some trees seemed appropriate. Next weekend is for gardening hopefully, but if it’s raining, maybe some more painting 🙂

(c) K Wicks