A Writer's Blog

Website Upgrade - New Features Coming!

5/20/2014

I've been experiencing a number of website issues related to traffic and limited features due to being on the starter plan for the hosting company.

Today I began the process of upgrading the website, which will allow me to offer new features effectively immediately.

You will notice a search box is available, though not yet fully functional. It will take me some time to learn about all the new features.

I also will be able to post HD Video and Audio, which will enhance the posts on A Writer's Diary.

In other technical news, due to the expense of upgrading, the separate website Ella's Journal will become a tab inside StephenJohnMoran.Com. I will maintain that site for the rest of the year, so the content will be available to those that wish to read. New content for Ella's Journal will be posted in the new location starting tonight. The new version of Ella's Journal will be tied closely with the release of the book. More information to follow.

Thank you for being patient during the construction!

From Las Vegas

Stephen Moran

Judge Jones of Pennsylvania Strikes Down State's Same-Sex Marriage Ban #EqualMarriage #Equality #loveislove

5/20/2014

Post by Freedom to Marry.

Artist makes Mobile Homes From Trash

5/20/2014

Post by The Huffington Post.

#MondayBlogs #Fiction - LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF BERNADETTE CYNTHIA HEALY - Part 10 - @Duchessshire

5/19/2014

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF
BERNADETTE CYNTHIA HEALY
EPISODE 10

I close the door on my children as they leave, emotionally exhausted from the turmoil I've put them through. I feel guilty about the situation; I certainly didn't expect to have to fight Jack on the subject. It amazes me to think my children who are both nearly fifty years old can still surprise me.

Turning around and looking back through the house from the front door at the walls, the stairs and corridors that make up my home. Photographs of my children's weddings; first Polly and Dan in 1978 and then Jack and Melissa in 1980; take pride of place on the central chest of drawers in the hallway.

Behind the two photographs is a third, one that lacks the colour and sophisticated technology of the latter half of the 20th century. I'm standing next to Jonathon, our hands clasped, as we pose for the camera. My dress was of ivory white, buttoned to the neck with long sleeves. In 1948 we still had rationing on material and it was hard to get a hold of; I didn't want to stop someone else's wedding just because of a train! So we settled for a very small bustle, and the skirt ended just before the floor, so you could see my beautiful baby blue shoes, though of course the camera was unable to capture the colour at the time.

Jonathon and I are both staring straight ahead. We weren't touching initially; it wasn't the 'done thing' back in those days, especially as everyone stood around and watched us having the photograph taken. But at the last second, as the photographer counted down to the flash Jonathan held my hand and squeezed. I'll never forget that moment for as long as I live.

I have to pull myself out of my reverie and concentrate on my investigation into the whereabouts of Bernadette Cynthia Healy's brother, but Jack has a few stipulations. Firstly I am not allowed to mention anything of the sort to him or Melissa, at least not until there is a viable conclusion. He wants nothing to do with it until the whole aspect of the request is dead and buried.

Secondly, and Polly agreed with Jack on this, the money we acquire has to be put to a good use, like a charity of some sorts, and not used for frivolous means. I was touched when Jack made that rule, it shows how much he cares about other people, and I completely agree with him. Finally, when we are given the keys to the property that Bernadette Cynthia Healy called home, we are to take anything that belonged to Jonathon but the rest shall be sold, or given away, before the house goes up for auction.

I feel a little more uneasy about the whole debacle, even though I now have my children's permission, if not their blessing. I was so certain about my decision yesterday at the cemetery and now I'm a little less sure. Nevertheless, that isn't going to stop me. I walk back to the living room to tidy up the empty plate of cakes and carry the tray back into the kitchen.

Grabbing a pen and some paper from the grocery list attached to the fridge I decide to make my own list about what to do next with the information I have on Albert Healy, and who to contact. The details inside the Last Will and Testament inform me to get in touch with a Mr Nelson from Summerbee’s Solicitors should I decide to partake in the deceased's request. I note down the various details I have, phone numbers, the school name, the date of the wedding and the name of the church. I write down Keith's name and circle it twice to remind myself to ask him for help.

It's midday on a Saturday. I know full well it's not my place to make business calls on the weekend, a rule that I imposed at the firm, but Keith loves a challenge and I hope he won't already be busy, if he's even awake.

The phone rings and rings, not giving me much hope that I'll be able to start my investigation today. Keith's voice is heard on the end of the line, but it's only gone to voicemail. I don't want to harass him any more than I already have, so I just hang up the phone.

I'm not quite sure what to do next, but I can't sit around doing nothing. That has never been my way once I know something needs to be done, I normally charge around doing as much as I can. My body might not let me charge around with as much vigour as it used to, but that doesn't mean I can't amble around making some progress.

I know I could use the computer Polly and Jack bought me for my 75th birthday and use the internet to find out some information about St Mary Magdalene's church and the Thames End school, but somehow I feel like that's cheating. I'd much rather look through a book, and I quickly decide to go to the library and see if it's possible that these places still exist after all these years.

Apple - It's a breakout $AAPL @tinyreal @foxonstocks #MondayBlogs

5/19/2014

Looks like Apple wants to break out here and print higher prices.

Looking at a longer term chart, Apple has clearly broken out of a trading range. This also hints at higher pricing.

So, what now? Am I a buyer at 600+? The answer is not at this time. I'm long $APPL from much lower levels and am not looking to add to my position at this price. Is it right for you? Consult your financial adviser.

Have a great day.

A Message from #Vegas #MondayBlogs

5/19/2014

Today, I speak to the artists that follow this page.

Things are changing right now in America and unless you head is stuffed in the sand, it's quite obvious it's not getting better. Ordinary workers make less each year while costs rise. The middle class is getting squeezed out of existence and the one percent is looking to make that a permanent state of affairs.

Why do I tell you these things? I know you don't want to read about politics on Monday.

I tell you because it will get a lot more difficult to produce and sell your art as competition increases and discretionary dollars decrease.

I'm sure you hear it all the time, but here it is again: You will have to work even harder going forward. There are few writers out there that seem to be paying attention, so I'll put it another way...

The middle class is on the way out in America and those are the ones buying your books, movies, mp3s and paintings. You better get ready for a new normal - working far harder for a lot less.

I don't see any of this reality in the fiction I read, so very likely most writers aren't aware- they simply focus on the next story. And yes, you need to focus on the next story. However, if you don't open your eyes -

You'll wake up to an America where nobody can afford to buy your book anyway.

My motto - get tougher, work harder. Work a LOT harder. And then work more. I keep coming back to mentioning Russell Blake. I listened to an interview with him yesterday and it had one major message - work harder.

This isn't meant to be a depressing post. Just the reality that it's going to get harder before it gets easier, so pull up your pants and get to work.

From Vegas,

Stephen John Moran

Two Additions to Ella's Playlist - Theme for House #Stark and The Rains of Castamere #GoT

5/18/2014

The story grows darker and storm clouds mass on the horizon.

Read the blog post with this music at Ella's Journal.

#Vegas - A storm is coming

5/18/2014

a storm is coming.

Metallica Plays National Anthem at Metallica Night Att Park @SFGiants

5/17/2014

The Morning News - Stephen King's Doctor Sleep Playlist and Robert Reich video on Minimum Wage #Raisethewage

5/17/2014

I've posted about the music playlists I used during the Ella edits here and I'm always fascinated by the lists of other writers.

Today, Stephen King released the music playlist for his novel Doctor Sleep.

In other news this morning- Robert Reich produced a two and a half minute video advocating raising the minimum wage to $15. I think the video is worth a look and can in the very least start a dialogue of what needs to be done in this country.

Today I hope to post more news about the upcoming release of Ella.

Enjoy your weekend.

From Vegas,

Stephen John Moran