The I’s have it …

International – Independent – Interesting – Intriguing  Imaginative – Inspirational – Ian D. Moore’s idea  Book cover - You're Not Alone

In Loving Memory …

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In the Spring of 2015, Pamela Mary Winton left mortality behind, but unknown to her, she left something else behind – and that is a legacy which will allow her to continue to help her colleagues and those in their care.

 

Pamela was one of those wonderful people who are collectively known as Macmillan Cancer Support UK. They provide care, support and assistance to maintain dignity for victims of cancer. How cruel a twist it was then that the same indiscriminate killer was to take Pamela from her loved ones.

In Aid of Macmillan

Ian D. Moore, was a son-in-law still mourning the tragic passing of Pamela, when his thoughts veered from anger, sorrow and loss to consider a positive and inspirational response.

He posted a request on a Facebook writers’ group of which he is a member – Indie Author Support and Discussion, to ask if any of us would like to take part in compiling an anthology. The aim was to create a collection of stories which would serve to raise funds for a worthwhile cause, act as an ongoing tribute to Pamela, and entertain all who provided support by buying the book.

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Like the other 27 authors, I offered my services without hesitation. We have all been touched by cancer at some point in our lives, whether personally, or by the loss of someone dear to us, so we were all eager to help in any way we could.

We agreed at the outset that the stories would all be original work, which would give the collection a truly original flavour. It was also unanimously agreed that all profits raised from sales of the book in any format would be paid to the Pamela Mary Winton Tribute Fund to aid Macmillan Cancer Support UK. youre-not-alone-43d

Our completed book is You’re Not Alone: An Indie Author Anthology by Ian D. Moore and friends. It is available in paperback and digital format from Amazon. The collection is a kaleidoscope of stories with the common theme of ‘Relationships’.

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To buy the book: Amazon UKAmazon US

In life and in relationships we all have goals, which is where I took the inspiration for my own contribution.

My short story: Goals

Here is an excerpt:

‘Alexi crossed to the door, took a deep breath and slipped her fingertips into the groove. She tugged gently, and the panel moved back silently on smooth runners. Daylight filtered into the ante-room through a slatted blind.

The room was as large as the office and fitted with the same deep-pile carpet, but the ante-room had a bed. On top of the bed, uncovered, lay a naked man. Alexi glanced at his face, at first avoiding looking at the rest of him. She assumed it was the therapist. He was on his back, breathing gently as if in a deep sleep.

Alexi looked around and saw two sets of men’s clothes. Neatly folded on a chair were trousers, socks and boxer shorts. Hanging over the back of the chair was a smart jacket that matched the trousers. There was also a shirt and tie. Underneath were shoes.

On another chair nearby was a red and white training outfit. Everything was neatly folded: a hooded-top, joggers, a vest, shorts and socks. Below the chair were red training shoes; like Matthew’s. On top of the clothing were placed a wedding ring and a watch. It was Matthew’s usual jewellery.

A few feet away there was another doorway. Alexi steeled herself for what she might find and advanced to the next room. Before stepping into what was an adjoining bathroom, she took a breath and prepared to speak to her husband.’

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Now, would you like to read the whole story? Goals

Please consider buying the anthology, and help us to raise funds for Pamela’s fund to aid a wonderful organisation in such important work.

In this life, we don’t often get the chance to fight back simply by donating a little money, but this is one such opportunity.

YNA graphic

On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support UK, all of those who worked so hard to assemble our fund-raising collection, and of course Pamela Mary Winton – Thank you

Give and Take, the novel – progress

Jany 1987 2 - crpdI recently produced an article to provide some insight for my reasoning behind writing an erotic novel, so I’ll try to avoid repetition.

I have my reasons for writing this article, and those reasons are not related to promoting the story, or erotica as a genre.

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At various times in my life I’ve courted controversy, and although I’ve never done so for the sake of it, if I believe strongly enough in something – I will stand by my decision.

This new venture is one such case.

I’m privileged to be a member of the Indie Author Support and Discussion group (IASD), which in my opinion is the best author’s support and discussion groups on Facebook.

I feel qualified to make such a bold statement because I’ve belonged to several such groups, but nowhere else is there a sense of belonging, friendship, family, camaraderie – and yet there is still feedback and support delivered with sincerity and integrity.

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What is the relevance of the IASD to my new book?

I started a thread to say that I would be taking an idea suggested to me, to the next level. I told the masses that I was intending to go a step up from my erotic short story anthology Coming Around – to a full length novel.

I received initial feedback that to some might have been enough to throw away the whole plan, but I like to believe that I’m made of sterner stuff.

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Why was some of the feedback strong and negative?

I posted my first three drafts here on my blog, as I do with all my work. In the first chapter one character receives physical abuse from another character. Note, I do not say it was the male who was the abuser, and I do not say ‘minor’ abuse, because as anyone who has been a victim will tell you – abuse is abuse!

Yes, as a victim of verbal and physical bullying – I’ve been there.

Okay, so if you’re still with me, let’s take a closer look at my idea, and thank you for holding on for the main gist of this article.

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Yes, in the first chapter the male lead slaps his girlfriend’s buttocks, and though it might offend a lot of people, it is a way of life for some, and I believe a realistic opening to my story.

“I’m offended by that type of thing,” I can hear across the ether.

Okay, then please don’t blame me for the wrongs of others. I am not glorifying abuse – it is a fictional storyline.

If you are offended, I’m sorry, but nobody has written or complained about a statesman being assassinated in the opening paragraphs of one of my thrillers. Nobody has complained about people traffickers and pimps being eliminated in another of my thrillers.

A valid point?

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This new story is what it is – erotica. I don’t believe I can take my main characters on their journey and through their respective transformations as individuals and as a couple, unless I have a start point.

Yes, I agree that my start point might be distasteful to a certain number of people, but please keep in mind, the underlying theme in my work is retribution.

Now, on a personal level, I hope the dissenters caught that word – retribution. Therein lies one of the main characteristics of Give and Take, and where I came up with the working title.

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Whether or not you have read the first three chapters here on my blog, I’ve now updated them and altered the early part of the story, and for the better I believe. The second draft of the first three chapters appear in my Work in Progress menu.

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How am I progressing?

As of the timing of this article, I’m working on Chapter 15 of a planned 20 chapters.

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Have I had issues with the plot?

Yes, of course I have. There have been issues with psychology, ethics, level of detail, credibility, and knowing how far to take character and story development.

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Are those issues not true of any creative writing?

Yes, I answer once again, and therein we find another valid point. It is a fictional story and therefore contains a little of what I know, suspect, imagine – plus of course a great deal of planning, thought and … fantasy.

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Should I be afraid of my readers believing that I fantasise about being the male lead?

No, I don’t believe I should be afraid of such a thing. Not as long as they didn’t think I was Pete in Ten Days in Panama, Phil in Beyond The Law, Dan in Amsterdam Calling, or the fetching and adorable, if a little deadly Honey, in A Taste of Honey.

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Do I have any regrets so far?

My only regrets are:

1. I might lose the patronage of anybody who has enjoyed my other work.
2. I might lose credibility from those who believe that erotica is not a worthwhile genre to spend time working on.

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Will I write more erotica after Give and Take?

That will depend very much on the feedback I receive on the completed story.

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I offer my sincere thanks to those of you who have reached this point without treating me as a backroom pariah for attempting this new venture. Like oral sex, it may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s not fair to object to something unless you’ve at least investigated it ….

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P.S. I have no doubt there will be many women, and possibly some men who are wondering why the artwork in my blog articles does not normally include men. Basically, it’s because I don’t normally draw men, but for those of you who’d like to see an example of one of my male portraits …  and no, it’s not me! Unknown American

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