Roy Tomkinson. Today's Thought!
Hi Everyone,
Those of you that follow my blog, and the rest of you who knows me personally, you know that a subject close to my heart is Time Travel, and the Parallel Universe Theory.
That is, every action much have an opposite reaction. So what is happening in one universe, positive, the same must be in another universe, negative.
Weird!
You can say that again, you say.
OK I will.
Weird!
There! Said it.
Seriously though, you must have thought what it would be like to be back in time. I think everyone has at some time in their life.
The amount of time I wish I could have told my mother and father I loved them. When they were alive, and we all think the same, I couldn’t imagine life without them. Frequently we quarrelled, when I was being, well - well- just being really – a young whippersnapper of a kid thinking I knew it all.
And of course, I knew very little.
There is a truism, the older you get the less you know. Well I must be pretty thick I'm getting on a bit now! Hold on, don't' get carried away, not too much mind you, there is still loads of fight and spunk still left inside of me.
Anyway, back to Time Travel.
What would you do if you went back in time?
Or, I pose: What Time Period would you visit – Why?
I’m interested, please let’s have your comments.
I would like to go back to the time of Henry the VIII, one of the most dangerous periods in history, for a woman anyway, well, anyone really, your head was never your own. He would chop it off on the flimsiest of pretexts. Set himself up as the Head of the Church, and the repercussions are still, very much so, felt today.
But the period fascinates me. By the way, this year is the 500th year of his Ascension to the Throne of England.
Indeed, when I wrote my last novel, for part of it: that is the time period I chose upon. Not actually about the English Court, but about the period of history in 1526 relating to Mull in Scotland, and the warring clans from that period. The Mac Dougalls and the MacLeans. A right lot of people they were, but there again, everyone else's behaviour was the same.
Death came cheap, life meant nothing, a violent time. Well, if I were cynical, I could say nothing has changed, but that would be unfair. Sometimes I think so, and you must do as well.
What do you think, tell me?
Are people as evil now as they were then?
Views, let me have your views.
In my novels I try to show the two sides, good and evil.
In “Anger Child,” I show the evil Peter, contrasted against the good and kindly George.
In “The Tour,” Lanky against Ron.”
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheTour.html
“In Boys, Men and Mountains:” The evil is not in the people, but in the circumstance of how they were forced to live, and the ways they used to overcome the situation to live happy, contented, and full lives.
Anyway,
Enough for today, all comments are welcome.
Regards,
Roy.
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Tuesday 28 April 2009
A Taster from "Anger Child" and "The Tour" two novels by Roy Tomkinson.
Anger Child
A little taster from the novel:
Enjoy!
As you turn the pages the characters come alive and jump off the page into the readers mind. The story is powerful, once read will stay in the mind for the rest of your life. A clear, concise and crafted literary novel which explores Colin deeply and gives out a powerful message, will hold you spellbound from the first to the last word.
A must read novel, the narration and dialogue moulds the story plummeting into the depth of emotion, destined to become a great classic.
“The bulb ached into his brain; the brightness ate at his eyes. He heard the familiar bolt clinked back, mouth full with food; a pain in the arm, his skin felt drilled, followed by darkness and silence, always the silence.
His vision went dim, his head ached… darkness enveloped him. He noticed a white spot on the wall… light beams shot from its centre… a silhouetted figure appeared…
Darkness turned to colour, red - blood red. His father’s blood was pouring over him as the rollers pulled his body through… He heard a scream, his scream, the blood gone, he was outside his body looking at himself lying on the mattress shackled by the chain, his face bled from the constant banging on the wall of his head…”
"The Tour"
A little taster from the novel:
Enjoy!
When four members from the Coral Diving Club on a trip to Mull, an island off mainland Scotland, discover a Galleon, nothing can prepare them for what is about to unfold.
The course of history is at stake when they are thrown back in time to 1526 amidst the warring Scottish Clans and must fight their way back to their own time. Their existence becomes threatened when they realise they have unwittingly started a chain of events which seems unstoppable and it is down to Lanky and Jane to reverse the catastrophe of a time rift that is pulling time itself into the past.
For one member of the party, who finds gold on the Galleon, lust, greed, and murderous intentions are the only way forward and the stage is set for the drama to be played to its conclusion.
Regards,
Roy.
A little taster from the novel:
Enjoy!
As you turn the pages the characters come alive and jump off the page into the readers mind. The story is powerful, once read will stay in the mind for the rest of your life. A clear, concise and crafted literary novel which explores Colin deeply and gives out a powerful message, will hold you spellbound from the first to the last word.
A must read novel, the narration and dialogue moulds the story plummeting into the depth of emotion, destined to become a great classic.
“The bulb ached into his brain; the brightness ate at his eyes. He heard the familiar bolt clinked back, mouth full with food; a pain in the arm, his skin felt drilled, followed by darkness and silence, always the silence.
His vision went dim, his head ached… darkness enveloped him. He noticed a white spot on the wall… light beams shot from its centre… a silhouetted figure appeared…
Darkness turned to colour, red - blood red. His father’s blood was pouring over him as the rollers pulled his body through… He heard a scream, his scream, the blood gone, he was outside his body looking at himself lying on the mattress shackled by the chain, his face bled from the constant banging on the wall of his head…”
"The Tour"
A little taster from the novel:
Enjoy!
When four members from the Coral Diving Club on a trip to Mull, an island off mainland Scotland, discover a Galleon, nothing can prepare them for what is about to unfold.
The course of history is at stake when they are thrown back in time to 1526 amidst the warring Scottish Clans and must fight their way back to their own time. Their existence becomes threatened when they realise they have unwittingly started a chain of events which seems unstoppable and it is down to Lanky and Jane to reverse the catastrophe of a time rift that is pulling time itself into the past.
For one member of the party, who finds gold on the Galleon, lust, greed, and murderous intentions are the only way forward and the stage is set for the drama to be played to its conclusion.
Regards,
Roy.
I'd just like to share a few thoughts with you, Roy Tomkinson
I'd just like to share a few thoughts with you.
I have been asked why I write?
Is it difficult?
How did I start?
Is there a lot of money in writing?
Market yourself as a writer; too many think that is to be left to someone else. It’s not hip to push forward. Why? If you believe in your writing, tell, shout it out, and be positive. Sell your work by selling yourself. Make yourself stand out, but first you must stand up, on a stool if need be, you have a story, and you need to tell others about it. Otherwise, how will they know?Get an agent; if need be, be your own agent, use every way to tell the world who you are and what you are, and believe, believe it will happen – and it will. I hope the ten points above; will be of help to new writers. I have now just started my 10th manuscript, my original target.
My blog site is: “roytomkinson.blogspot.com”
To date, I have three published novels:
Of Boy, Men and Mountains. ISBN: 0862438683
Anger Child ISBN: 978095597360-4
The Tour ISBN: 978-1-60693-682-5: SKU: 1-60693-682-4
Comments please,
Roy.
I have been asked why I write?
Is it difficult?
How did I start?
Is there a lot of money in writing?
There is so much advice out there from people who think they can do it, and yet, they never seem to get a book into publication. What is your secret? No secret - no luck: Just simple determination and hard work, and learn to take criticism, digest, and do something about it.
If you do the same thing repeatedly, why be surprised when the outcome is the same. Change, adapt, success is an attitude of mind. I say it again so there can be no doubt in your mind. Success is an attitude of mind.When I started to write five years ago, I trawled to look for ideas, purchased books on how to be a successful writer until my mind was chock blocked with ideas from other people who told me how to do it.
Quite a few advised me that it would be easier to go to the moon than to get a book published by a mainstream publisher, I’m not talking vanity here. My friends thought I was mad. Many times over a meal, my friends tried to talk, “sense” into me.
“You are giving up a real job, to write!"
"You can’t be serious!”“
"I’ll tell you what! Do have a medical check. I’ll pay!”“
"Writing! Writing! You mean full time, with no job!”
And so the comments went forward. I listened, but equally, I shielded my mind from their negativity. I had made up my mind, and I wanted to be a writer. Believed it with a passion, had confidence in my ability and in me (myself Roy) to follow through. And so, I wrote out my plan. Not a long complicated one, short and to the point. Something I could look at everyday, a measured plan. Here it is somewhat elaborated and explained, and not the actual affirmations I use.
They are personal to me, and no one sees them but me.
1.
Forget about publication. “Are you mad you say? Forget about getting published.” Yes, forget about it; make yourself good enough and getting published will happen as a matter of course, and of course, you must believe this with a passion. I decided I would write ten manuscripts, the best manuscripts I could possibly achieve, and only then would I think about getting a manuscript published.
2.
Get people who know what they are talking about to criticise your writing. Pay them, preferably people who do not know you. I have three people, not the same people that criticise my writing, anonymously. That is the only way to get an objective viewpoint. Some of the criticism I rejected, a lot I accepted, some hurt. It still hurts even today. I still have my work criticised, but it was, and still is necessary.
3.
Learn the craft. If you haven’t been writing for at least 5000 hours - carry on, even then, you will still be learning. Forever you will be learning.
4.
Set a target, without a target there can be no aim. Make it realistic, and achieve it. There is nothing more powerful for your personality than setting a goal and then achieving it. Set yourself a success philosophy. In my case, I targeted to write 2000 words per day, 10,000 per week. I didn’t like working weekends, but if I failed in my objective, it meant I would have to work a Saturday or Sunday, and I had a lot of living to do every weekend, so I made sure I achieved my set goal.
5.
Strive for perfection. My first published novel, “Of Boy, Men and Mountains” which is destined to become a classic, I wrote and rewrote 17 times before I was happy. I looked upon it as a kind of apprenticeship. Each time I thought I had it, I would leave it a few days, reread, and rewrite, and then after many months I knew I had it, and I partied.
6.
Read other works of literature, study the plot and characters: can you see the location in your mind; are the people alive to you, if not, why not? question? Look closely at structure, every writer will have something from which you are able learn. The base component of a story is a plot with characters. To me, my characters are alive. Some become my friends, others I hate, but to me they are alive, and not just a bit of writing across the page. I didn’t realise this until quite recently. I was due to finish a manuscript, the third manuscript in a trilogy, two years work, and 500,000 words in length. For two weeks, I went back over the manuscripts, I walked, studied, did everything, anything, but complete this last chapter; it was only a few thousand words. Then I realised; I didn’t wish to leave them. I was suffering withdrawal symptoms similar to bereavement. That’s how alive these characters had become to me.
7.
Work out the plots and the characters before you start. A pat saying everyone tells you the same, to plan, plan, and plan again. And of course, I do the same. Do I stick with it? No, sometimes, something happens and Voilà! A minor character seems to talk to you, it grows, and grows, and sometimes I wonder who is in charge. I’m not talking here about going off on a tangent. There must be a plan, if there is no plan how can you know when you are not totally on it. You can’t of course, so always there must be a plan otherwise how can you deviate away from it.
8.
Do I get writers block: these word seems to be in almost every self-help book on how to write. With multitudinous ways of what you should do to overcome the problem. More worry is expounded here, than the worth of it. I say do nothing, relax, place the characters inside you mind, I mean deeply inside and forget about them. They should already be there anyway. Let them become part of you, think about them as people before you go to sleep, and let your subconscious mind do the rest. If not the following morning, definitely the morning after, the answer will be there, inside you mind waiting for you to write it down.
9.
Be ruthless with you time when you write. It is a job, and if other people, family included, do not see it like that, tell them, and follow through. Don’t be distracted. The greater you are able to control “YOU” the greater you are able to control what you write.
10.
And finally, keep positive, you only ever fail when you give up, and look upon your life as a journey and not as a destination. They say to write is a vocation and I must wait for inspiration. I’ve lost my inspiration. Codswallop: you are doing a job, a hard slog job, so enjoy the journey, and remember, the more you do it the better you become, as in any job. But take notice, don’t carry on making the same mistakes and expect a different outcome, frankly it just doesn’t happen, accept criticism and learn from it. When you think you have mastered the craft, then, and only then, the true learning process will finally begin.
Forget about publication. “Are you mad you say? Forget about getting published.” Yes, forget about it; make yourself good enough and getting published will happen as a matter of course, and of course, you must believe this with a passion. I decided I would write ten manuscripts, the best manuscripts I could possibly achieve, and only then would I think about getting a manuscript published.
2.
Get people who know what they are talking about to criticise your writing. Pay them, preferably people who do not know you. I have three people, not the same people that criticise my writing, anonymously. That is the only way to get an objective viewpoint. Some of the criticism I rejected, a lot I accepted, some hurt. It still hurts even today. I still have my work criticised, but it was, and still is necessary.
3.
Learn the craft. If you haven’t been writing for at least 5000 hours - carry on, even then, you will still be learning. Forever you will be learning.
4.
Set a target, without a target there can be no aim. Make it realistic, and achieve it. There is nothing more powerful for your personality than setting a goal and then achieving it. Set yourself a success philosophy. In my case, I targeted to write 2000 words per day, 10,000 per week. I didn’t like working weekends, but if I failed in my objective, it meant I would have to work a Saturday or Sunday, and I had a lot of living to do every weekend, so I made sure I achieved my set goal.
5.
Strive for perfection. My first published novel, “Of Boy, Men and Mountains” which is destined to become a classic, I wrote and rewrote 17 times before I was happy. I looked upon it as a kind of apprenticeship. Each time I thought I had it, I would leave it a few days, reread, and rewrite, and then after many months I knew I had it, and I partied.
6.
Read other works of literature, study the plot and characters: can you see the location in your mind; are the people alive to you, if not, why not? question? Look closely at structure, every writer will have something from which you are able learn. The base component of a story is a plot with characters. To me, my characters are alive. Some become my friends, others I hate, but to me they are alive, and not just a bit of writing across the page. I didn’t realise this until quite recently. I was due to finish a manuscript, the third manuscript in a trilogy, two years work, and 500,000 words in length. For two weeks, I went back over the manuscripts, I walked, studied, did everything, anything, but complete this last chapter; it was only a few thousand words. Then I realised; I didn’t wish to leave them. I was suffering withdrawal symptoms similar to bereavement. That’s how alive these characters had become to me.
7.
Work out the plots and the characters before you start. A pat saying everyone tells you the same, to plan, plan, and plan again. And of course, I do the same. Do I stick with it? No, sometimes, something happens and Voilà! A minor character seems to talk to you, it grows, and grows, and sometimes I wonder who is in charge. I’m not talking here about going off on a tangent. There must be a plan, if there is no plan how can you know when you are not totally on it. You can’t of course, so always there must be a plan otherwise how can you deviate away from it.
8.
Do I get writers block: these word seems to be in almost every self-help book on how to write. With multitudinous ways of what you should do to overcome the problem. More worry is expounded here, than the worth of it. I say do nothing, relax, place the characters inside you mind, I mean deeply inside and forget about them. They should already be there anyway. Let them become part of you, think about them as people before you go to sleep, and let your subconscious mind do the rest. If not the following morning, definitely the morning after, the answer will be there, inside you mind waiting for you to write it down.
9.
Be ruthless with you time when you write. It is a job, and if other people, family included, do not see it like that, tell them, and follow through. Don’t be distracted. The greater you are able to control “YOU” the greater you are able to control what you write.
10.
And finally, keep positive, you only ever fail when you give up, and look upon your life as a journey and not as a destination. They say to write is a vocation and I must wait for inspiration. I’ve lost my inspiration. Codswallop: you are doing a job, a hard slog job, so enjoy the journey, and remember, the more you do it the better you become, as in any job. But take notice, don’t carry on making the same mistakes and expect a different outcome, frankly it just doesn’t happen, accept criticism and learn from it. When you think you have mastered the craft, then, and only then, the true learning process will finally begin.
Market yourself as a writer; too many think that is to be left to someone else. It’s not hip to push forward. Why? If you believe in your writing, tell, shout it out, and be positive. Sell your work by selling yourself. Make yourself stand out, but first you must stand up, on a stool if need be, you have a story, and you need to tell others about it. Otherwise, how will they know?Get an agent; if need be, be your own agent, use every way to tell the world who you are and what you are, and believe, believe it will happen – and it will. I hope the ten points above; will be of help to new writers. I have now just started my 10th manuscript, my original target.
My blog site is: “roytomkinson.blogspot.com”
To date, I have three published novels:
Of Boy, Men and Mountains. ISBN: 0862438683
Anger Child ISBN: 978095597360-4
The Tour ISBN: 978-1-60693-682-5: SKU: 1-60693-682-4
Comments please,
Roy.
Roy Tomkinson! Would you believe?
Hi
Everyone,
I was looking at a few websites about Mull and came across this one. I can tell you, my jaw dropped when I read it. I have only just had a novel published about Mull.
And guess what?
The very characters in the first part of my book, "The Tour" are there, as bold as brass. Check it out yourself.
Here is the web page: http://forargyll.com/2009/04/this-is-argyll-tobermory-mull/
Also here is my web page for The Tour. www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheTour.html
Lachlan, Duke of Argyll, the Spanish Galleon, Florencia, Treasure, MacLeans, literally jumped out at me.
Regards,
Roy.
Everyone,
I was looking at a few websites about Mull and came across this one. I can tell you, my jaw dropped when I read it. I have only just had a novel published about Mull.
And guess what?
The very characters in the first part of my book, "The Tour" are there, as bold as brass. Check it out yourself.
Here is the web page: http://forargyll.com/2009/04/this-is-argyll-tobermory-mull/
Also here is my web page for The Tour. www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheTour.html
Lachlan, Duke of Argyll, the Spanish Galleon, Florencia, Treasure, MacLeans, literally jumped out at me.
Regards,
Roy.
Roy Tomkinson, Anger Child
Hi everyone,
Six month ago I published a novel called "Anger Child," and a number of people have contacted me to ask if it's about myself. My first book, "Of Boys, Men and Mountains" was partly about myself. My upbringing, my family and friends: the values they held and how they saw life.
The second book is about an angry child, a lot darker than the light hearted first book, and I suppose some of the feelings portrayed in the book must have some relevance, but mostly, it is a story about anger, and how he (Colin) learned, that what he had, and lost, was far better than anything he had ever hoped to gain.
Anger is an emotion I have felt myself, everyone feels it at some time in their life. It's not the anger that is important: it can be a good thing, but... but... how we handle our anger. And, this is what the main character needed to understand.
The saying, we learn from our mistakes, grow from them, is a truism; often something profound needs to happens, and it changes us forever.
What makes an angry person kill, rape - do anything? In my books, I try to take the reader on this journey and into the mind of this young lad.
I take a tin opener, so to speak, and open up the inside, to show the inside, and how one little wrong leads to another, and another and another, until the only thing in life is darkness.
In my first book - that is about the opposite to anger - acceptance and love, but in my other two novels, I show up what jealousy and anger can do. Kill, destroy and all the other negatives we hear about in the press. Look up some of the reviews on the gwales site, what is said about the novel and about anger: http://www.gwales.com/rating/?isbn=9780955973604&tsid=3
What makes the mind set of killer? It is almost certainly more than just anger. Or it it?
In my third novel "The Tour," I try to take anger and hatred a stage further and show what a warped personality is capable of doing. How they always blame others, never themselves, and how certain people congregate towards that type of person.
It is more than a story of murder?
Yes, a lot more, but the recurring theme is of good verus evil and the way certain people look at and understand life.
Check it out: "The Tour:"
Played out in Scotland on the Island of Mull.
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheTour.html
Regards,
Roy.
Six month ago I published a novel called "Anger Child," and a number of people have contacted me to ask if it's about myself. My first book, "Of Boys, Men and Mountains" was partly about myself. My upbringing, my family and friends: the values they held and how they saw life.
The second book is about an angry child, a lot darker than the light hearted first book, and I suppose some of the feelings portrayed in the book must have some relevance, but mostly, it is a story about anger, and how he (Colin) learned, that what he had, and lost, was far better than anything he had ever hoped to gain.
Anger is an emotion I have felt myself, everyone feels it at some time in their life. It's not the anger that is important: it can be a good thing, but... but... how we handle our anger. And, this is what the main character needed to understand.
The saying, we learn from our mistakes, grow from them, is a truism; often something profound needs to happens, and it changes us forever.
What makes an angry person kill, rape - do anything? In my books, I try to take the reader on this journey and into the mind of this young lad.
I take a tin opener, so to speak, and open up the inside, to show the inside, and how one little wrong leads to another, and another and another, until the only thing in life is darkness.
In my first book - that is about the opposite to anger - acceptance and love, but in my other two novels, I show up what jealousy and anger can do. Kill, destroy and all the other negatives we hear about in the press. Look up some of the reviews on the gwales site, what is said about the novel and about anger: http://www.gwales.com/rating/?isbn=9780955973604&tsid=3
What makes the mind set of killer? It is almost certainly more than just anger. Or it it?
In my third novel "The Tour," I try to take anger and hatred a stage further and show what a warped personality is capable of doing. How they always blame others, never themselves, and how certain people congregate towards that type of person.
It is more than a story of murder?
Yes, a lot more, but the recurring theme is of good verus evil and the way certain people look at and understand life.
Check it out: "The Tour:"
Played out in Scotland on the Island of Mull.
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheTour.html
Regards,
Roy.
Roy Tomkinson: How to write a play!
Roy Tomkinson
Hi, everyone,
I have just written a play, two hours long. Ouch!
I think it's good anyway.
Here is the synopsis, let me know what you think! Sickorus, as a character, he just grew and grew, and he's in three of my other manuscripts.
As yet to be published. My Trilogy of "Through The Oaks" to be published in three volumes.
PLOT FOR PLAY?
SICKORUS.
A battle rages (late autumn) hand to hand combat. Sickorus has killed Simalson, son of Simason the King, by the edge of a river, to the left of him is Mathus a little way down river. Sickorus beaten to the ground by two soldiers trying to aid Simalson, he is at their mercy about to die, Mathus saves him killing the two soldiers.Casualties heavy on both sides, weather closes in, both armies retreat to the opposite banks of the river.
The battle is at an end, no clear winner, autumn, no further conflict until the coming spring.The Lords meet in a tent away from the battlefield concerned the battle indecisive, the King expected a clear victory, anything less would suffer his wrath. Each year the neighbouring Kingdom continually caused trouble from spring until autumn.
The King had had enough, wanted it finished, him the victor, now, come the spring, they would be back raiding and pillaging.The Lords show concern they could lose their land, even their lives for failure. Sickorus suggested overthrowing the King supplanting him with Palas, the nearest heir, Sickorus knew he could control Palas without difficulty and if not there was always poison. At first, a hushed silence – Sickorus knew to fail meant execution for treason, pushed the matter forward. He had the main card still up his sleeve (Act 1 Scene 2).
Already, he had betrayed them to the King.Slowly, the lords moved over to his side except Barus and Mathus. Both adamant that to depose a King would end in destruction for them and the country. Mathus proposes a toast to the King only Barus stands.
The situation defuses when informed by a soldier Palas has not returned and missing, the meeting breaks to search for him.Sickorus and Mathus travel together, at the river go in different directions. Sickorus notices the King’s cousin Palas, wounded in the leg, struggling to get back across the river, the mist closing, raining heavily. The river rises. Sickorus finds Palus, helps, places an arm around him to help cross the river; Palas leans heavily on him for support.He tells Sickorus it is rumoured the queen is pregnant; if true his hopes of being heir to the throne are dashed, glad at the prospect.
Sickorus is shocked at the news; changes everything.(Significant Incident)They approach the centre of the river. Sickorus stabs him in the back, lets him float down river shouting to Mathus on the bank that Palas is dead andthat he has his sword.Punishment was now definite, not only losing the battle but also failing to protect the heir to the throne.
The following day they meet in a tent over a meal. Sickorus stands and toasts the King and Queen, the are Lords startled by his sudden allegiance to the King and Queen. Reluctantly they all stand each distrusting the others’ motives especially so Sickorus. Soon the conversation starts about what the King will do to them.
He had been known to execute for less, ruthless in maintaining power. With no clear heir to the throne, King out of the way, all have a chance at the Crown, only Sickorus knows about the Queen. Ambition, greed, shows in every face, only Sickorus, the initial instigator in regicide vigorously argues the opposite engendering further mistrust.
Lords retire to their own castles to wait events.The King calls a meeting, the lords are hesitant, enter the King’s Castle, divested of their arms. A few protest to no avail, on edge, no one prepared to make the first move against the King. The King enters the hall in a rage berating them about the battle calling them cowards, insisting they should have achieved victory and protected Palas, unceremoniously dismissing them but insist they stay in the castle making sure there are guards with them at all time. When they protest he insists it is for their own protection and are guests.
Two of the lords are in prison accused of treason; the rest feel it will only be a matter of time before all the Lords will be in the same position. Propose a secret meeting not telling Sickorus, Mathus or Barus and plot to overthrow the King. Sickorus finds out about the meeting and turns up uninvited, assures them he is with them and only argued against because Mathus and Barus were present.
Nevertheless, still goes on to argue fearlessly against regicide. “The King is old and has not long to live. Why risk all for the sake of a few years.” They are insecure, feel the King will pick them off one by one, berate Sickorus asking him why he has so conveniently changed his mind reminding him originally it was his idea and demand to know the reason.He procrastinates, fears for his life, pretends he wants the King gone as much as they and only testing their resolve.
They are unconvinced and need proof. Sickorus proposes to kill Barus and Mathus to show his loyalty. They agree, remind him his mother is a “guest” in one of the Lord’s castles and cautions a warning to fail or betray would mean his mother’s death.(First Turning Point)The queen in disguise meets up with Sickorus, confirms she is pregnant with his baby, the King still does not suspect; Sickous cautions her to keep her own council.
If the King knows the Queen is pregnant she will be executed, his baby with it. They had planned to get rid of the King together, she take the throne, Sickorus the consort and is surprised when he changes his mind. He explains the reason. If the King goes when the Lords are alive so does she, sees the logic but points out the danger.
The king has been impotent for years, will know he is not the father, already, he has asked her about the rumour, she vigorously denied but time was short.The King is preparing to round up the Lords on treason; aware they are trying to overthrow him, but needs to be careful, together they are powerful, already, they are in his castle. Sickorus wants this to happen and let things take their course.
When the way is clear he will give the Queen poison to give to the King, they will be together, opposition gone, on the throne with the next heir already in waiting.Sickorus greets Barus as friend, informs they are to meet to appeal to the King against the imprisonment of the two Lords and the others for them to reaffirm fealty to the King all will be well, use the winter to prepare to defeat Simason in the spring.
Barus congratulates him on talking the other Lords round and they ride off together towards the Castle, halfway Sickorus arranges an ambush and Barus is murdered.Sickorus arrives at the Castle dishevelled demands audience with the King, blocked by his personal guard despite his insistence and disarmed. Eventually, escorted into his present the King, angry, reminds to disturb a King at prayer/eating is a serious offence. Sickorus ignores the remark, informs the King there is a revolt in the offing; his life is in danger.
The king is sceptical; the Lords are nowhere near powerful enough and had already decided to divest them of their land and position and safely in the castle under his control, carries on eating.The King asks who the leaders are, reluctantly Sickorus states Mathus, informs Barus and he were on their (reminds the King his warning – Act 1 Scene 2) way to tell the King and ambushed. ‘They’ killed Barus; Sickorus said he escaped showing the King the wound on his arm.
King thanks, reminds he is a member of his personal guard and will take full status when the Lords are executed and instructs the two Lords in prison be executed, Sickorus to officiate. The King promises Sickorus their lands, and instructs him to fetch Mathus alive after the execution of two Lords.
The Lords hold a meeting without Sickorus to discuss if he has completed his gruesome task, still distrustful but they hold the trump card, his mother. To betray, immediately they would execute her, they hear of the executions and escape the castle, they have nothing to lose. Assemble forces against the King, messengers sent to the Saxonits requesting a meeting with their King Simason to join forces united against the King.Sickorus meets up with Mathus tells him the King has sent him to kill him, already, the King has killed Barus and the two imprisoned lords. Mathus is horrified, still refused to go against the anointed King and demands a meeting. Sickorus tell him he’d be dead before he gets near the King and to take flight back to the North and to stay in exile, if seen again he’ll be summarily executed.Sickorus returns, tells the King Mathus has taken flight.
The King berates him for not getting there sooner but is preoccupied with his generals to worry too much, declares he is going after the traitorous Lords to bring them to book. The queen enters tried to persuade the King to hold off a full scale battle with the Lords even thought the King’s army out number them three to one. Argues the vacuum would allow.
Simason the opportunity he needs to mount a full scale battle against them advises, fragmentation at this time too dangerous and urges caution.A messenger informs the lords have joined forces with the Saxonits and amassing at the border. Sickorus and the Queen realise if the King is defeated all is lost Simason would rule both kingdoms and would have his revenge against Sickorus for killing his son. Imperative a peace is brokered, the King is adamant, a victory now would rid him of all his enemies and gives the order to prepare for battle.
Sickorus implores the King to let him at least, go to the Lords to make them see sense and assure them there would be no reprisals and to sit around the table with the King, to air their grievances.The King does realise the danger of a winter campaign. Believes he has the advantage despite the forces being of equal size. He has better trained troops, the risk still high and would like more time to prepare, agrees to let Sickorus go and talk to them to buy time for greater preparation.
The King has no intention other than to destroy the Lords; Sickorus realised, far from convinced the King is strong enough to win.(If the King loses all is lost 2nd turning point)Sickorus secretly meets up with the queen, they make love, implores her to try to persuade the King to offer the Lords an olive branch expressing his doubts about battle. The queen is horrified; losing had not even entered her head. Failing everything, Sickorus is convinced it is better to let the enemy come to them.
They will be outside in the cold weather for many months whereas the King’s men will be rested, fresh for the fight. She tells him the King is pig headed and will do what he wants but she will try to keep him in the castle. Let the weather take its toll on the others not on the King’s forces. She reminds him she cannot keep the pregnancy from the King for more than a few months, if the king is still alive then all will be lost in any event.It looks hopeless.
If the King loses all is lost, if the battle is postponed and not fought until the spring there would be no way the Queen could keep the pregnancy from the King for that long. If the king is not dead by Christ’s mass, it will be to late. Sickorus must get the Lords with Simason to march on the King, the only option open.
Immediately they are defeated, the path would be clear for him and the Queen to realise their plan and kill the King.Unbeknown to Sickorus the King has no intention of chasing the enemy around the country in winter, calls Sickorus, who is about to leave to try to broker a deal, to a meeting. Tells him to bring the enemy to him and he would be waiting giving the exact spot where we wishes to meet them in combat.Sickorus cannot believe his luck, promises to do all in his power to bring the enemy to the King. Rides off thinking the Queen had done her work well.
The plan is back on track. He must persuade the Lords and the Saxonits to move the battle towards the King and into defeat.He rushes off to meet up with the Lords. Astounded at the progress for war in such a short time, starts to have doubts the King could win against such a powerful enemy.
He has the advantage, each side thinks he is with them, realises it may ultimately come down to survival if the King is defeated, sends a secret messenger to the Queen imploring her to go into exile with Mathus until the outcome of the battle is known. If the king loses, without doubt, being pregnant would not save her, in fact, the opposite.Simason enters; the other Lords with Sickorus stand.
He sees the hatred in Simason’s eyes and realises he knows it was he who killed his son. They think he will try to persuade them to not fight the King but to their surprise he tells them the King is weak, will not come to fight believing they will not travel in winter to attack him. Sickorus tells them the King needs time to build up his forces, if they wait until spring it may be too late.Diasus sarcastically asks what is in it for Sickorus, replied nothing other that to keep his land.
The Lords state it is rumoured the King has given their lands to Sickorus as a reward for loyalty Sickorus affirms and gives it back to them. Sickorus knows his fate totally lies with the King. No matter what he does the Saxonite Simason will kill him after the battle, none of the other Lords will intervene on his behalf, already he feels, (and is right) they’re carving up his lands between them.They argue among themselves whether to wait until spring or move and attack the King now.
The Lords wish to wait; Simason wants to move immediately. Sickorus weights in heavily on his side, protesting caution now and all will be lost. The other Lords slowly give ground but are distrustful of Sickorus’ motives. Simason mentions to Sickorus after the battle they have a score to settle.
If the King is defeated there is now no doubt, Simason will take the throne, he and the Queen executed.Diasus asks Sickorus where his soldiers are forcing him to admit with the King. He draws a sword and places it against Sickorus’ neck vowing that if Sickorus double-crosses them he will personally have his head but before that would painfully remove all his fingers and toes one by one. Sickorus vows his men are loyal to him, when the time comes will turn against the King’s men, left them there for that reason and not for the King to get suspicious.
He asks about his mother, Diasus only says she is safe and will remain so as long as Sickorus does not double cross. Demands her release, the other Lords shake their heads and smile. Diasus tells him sarcastically she is under his protection, “as guest and not prisoner.” The message is clear, nothing further he can do, states he must go back to the King not for him to suspect. Sickorus realised he is a prisoner, a message sent to his troops if they fight he will be killed.
The Lords have brokered a deal with Simason and sold Sickorus down the river.They march on the King the battle is long and hard, the King in retreat. They follow to finish, to their surprise the King turns makes a stand on high ground, fighting continues into the night. Casualties are heavy on both sides, just when the Lords and Saxonits think the battle is turning their way Mathus turns up with an army and routes them.
The King wins the day. Simason retreats back into the mountains most of his army destroyed.The Lords die in battle, Diasus manages to escape, on the way back he meets Sickorus. They fight; Sickorus the victor, Diasus tells Sickorus before he is killed his mother is dead, killed by his hand after he raped her.
Sickorus chops off his head, mounts in on a lance, marches forward in triumph looking every inch a King.Sickorus in temper marches on Diasus’ Castle killing all inside, including Diasus wife and three children, burns the castle; all opposition annihilated only the King remains, Sickorus confident the Queen will do her part leaving the path clear for them to take the throne. The only one in the way is Mathus, Sickorus sees little problem, immediately the King is dead, the Queen will announce she is pregnant which will still any opposition.(Third turning point)The King is not as in the dark as Sickorus believes. Aware of the Queen’s infidelity for months with Sickorus and confronts the Queen.
At first she denies, eventually forced to confess stating she was raped by Sickorus and was too ashamed to tell the King, and pregnant, begs the King to forgive, saying she’ll bring the child up as his. If Sickorus is executed no one will be the wiser. (Conclusion)The King finds the poison intended for him, is horrified, pours in down her throat, watches as she writhes in agony.
The fate meant for him. Instruct the servants to disfigure her face and throw her naked body as carrion meat.Sickorus enters triumphantly and immediately escorted in front of the King, He asks about the Queen. The King tells him she is with child and out feeding the birds. Sickorus hedges, congratulates him, the King smiles, asks Sickorus if he’s ready for his final honour and reminds him of his own words “To die serving my King is honour indeed.”Sickorus realised the situation and raises his sword but before he is able to get near the King the palace guards waiting in readiness apprehends him.
The King orders castration, parts thrown after the queen and cuts off his right hand.Sickorus writhes in agony on the floor, the King demands quiet and instructs one of the guards to cut out his tongue and fill his mouth with salt and throw him into the gutter to be with be beggarsThe King orders all to leave.
After a while a servant approaches, informs Mathus is waiting to see him. The King apologised having doubted him, announces Mathus the next heir to the throne and goes to fight Simonson telling Mathus to govern wisely. This will be a battle he will not be coming back from, leaves Mathus as the King in waiting, departs with the words “say a prayer for me on Christ’s mass, my deeds are great.
But Sickorus, in my other manuscripts is not a human, this play is a one off, but a Spite, a nasty, ugly spiteful, Spite, and what is that you say? Oh, I reply, that is what you''ll have to wait to find out.
I have the complete play, prepared to share the first few scenes.And when at it, check out my other novels,Of Boys, Men and Mountains Anger Child, The Tour.
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheTour.html
Have a good day, and if you can't have a good day, stay away from a bad one.
Regards,
Roy.
Hi, everyone,
I have just written a play, two hours long. Ouch!
I think it's good anyway.
Here is the synopsis, let me know what you think! Sickorus, as a character, he just grew and grew, and he's in three of my other manuscripts.
As yet to be published. My Trilogy of "Through The Oaks" to be published in three volumes.
PLOT FOR PLAY?
SICKORUS.
A battle rages (late autumn) hand to hand combat. Sickorus has killed Simalson, son of Simason the King, by the edge of a river, to the left of him is Mathus a little way down river. Sickorus beaten to the ground by two soldiers trying to aid Simalson, he is at their mercy about to die, Mathus saves him killing the two soldiers.Casualties heavy on both sides, weather closes in, both armies retreat to the opposite banks of the river.
The battle is at an end, no clear winner, autumn, no further conflict until the coming spring.The Lords meet in a tent away from the battlefield concerned the battle indecisive, the King expected a clear victory, anything less would suffer his wrath. Each year the neighbouring Kingdom continually caused trouble from spring until autumn.
The King had had enough, wanted it finished, him the victor, now, come the spring, they would be back raiding and pillaging.The Lords show concern they could lose their land, even their lives for failure. Sickorus suggested overthrowing the King supplanting him with Palas, the nearest heir, Sickorus knew he could control Palas without difficulty and if not there was always poison. At first, a hushed silence – Sickorus knew to fail meant execution for treason, pushed the matter forward. He had the main card still up his sleeve (Act 1 Scene 2).
Already, he had betrayed them to the King.Slowly, the lords moved over to his side except Barus and Mathus. Both adamant that to depose a King would end in destruction for them and the country. Mathus proposes a toast to the King only Barus stands.
The situation defuses when informed by a soldier Palas has not returned and missing, the meeting breaks to search for him.Sickorus and Mathus travel together, at the river go in different directions. Sickorus notices the King’s cousin Palas, wounded in the leg, struggling to get back across the river, the mist closing, raining heavily. The river rises. Sickorus finds Palus, helps, places an arm around him to help cross the river; Palas leans heavily on him for support.He tells Sickorus it is rumoured the queen is pregnant; if true his hopes of being heir to the throne are dashed, glad at the prospect.
Sickorus is shocked at the news; changes everything.(Significant Incident)They approach the centre of the river. Sickorus stabs him in the back, lets him float down river shouting to Mathus on the bank that Palas is dead andthat he has his sword.Punishment was now definite, not only losing the battle but also failing to protect the heir to the throne.
The following day they meet in a tent over a meal. Sickorus stands and toasts the King and Queen, the are Lords startled by his sudden allegiance to the King and Queen. Reluctantly they all stand each distrusting the others’ motives especially so Sickorus. Soon the conversation starts about what the King will do to them.
He had been known to execute for less, ruthless in maintaining power. With no clear heir to the throne, King out of the way, all have a chance at the Crown, only Sickorus knows about the Queen. Ambition, greed, shows in every face, only Sickorus, the initial instigator in regicide vigorously argues the opposite engendering further mistrust.
Lords retire to their own castles to wait events.The King calls a meeting, the lords are hesitant, enter the King’s Castle, divested of their arms. A few protest to no avail, on edge, no one prepared to make the first move against the King. The King enters the hall in a rage berating them about the battle calling them cowards, insisting they should have achieved victory and protected Palas, unceremoniously dismissing them but insist they stay in the castle making sure there are guards with them at all time. When they protest he insists it is for their own protection and are guests.
Two of the lords are in prison accused of treason; the rest feel it will only be a matter of time before all the Lords will be in the same position. Propose a secret meeting not telling Sickorus, Mathus or Barus and plot to overthrow the King. Sickorus finds out about the meeting and turns up uninvited, assures them he is with them and only argued against because Mathus and Barus were present.
Nevertheless, still goes on to argue fearlessly against regicide. “The King is old and has not long to live. Why risk all for the sake of a few years.” They are insecure, feel the King will pick them off one by one, berate Sickorus asking him why he has so conveniently changed his mind reminding him originally it was his idea and demand to know the reason.He procrastinates, fears for his life, pretends he wants the King gone as much as they and only testing their resolve.
They are unconvinced and need proof. Sickorus proposes to kill Barus and Mathus to show his loyalty. They agree, remind him his mother is a “guest” in one of the Lord’s castles and cautions a warning to fail or betray would mean his mother’s death.(First Turning Point)The queen in disguise meets up with Sickorus, confirms she is pregnant with his baby, the King still does not suspect; Sickous cautions her to keep her own council.
If the King knows the Queen is pregnant she will be executed, his baby with it. They had planned to get rid of the King together, she take the throne, Sickorus the consort and is surprised when he changes his mind. He explains the reason. If the King goes when the Lords are alive so does she, sees the logic but points out the danger.
The king has been impotent for years, will know he is not the father, already, he has asked her about the rumour, she vigorously denied but time was short.The King is preparing to round up the Lords on treason; aware they are trying to overthrow him, but needs to be careful, together they are powerful, already, they are in his castle. Sickorus wants this to happen and let things take their course.
When the way is clear he will give the Queen poison to give to the King, they will be together, opposition gone, on the throne with the next heir already in waiting.Sickorus greets Barus as friend, informs they are to meet to appeal to the King against the imprisonment of the two Lords and the others for them to reaffirm fealty to the King all will be well, use the winter to prepare to defeat Simason in the spring.
Barus congratulates him on talking the other Lords round and they ride off together towards the Castle, halfway Sickorus arranges an ambush and Barus is murdered.Sickorus arrives at the Castle dishevelled demands audience with the King, blocked by his personal guard despite his insistence and disarmed. Eventually, escorted into his present the King, angry, reminds to disturb a King at prayer/eating is a serious offence. Sickorus ignores the remark, informs the King there is a revolt in the offing; his life is in danger.
The king is sceptical; the Lords are nowhere near powerful enough and had already decided to divest them of their land and position and safely in the castle under his control, carries on eating.The King asks who the leaders are, reluctantly Sickorus states Mathus, informs Barus and he were on their (reminds the King his warning – Act 1 Scene 2) way to tell the King and ambushed. ‘They’ killed Barus; Sickorus said he escaped showing the King the wound on his arm.
King thanks, reminds he is a member of his personal guard and will take full status when the Lords are executed and instructs the two Lords in prison be executed, Sickorus to officiate. The King promises Sickorus their lands, and instructs him to fetch Mathus alive after the execution of two Lords.
The Lords hold a meeting without Sickorus to discuss if he has completed his gruesome task, still distrustful but they hold the trump card, his mother. To betray, immediately they would execute her, they hear of the executions and escape the castle, they have nothing to lose. Assemble forces against the King, messengers sent to the Saxonits requesting a meeting with their King Simason to join forces united against the King.Sickorus meets up with Mathus tells him the King has sent him to kill him, already, the King has killed Barus and the two imprisoned lords. Mathus is horrified, still refused to go against the anointed King and demands a meeting. Sickorus tell him he’d be dead before he gets near the King and to take flight back to the North and to stay in exile, if seen again he’ll be summarily executed.Sickorus returns, tells the King Mathus has taken flight.
The King berates him for not getting there sooner but is preoccupied with his generals to worry too much, declares he is going after the traitorous Lords to bring them to book. The queen enters tried to persuade the King to hold off a full scale battle with the Lords even thought the King’s army out number them three to one. Argues the vacuum would allow.
Simason the opportunity he needs to mount a full scale battle against them advises, fragmentation at this time too dangerous and urges caution.A messenger informs the lords have joined forces with the Saxonits and amassing at the border. Sickorus and the Queen realise if the King is defeated all is lost Simason would rule both kingdoms and would have his revenge against Sickorus for killing his son. Imperative a peace is brokered, the King is adamant, a victory now would rid him of all his enemies and gives the order to prepare for battle.
Sickorus implores the King to let him at least, go to the Lords to make them see sense and assure them there would be no reprisals and to sit around the table with the King, to air their grievances.The King does realise the danger of a winter campaign. Believes he has the advantage despite the forces being of equal size. He has better trained troops, the risk still high and would like more time to prepare, agrees to let Sickorus go and talk to them to buy time for greater preparation.
The King has no intention other than to destroy the Lords; Sickorus realised, far from convinced the King is strong enough to win.(If the King loses all is lost 2nd turning point)Sickorus secretly meets up with the queen, they make love, implores her to try to persuade the King to offer the Lords an olive branch expressing his doubts about battle. The queen is horrified; losing had not even entered her head. Failing everything, Sickorus is convinced it is better to let the enemy come to them.
They will be outside in the cold weather for many months whereas the King’s men will be rested, fresh for the fight. She tells him the King is pig headed and will do what he wants but she will try to keep him in the castle. Let the weather take its toll on the others not on the King’s forces. She reminds him she cannot keep the pregnancy from the King for more than a few months, if the king is still alive then all will be lost in any event.It looks hopeless.
If the King loses all is lost, if the battle is postponed and not fought until the spring there would be no way the Queen could keep the pregnancy from the King for that long. If the king is not dead by Christ’s mass, it will be to late. Sickorus must get the Lords with Simason to march on the King, the only option open.
Immediately they are defeated, the path would be clear for him and the Queen to realise their plan and kill the King.Unbeknown to Sickorus the King has no intention of chasing the enemy around the country in winter, calls Sickorus, who is about to leave to try to broker a deal, to a meeting. Tells him to bring the enemy to him and he would be waiting giving the exact spot where we wishes to meet them in combat.Sickorus cannot believe his luck, promises to do all in his power to bring the enemy to the King. Rides off thinking the Queen had done her work well.
The plan is back on track. He must persuade the Lords and the Saxonits to move the battle towards the King and into defeat.He rushes off to meet up with the Lords. Astounded at the progress for war in such a short time, starts to have doubts the King could win against such a powerful enemy.
He has the advantage, each side thinks he is with them, realises it may ultimately come down to survival if the King is defeated, sends a secret messenger to the Queen imploring her to go into exile with Mathus until the outcome of the battle is known. If the king loses, without doubt, being pregnant would not save her, in fact, the opposite.Simason enters; the other Lords with Sickorus stand.
He sees the hatred in Simason’s eyes and realises he knows it was he who killed his son. They think he will try to persuade them to not fight the King but to their surprise he tells them the King is weak, will not come to fight believing they will not travel in winter to attack him. Sickorus tells them the King needs time to build up his forces, if they wait until spring it may be too late.Diasus sarcastically asks what is in it for Sickorus, replied nothing other that to keep his land.
The Lords state it is rumoured the King has given their lands to Sickorus as a reward for loyalty Sickorus affirms and gives it back to them. Sickorus knows his fate totally lies with the King. No matter what he does the Saxonite Simason will kill him after the battle, none of the other Lords will intervene on his behalf, already he feels, (and is right) they’re carving up his lands between them.They argue among themselves whether to wait until spring or move and attack the King now.
The Lords wish to wait; Simason wants to move immediately. Sickorus weights in heavily on his side, protesting caution now and all will be lost. The other Lords slowly give ground but are distrustful of Sickorus’ motives. Simason mentions to Sickorus after the battle they have a score to settle.
If the King is defeated there is now no doubt, Simason will take the throne, he and the Queen executed.Diasus asks Sickorus where his soldiers are forcing him to admit with the King. He draws a sword and places it against Sickorus’ neck vowing that if Sickorus double-crosses them he will personally have his head but before that would painfully remove all his fingers and toes one by one. Sickorus vows his men are loyal to him, when the time comes will turn against the King’s men, left them there for that reason and not for the King to get suspicious.
He asks about his mother, Diasus only says she is safe and will remain so as long as Sickorus does not double cross. Demands her release, the other Lords shake their heads and smile. Diasus tells him sarcastically she is under his protection, “as guest and not prisoner.” The message is clear, nothing further he can do, states he must go back to the King not for him to suspect. Sickorus realised he is a prisoner, a message sent to his troops if they fight he will be killed.
The Lords have brokered a deal with Simason and sold Sickorus down the river.They march on the King the battle is long and hard, the King in retreat. They follow to finish, to their surprise the King turns makes a stand on high ground, fighting continues into the night. Casualties are heavy on both sides, just when the Lords and Saxonits think the battle is turning their way Mathus turns up with an army and routes them.
The King wins the day. Simason retreats back into the mountains most of his army destroyed.The Lords die in battle, Diasus manages to escape, on the way back he meets Sickorus. They fight; Sickorus the victor, Diasus tells Sickorus before he is killed his mother is dead, killed by his hand after he raped her.
Sickorus chops off his head, mounts in on a lance, marches forward in triumph looking every inch a King.Sickorus in temper marches on Diasus’ Castle killing all inside, including Diasus wife and three children, burns the castle; all opposition annihilated only the King remains, Sickorus confident the Queen will do her part leaving the path clear for them to take the throne. The only one in the way is Mathus, Sickorus sees little problem, immediately the King is dead, the Queen will announce she is pregnant which will still any opposition.(Third turning point)The King is not as in the dark as Sickorus believes. Aware of the Queen’s infidelity for months with Sickorus and confronts the Queen.
At first she denies, eventually forced to confess stating she was raped by Sickorus and was too ashamed to tell the King, and pregnant, begs the King to forgive, saying she’ll bring the child up as his. If Sickorus is executed no one will be the wiser. (Conclusion)The King finds the poison intended for him, is horrified, pours in down her throat, watches as she writhes in agony.
The fate meant for him. Instruct the servants to disfigure her face and throw her naked body as carrion meat.Sickorus enters triumphantly and immediately escorted in front of the King, He asks about the Queen. The King tells him she is with child and out feeding the birds. Sickorus hedges, congratulates him, the King smiles, asks Sickorus if he’s ready for his final honour and reminds him of his own words “To die serving my King is honour indeed.”Sickorus realised the situation and raises his sword but before he is able to get near the King the palace guards waiting in readiness apprehends him.
The King orders castration, parts thrown after the queen and cuts off his right hand.Sickorus writhes in agony on the floor, the King demands quiet and instructs one of the guards to cut out his tongue and fill his mouth with salt and throw him into the gutter to be with be beggarsThe King orders all to leave.
After a while a servant approaches, informs Mathus is waiting to see him. The King apologised having doubted him, announces Mathus the next heir to the throne and goes to fight Simonson telling Mathus to govern wisely. This will be a battle he will not be coming back from, leaves Mathus as the King in waiting, departs with the words “say a prayer for me on Christ’s mass, my deeds are great.
But Sickorus, in my other manuscripts is not a human, this play is a one off, but a Spite, a nasty, ugly spiteful, Spite, and what is that you say? Oh, I reply, that is what you''ll have to wait to find out.
I have the complete play, prepared to share the first few scenes.And when at it, check out my other novels,Of Boys, Men and Mountains Anger Child, The Tour.
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheTour.html
Have a good day, and if you can't have a good day, stay away from a bad one.
Regards,
Roy.
Hi,
Just thought you may like to see what other people think of my first novel: Of Boys, Men and Mountains.
Please check it out.
ISBN 0 86243 868 3Y Lolfa, 2006262pp, paperback Retail price £6.95 Roy Tomkinson’s book, Of Boys, Men and Mountains, is a true autobiography.
Its author is not a celebrity or the doer of extraordinary deeds, but an ordinary man, whose career the cover blurb supplies minimal details. He writes well, if sometimes sentimentally, about his youth, but he also has a definite story to tell. It is plain to see that he regards it as the story of a community.The key to understanding this appears in the first few pages.
Mr Tomkinson was born in the Rhondda valley, and to reject it (as he did when young) is, he says, "to reject your very existence".
Whilst appreciating the loving environment in which he was raised, he is not blind to his flaws. His mother, a spitting ginger-haired harridan, seems to have ruled the whole street, not to mention his mild-mannered father – a father who, despite his education, earned his living underground. This was not the poorest family in the Rhondda, but their life was without the luxuries we take for granted today.
The characters Roy Tomkinson grew up with were, in many cases, larger than life. They were, and are, real people, the people one still finds in such close communities. The story of Uncle Jack, Roy’s father’s brother who had been paralysed in a car accident, and of the boy’s changing relationship with him, is particularly poignant, not just because of the drama of Jack’s experiences but because of their effect on all those close to him.
The events leading up to Jack’s death are told in the simplest way:"The telegram contained only seven words:‘Jack died at six this morning, sorry.’"Tears started to fill my eyes, and the only word I could hold in my mind was ‘sorry’. It shocked me, that single word of apology for the fact that he was no longer in this world."The narrator’s voice, though often a little regretful, is never gloomy.
The sadness is interspersed with humour, as in that last Christmas get-together when Roy, with his uncle’s collusion, has his first encounter with the demon drink, is sick behind a curtain and blames it on too much turkey.The climax of the book is the mining accident that brings it home to young Roy that the "black gold" on which the valley’s prosperity depends is not always the people’s friend.
The loss of life makes both young and old turn philosophical, but it does not lead them away from the pit. This is what, in the long run, gives the book its significance.When the people of the Rhondda ceased to be dependent on black gold, it was not the cause for celebration it should have been. Roy Tomkinson looks back on those days of suffering and socialising with a heart that is both glad and sorry.
He speaks with the authentic voice of the eye witness who recalls with clarity and recounts exactly what he saw and felt. In years to come, this kind of book will be a valuable historical document, a primary source for those who want to know what the coal industry and the valleys’ communities of the late 1950 and early 1960s were truly like.
This is from a reviewer, please, read the story and let me know what you think,if it doesn't move you, I'll be surprised, very surprised indeed.
Regards,
Roy.
Just thought you may like to see what other people think of my first novel: Of Boys, Men and Mountains.
Please check it out.
ISBN 0 86243 868 3Y Lolfa, 2006262pp, paperback Retail price £6.95 Roy Tomkinson’s book, Of Boys, Men and Mountains, is a true autobiography.
Its author is not a celebrity or the doer of extraordinary deeds, but an ordinary man, whose career the cover blurb supplies minimal details. He writes well, if sometimes sentimentally, about his youth, but he also has a definite story to tell. It is plain to see that he regards it as the story of a community.The key to understanding this appears in the first few pages.
Mr Tomkinson was born in the Rhondda valley, and to reject it (as he did when young) is, he says, "to reject your very existence".
Whilst appreciating the loving environment in which he was raised, he is not blind to his flaws. His mother, a spitting ginger-haired harridan, seems to have ruled the whole street, not to mention his mild-mannered father – a father who, despite his education, earned his living underground. This was not the poorest family in the Rhondda, but their life was without the luxuries we take for granted today.
The characters Roy Tomkinson grew up with were, in many cases, larger than life. They were, and are, real people, the people one still finds in such close communities. The story of Uncle Jack, Roy’s father’s brother who had been paralysed in a car accident, and of the boy’s changing relationship with him, is particularly poignant, not just because of the drama of Jack’s experiences but because of their effect on all those close to him.
The events leading up to Jack’s death are told in the simplest way:"The telegram contained only seven words:‘Jack died at six this morning, sorry.’"Tears started to fill my eyes, and the only word I could hold in my mind was ‘sorry’. It shocked me, that single word of apology for the fact that he was no longer in this world."The narrator’s voice, though often a little regretful, is never gloomy.
The sadness is interspersed with humour, as in that last Christmas get-together when Roy, with his uncle’s collusion, has his first encounter with the demon drink, is sick behind a curtain and blames it on too much turkey.The climax of the book is the mining accident that brings it home to young Roy that the "black gold" on which the valley’s prosperity depends is not always the people’s friend.
The loss of life makes both young and old turn philosophical, but it does not lead them away from the pit. This is what, in the long run, gives the book its significance.When the people of the Rhondda ceased to be dependent on black gold, it was not the cause for celebration it should have been. Roy Tomkinson looks back on those days of suffering and socialising with a heart that is both glad and sorry.
He speaks with the authentic voice of the eye witness who recalls with clarity and recounts exactly what he saw and felt. In years to come, this kind of book will be a valuable historical document, a primary source for those who want to know what the coal industry and the valleys’ communities of the late 1950 and early 1960s were truly like.
This is from a reviewer, please, read the story and let me know what you think,if it doesn't move you, I'll be surprised, very surprised indeed.
Regards,
Roy.
Hi everyone, again,
I’ve been giving quite a lot of thought about Time, and Travelling Through Time of late.
Can it be done?
Some say yes, indeed, there are experiments going on now, as I write, whereby objects are sent back into the past.
And why not!
If you mentioned a few hundred years ago that someday man/woman would be flying, you’d be burnt at the stake.
In my latest Novel, The Tour:
I touch on the subject, and revolve the story around time travel.
Presently, I’m working on another script which goes much deeper into the world of Time Travel. I wonder if anyone else has any ideas about Time Travel and space!
Let me know if you have.
Regards,
Roy.
I’ve been giving quite a lot of thought about Time, and Travelling Through Time of late.
Can it be done?
Some say yes, indeed, there are experiments going on now, as I write, whereby objects are sent back into the past.
And why not!
If you mentioned a few hundred years ago that someday man/woman would be flying, you’d be burnt at the stake.
In my latest Novel, The Tour:
I touch on the subject, and revolve the story around time travel.
Presently, I’m working on another script which goes much deeper into the world of Time Travel. I wonder if anyone else has any ideas about Time Travel and space!
Let me know if you have.
Regards,
Roy.
Diving Around the Isle of Mull, and Scapt Flow, Scotland, by Roy Tomkinson
Hi Everyone,
I'm New, first blog: Roy from Wales, I live In Pontypridd and like to tell you a little about scuba diving in Scotland, especially on the Island of Mull.
I have dived Scapa Flow twice, and Mull once, I think it was in 1992, wasn’t that impressed with Scapa, perhaps it was because it was snowing slightly, and it was cold, but would definitely go back there.
Now Mull, that is altogether another story, we took two dinghies with us (Was a member of Llantrisant Diving Club at the time.) and went across on the ferry, and stayed in Tobermory in two chalets just on the top.
I can’t remember what the site was called, but we used to walk down the steps to the front and go into the pub just over looking the harbour, Mishnish, that's the place, made a lasting impression on me.
We hardly cooked at all, ate nearly every meal in the pub, typical divers. But there you go, we dived two, sometime three dives a day, dry suits mind you, I’m not that brave. I will definitely go back there this year and look over the Island again, and of course, do a few dives and test the beer in the Mishnish.
Anyway, as I was saying, I dived Tobermory a good few years ago, and it had a lasting impression on me. I spent some weeks researching the history of the Island, and it stayed with me for many years before I eventually wrote a story about a diving trip from Wales to Mull, and Duart Castle.
Oh yes, I also mention in the novel the Mishnish, I couldn’t leave that place out of the story. The Mac’ Dougalls and the McLean Clans are also there, as well as some of the humour us divers sometimes displays (sic).
I'm New, first blog: Roy from Wales, I live In Pontypridd and like to tell you a little about scuba diving in Scotland, especially on the Island of Mull.
I have dived Scapa Flow twice, and Mull once, I think it was in 1992, wasn’t that impressed with Scapa, perhaps it was because it was snowing slightly, and it was cold, but would definitely go back there.
Now Mull, that is altogether another story, we took two dinghies with us (Was a member of Llantrisant Diving Club at the time.) and went across on the ferry, and stayed in Tobermory in two chalets just on the top.
I can’t remember what the site was called, but we used to walk down the steps to the front and go into the pub just over looking the harbour, Mishnish, that's the place, made a lasting impression on me.
We hardly cooked at all, ate nearly every meal in the pub, typical divers. But there you go, we dived two, sometime three dives a day, dry suits mind you, I’m not that brave. I will definitely go back there this year and look over the Island again, and of course, do a few dives and test the beer in the Mishnish.
Anyway, as I was saying, I dived Tobermory a good few years ago, and it had a lasting impression on me. I spent some weeks researching the history of the Island, and it stayed with me for many years before I eventually wrote a story about a diving trip from Wales to Mull, and Duart Castle.
Oh yes, I also mention in the novel the Mishnish, I couldn’t leave that place out of the story. The Mac’ Dougalls and the McLean Clans are also there, as well as some of the humour us divers sometimes displays (sic).
The whole action happens on Mull, and would you believe, I couldn’t find a good publisher in UK, most are in London, (Sic) said Mull is too small. “A novel on diving! Diving! The interest is too small, and the history of Mull, not a lot will want to read that.”I told them to p... off.I appointed an agent, and would you believe, in America, they jumped at the story, Americans love Scotland. A diving – time travel story, of a diving club going to Mull from Wales on holiday to dive, and they find a Galleon, and... and... and... I enjoyed writing in anyway. Take a peek:
and check it out, and let me know what you think! You’ll be able to get if from the Library within a few weeks, or of course, should I venture the words, buy it, and let me know what you think of the way I’ve described the diving, and the action.
It’s a story mind you, and not a treatise of diving. Anyway, thanks for listening, and will value your comments. I've also written a few other novels, but they're about Wales, and that is altogether another story.my email is :
It’s a story mind you, and not a treatise of diving. Anyway, thanks for listening, and will value your comments. I've also written a few other novels, but they're about Wales, and that is altogether another story.my email is :
no laughing please, I've had this email years. Yes before I dived in Mull.
Thanks again,
Roy.
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