Chris P. Raven: Spectacular Tales

Chris P. Raven: Spectacular Tales: The Indie Collaboration Presents     Spectacular Tales A thrilling anthology of short stories by some of the rising stars in i...

Launch into 2015 with your own copy of Spectacular Tales

Chris P. Raven: Yuletide Tales: A FestiveCollective by theIndie Co...

It was a week before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring...

To busy reading Yuletide Tales!

Chris P. Raven: Yuletide Tales: A FestiveCollective by theIndie Co...: Yuletide Tales: A Festive Collective by the Indie Collective (Pub: 01/12/2013). Available at Goodreads , Smashwords.com , & Amazon...

Start Writing Fiction

I'm enrolled on a free Open University Course, Start Writing Fiction. I am using this post so my fellow students can read the assignment we are working on - Editing a short story. Here is the final version after that stage of the course:

The Amateur
by Chris Raven

The idiot seems anxious as he fidgets uncomfortably on the bus shelter's slanted half-seat. A strange man in a light blue puffer coat, that stupid long red scarf and the ludicrous black trilby. Surely he can't be from the Agency, he’s too obvious, clumsy even. It isn't even cold today so that coat's only drawing attention to him. He must be sweltering, the stupid cretin.

**********

There he is, my quarry, the man I am going to kill. My disguise is perfect; I can’t be missed, obvious in this bright puffy coat. The hat and red scarf just draws more attention to me. I stand out, in this heat, dressed like a social misfit. And the master stroke, an afterthought, those large clunky glasses. They say look at me, I’m in disguise. And that is my disguise.

I can see him look at me, stealing sideways glances. If he studied me straight on, even for a few seconds, he would recognise me, the man who taught him all he knows, about spy craft anyway. Maybe I taught him something else, about life, to the young angry court-martial soldier otherwise headed to military prison. We thought we could harness his aggression, mould him into an efficient weapon. Huh! I even thought I could reach out to him, adopt him even. Arrogant of me, that I thought I had gotten somewhere with him. Stupid. I convinced myself there was trust between us. First rule broken – never trust a dog bred for fighting.

**********

I will sit on this bench and watch him from the corner of my eye. I can see him make furtive glances in my direction, from behind that newspaper. He sees me see him, but he continues to hop back and forth on his bench like a deranged pigeon. He looks like a mental patient, this middle aged man in horn rimmed glasses. I can see the sweat glistening off his forehead, he’s nervous, afraid even. He should be if he intends to take me on.

**********

I know now that I was just projecting my feelings. For a son I would have had if he had survived to that age. That was why it hurt when my quarry defected. I am aware that this is personal now, he betrayed my trust, wasted my time, exposed my incompetence, but most of all, he made me care about him.

I know now that this was all false. He wanted to avoid military prison, he wanted to learn how to kill more efficiently, he wanted to earn the big money as a freelancer and he knowingly played on my loss to win my trust. I am so angry at him for that, so training take over while I channel that anger into focus and purpose.

**********

Who is this idiot? Clearly not a professional. A relative of some prior contract? Unlikely. Either way I cannot continue my journey with this useless amateur following me.

I'll jump on this bus and hope he joins me.

**********

I instructed him too well; he was a natural, the best I had ever taught, far surpassing me in surveillance and combat skills, and he has the edge of youth. A traditional approach would be pointless, he would spot me in no time, he knows my techniques as well as I know his – they are the same. My only hope is to hide in plain sight. That is how I hide. I pretend anxiety and I am clumsy and obvious in my exaggerated attempts to sneak clandestine looks at him. I can almost smell is curiosity. They say it takes an accomplished pianist to convincingly play the piano badly.

**********

He's taken the bait, following me upstairs like the fool he obviously is. We now sit and I can see his reflection from my window, staring at me with dark piercing eyes. He clearly hates me. One more passenger to leave the top deck, then I'll find out why he is here.

**********

Yes I have him; he is on my hook, and now to reel him in. Trying to lead me upstairs onto an almost deserted double-decker bus? So confident considering the time of day, I’m almost proud of him.

I follow, sit across from him. I watch him watch me through the reflection of a window. He will hesitate. He will want to know who I am, this harmless eccentric amateur. He could never resist a puzzle. One more passenger to leave and then we will be alone.

He will hesitate.

I will not.

The End (Copyright Chris Raven 2015).

Dead Medium By Peter John

Yuletide Tales. A Festive Collective

The Atomic Monster from Out of Space

The second ‘Amateur Vile-Horror’

First Published on 16th November 2014

*****

‘The Atomic Monster from Out of Space’ is musical comedy stage play based on the 1950′s genre of monster movie, it is written specifically for a large non-professional cast.

*****

The Atomic Monster from Out of Space is written for a large non-professional cast and is royalty-free for non-profit making amateur productions. It has an adaptable cast of characters and a script that gives as much flexibility as possible for casting within existing drama groups.

*****

William Denning, a sheriff in a small American town in the 1950′s, reluctantly accepts the help of plucky female reporter, Patsy Parker, while investigating a string of missing teenagers. What will they make of the mysterious swamp in an old forest, a thirty year old meteorite crash site, ominous black goo and the hideous green monster that stalks after them in the night?

Available in multiple formats from Smashwords and from Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

Tales from Darker Places

The Indie Collaboration Presents:
Tales from Darker Places

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Darker-Places-Collaboration-Presents/dp/150272913X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1413320754&sr=8-3&keywords=Darker+Places

A selection of chilling stories from some of the best Indie authors on the market. We dare you to venture into these pages of spine chilling tales and stories of dark shadows & darker tidings, shifters, ancient warriors, zombies, & demons… See the world through the Ripper’s eyes, and so much more. So many dark, foul things wait for you between these pages. Freely donated by the authors themselves, these dark passages are a great example of their various, unique styles and imaginations. Join us in Darker Places.

Darker Places Authors: Donny Swords, Alan Hardy, Chris Raven, A.L. Butcher, Dani J. Caile, Adam Bigden

Brought to you by

The Indie Collaboration.

Available from Amazon on Kindle and in paperback.

Also available from LuLu and Smashwords.

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales

The Indie Collaboration Presents:

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales: A Children’s Story Collection.

Another collection of free poems and stories brought to you by The Indie Collaboration. This time we take you to a world of dreams. To far-away lands of magic and wonder, where ducks and children have adventures and learn about the world; where heroes help their friends and elephants get lost.

So pack your lunch box, grab your coat and shoes and join us in a land of make believe.

I can't wait. Can you?

Cover Art by Book Birdy Designs

Please take a look on Goodreads and add Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales to your TBR list, so you can be ready to collect your free Epub copy on the 18^th of April from Smashwords.

It is also be available on Amazon Kindle and on nook at Barnes and Noble.

Also available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Spectacular Tales

The Indie Collaboration Presents

  

Spectacular Tales

A thrilling anthology of short stories by some of the rising stars in independent publishing. In this collection we bring you a ship’s locker full of great Science Fiction and Fantasy. There are tales about beautiful princesses and cunning thieves, intergalactic wars, cosmic energy beings, warriors and rocketship pilots.

So strap on your jet pack and grab your broadsword and come join us in exploring these ‘Spectacular Tales’.

Available free in various formats from Scribd and Smashwords.

Also available on KINDLE.

Adventures in the Terran Star Empire

Pocket-Sized Adventures in a vast and decaying inter-stellar empire

Adventures in the Terran Star Empire

A Science Fiction Role-playing Game

By Migwin Crow

  ‘Adventures in the Terran Star Empire’ is the second in a series of ‘Pocket Sized Adventures’, a set of paperback sized, quick to learn and easy to play role-playing games. They are designed to be picked up and played with minimal preparation, effort or fuss.

Available from Amazon on Kindle and in paperback

Revenge of the Killer Bs by Migwin Crow

FREE FOR HALLOWEEN

Free on Kindle this Halloween!

Get it free between 30/10/2014 and 03/11/2014.

Tales from Darker Places

A selection of chilling stories from some of the best Indie authors on the market. We dare you to venture into these pages of spine chilling tales and stories of dark shadows & darker tidings, shifters, ancient warriors, zombies, & demons… See the world through the Ripper’s eyes, and so much more. So many dark, foul things wait for you between these pages. Freely donated by the authors themselves, these dark passages are a great example of their various, unique styles and imaginations. Join us in Darker Places.

Darker Places Authors: Donny Swords, Alan Hardy, Chris Raven, A.L. Butcher, Dani J. Caile, Adam Bigden

Brought to you by

The Indie Collaboration.

Available from Amazon on Kindle and in paperback.

Also available from LuLu and Smashwords.

Chris P. Raven: The Indie Collaboration Presents Spectacular Tale...

Chris P. Raven: The Indie Collaboration Presents  Spectacular Tale...: The Indie Collaboration Presents     Spectacular Tales A thrilling anthology of short stories by some of the rising stars i...

Follow link for a chance to win a free copy:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/109786-spectacular-tales

The Indie Collaboration Presents

  

Spectacular Tales

A thrilling anthology of short stories by some of the rising stars in independent publishing. In this collection we bring you a ship’s locker full of great Science Fiction and Fantasy. There are tales about beautiful princesses and cunning thieves, intergalactic wars, cosmic energy beings, warriors and rocketship pilots.

So strap on your jet pack and grab your broadsword and come join us in exploring these ‘Spectacular Tales’.

Available free in various formats from Scribd and Smashwords.

Also available on KINDLE.

The Indie Collaboration Presents: Summer Shorts

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Indie-Collaboration

The Indie Collaboration presents a collection of short stories for summer.

Available in various formats from Smashwords.

An eclectic collection of stories from various authors. From action filled science fiction to dark sinister chills, humorous mystery, and wild impish fun. Ideal for for relaxing in the summer sun.

Summer Shorts by the Indie Collective (Published 16/06/2014) is available at Smashwords, Kobo and Amazon Kindle. 

Summer Shorts is also available in paperback from Amazon and from Barnes and Noble.

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales

The Indie Collaboration Presents:

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales: A Children’s Story Collection.

Another collection of free poems and stories brought to you by The Indie Collaboration. This time we take you to a world of dreams. To far-away lands of magic and wonder, where ducks and children have adventures and learn about the world; where heroes help their friends and elephants get lost.

So pack your lunch box, grab your coat and shoes and join us in a land of make believe.

I can't wait. Can you?

Cover Art by Book Birdy Designs

Please take a look on Goodreads and add Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales to your TBR list, so you can be ready to collect your free Epub copy on the 18^th of April from Smashwords.

It is also be available on Amazon Kindle and on nook at Barnes and Noble.

Also available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales

Dead Shambles Give Away

 

Dead Shambles giveaway at  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18880420-dead-shambles

Kiss and Tales

 

Kiss and Tales: A Romantic Collection by the Indie Collective (Pub: 11/02/2014). Available in various formats at Smashwords. Also on Kindle at Amazon and on Nook at Barnes and Noble.

Dead Shambles: (The Stage Play) (The Amateur Vile-Horrors)

Chris P. Raven: Plays

Dead Shambles is available to buy from Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. It is also available on Amazom.com.

Dead Shambles: (The Stage Play) (The Amateur Vile-Horrors)

 

 

Chris P. Raven: Plays: Here you will find details of my Stage Plays, Radio Scripts, and Screenplays, and if published, where you might find them.

Chris P. Raven: Trevor's Odd Assay by Chris Raven. Now available ...

Review: "If Trevor's a bit confused, he's not the only one".
See what the fuss is about, click here:

Chris P. Raven: Trevor's Odd Assay by Chris Raven.

Trevor's Odd Assay  by Chris Raven. Now available at Smashwords (Pub: 21/12/2013).

Dear Henry

https://iversity.org/courses/the-future-of-storytelling.

AUNT RENE FROM POTSDAM

 

 

https://iversity.org/courses/the-future-of-storytelling.

 

 

Star Trek Phase 2: "Kitumba" - Episode 4x08 (HD) (+playlist)

Chris P. Raven: Dead Shambles by Chris Raven. A musical stage pl...

Coming soon this month!

Dead Shambles by Chris Raven.

Chris P. Raven: Dead Shambles by Chris Raven.  A musical stage pl...:
A musical stage play about seven survivors of a zombie apocalypse who have retreated to their loc...