Chinese Whisperings

Before pursuing writing full time Edwina travelled widely, spending extended periods in South East Asia. She has worked as a teacher in a maximum security detention centre for young men, special schools, and in the mid-nineties established an English language school in Cambodia.

Edwina holds a masters degree in Creative writing from the University of Queensland and has had short stories published in literary journals such as Griffith REVIEW, Asia Literary Review, Hecate and Island Magazine. Her debut novel, Thrill Seekers, will be published by Ransom Publishing (UK) in mid-2010.

Edwina was one of the first new writers to be approached, thanks to a personal connection with Chinese Whisperings editor Jodi

Jodi is a member of my writing group here in Brisbane, and I was interested to see her working through the Red Book. I like the idea of linking with other people’s characters.

Read Edwina’s full bio and enjoy more of her writing at Food for the Writers’ Spirit.

Tomorrow we introduce our final male writer Benjamin Solah to the Chinese Whisperings family.

A notorious late developer; Jason has made it his lifework to learn from the mistakes of those who foolishly developed before him.

To that end he is currently travelling the world to see how many countries he can live, work and write in… before creeping ineptitude and the usual suspects demand he settle down and pay heed to his weakling vegetarian body.

We asked Jason why he considered coming back to write this year and in true Jason style, this is what he told us:

So, you want to know why I’ve come back for a second crack at Chinese Whisperings, huh? Okay, I’ll tell you and then maybe – just maybe – you can have a word with my editors for me. Something about making good promises made, perhaps?

It has been a year, nearly to the month since I spawned “Something Mean in the Dream Scene.” Twelve months, post partum so to speak. And here I sit, my worldly affairs entirely and utterly unaltered by that fact. The tedious circumstances of my life, the apartment in which I hammer out these words, hell, even my selection of wildly out-of-date and ill-fitting clothing have – to the atom! – remained completely unchanged by the experience.

What is wrong with reality when it steadfastly refuses to acknowledge that I, Jason Coggins once wrote a story and that that story once ended up in a short story anthology? I’ll tell you what’s wrong with it: Editors … that’s what!

What I naïve fool I was not have recorded FBI stylee each and every word of the midnight dealings and wrangling that went on during the editorial process of The Red Book. If only I had some kind of … evidence … to prove that the charges I make here are not just another brand of fiction! But I have nothing, except this list scrawled meaningfully with deliberate hand and a rusty compass, into the lid of my desktop.

Oh, ho hum (fiddling with the beautiful razorblade)… dare we ask what the allegations are?

Promise number 1: “Upon completion of “Something Mean in the Dream Scene” we the editors do solemnly promise to bequeath unto Jason Coggins a lifetime’s supply of the finest, made to measure codpieces any man could want.”

Promise number 2: “Upon completion of “Something Mean in the Dream Scene” Jason Coggins will be granted the ability to transform into a griffin once a day.”

Promise number 3: “Upon completion of “Something Mean in the Dream Scene” we the editors do solemnly promise to employ, for solely politically incorrect reasons, a ‘little person’ to serve in capacity as a court jester for the aforementioned Jason Coggins.”

So there you have it folks, the reasons why I have returned for the second Chinese Whisperings book.

It has nothing to do with artistic aspirations, the joy of working with such nice people and the pride in backing a worthy project. No! It is solely about the accumulation of medieval fashions, a lust for supernatural abilities and the opportunity to chase a diminutive person around a car park whilst brandishing an inflated pig’s bladder … on a stick.
One day, I will get what’s coming to me. You’ll see.

You can read Jason’s full bio or check out his literary adventures as the Hedge Monkey at Moult World.

Tomorrow the ever patient, Edwina Shaw, gets to stride out on stage and take her official place among the Chinese Whisperings female writers, as the final writer in The Yin Book.

Chinese Whisperings

Annie juggles motherhood and sharing her message through writing projects, line drawings and community workshops. Fiction is her passion, indulging in the sensuousness of descriptive narrative and the emotional drive of her misunderstood characters.

Annie explores themes in humanity, feminism, spirituality and sharing her journey as a woman and mother in all her outlets of creativity. She refuses to be tied down to any one genre, preferring instead to go where her characters lead her.

Annie was thrilled to be asked to return to the Chinese Whisperings project, as the experience the first time round enabled her to grow as a writer.

I was so traumatised by the editing and critique experience in 2009 that I lined up immediately to volunteer for 2010s edition. I found that I learnt so much from being under the grindstone; of having the tight time pressure and expectations that words and ideas began to flow directly from the source. There simply wasn’t the energy or time for Ego to attend the party.

We didn’t really need to ask Annie the second time; when we first floated the idea she immediately volunteered to sign on for a second tour of duty.

The extended idea of the web of stories, further intensifying the intrigue of this anthology has excited me. The line up of talented, passionate emerging writers has forced me to bring my standards to the next level.

Read Annie’s full bio, enjoy more of her writing at Annie Evett’s Bookshelf and read an extract of Kraepelin’s Child from The Red Book).

Tomorrow we welcome back Jason Coggins.

After taking things as far as he could with writing, editing and producing scripts Richard  left his TV agent in search of a literary one. He got one on the back of his first novel, Cockroach Surfing (the diary of a drug addled recluse living in a dystopian future on a diet of junk food and movies).  In 1999 he was called ‘soon-to-be-published’ by Publishing News.

Richard’s first book to print, Stop Me, was published in 2009.

When asked about collaborative writing Richard had this to say:

I’ve tried writing with other people in the past and have always disliked the process. If you’re sat in the same room as someone, even though you both have a common creative goal, you both have different writing rhythms. It’s always frustrated me so I like to do things at my own pace.

But Richard sees Chinese Whisperings as a world removed from any other collaborating writing he’s been part of.

I think the Chinese Whisperings global writing concept is a very 21st Century one and I like the idea of creating something based on material a writer on the other si exde of the globe has created without the restrictions a direct collaboration can sometimes have.

And the verdict?

Sounds like fun!

You can read Richard’s full bio here and explore the world of STOP ME.

Tomorrow we welcome back the divine Annie Evett – forever a sucker for a collaborative writing adventure.

Some writers are inspired by the [Fiction Friday] prompt at Write Anything and others contribute to JM Strother’s #FridayFlash via Twitter.

We hope you take the time to enjoy the varied and entertaining array of stories this week.

• When white is no longer white, in “A Soap Opera” by Paul Servini
• Sometimes you just lay down and wait for what’s coming, in “Roadkill” by Dan Powell
• Gregor wakes to find reality has gone a bit furry, in “Gregor the Rat” by Benjamin Solah
• Chronos and Death hit the beach in “Surf’s Up” by Laura Eno
• Nothing needed is lost, in “All of Me” by Carrie Clevenger
• All those dead flies just can’t be wrong, can they, in “Parole Board” by Tony Noland
• Short skirts, roller blades and hot red slicks, in “Blood Derby” by Jodi Cleghorn.
• Time has run out for Cathy and she has to make her third wish, but will she impress Lord Poppy, in “The Third One” by Emma Newman.

Like fellow Canadian Jasmine, Jen now lives in London, England, but remains a Canuck through and through.

Jen has participated in six of the last eight National Novel Writing Months, and in addition to her NaNo novels has written three and a half other books. Her staple genres are mystery and suspense, but she’s willing to give other genres a go, as she feels that the best stories are universal.

Jen provided the first review of The Red Book after its launch, and jumped at the chance to take part in the new anthology.

I see short fiction as something that can be incredibly powerful when done right, sometimes even more effective than a novel. So although I usually concentrate on novel-length fiction, I have great respect for short stories and I try to practice them as often as possible. While reading “The Red Book” I was struck by how each story built on the others and at the end I had a great picture of much more than just each character’s perspective. Together they were powerful. So when I was approached to participate in the next anthology, I couldn’t pass up the chance to be a part of that effect. I hope I do it justice.

Read Jen’s full bio and enjoy more of her writing at Scribo Ergo Sum.

Tomorrow we bring you a list of some of the finest short story writing available for free, for your reading pleasure.

Rob’s early dreams of interstellar space travel were grounded by the poor supply of freshly brewed coffee available to the intergalactic traveller, and so from an early age began to write science fiction stories in an effort to explore new worlds from the comfort of warm coffee shops.

A deep abiding love for coffee really only has applications in two careers; software engineer or writer, and Rob has managed to be both, amongst a host of other careers, all of which equip him to write about coffee and its ability to help people overcome their troubles with life, love and zombies.

Rob now calls Hamilton, New Jersey his home, which he shares with his wife, two children, dog, tropical fish and many houseplants.

Just don’t mention kittens. It’s a long story. They’re evil. Trust us on this one.

When asked what he enjoyed most about Chinese Whisperings last year, Rob said:

I really enjoyed the concept of The Red Book and the way it was written in a sequential fashion. The build-up of fear and anticipation as I awaited my turn to write made the project that much more daunting and exciting because I had time to think about the upcoming work but no time to plan ahead since I would not know anything about the story preceding my own until the day I was to start writing.

Believe it or not, I enjoyed the editing and revision process, too! Don’t get me wrong – the rewrites and edits and occasional disagreements or contradictions were frustrating at times. But through it all, I was writing and I was learning different ways to tell my story with fewer or better or different words. Seeing the story grow and change over time was rewarding.

Most important, I enjoyed seeing the finished product. Each story in The Red Book is very good and enjoyable to read, but each story was written somewhat on its own, intended to be able to stand on its own. When I read the final draft and saw the entire big picture as it came together piece by piece, I was very happy with it. The Red Book is a book that is greater than the sum of its very great parts and seeing it come together was very enjoyable.

What prompted Rob to say yes to a second round?

Well, I could say that I’m a glutton for punishment, but as true as that may be, it would not be enough of a reason for me to accept a second round of Chinese Whisperings.

I am really quite looking forward to seeing how the second book comes together and how it grows and evolves. The concept was great for the first round but as with any new idea there were things that could have been improved or tweaked, so I’m interested in seeing how these changes come together. One area I thought could be improved was the feeling of camaraderie amongst all of the authors. I am already feeling more of a team spirit to the group for this second round – between the fan page and the chain story and the banter on Facebook or Twitter, it is amazing to see everyone getting to know one another and just being creative. I was a somewhat late addition to the writing crew for The Red Book so I don’t know if a similar feeling existed at the beginning of the first round or not, but I get the impression that it is different this time. I tend to feel more productively creative around other people who are being creative, so I feel that this could be good and healthy for me!

Finally, it is clear from feedback I’ve received after the first round that I need to find a use for the chicken that was wearing red rubber pants in one of my drafts for “Out of the Darkness”. I’m not sure if this book will be the one that is graced by my well-dressed chicken, but I think it is an idea that warrants investigation!

Read Rob’s full bio, enjoy more of his writing at Thirteenth Dimension or read an extract of Out of the Darkness from The Red Book.

Tomorrow we welcome new writer Jen Brubacher to the stage.

Northern born and now London based, Icy has been writing for as long as she can remember, moving from wax crayons to digital publishing, via typewriters and creative writing classes.

She decided to become a writer when she was 16, and has spent the past decade honing the craft, writing short stories, flash fiction, and in 2008 she completed her first novel, a supernatural middle grade novel which she is currently redrafting.

When asked if she wanted to participate in this year’s anthology, it didn’t take Icy long to answer:

I said yes because I was really impressed by the outcome of 2009’s Chinese Whisperings, and I think it’s a fantastic concept! I’m a big fan of the short story, and it’s being used in such an interesting way. Writers by nature are solitary creatures, so it’s nice to be able to take part in something collaborative!

Read Icy’s full bio and enjoy more of her writing at Icy’s Blunt Pencil.

Tomorrow we welcome back Rob Diaz.

Without J.M. and without #FridayFlash the line up for both the Yin and Yang books would look very different. I would venture to say, we may not even have been audacious enough to try the “mated anthology” concept without the wonderful writers we’ve networked with through #FridayFlash.

So, without further ado, I give you – JM Strother, the 7th writer of the Yang Book!

J. M. Strother writes fiction, essays, and poems from his home in St. Louis, Missouri. He experiments on his blog, Mad Utopia, with new approaches to writing in this new era of publishing. Chinese Whisperings had the luck of being the first publishing venture showcased on Mad Utopia last year.

J.M. is currently in the process of compiling The Best of Friday Flash 2009 (affectionately known as BOFF09) along with a cast of many, which will be available for release later this year.

We asked J.M. why he accepted the invitation to be part of the Yang Book, he had this to say:

Over the course of the last year I have come to know some of the people involved with the original Chinese Whisperings fairly well. They’ve always been top notch, and a pleasure to deal with. So when the opportunity came along to actually work with them I simply had to hop aboard.

You can read J.M’s full bio here and enjoy more of his weekly fiction at Mad Utopia.

Tomorrow we welcome new writer, Icy Sedgwick to the stage.

Supreme Commander of the Squirrel Army, this self-confessed media whore bides her time before the Squirrocalpyse by reading extensively, swimming and partying at the weekends.

A keen traveller, Jasmine has a wish-list of “must visit” countries before she returns to her homeland of Canada in 2011, leaving us to the mercies of her furry minions. The combination of an over-active imagination and a voracious appetite for reading encourages her to create her own short stories when the muse visits.

Jasmine was excited to be part of Chinese Whisperings the first time round.

What I enjoyed most from the Chinese Whisperings 2009, was being part of something bigger than my own writing. The cohesion between the different stories (led by our excellent editors!) made it more interesting and it was a good challenge to try to marry my own narrative to the ones that came before.

Jasmine very soon agreed to be part of the second anthology, and was the one who first described it as more like a web than a chain:

I agreed to the second round as the basic premise is interesting to me. In my mind, it’s less a windy road than a spider’s web with many different paths to choose. Also, being part of Chinese Whisperings forces me to overcome my own procrastination

Read Jasmine’s full bio, enjoy more of her writing at Strange But True… and read an extract of Not My Name from The Red Book).

Tomorrow we introduce JM Strother to the Chinese Whisperings Family.