Author: markswritingcorner

Mark Ahern was born in 1979 and is from Ireland. He attained a Degree in Commerce from UCD in 2000 and a Masters in European Studies in 2001. He has written three novels to date encompassing science fiction and thrillers. At times Mark has used his experiences as an individual with a disability to write from a truly unique perspective. "Chronicles of Martan" which is his sole science fiction work to date, is an epic space odyssey inspired by his love of Star Wars. This was followed by "Not the Usual Suspect" and "Paradigm". His current project is called "The Irish Ripper" and should be available late 2019.

A Swedish Romance Pt. 3

Ulrika was due to arrive any moment. Aidan felt somewhat tense but that was not unusual when a new Personal Assistant was about to start. There was always a niggling doubt that maybe they might not show up after having second thoughts. And that would be a problem as his Dad had left an hour ago, heading back to Athboy. His mother had indeed been concerned about a blonde Swedish woman looking after her impressionable young son –

You are there to study, not be cavorting at my expense.

Aidan assured her that was indeed his attention –

Yeah, right. I’m no eejit you know.

At that stage, he decided staying hum was the best policy.

They had given her some training the previous Friday on how to do some of the more complex man-oeuvres involving the hoist and getting dressed. Fortunately, she seemed very smart and quickly remembered what to do.

It was now just approaching six o’clock which was the allotted time and Aidan heard the outside door opening.

“Hi Aidan, you are here already? I just have to leave my stuff into the room, okay?”

“Yes, that is fine, take you’re time.”

It took her a few minutes to unpack everything before she entered the kitchen. They would now be sharing a two bedroom apartment. Aidan’s room was much larger as he needed to have space for the hoist. There was a communal kitchen/television room.

“Will I get you a cup of tea?”

“Yes, please.”

She was dressed more casually now. Thankfully, Aidan thought or she would stick out like a sore thumb.

“So, how was you’re day?” Aidan inquired.

“Busy, busy. Do you mind if I smoke?”

“Not at all.”

“Do you want one?”

“Yes, I will.”

Aidan knew they were going to get along very well.

A Swedish Romance Pt 2

I had always wanted to visit Ireland ever since I was young, it was a magical place in my childhood. The hospitality of the people is legendary and I grew up dreaming of visiting the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway. So, I jumped when the opportunity arose after I finished my studies.

The first few months were brilliant. I spent them in Galway, then Cork before heading to Dublin. Ireland was everything that I expected it to be. But then my money started to run low and Dublin is just so expensive. I just cannot countenance asking my parents for more money. So, I’m living a quiet, lonely life at the moment.

Then I saw the poster looking for a Personal Assistant for a young man with a disability and that accommodation would be provided. It sounded perfect so I rang and spoke to the young man’s father, even if I haven’t done that type of work before. And I’d only be working five days a week, so still time to party if I want.

I think that I did an okay interview. It was in a restaurant in the university. It reminded me of my own days at college. The father mostly spoke but Aidan seemed nice. It was a disability that I had not come across before but that is hardly surprising . His hands turned back in on themselves and his limbs were fixed. Quite a good looking man all the same. I would have to use a hoist but I’m sure I’d get the hang of it.

Well, I guess I’ll have to wait and see. The other options I’m looking out for is working in a supermarket or a hotel, neither of which really appeal to me. Fingers crossed then.

A Swedish Experience Part 1 (Romance)

It had always been my dream to go to university and have the full college experience. At times, it seemed a daft thought for a guy in a wheelchair who needed so much assistance day to day. And yet here I am in the middle of my second semester of my third year at University College Dublin.

However, I am now in the middle of difficulties that threaten everything. My trusted Personal Assistant has just left the job leaving me in the lurch. He had worked with me from the very beginning. My mother said that I had been blessed and maybe that was true. He got a much better paying job. I knew that it would happen at some point.

Now, I was relying on the goodwill of other students to get me through. All that drinking in the student bar had at least been somewhat of a positive.

Now I was on the way up the long ramp in front of the restaurant where my father was waiting for me. We were there to interview three people who had shown an interest in the job.

We waited patiently in an area remote to the other few people in there. It was a quite time of the day. The first person was a no show. Not a good start. Well, at least second person showed up. It was a guy in his early thirties. He had long, brown hair with his ears and nose pierced. There was a stench of cannabis. He left and we told him that we would be in touch.

Then she walked in walked. I was flummoxed. She was a few years older than myself, dressed formally with shoulder length blonde hair.

“Ulrika?” my Dad enquired, probably still thinking it was the wrong person.

“Yes, thats me.”

My Dad thanked her for coming and told her what would be involved.

She was in Ireland for the year looking to improve her English, which was almost perfect in any event.

“Do you have any questions? Are you still interested?”

“What are you studying?

“History and Economics. I enjoy them.”

With that, the interview ended. She left with a little wave.”

Neither of us said anything for a few moments.

“She seemed good.”

“Yeah, but what will your mother say?”

“Well, she’ll hardly want me hanging around with a junkie, now will she?”

“Yeah, probably not.”

Now I just had to hope she took the job.

Wheelchair Wars Part 9

The smell of rotting flesh was all pervasive. It went up your nostrils, into every crevice and stained your clothes. There had been much death. They were in the waiting area area waiting to enter the amphitheater and they were next. Strangely, Timothy wasn’t feeling fear. It was more a bloodlust. Neither did he sense fear in those around room.

Slowly, the large stone stone door began to lift, shining the light onto their faces. Timothy pressed pressed forward on his joystick and the others followed him.. Audrey to his left and Olsen to his right.

The crowd in the stand roared their approval. Everyone of the Omega was in a Falcon X and was armed with a chainsaw. In the distance, they could see their enemies dispersing expecting the usual one on one combat.

The omega increased their speed and headed for the middle of the enemy, which was held by two gunners of the alpha. Once they fired, Timothy roared disperse and the shots few between the wheelchair. Then they fired again and again.

One of the shots hit Jessica tearing her to shreds. There was not even time for her to roar out in agony. She was there and then she wasn’t. By by then they were bearing down on the gunners and the chainsaws cut through them. Now the Omega split in half and surrounded their cursed enemy. The crowd grew increasingly wild.

Timothy charged to meet his next opponent. This time he heard the clash of steel as two chainsaws collided. His opponent had more skill in this art form and Timothy soon found himself retreating. For the first time in that time cycle he felt immense fear.

It was only assuaged by the site of a chainsaw ripping through his opponent’s stomach from behind. There was no time to thank her, the slaughter had only commenced. Quickly each Alpha was isolated and slain.

The crowd clapped ferociously as Timothy’s wheels rolled over the blood soaked asphalt. He turned the wheelchair towards them, men women and children, in ragged clothes and took in the adulteration of the crowd. This is what he was born for.

Wheelchair Wars Part 8

Her response put a shudder down Timothy’s spine. The dogma that they were constantly listening to was obviously having the desired effect.

The others then called out their names and pledged their allegiance unthinkingly to The Omega. Timothy felt obliged to do the same when it came to his turn. There was no point in splitting the group. The rest of the group were made up of four males and four females.

They were all under twenty. Olsen was the oldest at eighteen years of age. He was was a heavy set fearsome looking man. The youngest Aoife was only twelve, had an angelic appeal that belied her taste for blood. Ciaran, Sean and David were the other boys. Ciaran’s body was contorted just like his own. Sean could not feel his legs and David could barely feel anything at all.

The remaining girls were Jessica, Mairead and Daire. All of Jessica’s limbs were missing and she had to use her mouth to control her chair. But, however she managed, she was a fighter of grear skill. Maire and Daire couldn’t move their legs.

Timothy immediately had an idea of what would be their idea formation. Himself, Olsen, Audrey and Jessica would be the solid centre that would pierce the enemy. Now, they just to decide on their weapons and rehearse battle calls.

Review of “Christy Brown – The Life that inspired My Left Foot – Georgina Louise Hambleton

As my regular readers will know, Christy Brown is one of my literary heroes. I purchased this ebook on Amazon while looking for some of his writings. It is written by a former English literature student who did her dissertation on his writing and later wrote this book. For those who haven’t heard of Christy Brown, he is a famous Dubliner who was born in the early 1930s. He had a severe form of cerebral palsy that left him entirely spastic in his limbs. Famously, he used his left foot to write, type and paint.

He is most famous novel was called “My Left Foot”, which later was adapted to a triple Academy Award winning film. It was an autobiographical account of his early life up to his early twenties. His greatest literary achievement however was called “Down All the Days”. Unfortunately, this latter work is still not available as an ebook so I haven’t read it.

It gives a great overview of his life and includes much poetry and other letters that had not previously made available to the public. You get an insight into what his life was like post “My Left Foot”, how his money helped support his mother and many siblings and some of the riotous drinking that Christy Brown did as well as the most important romantic relationships that he had.

The main romantic relationships that he had were with an American married woman called Beth Moore and his future wife Mary. Whereas his mother was the pivotal influence in his early life, these dominated the second half of his life for both better and worse.

Beth Moore started a correspondence with him after his book “My Left Foot” came out. It became romantic and she invited him to the United States to visit her. It then became sexual. From his writing perspective, she was a positive influence getting him to cut back on the drinking and concentrate more on the writing. It appears she played a crucial role in getting “Down All the Days” written. However, when it became a commercial success, he was loathe to give her any credit or any of of the spotlight. Perhaps, he was worried she might steal his glory. This issue or what could be construed as a betrayal was the death knell for their relationship. It had lasted many, many years by which time he had met his future wife.

Christy’s brother describes Mary as a lesbian prostitute. However, it’s clear that she would be more accurately described as a bisexual who at least occassionally had dabbled in prostitution. She was also an alcoholic just like himself. Christy quickly became infatuated with her and asked her to marry him. She agreed, after taking some time to think about it. They were married until his death. Together, he appears to have spiraled downwards. However, things were always going to be rough for the two alcoholics. He wrote little of note during their time together and Mary wasn’t as interested in his writing as Beth Moore had been.

The book also covers where the film came from. It was indeed based on his autobiography “My Left Foot”. Some extra scenes were added or invented, and that why I thought “Down All the Days” may have played a greater role. The film was made on a shoestring budget and was never expected to do so well. It made stars out of many of the actors including Daniel Day Lewis.

On reflection, what a great man Christy Brown was. Despite having a very severe disability with very little supports he became a renowned writer, poet and painter. He also financially supported his mother and siblings, and fulfilled his dream of marriage to a woman he loved till the end.

The Expanse Part 3 b

“What are you saying Dr. Lenz? That we have no chance against these these Denecans?”

The Captain, Dr. Lenz and Candace were in his private quarters just off the hull of the ship.

“The Denecans are much more advanced than ourselves. At the moment, they have populated three galaxies and at least some element of their civilization was about to colonize the Milky Way. They are a war like species which views other intelligent life as a threat. If the vaccuum catastrophe had not occurred, humanity was almost certainly facing extinction anyway.”

“So, are you telling me that all hope is lost? After us coming so far?” the Captain replied angrily.

“That’s not what his saying,” Candace interjected, somewhat defensively on his behalf.

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. We need to be clandestine. We’re like the fly that needs to stay undetected. Fortunately, only one of their galaxies is one we need to traverse.”

“I understand. We have nothing to lose anyway. I do appreciate everything that the two of you have done for The Danu, you are dismissed.”

Dr. Lenz and Candace began the long walk back to their cabin. Dr. Lenz could feel a strange sort of tension between them. They said little. They reached her cabin first and she opened the door. Dr Lenz turned to say goodbye but she pulled him in and they began to kiss passionately before she kicked the door closed behind them.

Are you sure you want this?”

“Yes Herbert, I am.”

Wheelchair Wars Part 7

They were left in the darkened room for some time. There was a sense of dread pervading the room. They were leaderless, rudderless. Timothy knew that it the time for him to speak. Otherwise, it would be too late.

“I have an idea on how to win.”

The rest of the group stopped talking to each other in astonishment.

The girl with Auburn hair responded derisively.

“What would you know newbie?”

For a few moments, Timothy felt convulsed by what to say next. Then, just as they were about to avert their gaze.

“Our group fought as individuals rather than as one. They didn’t have any strategy and got picked off one by one. We need to change that.”

There came cries of “How?” from some.

“We will have our best warriors in the centre and attack in a line. Destroy those that stand their ground first and then deal with those who run. It must be done at speed.”

As Timothy explained in more depth, he won them over with one caveat, he would be leading the charge in the center.

“I will, if that’s what you want. But it’s important that I know all of you in case I need to adjust things in the heat of battle.”

The girl with auburn hair was the first to speak –

“My name is Audrey and I want revenge for the Omega.”

It structure Timothy that she had not cried for her comrades but for the dishonour to Omega.

The Fleadh (Romance) Part 3

“Oh I’m from the big smoke. Down here visiting my good friend Mick,” replied Eddie.

“I’m a good friend am I? I thought I was just your latest guide dog and not even your favorite one at that,” interjected Mick to much laughter.

“Now you’ve been a good doggy today. Don’t go and ruin it with insubordination.”

Then Danielle asked him if he liked animals, when led to a lengthy discussion about his usual guide dog Berlin and her two little mutts Ringo and Daisy. She had beautiful soft voice, that Eddie found very attractive.

“That’s it, they have stopped serving,” said Mick apologetically.

“Already?”

“Well, it is past 2 in the morning Eddie. I do have some shorts back at the house. Maybe, the women would like to join us?”

Danielle’s response was immediate. Yvonne’s more retrospect.

“Of course!”

“Well, maybe for one.”

“I’ll guide you” Danielle interlocked her arm with Eddies and off the group went. Mick’s house was only two streets away and there were others on the way home or to the tent too.

“You don’t mind me, guiding you I hope?”

“Of course not, to have a good looking woman helping me. Are you joking?”

“Now you don’t know I’m good looking. I’m not no oil painting I’m afraid.”

“Well, you have a lovely voice and smell anyway.”

They reached the house but Eddie quickly found himself alone with a bottle of whiskey and Danielle in the kitchen. Just like he would have wanted.

They talked for some time about Danielle, her hopes for the future and what she would like in a man.

“Are you not curious what I look like?”

“Of course, but I would have to see you with my hands.”

She moved the palms of his hands onto her face.

She had a narrow face, thick eyebrows, skin software and thick luscious lips. Taking his hands away, she leaned in and they began to kiss. He slowly moved his hand through her thick, curly hair.

“Have you got your own room here?”

“Yes, well maybe you can lead me to it.”

Mick knew this house like the back of his hand, he guided her up the stairs to his room. There was some moaning coming from the other room that caused them to giggle. Danielle then closed the door and they began to undress.

She had small, perky breasts and a thin waist. He started to kiss each inch of her body before going between her legs. She moaned in ecstasy before guiding him on to the bed. Then she felt him caress and touch his body. His chest, then stomach, then lower before he released. Shattered they fell fell asleep in each others arms.

The fleadh (Romance) Part 2

It didn’t take as long for the two men to retrace their steps. Eddie could still her the chatter of people, but the wall of sound from earlier had dissipated.

“Where is everybody gone Mick?”

“Well, the families are long gone by now. Everybody else is in one of the pubs. Don’t worry, we’ll have you back in the action soon.

Just a few minutes later, they had arrived.

“It’s actually called the Glush Garden. There’s a lovely colourful mural over the entrance just above a surprisingly happy looking bouncer. Come on, we’ll head in.”

Eddie could feel the softness of the ground underneath. It wasn’t grass, but wasn’t asphalt. More mushy. They were still outside but with tables and chairs. They found a good spot to sit down and Mick went to a close by bar to get some drinks. Normal pop music was now being played over the speakers. Eddie didn’t mind, he had his fill of the traditional music by this point.

The pints continued to flow. Mick thought they were a bit smaller than the norm but it more than worth it for a bit of space. It wasn’t long before nature called for Eddie. They were now walking over grass to a portable toilet.

On their way, Mick heard someone calling his name in the distance.

“Oh Yvonne is over there with a friend. Sure, we’ll go over and say hello.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

Yvonne was an old friend of Micks and she gave them both a warm hug.

She quickly and rather excitedly told them her friend’s name was Danielle.

Eddie immediate took centre stage.

“Where are from Danielle?”

:Oh, not too far away – Delvin. You?”