The Blood Gate

After 12 years, and much procrastination, I can finally reveal this excerpt from my novel, The Blood Gate. It is only a second draft, so please feel free to add commentary on how it can be improved:

Chapter 1

I never thought I’d be standing on the very edge of hell. The jagged cavern beneath me, monstrous waves churning within it.

There was a time when I thought I’d never care about anything or anyone ever again. I was too selfish, too blind to see what I’d become. But now, in the dark and cold, I realise what I must do to protect the ones I love. I have no fear. I’ll be redeemed, of that I’m sure.

The air is clammy, almost wet. I stand on the precipice above the massive crack in the rock. Freezing air shrieks as it rushes out, swirling around me.

I have no fear.

The warm sands I know well are so far away. And I am alone. Night is falling. I can smell the sea bashing at the rocks below. The brine is so heavy in the air. I can taste the salt at the back of my nose. Pounding on the cliffs. Pounding in my chest.

I wish someone was here with me. Anyone.

I will have no fear.

Breath getting harder. Faster.

I step out. I fall.

Ash to ashes

Ash to ashes, dust to dust,

Twisted wreckage, blackened earth,

Severed tendon bleeding love.

Ash to ashes, dust to dust,

Important questions never asked,

Ice frosts over frozen hearts.

Ash to ashes, dust to dust,

Broken bodies, bloodied bone,

A hundred reasons to be on my own.

The point...

I’m sure many writers sat down over Christmas with the noble intention to chain themselves to their writing desk and produce a masterpiece.

I had such an aspiration.

However, between the mountains of chocolate, copious bottles of booze and the kind of TV that rots a person’s brain from the inside out, I found myself with only one day of holiday left.

One chapter of my novel still to write. Not enough jelly babies and coke in all the world to drive that all-nighter….

 However….

I am not a person easily dissuaded by ‘the hard way’. In fact, some days, I am sure I go out of my way looking for the most difficult way to do the most routine tasks.

So, I sat myself down in front of said TV, and thought about how I was going to finish my novel. I am a great believer in thinking. Not about important things, like thinking before you speak, or thinking about how to figure out a mathematical equation. No. I think about how best to rescue intrepid heroes from pirates, bandits and dragons.

The important things in life.

Several hours later, and only once the Five afternoon movie was over, I did indeed chain myself to my writing desk. Surrounded by jelly babies. Hmmmm…jelly babies….

And then something magical happened. As the sun set over smoggy Rugby, and the people began returning home from work, a sudden wave of inspiration hit.

There is nothing quite like the golden groove you hit when you find the rhythm of the story, and the characters flow along with you. The book pretty much writes itself at that point.

Which brings me back to my point. After 12 years of long, hard procrastination, I can finally say that the last word, of the last page, of my grand novel, is done!!