CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

I’m prepping this early, in the vague hope that I will get it out, today. When I rolled out my plans for the beginning of the week, I had the following tasks that I wanted to achieve: finish Mack ‘n’ Me: The Transporter’s Favour ; finish two short stories; finish 15 poems; and finish 20 pieces of flash fiction. I was also vaguely hopeful that I could also : finish the revamp of Long Hair ; complete 4 covers; write a brief outline of Mack ‘n’ Me: Wolves of TBD ; and start writing Mack ‘n’ Me: Wolves of TBD . Well, I became totally distracted, today. Whether it’s because I lacked the necessary discipline, or because the household tasks really were that important, you can decide, but my floors are now clean, my washing is done, I’ve designed another partial cover for a flash fiction collection, I updated my blog, and I managed to take two walks, today—albeit both a lot shorter than I liked. And I got to be social, which is something I don’t do a lot of, and spend some t...

I knew I’d forget something! Yesterday, I also started the flash-fiction goal for the week. It was late, by the time I got to it, because 10 poems take a little over 7 hours to writer, so I only managed to finish one of the flash pieces I’d started earlier in the month for this year’s flash fiction collection. Here are the first words from that: Another 365 Days of Flash Fiction   The wind whipping about her was a welcome distraction, even if it made the guards give a startled shout. Esmera didn’t bother. Why should she look up? It would only remind her of the stars beyond the clouds—and of the strange prince who dwelt among them, and who’d won her heart. It was something she didn’t wish to be reminded of—the dreams they’d had, the hopes they’d shared. Her father did not believe the men in the stars had anything to offer... ---------------------------------------------------------------- Would you like to read more?   Early collections of flash ficti...

On Thursday, I completed an urban fantasy short story for release in October 2018. It involves, trolls rival clans of elves, vengeful unicorns, and an officer from the P.O.S—and ended up being a tale about one of the adventures Harper had prior to what happened in the short story, Harper’s Choice . I haven’t thought of a title for it, but I’ll think of one during the editing process. The basic cover idea is as follows, but it needs a background, and a blurb.

I have written every day for the last three days, but forgotten to post them here—and I have a long day ahead today, so I’ll keep it short. July 11 —October’s Short Story Today, I sat in the old gum tree, looking at the ground below. A footpath left a concrete barrier between the edge of the road and the sparse, dry grass beneath me. I’d been sitting there for almost an hour when I finally saw what I’d been waiting for—a unicorn, trotting happily down the middle of the road, its hooves tap, tap, tapping on the dotted centre line. There you are, I thought, but I did not say it out loud. ---------------------------------------------------------------- July 12 —October’s Short Story I watched the tilt of its head, glad I was screened by a fine film of she-oak needles as well as gum leaves. Whatever it was up to, it was being Hella cautious about it. I stayed up in the tree, following the ghost-white shimmer of its fur as it doubled back towards the bridge. That ...