Categories
Life

Creative Philosophy at 11.30pm

Hello CGSP readers!

As I was editing and writing a new short story this month, I was thinking about ideas.

Ideas seem like they can come from anywhere and span over any topic, but if you look at books, television, movies (or any entertainment medium, really) things seem to just be a rehash of every other idea out there.

How can we actually expect to be original, when everything we see is just a take-off, of a take-off, of a take-off who once had an interesting thought in the 1960s.

Drawing inspiration from people we admire is one thing, but can an idea really be though of as original, when the things we are exposed to as creatives are in themselves, just a re-do?

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I do think that originality can be achieved, don’t get me wrong, but as a creative person, I would like to think that there are some ideas we haven’t explored in some way or another.

When you look at music, there are an finite number of chords and chord progressions we can use (which is why you hear so many songs that sound the same). In the new age of music though, we see things like synth and electronic elements which changed the game (For the worse or the better, i’ll let you decide for yourself – but I am partial to the classics).

So, does this mean the end for the ever elusive ‘idea’ for a new book, movie, photograph or painting? I’d like to think not, does it really matter if those ideas are just reused and recycled – we like to do that for the environment, so why not for our entertainment?

I suppose this is a question which is unable to be decided upon at this late hour that I sit at my computer screen and try to decide the cover photo for this post (props to the photographers who allow free use of images).

All in all, I hope that those looking at, reading or listening to my creations would extend that ‘suspension of disbelief’ that we apply to our other entertainment – and pretend they haven’t read or heard something very similar before.

Ideas…. hmm, I wonder

(Check out Hannah Carmichael’s new adventure NEXT WEEK!)


See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

LightBulbs, TypeWriters and SuperHeroes!

Hello CGSP readers!

If you regularly check the Christy Grace Scarlet Pen Facebook page (and I recommend that you do!) you would have seen the incredible picture I posted of my Beautifully set up (and miraculously clean) new workspace!

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If you look carefully, you can see the beautiful typewriter which features in the main Christy Grace Scarlet Pen photo, AND a very important thing that accompanies an idea – the lightbulb. Even though having a real lightbulb at your desk is not always a smart idea, I came to a compromise when I found this jar, Which Looks Just Like One!

I am SO EXCITED to be able to dedicate more time to writing (For now anyway) and continue on a very Fun, New project! (More details to come later)

Hannah is a very special character to me, and I love seeing where her spying adventures take her, and her family and friends, HOWEVER….  There is much more to me, and my writing than just Hannah Carmichael.
(Don’t panic HCC readers – Hannah will return shortly! She is far from done)

While I am trying to be hard at work writing, who couldn’t find inspiration when you have CLASSIC movie quotes, a reminder of the alphabet (because we need a childlike reminder sometimes), and Super help from some Superheroes?

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So, I hope you enjoy these snapshots into my work space, desk and inspiration zone!

Hopefully I can show you more of my fascinating journey, as I embark on some new and enthralling (that’s right, I went there) projects!

In the meantime, Hannah Will Be Back Soon! But keep an eye out for updates on the Facebook Page (link in the homepage), and of course – here in ‘Mission Control’.


See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

War on a Global Scale | HCC Update

War… Huh? What is it good for?

For CGT, they are looking out for profits. Starting another World War is something they want, because it keeps them in business.

So what is Cataclysm? Is it another World War plot like Evelyn Carmichael has predicted? Are the rumours she heard of true?

If it is another War, how could Hannah and her limited team stop it, when CGT is apparently bigger than they had thought?

While Hannah and her team figure out the answers to all of these questions, post your theories onto the ChristyGraceScarlettPen Facebook Page and let us know if YOU think Cataclysm is a World War, or something else?

Hannah and her Team will be back Tuesday 23 July, but will they be able to stop whatever Cataclysm is?

Hannah Carmichael Chronicles ONLY on ChristyGraceScarlettPen – Hannah and I look forward to seeing you then!

Christy Grace

 

Categories
Fiction Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

NOT ANYMORE | Hannah Carmichael Chronicles (FIFTY-SIX)

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael: Super Spy, trying to take down the evil spy agency CGT which she used to be a part of. Status: Currently hidden in The Palace – headquarters where her long lost Father is setting up his assault on CGT.
Zeke Anderson: Former Spy working to destroy CGT. Hannah’s husband and ally. Status: Believed to be dead, at Hannah’s hand. Currently hidden in The Palace with Hannah, her father James and Stephanie.
Stephanie Winchester: Former CGT spy, Hannah’s best friend and fellow undercover agent. Status: Currently hidden in The Palace with Hannah, her father James, and Zeke.
James Carmichael: Hannah’s Father and secret freelance agent trying to destroy CGT. Status: Recently discovered to be alive, after disappearing over a decade ago. Currently hidden in The Palace, deciding the next steps to take down CGT.
Evelyn Carmichael: Hannah’s Mother and a known terrorist in the Country and around the Globe. Status: Currently being held at The Palace for questioning after arriving and claiming to be on the same side as Hannah and her Father. Having lost her way, Evelyn’s goal still remains the same – to take down CGT which goes higher into the government and overseas than anyone realises.

Is CGT Working towards World War Three? Is Evelyn right, and is that what Cataclysm refers to? Hannah and her Father have to decide what to do next as the leaders in their respective teams. What will they do?

 

 FIFTY-SIX

Hannah quietly closed the door behind her as she left Zeke, asleep. The discussions around Cataclysm and how to stop it had gone late into the night, but ultimately no decisions had been made.
Hannah turned the corner into the small kitchen of The Palace and the light from the fridge illuminated the otherwise dark room. Hannah scanned the room for a possible weapon when the fridge door closed. James Carmichael turned and smiled at her, a milk container in his hand.
“You scared me,” Hannah said, exhaling.
James frowned and slowly put down the milk next to a packet of Fruit Loops. “Sorry Darl, didn’t mean to give you a fright.” He smiled and opened the milk cap, pouring it over a bowl of waiting cereal.
Hannah smiled and shook her head, “Do you still eat those things?” She asked, sitting on a bar stool and pulling a glass from the drying rack next to her. James smiled and popped a spoonful into his mouth, chewing loudly. Hannah poured some milk into her glass and took a small sip, staring at the label on the Fruit Loops packet.
“So, you couldn’t sleep either?” James asked, the sound of his spoon clinking the bowl clinking as he gathered another mouthful.
“No. Cataclysm could be serious and I feel like it’s partially my fault.”
James frowned, “How so? You didn’t organise it did you?” he asked with a small smile.
Hannah sat straighter, “I was undercover and we haven’t really made any steps forward since I started. Everything’s been focused on catching and stopping Evelyn.”
James snorted and shook his head, “Don’t you mean ‘Mum’?”
“Not anymore,” Hannah said quietly. Evelyn was being guarded as she slept just down the hallway while the others decided if she was really on their team, or setting everyone up for failure. James sighed and put his bowl down, leaning on his elbows.
“I’m sorry I left the way I did,” he said softly. “I didn’t want to hurt you, but if you thought I was gone forever, I thought that was better than wondering why I had abandoned you.”
Hannah shrugged and took another sip of her milk. “It was what it was. You just learn to move on; channel those feelings into other things.”
“Is that what you did with CGT?” Her father asked, standing straighter.
“I wanted to help people; to keep the country and all in it safe.” Hannah sighed, “That’s what I thought I was doing anyway.” She looked at him and felt her eyes misting, “I missed you though.”
James dropped his gaze and sighed, “I followed you all the way you know.” He smiled and looked up at her again. “Your graduation, your training and career at CGT; All of it.”
Hannah cleared her throat and nodded, “I guess it’s hard for you to completely walk away from the people you love. That must be where I get it from.”
They shared a smile and sat for a while longer, talking and trying to move past the mountain in between them. After a while, they said goodnight and moved back to their rooms.
As Hannah walked down the hallway, she tried to keep her steps light. Everyone needed sleep right now; they had some big decisions to make in the morning. As she passed the guard outside Baxter’s room she tried to stifle a laugh. Stephanie was sitting by the door, head on her chest as she breathed heavily. She had fallen asleep.
Hannah rolled her eyes and lifted her hand to rouse her friend when she saw the light around the door frame. Frowning, Hannah pushed her ear up against the door and listened as a quiet voice came from the other side.
“They have access to an accounts file. I heard them talking about Cataclysm.”
Hannah stopped breathing and pulled away from the door.
Baxter was talking to CGT.


Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back Soon for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

CATACLYSM | Hannah Carmichael Chronicles (FIFTY-FIVE)

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael: Super Spy, trying to take down the evil spy agency CGT which she used to be a part of. Status: Currently hidden in The Palace – headquarters where her long lost Father is setting up his assault on CGT.
Zeke Anderson: Former Spy working to destroy CGT. Hannah’s husband and ally. Status: Believed to be dead, at Hannah’s hand. Currently hidden in The Palace with Hannah, her father James and Stephanie.
Stephanie Winchester: Former CGT spy, Hannah’s best friend and fellow undercover agent. Status: Currently hidden in The Palace with Hannah, her father James, and Zeke.
James Carmichael: Hannah’s Father and secret freelance agent trying to destroy CGT. Status: Recently discovered to be alive, after disappearing over a decade ago. Currently hidden in The Palace, deciding the next steps to take down CGT.
Evelyn Carmichael: Hannah’s Mother and a known terrorist in the Country and around the Globe. Status: Currently being held at The Palace for questioning after arriving and claiming to be on the same side as Hannah and her Father. Having lost her way, Evelyn’s goal still remains the same – to take down CGT which goes higher into the government and overseas than anyone realises.

Discussing whether they can trust Evelyn Carmichael, the teams of Hannah and her Father – James need to come to a decision. Believe Evelyn and stop CGT with her help, or not. Hannah has shared her possession of the CGT ACCOUNTS file, will this hold the key to taking down CGT?

 

 FIFTY-FIVE

The room was buzzing as all members of the team discussed their options.
“We can’t trust anything Evelyn says. Look at her track record, what happens when we trust her and she double crosses all of us?” A tall woman with dark hair leaned against the control desk. Sarah, the woman in charge of weapons was scowling as the team continued to yell over each other. They had been at this for over an hour and the room was still split.
“Whether we trust her or not, the information she’s giving us, is that CGT runs deeper than any of us knew. We need to check out her information to see if it’s reliable.” Stephanie said, nodding to their tech guy Roy, who was scanning through the Accounts file on the screen.
“This lead for CGT ACCOUNTS may give us some more information, but Evelyn knows other things that could be useful.”
The room continued to argue until James whistled loudly, silencing all debates.
“I believe what Evelyn is saying about CGT is correct. Regardless, after her time inside CGT she can be a valuable asset and source of information. Sarah,” he nodded towards Sarah and she stood straighter, her arms folded across her chest.
“Grab one of the ankle monitors and strap it to Evelyn. We aren’t giving her complete trust, but we should show some leniency.”
Sarah frowned then nodded, moving towards their weapons cache. James turned and looked at Roy, “How is the search through the files going?” He asked.
Roy looked up, “Slow. There are consistent deposits and withdrawals however with the same description in the transaction data.”
Evelyn and Sarah walked into the room and James gave a slight nod to Sarah, who remained close to his ex-wife.
Roy typed into the keyboard then pulled up the electronic scan of a document onto the screen. “The description is only one word; Cataclysm.”
“That sounds foreboding,” Stephanie said quietly as she stood next to Hannah. Evelyn groaned loudly and Hannah turned to see her mother’s frown.
“There were rumours for something called Cataclysm inside the CGT closed doors meetings.” Evelyn shifted her weight and shook her head slightly, “I was hoping they were just rumours.”
James folded his arms across his chest, “What rumours?” He asked.
“There were whispers of something big, something really big. Something that will let the money flow for decades.” Evelyn stopped and stared at Hannah, her eyes dead.
“World War three.”


Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back Tomorrow for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!
Christy Grace

 

Categories
Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

Lesser of Two Evils HCC Update + SNEAK PEEK

Can Hannah trust her parents?

Evelyn has been a known terrorist for over a decade. James was believed to be dead and secretly working in the shadows. Both claim their goal is the destruction of the evil spy agency CGT, but can Hannah trust either of them?

Stephanie and Zeke are both with Hannah at her Fathers base of operations – The Palace – and she has just told them about the CGT ACCOUNTS file she hopes will hold an answer of how to expose and destroy CGT.

Hannah and the Team will return on Tuesday 16 July with CATACLYSM (HCC 55), will a Big Reveal be the end for CGT?


And now… The Sneak Peek:

FIFTY-FIVE

The room was buzzing as all members of the team discussed their options.
“We can’t trust anything Evelyn says. Look at her track record, what happens when we trust her and she double crosses all of us?” A tall woman with dark hair leaned against the control desk. Sarah, the woman in charge of weapons was scowling as the team continued to yell over each other. They had been at this for over an hour and the room was still split.


Hannah Carmichael Chronicles ONLY on ChristyGraceScarlettPen – Hannah and I look forward to seeing you then!

Christy Grace

Categories
Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

Meaningless Numbers? | HCC Update

A CGT ACCOUNTS File – what does it contain?

Is it just meaningless numbers, or will it hold the key to taking down the evil spy agency once and for all? Hannah Carmichael is now working with Both of her parents, who have revealed that they were secretly spies.

Evelyn claims to have been working Against CGT all this time, while getting lost along the way – but her goal remained the same. Can the information inside the Accounts file hold the beginning of the end for CGT?

Hannah and the Team will be back Tuesday 16 July, but will everyone agree and get along for the sake of their common goal?

Hannah Carmichael Chronicles ONLY on ChristyGraceScarlettPen – Hannah and I look forward to seeing you then!

Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

IT HAD TO BE YOU | Hannah Carmichael Chronicles (FIFTY-FOUR)

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael: Super Spy trying to take down the evil CGT spy agency. Status: The world believes she is dead, CGT knows she is alive.
Zeke Anderson: Spy with the real Government. Working with Hannah to take down CGT. Status: Shot by Baxter, wearing a bulletproof vest. Alive and confused at James’ sudden arrival.
Stephanie Winchester: Fellow spy and friend to Hannah and Zeke. Status: The world believes she is dead, CGT knows she is alive. Wounded should from a gunshot, but stitched up and confused at James’ sudden arrival.
James Carmichael: Secretly working in the shadows to take down CGT with a team of people. Status: After years of being assumed dead, now alive and leader of The Palace – a base of people who all want to take down CGT.
Evelyn Carmichael: Terrorist, Criminal and Enemy of almost everyone. Status: Last seen by Hannah, dying in her arms of a gunshot wound. Unknown until the moment she arrived at The Palace. 

Hannah’s mother Evelyn Carmichael is a terrorist, but she has show up at The Palace, where James Carmichael has set up his base of operations. Her Father is trying to take down CGT, so what is her Mother doing there? Last she saw her, she was dying in her arms and Hannah was being blamed. What does Evelyn want? Can she help them take down CGT, or is it a trap?

FIFTY-FOUR

Hannah stared at the surveillance screen as her heart sank. Her Mother stood, alone as she extended her hand and knocked on a side door to The Palace. The room erupted into arguments, some wanting to hear what Evelyn had to say, and others convinced it was a trap. Hannah stood and listened, her eyes not leaving the screen.
Her Mother looked old. Older than she had ever seen. The scar from her wound in the recent attack was visible through the top of her low cut blouse and a shiver went down Hannah’s spine. CGT had tried to kill her Mother, and blame her.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and Hannah turned to see Stephanie attempting a small smile. Hannah returned the pathetic smile and looked at her Dad; he was equally stunned. She took a deep breath, then walked over to him. He pulled his eyes away from the screen and frowned.
“I think we should bring her in. She wouldn’t risk coming here if it wasn’t important,” Hannah said. James Carmichael thought for a moment, then ran his hand through his hair.
“We can’t trust her, not yet,” He said.
Hannah nodded, “I think we should bring her in with handcuffs. Take her into a room for questioning and hear what she has to say.”
The arguments from around the room were now silent as everyone stared at Hannah and James. Someone cleared their throat, and eyes turned to Roy, the man sitting in front of the screen.
“We have to make a decision soon, she won’t stay out there forever,” He said.
James nodded and moved over to a cabinet, pulling out a set of handcuffs, “We’ll bring her in.”
Turning to Hannah, he handed her the cuffs. “You do it,” He said softly.
Hannah nodded and turned, her heart beating loudly in her chest. She approached the door and slowly turned the doorknob, gun pointing at her mother’s forehead. As she opened the door, Evelyn stared at her with a small smile across her face.
“I knew it would be you, it had to be you.”
Hannah didn’t say a word, motioning instead with her gun for Evelyn to turn around. She complied and Hannah adjusted the cuffs onto her hands. She led her Mother through to their interrogation room and they both remained silent, the pain of the last few years the only thing to linger in the air.
Hannah handed Evelyn off and watched her being frisked before she was led into the room. Hannah made her way into the adjacent viewing room where James had installed two way glass which he had stolen from an old police station. They both stood, arms crossed as they stared at Evelyn Carmichael.
“Do you want to do this together?” James asked, still staring at the woman who was once his wife.
Hannah cleared her throat, “Let’s do it.”
They made their way quietly into the room and sat across from Evelyn, no table, just empty space between their two chairs and hers which was screwed into the floor.
“I like what you’ve done with the place Jim. Very homely,” Evelyn said. Her attempt at keeping the conversation light failed to amuse, and she sighed.
“I know I’ve hurt both of you, but you have to know why.”
James stood and slammed his hand against the mirror, “There is no explanation that outweighs the pain you’ve caused Ev.”
“Everything I did was for the greater good. You just couldn’t see all the pieces at play.” Evelyn’s voice was cold and she had straightened her posture.
Hannah tried not to roll her eyes and leaned forward, “What pieces?” She asked.
Evelyn looked away from James and frowned, “I didn’t want to do what I’ve done. I had to go to extremes to get their attention. It was the only way.” She leaned forward, her shackles clinking together as she rested her forearms on her knees. “I worked with CGT in the early days as an agent, which I’m guessing you already know,” Evelyn paused and waited for Hannah to nod.
“When I started to get promoted and climb the ranks, I saw just how far the reach of CGT goes. It goes to the highest levels of our government, and beyond Australia.” Evelyn’s face dropped and she lowered her voice, “As you saw with Moroz and Ian.”
As her Mother mentioned those names, Hannah felt anger coursing through her body and she took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.
“When I found out, I knew I had to do something. They would never let anyone far enough to take CGT down from the inside, so I branched out instead. They labelled me as a terrorist.”
James sighed and sat back on his chair, “Are you trying to tell me, all the things you’ve done, all the people you’ve killed, is all in the name of good?”
Evelyn cleared her throat and shook her head slightly, “I lost my way for a little while, but my true goal remained the same. That’s why my next attack was that CGT prison. There are people in there who could expose the truth. Powerful people, some of whom are believed to be dead.”
Hannah’s mind raced for a minute and she stopped listening as James and Evelyn argued on how they could trust each other.
CGT reached further than Hannah had thought, and they were miles from bringing them down. She believed what her Mother was saying. CGT had labelled her as a terrorist when she found out the truth, and many believed her to be dead.
Her thoughts drifted to the CGT ACCOUNTS file that Stephanie had hidden somewhere safe and she stood suddenly. Her parents became silent and stared at her as she held up her hands.
“This isn’t getting us anywhere. Dad, I believe her, from personal experience,” She said, as James frowned. She ignored him and turned back to Evelyn, “We need to work together to expose CGT. Regardless of the methods that have been used,” Hannah paused and glanced between her parents, “We have to make sure their organisation crumbles and I think I have a way.”
Hannah paused then looked back to James, “Stephanie and I have a file labelled CGT ACCOUNTS.”


Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back Next Week for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!

Christy Grace