One in a series of short light-hearted essays on creative writing and sources of inspiration for the aspiring writer.This is one of a series of character interviews from The Flame Before Us. This interview is with Tadugari and Anilat, who fled the destruction of the city of Ikaret and settled in Shalem, at the southern edge of the hill country and a morning's walk from Kephrath. If you like the interview and extract, The Flame Before Us is available as a full-length novel.The Flame Before Us:Conflict and commitment in the shadow of a city's downfallThe raiding ships have come before, but this time it is different. This time the attackers are coming to stay. The great kings and their vassals collapse as the newcomers advance.Walk with refugees, migrants, and defenders of the land alike, as they struggle to create a different way of life beside the ruins of the old. Can alliance, commitment and love survive the turmoil?

Mozart’s legendary genius for composing beautiful music inspires others in many fields to be as creative, as wrapped in the beauty of their works, as he was in his. These little broadsheets reflect personal inspirations gained from my creative writing efforts, while drinking in all the wonderful and inspiring compositions of a young man two hundred years older than me.“Looking at her weakened body, my eyes got lost in a far-away universe. She was still beautiful. Still smiling. Even now. Worried about her hairstyle. About what people may see in her. How she was dressed. Ensuring she always remains a desired woman. She remained somehow the cute yet sexy woman I once enjoyed life with.”It all started as a teenage romance. To be then put at risk by the cold breeze of death. Twice. “Twice”, a fictional memoir by Frank van der Kok is not a love story. Rather the story of love. Of true love. One that endures time. And a brain damage caused by an unfortunate car accident. And breast cancer. Will it endure further trials? Frank van der Kok tells this unique and touching story in a light and informal way. As if we would be discussing throughout the night, at the candle light, over a good old wine. Dare to open his books. You will never put them down again...Dare to step in. Read on and experience a unique life story. With its immense swings. I will take you to the ups and downs of Flower’s story. Hell and Heaven in one place. Past, present and future combined in one dimension.Inspired by a true life experience.“She was beautiful. Amazing. Gorgeous. Angelic. We didn’t organise too much the details, yet, it was all out of a perfect romance. Calm rays of the sun peeked into the church through the tall windows. To then meet her white dress and create a unique glitter all around. The stone walls that always seemed cold to me, now warmed up when reflecting the smooth sounds of the organ. She was approaching in small steps. Normally I’m against ceremonies and formal events. Not extremely patient either... Yet, in that loving moment I was enjoying every second of it. Her face started revealing itself to me more and more, as she was approaching. Her smiling, joyful face. Always loved her smile. All women are most beautiful when smiling. Their cheeks play along, creating a new harmony. Making them cute and lovable. Flower was maxing out this experience. Her eyes were, to be more precise. She was smiling through her eyes. One could easily see the sparkle of happiness in her smile. The dress, the organ, it all made it even more amazing.- I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life."Frank van der Kok is a Hungarian writer, currently living in Netherlands. Author of “Fights of Your Life” and “Twice”, a series of fictional memoire.Frank van der Kok's dèbut novel, the Fights of Your Life was first released in Hungarian in September 2013, to be then published in April 2014 in English as well. It tells the story of a young woman fighting for her life after a severe car accident. The story of Flower now continues. Only years after recovering from a severe brain damage, Flower is now back in the surgery rooms. To fight the biggest nightmare of our times - cancer. Will she survive? Twice?

A conversation about characters in our writings, and why there are some Good Things we might be wise to observe when we create our actors in our stories...'Mind Verses' is a collection of poetry and prose that is born from the author's experiences, musings and in moments of joy, insecurity, grief and the feelings that are sometimes hard to voice. The four parts in the collection-Life, Love, Loss and Lessons are written with the hope to resonate with you, the reader.

Mozart was a prolific composer, and he had a huge amount of material to draw upon as he continued to compose new pieces. This is very liberating, helping him find more thematic ideas. As a writer, you also can help your efforts by seeing again what you’ve already written. At the same time, you can – and should – get the courage to throw out stuff you’ve written and start over.When Chris Sainz comes into his family’s heritage of becoming a medium/psychometrist, he pays a heavy price for it. He pays for his gifts by going into seizures, comas or developing hypothermia after each paranormal experience. If that’s not all, the legendary Pirate Games are about to take place just off Puerto Rico and the Eagle’s Rook and its crew have a long history winning these games. In the end, the crew of the Eagle’s Rook wins the Pirate Games. Chris and his father find his old friend, Sam, aboard an old enemy’s ship and bring him to the Eagle’s Rook where he is reunited with his old friend.