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  • Oct. 29th, 2007 at 12:58 PM
horror centre of the north west, horror, Jackie Coupe

Sinister Sisters: http://www.lulu.com/content/1321346

 

It is on sale now. It has taken ten months. It wasn’t rushed and hastily thrown together. Ruby needed to find her pen and explore the realms of literacy she had longed to do for years. I had to learn the art of the editor and understand that presentation is everything.

We have grown and learnt so much from this. Not least of all that we have some very, very weird ideas about perception.  We both have an off centre view of the world and can see dark shapes where others only see absence of light.

She did well. After perhaps years of art with no words she flexed her fingers and the keyboard became her tool of choice as opposed to charcoal, pen or paint.  She took flight.  I was very honoured to have been there to witness that.  She will go on and write longer and more intricate pieces given time. 

Me?  I have started writing ‘Between the Devil and the deep blue Sea’ and at the beginning of December I start my joint venture with award winning authoress Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc.  We will see whether 666 can be divisible by two.

I continue to put my photography up for public amusement here: http://jackiecoupe.deviantart.com/

I would love to have more time to spend on photography but things have been very hectic lately.  Love, life, learning…and the boring old ‘day job’.

There are worse things I suppose.

 

Take care and if anyone would be interested in reviewing Sinister Sisters officially, just drop me a line.

 

Thanks

 

Jackie Coupe - Bibliography

  • Sep. 7th, 2007 at 4:20 PM
horror centre of the north west, horror, Jackie Coupe

Bibliography – Jackie Coupe

 

‘The Girl’s Club’ by Jackie Coupe


She needed to break out of her rut and go somewhere new. A place where life was vibrant and free. Where she could have what she had longed for.

Karen had always known she was gay. It wasn’t easy to reconcile herself with at first, she masqueraded her intentions and kept to herself mostly.

When the chance came up to move from England to the sunnier climes of Los Angeles she jumped at the chance. She would become a PA, she would be working at Tarkingtons, one of the most prestigious law firms in LA.

Meeting new people isn’t always easy, she was exotic by nature over there, a limey, a crazy Brit. There were appreciative glances and murmurs followed her as she made her way around the office for the first time. Most of them seemed to have tattoos on there hands. Roman Numerals. They were graded, and not a man in sight.

She knows she is suddenly surrounded by warm and willing women. Karen knows there must be a catch.

Over the coming months she is thrust ever deeper into an exclusive club. A members only club. A girls only club. ‘The Chain’ The membership comes with a price. Secrets lie beneath the surface at Tarkingtons. ‘The Chain’ and all those on it seeking to improve their standing, whether it be for personal gain or business needs. Its dog eat dog.

Karen takes it in her stride until it becomes clear that a high ranking member on ‘The Chain’ has a few loose screws, and a penchant for cutting flesh.

Karen falls in love little realising that her amore is the object of her bosses desire; she’s going to find out. And much more besides.

‘The Chain’, from the top all the way down to the bottom is going to show you just what puts LA bitches in heat. A hard fast trip through La-La land.

Cross them at your own risk.

The mafia with PMS.

Hot and deadly.

Goodfellas meets the ‘L’ word

http://www.lulu.com/content/740050 - download £2.99


             
RazorFace – Genesis by Jackie Coupe
 

In the future there are no nuclear families for the majority of Earths population.

People are raised in laboratories, grist for the war on terror that no one truly knows who started anymore.

There is only death, war and destruction.

You have to make a choice, follow orders and serve the World Council, or die in the vastness of desert that now covers most of the planets surface.

The World Council and its delegates want to make sure that the American States and its allies have the most advanced weaponry. Cyber-genics and ‘pseudo sentient’ implant grafting has begun in earnest. The race is on to create a man-of-war machine that only has one purpose, to mindlessly serve. An expendable resource to be cultivated and nurtured.

They have made many mistakes, namely soldiers who have been horribly maimed and tortured in the name of progress.

The one thing they were unprepared for however was success.

The most fearsome creature on earth will always be man.

The most feared amongst those…will be RazorFace.

http://www.lulu.com/content/1123404 - download £2.25

 

ScissorLips Genesis by Jackie Coupe

 

The beginning of a journey.
Earth has very little future.
She uses her dark gift to give release to those in need.


She walks alone in the midst of death. She has been given a gift. A chance to use her 'talents' to bring release to those without hope. A prostitute with more than meets the eye. Her favourite customer has created his ultimate sexual fantasy using her body. But now she wants MORE!

The first ScissorLips section.

http://www.lulu.com/content/107627 - download £1.29

 

Witness: The White Volume by Jackie Coupe

(As recommended by Chainsaw Sally!)

 

Excerpt –


'You brought something back with you this time James, it’s the other power,
the only other being who could bring you back to life, it knows your fears and
now you will be haunted until you die, and perhaps even then it wont be over
for you, you fucked about with your life and now your living on the wrong side
of the world, it’s a thin membrane at the best of times but you punched through
it, not once but twice, you’ve made a hole big enough to bring back your illness James…'

http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/1846851467/ref%3Dpd_rvi_gw_2/026-6663537-5160447 - £6.66 for paperback book

 

Witness: The Black Volume by Jackie Coupe

(As recommended by Chainsaw Sally!)

 

This is a second visit for Witness, he has decided he needs more amenable playmates.
There is an epic battle going on between good and evil.
Where does Witness fit into this?
Where would he like to fit into this?
It may all come down to a greedy man and his taste for young ladies.

Suicide is a sin, sin is succulent!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/1846850800/ref%3Dpd_rvi_gw_2/026-6663537-5160447 - £8.99 for paperback book

 

Magazines featured in

 

Worlds Within – Worlds Beyond by Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc

Dark Gothic Resurrected by Mistress Rae

Twisted Dreams Magazine by Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc

Decadence of the Dead by Hoo Haa online publishers

 

 

Official website: www.jackiecoupe.com

Also on myspace, facebook, freewebs and blogger!

Feel free to come and chat guys!
Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

Jackie Coupe world updates

  • Aug. 31st, 2007 at 4:16 PM
horror centre of the north west, horror, Jackie Coupe

Daibhidh MacAdhaimh - of AD fame and local disrepute will be meeting me in Manchester tomorrow with his self-confessed mentally disturbed daughter.  I got chatting to the big guy when I realised he comes from Blackburn Midlothian whereas I come from Blackburn in the North West.  My intimates will tell you I am a big circle karma queen and if something links I follow it.

I further found out the dude liked digital photography, painting, poetry and being witty.  A nice guy.  His daughter Sharon used to be a morticians assistant. I am going to ask as many inappropriate stomach churning questions as I can think of whilst we have our meal.

;)

The book front: Witness: The White Volume may realistically see bookshelves by Halloween. It’s been a long drawn out saga and there have been many times when I have almost thought, f*ck it, why has it got to be so hard. Why has it got to be that you meet people who just want to take the piss out of you? Why has it got to be that as an independent people just want to f*ck you over for whatever small amount of cash you might make as a blue collar Joe.

But I suppose I always knew it wasn't going to be easy. I know a lot more than I used to, I know that 90% of the people in and around this business are mealy mouthed dicks looking to extort a little more misery by capitalising on someone’s ambitions.

I say FUCK them! 

On a much lighter note now - I am seeing someone.  It’s been a long time since I had that kind of attention.  I think it’s made me a little bolder and ready to tackle these bottom feeders I have come into contact with.  It’s a really nice feeling.

The new website www.jackiecoupe.com is up and running. Designed and hosted by Chad Savage. I am not doing too well in keeping my blogs updated and I haven't really had time for many photos but I will make up for this in three weeks time when I travel to Castle Rock Colorado. Yep.  I'm going to Stephen King country and I am blown away. It'll be a mix of pilgrimage and writing. A little fresh air, some cowgirls and a touch of melancholy for my girl back home.  I'm going to empty my head.  A project I've had ticking over for many moons may just get its chance out there.

They get 300 days of sun in Denver, its rustic, there are trees and bears. My nearest and dearest are worried about the fact that I can get lost in the local cornershop. I look at it this way, some of the most interesting things happen when you get lost. That wrong turn or missed signal could be the start of anything and if it’s the final thing I will be ready.

Before I forget, I went to Manchester Pride, briefly, whoda thought The Evil Lord would be like a fish out of water...hahahahah

 

Nevermind - later gang

x

horror centre of the north west, horror, Jackie Coupe

As far as natural sprawls go it’s by far one of the biggest and well kept pieces of land in the North West. Supported and financed by the National Trust it is the place where many track and field events are held. Not to mention car shows and gymkhanas.

Anyway, it is also home to Pleasington Cemetery. It sits like a jaded jewel on the highest hill and this is often were I find myself skulking about with my camera.

I go by bike. I take my camera, bottled water and mobile phone in case of problems.

Now, Saturday evening past the sun was blazing in Blackburn when I got home from work. It’s been absolutely dull and rainy for eons now and my blood was up for a shoot. I wolfed my meal down and got into my dandiest cycling shorts.

The woods are 8 minutes by bike. 6 if I ‘shag arse’ as the Americans say. I was down by the sports track at about 6 and the trees were aflame with light and sun. I flew down the main path and into the heart of the woods. As crazy as I am I won’t go into the woods in bad light. I don’t know what it is but bad light speaks of evil to me and I don’t go where I don’t feel comfortable.

I wasn’t thinking much about the exact spot. Halfway up the big wooded rut there’s a mini stream of water running down the middle so I walk my bike. Its way too slippery to keep peddling and I had more than my share of ‘crotch crashes’ for one lifetime.

Well...

I realise where I am and that it’s been a really long time sce I was last here when I enter a clearing at the top and see a bench. This was were we headed when we hooked out of school on lunch break. After 15 years all the markers are still there, a line in the grass from the far side where we came across the field, a tree that looks obscenely like it’s tried to get back under the ground to protect its seed, (that or hide from me), and a mud track behind the trees leading up and away.

I took the mud track and ended up carrying my bike. It’s at that point I’m not sure 14 years of cigarettes was a good idea but I persevere. Halfway there and I am reminded what the last slipped disc I had felt like. I still persevere. I reach the top and drop the bike in a heap. My heads whizzing and I’m going to fall back down the track so I dipsy doodle and put my butt down.

This is the place!

I check my mobile, no messages. That’s fine. I drink some water, I’m knackered. I pick up my bike and wander over to the stones in the ground. What a magical place this is! I’m wearing a light blue tie and muddy shoes. I can all but see Michael and Amanda trying to get a rope to go over the biggest branch on a nearby tree to make a swing.

The stones you ask? Well, here is where I put my historian hat on, I say!

To look upon you wouldn’t immediately think you were standing in what used to be the foundations of someone’s home. Not just any house either. but a grand estate that owned all the land upon which the natural park now stands in perpetuity.

Well – Witton Park, Originally called Etherly and Witton, opened with a railwy line in 1843. It was very close to a large coal pit, The Phoenix mine, and it had been transporting coal through there since 1825. The idea to formalise it as a transport station made thoroughfare in the North West to all points south an incredibly easier process.

The stones and steps were part of the station masters house!

But wait, there’s more. It was closed as a mine transportation network in 1965. Most of the platforms and bays were hastily demolished for development of the vast acerage of land suddenly available for perspective home builders.

Had it not been for one particularily special visit when HRH the Queen Mother spent a night at the remaining lodgings in Witton on an auspicious evening which led to eht birth of ‘Witton Park Community Association’. She slept in what used to be a railway siding.

Of the original houses that stood around the previously thriving rail depot, 88 of 650 were left standing. Granada, (one of the main tv channels), called it ‘The Village that would not die’ in a report transmitted in 1978, I would have been a year old, (yeah right).

It limped along in trusts and meetings but it was made clear by royal decree and sanction that the site would remain undeveloped. The public footpaths would be maintained. The natural tracks and walkways would be mapped and the land would in all essences become the property of Joe Public.

So there I am. Sat on an obscure couple of stone steps under a tree lined canopy, barely able to see the blazing sun because of the foliage and the 'Photo Gods' smile at me.

Click!

Shot on a 6mp camera with night time frame settings and half light at 1.7 with monochrome finish. It’s a Kodak which although relatively cheap, has taken some amazing photos.

Of the few I took that evening, this was the one I was most pleased with.

I think you can easily imagine a platform, next to it a puffing steam train. The whooping cry of a whistle…

Of course this wasn’t all stuff I knew at school! Ha, I think I’ve done most of my learning since leaving to be honest but it was well loved and attended when we needed it back then.

Happy snapping!

Demon Possession - do I believe?

  • Jun. 16th, 2007 at 6:23 PM
horror centre of the north west, horror, Jackie Coupe

Demon Possession

 

It’s a phenomenon that has never ceased to amaze me. We’ve pretty much all seen the movies, The Exorcist, The Haunted, The exorcism of Emily Rose. You watch in near religious terror as wholesome family gets destroyed by the forces of darkness.

Then you ask yourself…what do I, (you), believe.

I asked myself the question after many years of being afraid to broach the question. We had some very strict RE teachers at school and believe it or not, I took it to heart when they said films of this type were the devils work. I also believed them when they said they can leave a mark on you. Like a calling card, should a wandering demon know of your interest you increase the risk.

Anyway, after learning later in life that its OPINION and not FACT these statements were based on I am very much open to looking at the phenomena and what it entails.

What stories am I tempted to believe? Now that’s hard because you never know these days how much ‘spin’ has been placed on a film to hype attention. We’ve all seen absolutely fantastic reviews then sat through a shit flick, cursing the name of shock and awe publicity. I mentioned three film titles above and out of the three, The Haunted, is the most credible account I feel I have seen. The written account was a multi written effort by:

Robert Curran – a long time family friend and priest

Ed and Lorraine Warren – notably respected paranormal researches and investigators

The Smurl family – victims of the haunting and demonic infestation

 

 Why do I believe this account more than the others?

The Warrens and their involvement for one, their work in the field of authenticating paranormal/spiritual phenomena is immense. Lorraine Warren is an extremely sensitive medium and had identified many ghostly presences and talked with many more. Ed, who passed last year, was known to have a no bullshit attitude to investigation and suffered no hoaxes. If something wasn’t on the level, he brought it out into the open. What they didn’t believe was in giving credibility to hoaxers even if did bring notice to the field of paranormal investigation.

Secondly, Robert Curran, a man of the cloth, something I think many people can put faith in regardless of the tattered reputation of men/women of the faith. Yes there are ‘bad’ priests, this man did everything he could to help this family; he put himself at risk many times and suffered odd illnesses every time he got deeply involved. There was no personal gain for him via his involvement.

Finally, and this may sound odd, it was made into a crappy .made for TV’ movie. No big screens and flashing adverts for this movie. Just a small TV movie that frightened me very much a long time ago,

So in closing for this brief look at demon possession I asked myself the question:

 

Why is the phenomenon no longer as prevalent or reported as it was 25 years ago?

 

I kind of already knew the answer to this; we live in very jaded times. We doubt each and everything because we are the generation being lied to on a daily basis by the media, government officials and just about anyone who thinks they can make a buck out of it.

There is no value in truth anymore!

Further to that we have a very large decline in faith and the following of religions. Almost ALL religions are open to the idea of possession and demons. They have their own names and purposes and they exist for more or less the same reasons.  

Christian theology, in the Middle Ages, deemed the concept of demonic possession heretical, so anyone displaying unusual behaviour or a strange personality was automatically suspect of being possessed by the Devil. (The Devil or his demons who did the possessing were called the 'energumenus,' and the possessed person was the 'energumen'). In this era people were closer to Christ and God, and therefore more fearful of the Devil.

I would recommend reading the following titles:

The Haunted: One Family's Nightmare

The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Graveyard: More Terrifying Than Stephen King - Because It's True! – by Ed and Lorraine Warren

Thank you for reading.

– Source Mystica.com

 

I believe in Demon Possession this much - 80%

Tags:

World Wide Blog!

  • Jun. 11th, 2007 at 3:01 PM
horror centre of the north west, horror, Jackie Coupe

There are so many places to have a blog nowadays I am in awe of the multi-faceted amount of crap I write to put up.

I then wondered why I hadn’t just been doing one good blog for ALL places.

My excuse is that as a writer my mind is running through dark and winding roads where the blood awaits.

Ok…

 

I might be missing out on many contacts and I have misplaced a person or three. I want all my people back!

Email me at authorenquiries-books(at)yahoo.co.uk and say: Oi Jackiesmacks, remember me you lousy Limey shit?

 

It will make me smile.

 

To catch up then and make any new lookers aware of the my portfolio

 

The list of current available titles is:

 

Witness: The White Volume – demons, suicide, British thriller. This story revolves our ‘White/good’ main character James Collins and the actual demons he brings back each time he commits suicide. The first large release I had. As an aside it’s making the jump from online bookstores to real bookshops this summer.

Witness: The Black Volume – demons, suicide, rape and degradation. This story revolves around Arthur Gillis our ‘Black/bad’ character metaphorically speaking. He actually begins to enjoy the demons he can now control. It’s very dark; there are many scenes of a violent graphic nature. I did get some feedback on this one from one particular reviewer, (Think it was Coffeetime but don’t quote me), that it was one step up from snuff. I took it as a compliment of course.

Wallpaper – this is an ebook only and you can get it from Fictionwise amongst other places.

It is a short story about dementia and decorating and a man who is living alone. A reviewer for C2G2 advised readers of Stephen King will love it. I think that’s very nice to hear, but I would like people to read it and like it because it’s like me!

The Girls Club – this is a book full of gangster lesbians. They eat and beat other for about 280 pages of unbridled absurdity. It is only really going to appeal to certain types of readers. The undiscerning multi-orientated type. It’s also only available on Lulu, it’s only really suitable for adults though, and it’s got some very adult content.

Glasshouses – a zombie short tale that you can read for free right now be registering for a free account at www.evil-raw.com ! The site is the official home of Hoo Haa online publishers and the idea is they let people read for free and invite feedback on what they’ve seen.

 

I do actively write letters and to publishers and agents every week to see if anyone would be interested in taking my work on. I am open to approach of anyone in that capacity too.

 

Completed shorts

 

Short stories:

 

13 Steps (Sinister Sisters)

 

'Death's Call Centre' - Part 1 - featured in Ezine

A little Grim Reaper satire.  Imagine the Reaper, an everyday Joe trying to make ends meet and keep his bosses happy.  It isn’t always easy and you can end up feeling a bit sorry for the guy.

 

'Death's Call Centre - Part 2

It’s Christmas for reapers too and you wouldn’t imagine the amount of trouble the Yule tide season brings to rim and his mates.

 

Glass House - Accepted for print in 'Decadence of the Dead'

A zombie piece written on request for a zombie loving friend of mine.  Short, but to the point!

 

Goldilocks and the three...? - 'F*cked up' fairytales saga - (Erotic)

Well.  This started out as a zombie piece and ended up being a smutty tale about what Goldilocks really gets up when confronted with stiff rotting flesh.

 

My Marlene - 'Dark Gothic Resurrected' issue two (Available)

It’s a sad little tale about how a guy can love his wife so much, and what he is forced to do to keep her.

 

MySpace (Sinister Sisters)

The office Don Juan is getting on her nerves.  She lives her life peacefully, has her own little things that she likes.  Her own space.  She will do what she has to in order to protect herself and her sanity.  For every action he commits the more powerful she gets.

 

OK

Odd one really. A man insists in his mind his mother once abused him.  But he thinks about it so often he no longer thinks it can be just a thought.  Is it true?

Really?  How much do you have to think about something to make it true?

 

RazorFace – Genesis

RazorFace - Act one

RazorFace - Act two

ScissorLips – Genesis

ScissorLips - Act one

ScissorLips - Act Two 

 

Red feathers and chicken shears - For J L Day (Erotic)

 On a scale of one to ten on the hot meter this would get an 8.  It wouldn’t be me though if there wasn’t some pain and blood.  And there is!  Written by request for a very dear friend of mine, J L Day, (www.jlday.net)

 

She was the first - (Erotic) 

Not horror.  Erotica of the highest order.  Little sad too.  Sometimes it can’t be helped but you end up letting something through that’s going to bite you on the arse.  Never mind.

 

The Funeral Cortege 

I did enjoy this twisted little piece.  Bizarre.  Tainted.  A tone apart from my usual work.

 

Thinking of you 

Very short. An ode to dismemberment.

 

This town's not big enough 

The end of the world, but not as we know it!  Can you imagine being left alone on the planet with the one person you can’t stand?  Bonkers.  Quite long, approx 10,000 words.

 

World Aflame 

Obsession and delirium.  A lonely man finds company in the most unlikely of places.  Every magic thing I do is tainted.  Poor chap, but he was happy eventually.

 

He held my hand

It's a weird world of night-time adventure into a land that is full of opposites and sometimes outlandish things and people.  Do dreams foretell events?  You decide.

 

Requiescat

A dark pall rests over Wolverington Hall.  For many years the family have lived there without incident.  Then a ghost starts to haunt a footpath near the old chapel.  A test of belief and faith in this old charm short story that leaves with you a funny taste in your mouth.

 

 

Projects and ongoing works

 

 

RazorFace/ScissorLips

 

Apocalyptic.  Dusty.  Futuristic. Gory and hopefully compelling.  It’s written in parts, showing the paths of the two very different people who have a special talent.  An intertwined purpose that’s going to have a drastic effect on the rest of the world.

It won’t be long now. But, I can’t promise.  They keep getting up to dickens. 

 

‘Sinister Sisters’ with dark artist Ruby Orman - (www.nightmirrors.com )

 

Ruby’s art is the best.  Her work inspires me greatly.  It also helps that she’s a lovely young woman who is more than happy to work with me and provide some illustrations to go with the tales I’ve picked.  She might also have a few other surprises for us.  I know it’s in her capability to write, this is a more leisurely project.  We are enjoying working together.

Further to this she has given me some stuff to read - AND ITS ACE!!

 

 

F*cked up Fairytales

 

My spin on some of the greatest old tales I grew up with. I’m about half way through what will be an independent release I think. I have placed one tale with Mistress Rae who makes the delectable ezine, Dark Gothic Resurrected. You too can submit to her ezine at http://www.bloodtouch.com/

 

 

 Death of an Angel 

 

In short, a collection of the most depraved and heinous stories I have penned to date. They probably don’t belong in a book and I risk being made into somewhat of a pariah if I go ahead but it’s no good just me reading them is it? 

 

Last word

 

I have also had some works placed with Twisted Dreams magazine, produced by award winning author Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, visit her here: www.myspace.com/twisteddreamsmagazine - she accepts submissions all year round for short stories and poetry. A wonderfully warm lady and you’ll be glad you met her.

 

Not at the risk of reducing you to tears I shall take my leave.

Digest what I have said.

Contact me if you wish – help and advice could just be a click away.

 

Thank you for reading.

The next blog will be faaaaaaaaaaaaar more interesting!

My official and updated Biography.

  • May. 16th, 2007 at 12:43 PM
horror centre of the north west, horror, Jackie Coupe



Jackie Coupe – a writer’s biography

 

I can’t remember the first book I read. I just remember feeling quite clever that I could see what was being described to me…

 

Asterix the Gaul was my best friend through junior school and I read everything he was ever featured in. ‘Weetabix’ multi ending books and Pan Children’s horror booklets were what I mainly borrowed from the library. After a while I took to looking over the covers in the adult fiction section.

I remember feeling hot and cold when I first saw the cover of ‘Rats’ by James Herbert and the menace it promised. I dabbled then with whatever the librarian would let me take. It got easier as I went to High school because the uniform that allowed me to buy cigarettes also made the librarians less likely to reject what I wanted to read when I placed my books on the counter.

 

At fourteen I read the book ‘IT’ by Stephen King and was profoundly moved by the tales ability to make me feel both afraid and upset for the characters involved. I had thought at times about ‘the big wide world’ and what my role would be in it before but without much analysis.

I had a happy enough childhood. We didn’t have a lot of money through one thing and another at times. I had two sisters and my parents each worked odd hours.

They didn’t act surprised when I started carrying around a red folder everywhere with me.

 

I had decided that it was a power I wanted to possess. To make people feel the mix of emotions I had experienced during ‘IT’.

The tale I first attempted with a story that followed a King of sorts from centuries ago, a corrupt and evil King and his need to possess someone in our time to comeback and rend a divide between our time and his. I was handwriting it. I knew Mum and dad couldn’t afford to get me a typewriter so I never asked. I just bought pads of paper from the stationery store. At times when I ran short I took pages from my school exercise books. Sitting on my bunk bed chain-smoking I felt maybe this was the finest thing I had ever done. I got half way through it and put it to one side. I had another idea for a tale. An ‘end of the world’ tale. The sun was going to implode and wipe the earth out. Spaceships docked in each country with a limited supply of seats were filled with people and they took off in search of ‘new earth’. I ended up putting that aside for another story I thought of, a story about a small town sheriff’s daughter who hangs herself and the terrible secrets her friends find out about why she did it.

THEN I ended up putting that aside altogether. Exams for school, mum not being well and then my very selfish grandmother killing herself conspired to put me so far removed from writing I couldn’t see a way back to it.

 

Three years later one of my siblings did something I have never forgiven her for. I would write a story with which to kill her. Now this was different entirely. All the poison that had been pumped into my heart over those three horrific years found its way into the work. 300 handwritten pages of A4 later and I succeeded in finishing a story. I cried my eyes out. The whole piece had been fuelled by hatred. The wound was excised at last and it was a good feeling.

I set about getting details of publishers to send a synopsis out too. My parents bought me an electronic typewriter and I very slowly started typing it out. I think back then I did about 10 words a minute! The rejections came flooding back. None of them really helpful. My thoughts of maybe turning my families lives around with my gift soured and I put the red file away again.

 

I decided I would give up my ambitions for the moment and go to college. My family weren’t heavily into further education. It would give my mum something to be proud of, show her that she wasn’t a bad parent, my sisters were just bad daughters.

I did four years, gained an advanced GNVQ in Business Studies, then a HND in Business and Personnel. Very dry and dusty I can tell you. ‘The working environment and regulations involved, EU law and its implications, Business Maths, Recruitment. IT.’ Boring as hell! But I finished and ‘graduated’. No major new ideas about writing. No sign that the magic was still there at all. The time spent at college telling myself that I was buying time to come up with a master plan was over. The part time work I did whilst attending college became my permanent full-time day job.

 

Fast forward a few years, family bust-ups in profusion, nervous breakdowns for some, death for others. I still had my head on straight. Just, but I was estranged from all my family, apart from my dad who came to see me when he could. For 12 months I was in denial. This couldn’t be my life? I had a job as supervisor at an insurance firm, earning good pay, renting my own house. But it all felt so very empty! That the hard work, whether academic or in the workplace wasn’t going to take away the nagging in the back of my mind that I had failed in some way.

In March of 2004 I purchased a crappy beat up PC and had it delivered to my house.

By June 2004 I had a novel in a folder next to it.

I got the shakes all over. It had been almost ten years before when I had first felt the excitement of completed work, caution was required if I wasn’t to hit the same brick wall I had back then.

 

The genie was out of the bottle, work started right away on the follow up novel and that was finished as I reconciled with my family and mum had her second life crunching breakdown. By Christmas 2004 I had two novels, each around 80,000. The stories involved touched on suicide, demons, monsters, loneliness, fear and lost love.

Everything I had faced up to that point. I had yet more to face but I was ready. I went back home to take care of the family again.

 

It’s not always easy to write in a house full of people. I have managed it though.

At home I have written many short stories, one of which is an ebook available to buy online as well as my first two books.

 

The third large book came which was an unrelated novel, it was a work of lesbian fiction. Almost 80,000 words of pure carnality intrigue and murder. It plumed new depths and facets of my life. A lot of fun to do and that’s also available online today.

 

I don’t think it matters what the subject is that I write. It will always come out dark and jaded I guess. They say write about what you know, they are right

 

If you have taken the time to read this monolith I thank you. It’s not much of a blockbuster tale, but I think it explains so much.

 

Miss Jackie Coupe, 2007

Loucifer led me here!

  • Apr. 21st, 2007 at 8:24 PM
horror centre of the north west, horror, Jackie Coupe




Because I have google alerts set for every damn thing I found her blog here and it seems like a really neat place to come and meet more people. I do hope to put plenty of good things here about my books and where to get them as well as how they were written and produced. Like all independant writers I couldn't survive without my growing readership. 
Its heart warming to have books doing well in more than one genre.
I will put up more soon.
Hi to Sage and a snuzzle to Louise.
Add me!!

Adios.