N.O.A. Rawle: Through the Eyes of a Stranger

 ...the competition organiser, the publisher and the artist who inspired this story. I would not have this award if it were not for him! (Wipes tear, exits stage left.) Read "The Night Before" here  and like Jamie Noble a.k.a. The Noble Artist on Facebook !       

The first acceptance of 2015 is a rather special one for me; "Thrill of the Chase"  will be published by the UK horror publisher  KnightWatch Press  in their "Once Bitten" anthology due in spring this year. Cover art for "Once Bitten" by Stephen Cooney "Thrill of the Chase"  is one of those stories that has lingered in the recesses of my mind since I was a teen but never made it to the page as more than an odd scene or trail of dialogue until recently. I always found the process of  falling in love, the angst and anticipation, the heartache and self-doubt so much more alluring and intriguing than actually being in love. (I had far too much else on my mind to be bothered with all the hassle and demands which that put on my personal freedom. Now older, wiser and less impatient, I can see the benefits of the long haul!) Still, is it not true that the pursuer often becomes the slave of her desire? Didn't your...

It's that time! Teetering on the cusp between two years, I'm looking back at what has gone in 2014 and looking forward to what will become in 2015! And of course, the essential resolutions, which for a writer, are hopefully concrete goals. 2014 was fantastic! Although it wasn't the year of my first writing success it's the first year I consistently wrote and submitted stories and poems. This process was helped by the on line group inspired by Ray Bradbury's determination  Write 1 Sub 1 . Here I found a very supportive gathering of like-minded authors and writers of all levels of success. If you are a budding writer check them out! I never even made the Light Ray Winner! as I only had 7 pieces published since joining the group but I had 11 in total. (One short of the goal of one piece per month.) The thing that surprised most of all was that all the poems I submitted were accepted! I have never really considered myself much...