One for Sorrow, Two for Joy - A Story

Introduction to "One for Sorrow and Two for Joy"

Grief has a way of bringing memories to the surface, unbidden and vivid. Years ago, at the funeral for a friend, I found myself thinking not just about loss, but about the many moments of kindness and laughter shared. This story was written shortly after the funeral as a way for me to process the grief, and I recently stumbled upon it in my back catalogue. 

It's a tribute to a life that continues to inspire me, a story that holds onto those cherished memories and the hope that even in sorrow, there is always joy.

Reading this story again after all these years brought back many memories and smiles and I thought I would share it here.

Meet the Cast of Divided: A Novella of Family, Ghosts, and a Search for Truth

In my novella, Divided, which was longlisted for Wattpad's Open Novella Contest 2024, the search for a missing person takes on a life of its own, blending the real world with the supernatural. It’s a story about family bonds, tragic pasts, and the unexpected connections we make along the way.

Before you dive into the full story, let me introduce you to the key players whose lives are about to collide in a spectacular and dangerous fashion.

A Near-Death Experience, a Ghostly Best Friend, and a Sister in Danger

What if a trip to the operating room didn't just save your life, but changed it forever? In my novella, Divided, that's exactly what happens to Jimmy Jones.

Jimmy's world gets turned upside down when a near-death experience on the operating table leaves him with an unexpected ability: he can now see ghosts. And not just any ghost, but his new best friend, Henry Costa. Henry, in his life, was a professional ghost buster and debunker—a true expert in the field of the supernatural—and now he's an expert from the other side.

Their newfound friendship is put to the test almost immediately. When Jimmy gets home, he learns of a tragic attack at a convention center in Orlando where his sister, Suzi, was working. The culprit, a disgruntled former employee named Bernard, is now a vengeful ghost—and he's possessing Suzi.

With Bernard's physical body still clinging to life in a local hospital, Jimmy and his ghostly sidekick, Henry, have a race against time. Jimmy's personal quest is simple: get on the next plane from the UK to Orlando to find his sister and save her from the angry spirit that has taken her over.

Divided is a supernatural thriller that dives into the bond between a brother and sister, the strange nature of life and death, and the lengths we'll go to for the people we love. It's a story of one man’s courage in the face of the unknown, armed with a new friend who just happens to be an expert on ghosts and ago things spectral.

Ready to join Jimmy on his journey?

I've published this novella on all the ebook retailers that I can find.

You can find Divided on:

Kindle

Books 2 Read 

Google Play Books  

And many more retailers ...

A New Name, A Fresh Start: Welcome to "From The Deaf Duck's Desk"

If you've followed this little corner of the internet before, you'll know it as "A Writing Duck." But as every writer knows, sometimes a story needs a new title to find its true voice. So, I'm thrilled to announce that the blog is back, and it's getting a fresh name to go with it: From The Deaf Duck's Desk.

This name feels like a natural evolution. It connects directly with my home on the web at deaf-duck.uk and gives this space a more personal feel. Think of it as a virtual desk where I'll share all the thoughts, scribbles, and ideas that go into my writing.

So what can you expect from this new chapter?

This will be my central hub for all things creative. I'll be pulling back the curtain on my writing like my supernatural thriller, Divided, with behind-the-scenes looks at character development, world-building, and the process of writing a novella. I'll also be sharing writing tips, book recommendations, and candid thoughts on the highs and lows of being a writer.

Thank you for joining me here. I'm excited to share this journey with you, and I look forward to building this new space together. Stay tuned—the first post from the new desk is coming soon!