The final instalment in the Ninth Circle trilogy is nearly here! Mercy is in the final stages of editing, and will be released in September 2021. If you’ve been with the Morgenstern sisters along this journey, then now is your chance to see how the saga comes to a close, and where our girls end up. … More The Ninth Circle – Mercy Coming Soon
An Open Letter. To you who would practice “creative writing,” know that you have NO RIGHT. I have finally discovered Truth. No, not Truth—I have already known it. I have discovered how you convince yourselves that it is not. And it sickens me. There is no Truth in your words. You use them only as … More An Open Letter (Short Story)
An order of tea usually didn’t come with an empty container, so I wasn’t sure why mine did. I tried to ask the waitress, but her back was already turned. The little box was barely the size of a biscuit. Perhaps that was what was supposed to come with it. I picked it up and … More Drink
It’s time for part two of NaNoPlotMo’s writing prep month. This month we are focusing on pacing. This article was a join effort between myself and co-organizer, Grace Sabella, aka Illuminara. You can read the original post on DeviantArt here. Using Writing Style to Control Your Story’s Pace Last time, we talked about the big … More From Super Speed to Slow-Mo – Style and Pacing
It’s October, and that means it’s NaNoPrep month over at NaNoPlotMo. Check out the first workshop of the month on pacing and character arc, written by yours truly, and co-organizer, Grace Sabella, AKA illuminara. HOW TO PACE SCENE PROGRESSION By C-A-Harland The pace of your novel will have a huge impact on how … More Are We There Yet – Pacing Your Narrative and Character Arc
Snowcap stood tall, its white petals gleaming in the morning light, as it examined its fiefdom. Lesser flowers toiled in the fields below, ploughing seedbeds, and tending to the nursery. Delivery flowers rode by on floral vespers, delivering new seeds, and collecting mulch for recycling. Snowcap enjoyed watching the peasants at work, from its high … More FFM16-31 The Wars of the Roses
He awoke to darkness. He remembered little: men, van, cages. Harvesting. Panic gripped him as he felt his body, searching anything that would indicate what they took. There was only darkness. His hands moved to his face, the edge of a bandage stretched across his eyes. He realised it was not darkness, and started screaming. … More FFM16-30 If the Man Had Seen the Sawdust
Tomorrow belongs to those who hear it coming. At least, that was how they’d sold it to me. A journey of self awareness. The reality of getting inside your own head, digging out your weaknesses. Becoming stronger. Smarter. Two days in and I was beginning to wish I had never taken that damned pill. This … More FFM16-29 Do Not Go Gentle
I remember the day I believed in magic. The street performer had a scuffed hat and holey coat. He made coins disappear and tossed fire sticks. I would have walked away, but then it happened. He tripped and the fire stick hit his clothing. That mouldy coat went up like Guy Fawkes night. I watched … More FFM16-28 Holy Fire
Sticks and stones may build a throne, but you’ll be up there all alone. And on the day your tower falls, there will be none to guard your walls. So lay your banner, your sword, and shield, down as one upon the field. Because when this dragon wakes, it will be your life he takes. … More FFM16-27 To Walk Alone Among The Shadows
C. A. Harland 