Octavia Vijay’s husband cheated on her and left her to raise her two sons, Jarad and Jove on her own. Feeling bitter and cheated, Octavia grows angrier. Isolated and resentful, she lashes out at her younger son, Jarad, who reminds her of her husband. (Also featuring Alexand and Heyem Merek) CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
Love the drawn facial expression of Octavia!
Thanks Mark (coming from you that means a lot! Loved your portraits btw, they were very realistic.) She’s scary isn’t she :O Poor Jarad…
Very scary! Loved it!
There is a lot of tension in the story,— well written. I’m stuck in neutral writing gear-too busy preparing for Christmas, so nothing new on my blog.
Cheers
Hi Kenny thank you. Please let me know when you have a new post. Yes Christmas is rapidly approaching! 🙂
that first line is so hurtful and powerful, it resonates throughout the rest of the tale!
Yes, Octavia has a way of doing that. I thought I’d introduce her so it explains a bit more about Jarad. I’m glad I could share this with you. Thank you for reading. BTW “Never hit a girl,” was let’s just say I felt the story, it brought up a lot of emotions! Are you writing a longer autobiography? You should.
thanks!
I am looking forward to more chapters. Isn’t it amazing how characters start to take on their own destiny, even though you may have planned something else ?
Yes, they’re very much alive, to me at least 🙂
Great first line, full of spite
Thank you! 🙂
Hey Cheryl, This is amazing writing and awesome presentation. I am new here. Where do I start from? I checked timeline. Issue nos appear random
Hi Arjun, good to meet you and thanks for visiting. The timelines section is chronological, but you will find a lot of ‘one off’ stories that don’t appear to connect at the moment and can be read in isolation. It depends on your personal choice really. I’d recommend starting at issue 24: Thomas Watson and end at issue 60: Mr. Ash, (if you have the stamina and the time) Unlike in the Unbound Boxes manuscript, which is more traditional, you will see large gaps in time, as the chronology is rather experimental. It’s best to ignore the issue numbers 🙂 There isn’t a traditional beginning, middle and end to these short stories as a whole, but you will find clutters of connecting stories amongst the timeline section. Cheryl
Fair enough. I needed a fresh reading assignment for myself. So today, I got you. Cheers!
Thank you! 😀
I will start in an hours time. It better be good 🙂
This is so well done ; and sadly it is very realistic!
Blessings ~ Wendy
Hi Wendy, thank you, yes poor Jarad had a very miserable childhood. I wondered if you use your own photography to go with your poetry, as the photographs are so detailed. I love mixed media. What camera do you use, if you don’t mind me asking? (Thanks for reading, I really appreciate you spending time here.) Cheryl
I’m soaked and numb but if I postpone my comment for later, it might be a carefully drafted beautifully worded response. I will sum up in two words banging my insides right now “Sylvia Plath”
Wow, you’ve been on a marathon today! Sylvia Plath 🙂 !!!!!! I’m so overwhelmed. All I can say is thank you.
I am a better reader than a writer. The fact that I have yet to learn so much. My inability to put thoughts and words like you do, is miles away.
I disagree, “Shifty sand sunk us in its warm hollow and a lonesome player, strummed his guitar, not so far away.” Concerto is beautifully written.
I write fairly ok but what I lack is editing help at times, someone to bounce off my work. It’s just me and no one I can share my poems with before I post, put it out in the public domain
Yes likewise, my own spelling can be questionable sometimes but posting these stories live, I’ve had a few very kind and scrupulous readers point errors out occasionally. What I’d do for an editor too!
that’s good to hear. Nice to meet you Cheryl. I enjoyed your writing, totally. God bless you
And you, Arjun, thank you so much!
I love your art blog! When I get more time, I’m going to read everything. I wanted to start an art blog, but I don’t think I’ll have time (because writing takes up most of my time).
Keep smiling,
Yawatta
Thank you, please let me know if you start an art blog, I’d be interested to see your work. Thanks for stopping here, I appreciate it. Cheryl
Ouch – she is a nasty woman, but captivating all the same.
Hi Lee, yes poor Jarad had to put up with a lot of abuse as a boy, one of the reasons Alexand is so protective of him. Octavia’s one of the nastiest I’ve written about, and makes me shiver. I know she exists in reality, unfortunately.
Another fantastic character study – as Leebalanarts says, “Ouch”. I love the way your stories mesh together – it gives such a good sense of the world you’ve created.
Thanks, Richard, I’m glad it works. I thought Jarad needed a bit more story time, as do quite a few of the others.
Enjoyed reading this: it’s a little glimpse in to someone else’s mind. Your characters are beautifully drawn. 🙂
Thank you 😀 I’m glad.
Hi Cheryl,
Your illustrations are absolutely beautiful. I love your site. Keep it up!
Thank you, and likewise with Shadow of Wrath. Good to meet you.
Poor kid – I’ve met mothers like that, spirit destroyed by a bad marriage and taking it out on her children. Ah, I get so involved in your characters – you are amazing Cheryl…
Thanks John, Jarad’s a complicated man and I hope this story explains him a little.
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:
http://anileodati.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/wow-ive-been-nominated-for-an-award/
Thank you so much Allison, I’ve added you to my thank’s page and linked to your site! Cheryl
You earned it; I love your blog!
😀
Blimey – that was powerful – I nearly went and locked myself in the cupboard!
Hi, yes Octavia does that to me too 🙂
I haven’t read any stories yet but hope to because I love your portraits – tending to the realistic and psychological but still very subjective. Your presentation here is brilliant. A good hook. Your thought about readers keeping stories alive gives me an idea for another blog. Wouldn’t be as good, but what if the characters were laid out and the stories were collectively written by various people so that it had a life of its own? Cool. Be well.
Hi Asher, good to meet you, and thank you so much! I hope you have a good New Year. Good luck with your blog, and please let me know when it’s available to read as I’d be interested to see it. All the best, Cheryl.