Join Murphy Cassidy in a whirlwind of challenges and dreams as she faces the music—literally—in Cork, 2025. #shortstory #characterinterview

The Rebel Murphy
a short story 

by 
Chiara Benedetta Condorelli

 Cork, 2025.

Murphy Cassidy works as a cleaner and faces many challenges both in her life and in her job. One day, she's unexpectedly invited to sing on a TV talent show, a dream opportunity that also offers a chance of a lifetime to a struggling rock band.

However, there's one thing that could prevent her from taking the stage, and no, it's not her lack of singing ability...

Amazon | Amazon Store | Chiara Benedetta Condorelli

Character interview with Murphy Cassidy, the protagonist from The Rebel Murphy

What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?

Dia duit, Louise (it means "Hello” in Irish), and thanks for interviewing me. I hope you're doing well. My name is Murphy Cassidy. No, I don't have a nickname. Not that I know of, anyway.

 

Nice to meet you, Murphy. Your name tells me you’ve Irish heritage?

Yes, I was born in Cork, Ireland, but I’ve no idea of my age. My author didn't bother to give me a birth date, although I assume we share the same age because of specific circumstances described in the book that I'm not allowed to reveal. Don't worry, though, I'm of legal age.

 

I take it you’re a human? You seem human.

Yes, I'm definitely a human being. My author has put a lot of effort into making me sound and act like a human, although she barely likes to provide any physical descriptions (unless they're relevant to the plot) because she prefers the readers to imagine the characters with the features they want. I think I like that.

What are your likes/dislikes?

I love the Swords-born rock band Kodaline. My author made sure that they would have been relevant to the plot at a certain point. You can listen below and when you do, think of me. 

What are your likes/dislikes?

I love the Swords-born rock band Kodaline. My author made sure that they would have been relevant to the plot at a certain point.

 

Do you have a job/hobby?

I’m a cleaner, and I always wanted to be the best cleaner I could possibly be.

 

Are you in love?

I’m single, and I’m genuinely fine with that. I don’t envy those who are engaged, married or whatever because I prefer spending my time doing the stuff I enjoy the most.

 

Do you have any regrets in life?

I don’t have any regrets, so far, but anything can happen in life, and maybe there will be one thing I’ll regret thinking or doing someday.

 

Where do you live? Are you happy there?

I mostly drive throughout Ireland for work, and so far, there’s no place I ever disliked.

 

Who are your parents? Are they still alive?

My parents are Saoirse and Enda Cassidy. They’re still alive, and I get along with them pretty decently, given the circumstances (I live on my own, and I like it that way, despite knowing that this lifestyle has its own disadvantages).

 

Do you own a gun (or any other weapon)?

Nope, nope, nope! And so far, I’ve never been put in a position to kill someone. The dead don’t hire you or pay you any salary, after all.

 

What do you consider your greatest achievement so far? Do other people think it’s great?

My greatest achievement so far is living on my own with a job I like doing and without any harm done to anyone, I guess. I think that most people are okay with me living like this, but naturally, I wouldn’t like to know that someone thinks otherwise. I would like to thank you for this interview. Slán (it means “goodbye” in Irish)!

This platform provides an exclusive chance for you to garner free promotion for both you and your book. Please reach out via email to info@louisewise.uk

The Insufferable Author's Guide to Literary Domination: An Epic Saga of Protests, Prose, and Postage Problems (Or How NOT to Write a Book and Pester Publishers) #comedy #blog

 by 
Louise Wise

Compose your manuscript in a dazzling display of creativity—single-spaced, with each side of the paper brimming with your genius. Choose a font that screams individuality, like the exquisite Curlz MT. No computer? No problem! Many agents still relish handwritten manuscripts—some prefer them!

Begin with a breathtaking description of your surroundings—let the reader feel the mist on their skin and envision the majestic cows grazing in the distance. Grammar, typos, and spelling? Forget about them! The copy editor will gleefully tackle those trivialities, grateful for the opportunity to enhance your masterpiece.

Chapter length? Irrelevant. Just ensure each one starts afresh from page one. Then proudly dispatch your 300,000-word opus, meticulously stapled and encased in plastic wallets, to every agent and publisher on the planet.

Craft your query/cover letter with the utmost pomposity. Remind the recipient of your sheer brilliance and don't hesitate to name-drop Aunt Fanny, Cousin Willy, and dear old grandma as adoring fans.

In the labyrinthine twenty-page synopsis, throw genre conventions out the window and leave the agents scratching their heads. Drop tantalising hints of a genre-defying masterpiece - part romance, part suspense, part horror, and a generous dollop of your own life's drama thrown in for good measure. It's like a literary potluck--you never know what you're going to get, but it's bound to be a wild ride!

Get your hands on a neon envelope and blast the agent/publisher's address in a hue so bright it practically blinds them. Slap on stickers proclaiming your arrival as the 'Greatest Author' because subtlety is overrated. Seal the whole package with enough Sellotape to challenge even the most skilled escape artist, and don't bother with the correct postage - let the postman deal with the consequences.

As for a self-addressed envelope? Nah, too easy. Instead, bombard them with daily phone calls until they're practically begging for your manuscript. Then, demand payment faster than a cheetah on roller skates. After all, why wait for fame and fortune when you can demand it now?

Hold fast and never entertain the thought of rejection. Should they have the audacity to spurn your literary genius, unleash the full force of your righteous fury in a blistering letter, highlighting their unforgivable oversight. Demand an audience with the bigwigs, and if that falls flat, stage a dramatic protest outside their hallowed halls until the long arm of the law intervenes.

Only then will they grasp the magnitude of your dedication to revolutionising the literary landscape with your unparalleled fusion of romance, suspense, horror, and personal memoir.

Writers, unite and conquer!

If you have a tale to tell about your journey through the realm of publishing, regardless of genre, we welcome you to contribute a guest post to our website. This platform provides an exclusive chance for you to garner free promotion for both yourself and your book. If you're keen to share your story, please reach out via email to info@louisewise.uk

Oh boy, have I got a treat for you! A #romcom is up for grabs PLUS a box of choccies AND one of WWBB's derogatory style interviews! #giveaway #romance #fiction #author #interview .@VictoriaCooke10 .@rararesources

 It takes a brave author to agree to WWBB’s derogatory interview style. 

So welcome (mawuhhhhhh) Victoria Cooke. Let the bitch fest interview begin!

How come you came up with the shitty title of The Secret to Falling in Love. Did you run out of ideas?

Actually, it was much worse to begin with but my publisher improved it by totally scrapping my title idea and coming up with another one. It does what it says on the tin and who doesn’t want to know the secret to falling in love? Even if you don’t want to be in love or you hate love, it’s best to know the secret so you don’t inadvertently fall into it. That’s my catchy motto anyway.

Could the title have been any worse? The Secret to Falling in Love… come on. OK, moving on because I haven’t all day discussing god-awful book titles, what’s so great about book? (Don't want the boring details, a couple of lines is enough!)

It’s set in my home city of Manchester, the coolest city on earth. We gave you Oasis and Coronation Street and funnily enough, the computer (a central theme in The Secret to Falling in Love – wink wink). Manchester is also home to the oldest library in England so I think book lovers everywhere owe it to Manchester to read all the books set there.

Manchester the coolest city? I don’t think so, lady! Oasis can’t stand one another, Coronation Street… OK, I’ll give you Corrie. And (grudgingly) the rest. So, am I likely to fall asleep during chapter one?

I hope not, there’s a grown woman stuck in a dog flap for goodness sake! It’s literary fiction at its finest.

Eat your heart out Jane Austen! And is your protagonist happy now their story has been told, or is there more to come (God help us!)?

She is definitely happy; she’s got Scott (hearty eyes) and she’s dealt with a few nasties whilst figuring out her friend’s secret and befriending a cool old lady.

Describe your writing style in ten words or less. I’ll begin with the first two: Crap, dull…

Colloquial, contemporary (a little bit sweary but not as much as one American reviewer on Amazon would have you believe). I also have a substantial cocktail-based vocabulary.

I have a sudden compulsion to read this book! Go on, just for a laugh, share with us that review.

Okaaaay. It’s from Amazon USA:

‘I didn't enjoy the book at all. Boring. The heroine, Melissa, kept trying to find her soul mate and always wanted to hook up (sex) on the first date. Melissa was an alcoholic (that's what I call someone that drinks like she did). I got sick of all the drinking. It was a complete turnoff. I didn't care for the sex and swear words. I also didn't agree with certain lifestyles in the book. I do not recommend. Will not read this author again.’

That reviewer is a Muppet! Who’d want to go through life without a piss-up, swearing and fuc... nooky. They must live in a convent.

What qualifications do you have for writing in your genre? (Apart from waking up in the morning, that is).

I have a 2:1 in marriage and am a fully qualified spewer of hearty-eyes and warm fuzz. I got a level 2 NVQ in evil bosses and an A-level in awesome friends. I have also watched all the romcom films. All of them!

All of them? Hugh Grant’s floppy hair and all?

Many authors use their qualifications to show off their so-called talents i.e. crime writers are often coppers (or police, for the non-Brits present) and the book becomes boringly technical. How have you managed to keep your knowledge low key? Or haven’t you bothered?

Quite the opposite actually. My knowledge of dating in the times of Tinder was virtually none existent so I had to up-skill. My actual qualifications were completely useless but don’t get me started on the uselessness of my business studies degree.

           

I did however, allow my in-depth knowledge and experience of lecherous men shine through in one particular scene.

If your book disappeared forever, do you think it’ll be missed?

No but it should be, who doesn’t love a bit of light-hearted fun with a happy-for-now ending, a few giggles and a big dollop of ‘aww’ along the way.

Sounds like a ‘lazy day’ book to me! Right, final question and then you can go. Describe your perfect death (in case I must kill you)?

Wrapped in Ryan Gosling’s arms on a Bali bed on some exotic beach where you feed me enough cocktails and chocolates to keep me happy but obviously not enough for me to survive on as that would negate the killing part. If you’re really serious about this, the Ryan Gosling part is fundamental.

I might kill you anyway. Ryan Gosling is mine, bitch!

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The Secret to Falling in Love

by

Victoria Cooke

Lifestyle journalist and thirty-something singleton Melissa hashtags, insta's and snapchats her supposedly fabulous life on every social media platform there is.

That is until she wakes up on her birthday, another year older and still alone, wondering if for all her internet dates, love really can be found online? The challenge: go technology free for a whole month!

Purchase Link

Forced to confront the reality of her life without its perfect filters, Melissa knows she needs to make some changes. But when she bumps into not one, but two gorgeous men, without the use of an app, she believes there could be hope for love offline.

If only there was a way to choose the right guy for her…

About Author Victoria Cooke

Victoria Cooke grew up in the city of Manchester before crossing the Pennines in pursuit of a career in education. She now lives in Huddersfield with her husband and two young daughters and when she’s not at home writing by the fire with a cup of coffee in hand, she loves working out in the gym and travelling. 

Victoria was first published at the tender age of eight by her classroom teacher who saw potential in a six-page story about an invisible man. Since then she’s always had a passion for reading and writing, undertaking several writers’ courses before completing her first novel, 'The Secret to Falling in Love,' in 2016.

 Giveaway – Win an ARC of The Secret to Falling in Love and a box of Belgian Truffles (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days, then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, except the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Romance, friendship, comedy, British... what more could you want?

 A Proper Charlie

a true British comedy!

‘You weren’t in love with Andy, babe. You were in love with love.’

‘Don’t get all psycho-thingy on me,’ she said. ‘He was my soul mate. I loved him.’ Glass in hand, she pointed at Melvin, tipping sticky Malibu over his arm. ‘You know what a soul mate is?’

‘Enlighten me.’

She downed her drink, and reached for the bottle again. ‘It’s when you can tell what the other is thinking without talking. It’s when sex is out of this world!’ She frowned. ‘It wasn’t quite like that with Andy, but we were heading in the right direction.’

‘Sure you were.’

‘I’m such a bitch,’ she said, wailing. ‘Why’d I treat him so badly?’

‘I guess you’re a nasty person.’

She nodded in agreement. ‘I’m a cow.’

Melvin went to sip his Malibu, hesitated, then put the glass down on the coffee table.

‘You’re evil, Charlie. I mean,’ he held up a hand and began counting off his fingers, ‘you give him free board and lodgings as and when he wants it. You complain when he messes up your home, you’re suspicious of his motives because he talks of deals and stuff, but then has nothing to show for it. And, lastly, you accuse him of seeing another woman, who, Andy Pandy insists, is the wife of his very single pal Dave. As I said, utterly evil. I’m surprised he’s put up with you for this long.’

Charlie popped another piece of chocolate into her mouth. ‘Do you think I should’ve been nicer to him?’

Melvin nodded. ‘I do. At least offered him one of your kidneys, or something.’

She mulled it over as she poured herself another glass of Malibu. She tossed it down her throat. ‘I’ve been such a bitch.’

‘Yeah,’ Melvin agreed. He stood up. ‘I’m going to make myself a cup of tea.’ He screwed the lid back on the Malibu. ‘And one for you, too. I don’t think drinking this neat is a good idea.’

‘It’s a very good idea,’ Charlie said, making a swipe for the bottle.

 

Nook

Kobo 

Paperback

Amazon

Apple iStore

 She's losing her job.
She's losing her boyfriend.
She can only afford to eat spaghetti hoops on toast.
She's called Charlie... or Charlotte, or ginger, ginge, Duracell,
carrot.
Yet with all these odds against her, she pushes forward to
take the lead story on her paper at London Core.
Shame no one knows. Shame she's the office general assistant and not a real journalist.
Shame it's on missing prostitutes and Charlie thinks pretending to be a 'tart
with a heart' will get her that story.
She doesn't just get a story.
She becomes the starring role.

What's a girl to do when she discovers her boss is a wanted man? British chicklit by @louise_wise

This 'emotional scene' is short and sweet. A Proper Charlie is a British book which brings together two different classes: the upper and and lower class. This scene shows how different the main character, Charlie, is from the man she's fallen in love with...

Charlie nodded. ‘Of course I will.’ She forced a smile. ‘I understand why you have to go.’ And she did, only she badly wanted him to stay. To stay and finish making love to her. To tell her he loved her.

She swallowed hard. Her world was miles apart from Ben’s. She bought her clothes from Primark, whereas he had his tailor-made. He ate the finest foods, while she dined on oven chips and fish fingers. He drove a fresh-off-the-forecourt Audi, while she drove a battered old Fiesta. She lived in a dingy block of flats, with junkies and single mothers, while he lived in a beautiful house with a swimming pool and a butler. She didn’t know the latter, but she could imagine it.

He’d probably feel embarrassed if he knew what she felt about him – or worse, pity.

‘What’s going through your mind?’

She blinked herself to the present. ‘Eh?’

‘You’ve been standing in a trance for the last few minutes.’

She flushed. ‘Ben,’ she began. But she couldn’t finish. ‘Good night,’ she said instead. ‘I sincerely wish you well with your family bust-up.’

He smiled. ‘Thank you. Families,’ he said, with a jerk of his head. ‘Who’d have them?’

Then he was gone.

‘I would,’ she answered the closed door. ‘I would.’

 What's a girl to do when she discovers her boss is a wanted man?

Nook

Kobo 

Paperback

Your Amazon

Apple iStore

become a honey trap, that's what.

She's losing her job.
She's losing her boyfriend.
She can only afford to eat spaghetti hoops on toast.
She's called Charlie... or Charlotte, or ginger, ginge, Duracell,
carrot.
Yet with all these odds against her, she pushes forward to
take the lead story on her paper at London Core.
Shame no one knows. Shame she's the office general assistant and not a real journalist.
Shame it's on missing prostitutes and Charlie thinks pretending to be a 'tart
with a heart' will get her that story.
She doesn't just get a story.
She becomes the starring role.