Maura Miller Didn’t Die

I’m writing again. Creative writing, that is, not the technical report writing that has been taking over these last few weeks. I’m enjoying the fresh challenge at work, but the stories have been building in my head and I needed to do something, anything to release the growing pressure. The longer I put it off, the more anxious I was becoming and that way there lay monsters. The kind that stifle dreams and ambition. The worst of beasts.

It’s only Day 3 and I’ve set myself the modest target of 500 words a day. Small steps, I know, but this is how I write. Steady, consistent progress, chipping away at my targets until, lo and behold, the story is told. I’m not one for biting off more than I can chew when it comes to the written word. Bite-sized chunks, clear the ground around me, all the while ascending the mountain that soars above. Every Everest needs to be scaled this way.

But what are you writing Stephen, pray tell? That’s what I imagine you all saying now. Just humour me, ok? Well, it’s another Kirkwood Scott spin-off that Fionnuala and I hope to self-publish, in advance of the third novel in the supernatural fantasy series. I’ve done it before with ‘Bomb Girl’ which introduced the characters of Ariana, Tess, and Adam to the fray ahead of ‘A New Jerusalem.’ This time, though, I’m focusing on a more familiar character.

Remember Maura Miller? The ravishing, repulsive femme fatale who rose through the ranks of the Company to stand by Skelly’s side, his most able and evil lieutenant. Until Ariana dispatched her to Kingdom Come as they battled for survival on the streets of 2099 Belfast. I wonder whatever happened to Maura? Where did she end up? Well, you’re all going to find out soon. Maura survived and is very, very angry.