False Flags

ARISE, AUTHONOMY GHOST!

Ease those weary, withered limbs from your coffin. Push away the stone from the mouth of the tomb.

You have one last task to perform. One last, sacred shelf to confer.

Whether you were plugger, spammer, gusher or troll, whether you flirted or fought in the forum or beavered away in the shadows, now is the time for your resurrection.

One last time. Marshall your strength, muster the last vestiges of your power and carry out your final Authonomy act:

Back my book, MIRROR IN THE SKY.

Then, only then, you may rest easy in your Authonomy grave.

Nick Poole2 (formerly known as NickP)

Thanks for the comments

I agree with all of them but can't be bothered to change anymore yet.

You can download the entire book for free in it's final form from lulu.com - just search for Robin Carvell or False Flags

Loads of exciting ideas here – and masses of knowledge about international affairs, Islam, and political shenanigans – and it’s got a nice worldwide perspective; it’s certainly not parochial. I think for me that’s its strength: there’s a really great thriller in here – false flag operations are a fascinating subject. My main criticism would be that I wanted the plot to move a bit faster. Maybe the novel should start with an act of terrorism of some kind – with a bang, as it were. Then the relative slowness of the interview and lecture scenes wouldn’t matter quite so much. I wasn’t sure about the characterisation of the American either; especially in the manner in which he sometimes speaks to Aswat –unless he’s supposed to be unstable and ultra-short-tempered? Here are a few other notes I jotted as I was reading it:
- “investments beyond what you can imagine” – hmm, sounds wrong in the mouth of this posh speaker. How about “beyond any you can imagine”?
- I’m not quite sure who Palmer ‘represents’ yet… but I guess that’s the point
- Why set these interviews in Whitehall – as the American virtually says, it’s unnecessarily risky?
- yes I always thought that bin Laden plays the role that Goldstein has in 1984!
- I wonder if James the lecturer should be interrupted and asked questions sometimes, to break up that long speech. He could even be challenged, by a member of the audience who might ask the sort of questions that the reader does, so he could respond, rather than just by the bloke at the end.
- The incipient romance between James and Fran is a bit perfunctory at the moment – I wanted a bit more spark between them in the dialogue, and less internalisation.
Anyway, it’s an interesting read so far. Are you going to put any more up?

Gemma - "The new guidance to local authorities also sets out a range of factors, based on case histories of those involved in past terrorist attacks, that may leave a person more susceptible to exploitation by violent extremists. The profile includes those who have experienced trauma through migration or asylum; those who have gone through a personal crisis such as divorce, family estrangement or time spent in prison; and those frustrated by having a job way below their perceived skills or education" taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jun/03/uksecurity.islam

Anyone who doesn't like their job can be classified as a potential terrorist and in most cases the potential is omitted and we are all just terrorists.

I used 'can' in 'anyone can write' to talk about permission and not ability.

I have experienced my life from start to the present moment and even if I hadn't I don't believe I need to be qualified.

Good luck, they say the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single footstep.
I was anxious to read something in this genre, but then not so anxious once in--so I bailed.

To find one's voice is the mystery---whether of biology or metaphysics---it doesn't matter. Whether you want readers or not, perhaps does matter--or not.

Cheers

Sorry, that should of course read 'you're', on a website full of writers I can't afford to go making mistakes like that can I?

Anyone can write?
I'm not sure about that.

One of the classic bits of advice given to writers is 'write what you know'
if you write about things you don' t have experience of, or don't know about, then flaws will appear.
I'm not saying this is the case with you, I was just curious as to what experience and knowledge you bring to such a task.

However, perhaps you are just borrowing Conrad's knowledge. In which case I'm puzzled as to why you'd bother copying someone elses work? Surely you have your own story to tell?

...just one final point, if you're on this website looking for publication then suggesting your a terroist might put future employers off!
;)

Gemma, certain people would classify me as a terrorist. However, I don't believe that that qualifies me, anyone can write can't they?

The human storyline is a face being stomped on forever (and more).

It probably is Gulliver. I prefer to think of it as an adaptation in the same way as Apocalypse Now! is an adaptation of Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

Hello Gulliver and Gemma. It's Joseph conrad almost word for word. I only changed the names and the dates in most cases.

I didn't get very far, but I am still curious. I'd like to know what 'qualifies' you to write about such things, what would be written on the dust jacket of this book about you?
I felt you were cramming in all the description you could into each sentence. The first sentence for example has lukewarm brightness and golden shadowless both good, but you only need one.
I'd like to be more tempted by your pitch, give us a clue to what the human storyline is going to be.