Just Ben.

Updates

2012-01-15T14:27:00.000-08:00

Again, apologies to the 3 people reading this, my updates arn't as frequent as I have had a pile of personal things to get through.

But anyhoo.

Cutting Edges is back under production, the horror graphic novel based on the screen play by Nicholas Grabowsky.
It's not been easy but crossed fingers this time will be the result I'm looking for!

Saltire is currently moving a long team wise, some good prospects that I hope can be connected to bring a great new series out there.

Besides that of course, the erotica is still available on itunes. Not much, 99p a book which would help me out!

Sorry this is short, my head feels like it's on fire.

Keep safe y'all

News news news

2012-01-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen of the internet,

Those of you who have iphones and ipads can now access T.H.Rusty and Mouna Lotts books!

That's right, help a poor sod out who needs the exposure by, instead of spending that quid on a chocolate bar you buy a naughty book!

Stocking Fillers, Sex Games 1, Sex Games 2 and Brief Encounters are all found now on itunes so please, do have a peek.

Apart from that.................happy new year or some bollocks.

2012, I'm ready for it Mayans!

Review time

2011-11-21T02:54:00.000-08:00

Morning folks,

Just made myself the usual pot/vat/cauldron of coffee and now have something new to plug:

http://newsblaze.com/story/20111120164922jude.nb/topstory.html

That's the first review of Brief Encounters, an erotica short novel I co wrote with Mouna Lott.

Do go read!

In the meantime, back to that artist hunt.

New ideas

2011-11-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

Getting some ideas down for my next big idea.
I'll make it brief for now as I don't have a full synopsis yet. 2 recons discover sinister plots to repeat terror attacks across the globe. Burned by their contries they decide to go rogue, succeed or die.

This is how I imagine the beginning, all done as an audio transcript:

W) I'm not exactly sure the purpose of -

1) Sit down Mr Waller.

W) Fine, but can you please explain -

1) I didn't say you could speak openly Mr Waller, do you realise how much shit you are in?

W) What?

2) Don't play coy with us.

W) I'm not playing coy! What have I done?

2) Mr Steven Waller, 34, Foreign Intelligence Overseer. Currently based in Washington, but only since 2003. Before then it was Italy, Iran, Germany and Japan. Correct?

W) What the hell is this -

1) Yes or no.

W) Yes.

1) During the events of September the 11^th you oversaw operations in Iraq is that correct.

W) Yes.

1) But you were not a presence in the original push in to Afghanistan during the start of Operation Enduring Freedom.

W) No.

2) No? Are you not the Foreign Intelligence Overseer in question?

W) In question?

1) Just answer the questions Mr Waller.

W) Fine. Yes I am.

1) Then why were you not in Afghanistan.

W) It was unnecessary at the time. We were moving forces in at speed.

2) Or was your attention otherwise occupied.

W) Excuse me?

1) Answer the question Mr Waller.

W) No! What the hell do you think you're implying here!?

2) You are in no position to demand anything. It is in your best interests to answer us.

W) Fuck you.

2) You know what I see? I see a man who is covering his ass, trying to cover up the mess he's got himself and hundreds in to.

W) I'm not covering anything up! What are you on about!

1) Cut the chatter Mr Waller, we're done being nice.

2) You fucked up Waller, you fucked up big time. Isn't a big part of of your job 'intelligence'? It's part of your job title.

1) Maybe you have a different version of intelligence than we do. Personally, hiding information from not only your superiors but also allies doesn't sound too clever.

W) Oh jesus.

2) He's not going to help you here.

1) We know about Baghdad. We know what happened and what was covered.

2) What we don't know is why.

W) I had my orders!

1) You were ordered to bury two operatives who weren't even part of your counties force? I find this hard to believe.

W) It was....complicated.

2) Please, enlighten us.

W) I don't understand ok, why now? All this happened years ago and...was dealt with.

1) Mr Waller let me bring you up to speed. As of 06:12 this morning we has reports of a two man team entering and taking control of a covert listening post in eastern China.

W) And?

2) They are using the same call signs as an operation YOU oversaw in Baghdad.

W) You're lying.

1) The United Kingdom has denied any knowledge of this. In fact they have denied any connection to them.

2) We've searched your office and computers, all your information on Baghdad is ours.

W) You can't do that!

1) You're one wrong word away from disappearing forever Waller, be careful what you say next. Now, you are going to tell us, in very minute detail, everything that happened.

2) Who are call signs Biscuit and Westie Mr Waller.

1) And more importantly, what did they find in Baghdad.

Links! Whoring! Help me!

2011-11-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

Ok folks this is more of a link dump than a blog, but I am currently getting my head around the next stories/books/artist hunting so am a tad busy.

Also playing Rage, Battlefield 3, Arkham City and Modern Warfare 3.....

Speaking of artists, this is one area I am currently investing a lot of time in. I NEED artists! I have 2 comic series who have been let down time and time again and they need help.

Shot in the Dark Comics is giving me the opportunity to work in the career, the field I want a life in....and my titles have no art.

So folks, people, peons and the collected mass; help me. If you know ANYONE who wants the chance to work in the comic world please get them to contact me. I will talk and look at everyones work because like myself, everyone deserves a chance.

bennunan (at) gmail dot com

Now for some links:

The erotica! Every sale brings more exposure and a bigger chance at the goals I've set myself.

The FREE short story collection
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/96145

Sex Games
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92622

Sex Games 2
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92625

Brief Encounters
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93774

Each book costs as much as a loaf of bread, so go help me put bread on my table! But most of all, more sales mean a better chance at what I am looking for.
Sappy I know.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have stories to think up and some baddies to shoot.

Belated

2011-10-26T03:54:00.000-07:00

Apologies for no posts lately......

Snowed under with work. That weird being that takes your time and doesn't offer much of a reward.

In the meantime go watch Adventure Time. Possibly the best cartoon ever.

Go, go now, I'll wait here.

Big News

2011-10-04T07:53:00.000-07:00

Hey guys and gals,

Big announcement today. As some of you will know (I am assuming people who know me read this) I also write erotica under the pen name T.H.Rusty....

Actually, someone from the Netherlands has read this....who is that?!

Anyway, I write erotica, and today I can finally do a bit of plugging.

Myself and Andie Scott have now THREE books available for download! Oh yes, 21st century and all that jazz.

'Sex Games' is the first of two anthologies of their short story erotica. From everyday situations to something a little out of the ordinary, these tales are sure to get you hot under the collar. Satisfaction is absolutely guaranteed!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92622

'Sex Games 2' is the second of the two anthologies of their short story erotica. More chance encounters come calling as no stone is left unturned. From shopping trips to building sites, stamina is a must! Sexy short tales tuned to please and pander, sit back and enjoy.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92625

'Brief Encounters': In this novella Mouna is trying to beat breast cancer. A newly appointed text friend fuels her desires to explore her sexuality. He writes erotica and sends her stories. She emails back all the sexual experiences she has. The question is whether they will meet up to pursue this fantasy of lust in the flesh.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93774

'Sex Games' and 'Sex Games 2' are both available for download (ebook reader and PDF) for just $1.49........
Brief Encounters a tad more at $2.99

Guys, it would mean the world to me to see my work bought and read, it really would. Writing isn't an easy street and this is just one step. But it is a step forward, something that many people didn't think I could do.

Never give up folks, I have my proof it can happen.

So if you fancy a dabble of erotica in your life, give the books a shot.

Ben. Tired.

Dear world

2011-10-04T05:39:00.000-07:00

Dear sir/madam/entity/gamma rays/space dust,

It would be incredibly helpful if, while I am looking over the last edits for books that myself and my co writer Andie are releasing....
And when I am scripting comic book pages......
And working on new stories..............................
And blogging......................................................
And looking for more writing opportunities.....

Could you not slowly break my computer?

Could you not have it slowly die on me, stop loading programmes and generally take every attempt of mine to make it work as an insult?

It's just....well.....I work off this GOD DAMN THING!

It would just be nice, thanks.

Ben (That Scottish writer with the coffee in his hand and scowl on his face)

p.s. When I ask a girl out who I've been talking to and is nice, could you have her say yes? NOT.......laugh in my face and tell me she is engaged and just wanted to see if she could still get a guy to ask her out?

Thanks Odin you jerk.

Request

2011-09-24T03:58:00.000-07:00

See, told you I'd remove the rant post! I'll save being a moody bugger for another time.
Failing that, play more Xbox.

Anyway this is a big plug/request for a friend of mine, and amazing artist.........

BRETT BUCKLE

Designer/illustrator/artist and all around talented bloke. He's on the look out for some work, which he shouldn't be as he is one of those asses who has skills.

His work can be found at www.brettbuckle.com (easily enough)

On Linkedin? Search for Brett Buckle!

He's a great bloke and I'm sure someone who is reading this knows someone who needs some amazing art!

Go, go now!

Block

2011-09-06T09:47:00.001-07:00

As I write this I have Russia vs Ireland playing football to my left, one empty coffee cup to my right and another full in my hands.

It's in situations like this I wonder how other people write, and what 'set up' they have. I guess the beauty of writing is that you can do it anywhere, on any surface. It isn't really beneficial to your work output to be writing on a cardboard box and tray, but you work with what you get.

This is the con of writing at home rather than in some office set up, you really do have free reign. I do spend quite a bit of my writing (or 'creating' time) in the bath.

I guess what I am getting at here is, what is deemed professional? Should I be sat at a large desk with a 'I Hate Mondays' poster on my wall?

Would I be more productive? Not saying I am not now, if you know me at all I don't bloody stop working.

Unless we need to get some Borderlands action in.

I've been thinking of this lately because I've been losing a lot of my confidence as I write, on top of that I just don't know what to write about.

I don't want to voice an opinion about this or that like so many other blogs I read because, why the hell should you listen to me? I'm not here to change your world, I'm trying to change mine.

Maybe I should clear my head more, the problem with doing the writing (Which should be the only job I have) and a 'pay the rent' other job is that you're always in two minds, or just exhausted.

Little bit of good luck wouldn't be so bad right?

I'm writing about how I can't write.....I need more coffee.

An original prologue

2011-09-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Many moons ago this was a sample to a book I was writing for a.......publisher who's details I can not remember anymore.
Like I said, it was a long time ago.
It's weird reading things like this, seeing how your writing has progressed and changed as the years ravage your body and the coffee finally takes over your blood supply.
It's based on one of our ('our' being myself and Finn (my brother, the talented one)) longest running stories, 'Bernade & Arnajon'. Best way to describe the story? Take Hellboy, give the Supernatural boys a job with them, make mythical monsters and aliens credible and throw in humour when allowed.
Anyway, this is what I wrote, they liked it, I'm not so sure.

The shadowy figure crept over the road, hunched over and alert, as if the whole worlds troubles were on his shoulders. Not allowing itself the sanctity of the light the creature lurches forward into the next shadow, covering its existence from all who could see.

Finally it reaches its destination, no cave nor forest but a run down apartment, only due to the dirt could you see the apartment number. The creature emerges finally and pulls itself straight, the features of a middle aged man, heavily unshaven and unkempt are seen before giving a final look and then disappearing into the doorway.

His door is flung open hastily as he quickly enters, discarding his raincoat to the floor. A bag of groceries is dropped to the ground with equal thoughtlessness as he rushes over to a faint green screen, humming gently. A random assortment of junk food is spilled as he feverishly stares at the screen, it would appear he has been sat there for some time.

‘Come on you piece of crap, don’t give up on me yet’, his hands clasped as if in prayer, his eyes haven’t blinked since he sat back down.

Suddenly the screen explodes into light, the man falls backwards off his chair almost in disbelief. Picking himself up he looks at the screen, a wrinkled and sore smile etches across his face as he sees the fruit of his labours.

There, across the screen he sees the words ‘Federal Bureau of Investigation Abnormal Activities Network’.

‘Harry you are a bloody genius! It has only taken you what, two years?’ he thinks to himself.

His hand dives into the nearly empty bag of cheese nibbles, dusty fingers run back to his mouth and then the keyboard, to join the other in furious tapping. The more he types and uncovers, the more questions appear;

‘I’m never going to find out who they were, maybe they were all right, maybe I did just imagine it’, he thinks this to himself as he leans back.

Suddenly a file catches his eye, hidden away, hardly noticeable through the layers of secrets and cover ups. An abbreviated term, something he missed but something that brings back his memory of that night;

O.D.A.

Harry jumps up out of his chair and begins pacing his room, his thoughts filled with what that folder contains. Does he really want to open it? What will it answer? Will it tell him who that shadow figure, that…monster is? All he remembers is what the ‘man’ told him, and those eyes…those piercing glowing blue eyes.

‘The O.D.A. does not need you remembering what happened here, what you need to do is forget it, and move on, this is our struggle, not yours’.

He opens the file.

What he sees is not half of what he expected. Files and files of missions, tasks, locations and secrets litter his screen. Whoever the O.D.A. are, they are bigger than he thought, and linked to much more than he even thought possible. What confuses him even more is when he finds out what O.D.A. stands for.

What does Outerworld Defence Agency mean? Outerworld? Does that mean off this world? What does this all mean!

His heart pumps faster as he sees more and more files, suddenly one catches his eye.

‘The Bermuda Triangle? These people have had something to do with the Bermuda Triangle? Please tell me this is some kind of sick joke’. He almost closes down the whole folder sensing it is as fake as his apparent ‘hallucination’. Then he sees it. A chilling reminder about why he started searching.

A file simply labelled ‘Operative Shadow Sword’.

Again he leans back on his chair, cradling his unshaven chin in his hands. Seeing that file lit up on his screen for once did not lead to another question, but to that memory; the memory that has consumed his life.

2 Years Ago

‘It was not as if I thought vampires were really real, I just thought they were probably one of those fads that kids go through these days’ he thinks to himself lying on his bed, allowing the memory to consume his conscious. It was a typical night, typical for me anyway. A boring day at work followed by a rerun of ‘Forbidden Planet’ at my local Cineplex; like I said, typical. Walking from the movie I notice that a small group of men had started to follow me. Nothing new I thought to myself, I am walking towards the residential area of town, they are probably going home. One shouts to me, asking what the time is. I answer and continue my walk, yet he asks again, the group are getting closer to me. Before I know it one of them is in front of me, I do not know how fast he was, or where he came from but I smacked right into him as I walked. Now, I have been mugged before, it happens everyday in Chicago, its no big deal. You have your wallet taken, maybe get a few hits and they go. You ring the police, they don’t get back to you, continue. But these guys did not want to mug me, well…not for my wallet at least. It was then that I noticed their teeth, their big…shiny…stabby teeth. There had been reports of vampirism lately, people being attacked and their blood taken. But I didn’t think it was real, not real enough to affect me anyway. I was cornered by them all, being pushed down a dark alley, away from prying eyes and ears. Their eyes glowed in the dark! Glowed…in…the…dark, it only hit me then that I was involved in something that was way beyond my comprehension. I did not see them at first, the shadows covered everyone’s forms, only their eyes gave away their presence. There was no sound, only my breathing broke the silence as they moved closer. The waiting was killing me, I did not know what to do, so I just closed my eyes. It felt like eternity as I stood there, the chilling air holding me still. I finally opened my eyes to see why I wasn’t dead yet, and just saw darkness…and one set of pure blue eyes. I was still frozen to the spot, the eyes did not move, just stared at me. As suddenly as I was nearly killed they came, loads of them, bathed in a hundred spotlights. Everything from then on is a blur, masked men cleaning the alley, dragging the slumped corpses of these…’vampires’ away in black bags. I see it now, the creature who saved me, his deep blue eyes framing almost black skin covered in what looked like tattoos. Wearing combat gear and carrying a now blood soaked sword, he just stared back at me,

‘The O.D.A. does not need you remembering what happened here, what you need to do is forget it, and move on, this is our struggle, not yours’.

And with that…they were gone. And I was left having seen what I did, having known what I knew, and wanting to know more.

Harry snaps out of his memory and returns to staring at the screen, and the name flashing across it. It has been two years of his life, two years in which he has lost his wife and his daughter to this obsession, two years he has dedicated to him. And now he can uncover the truth, he can discover what he saw. He can…end it all. He slowly climbs out of his seat and goes to his bedside cabinet, taking a letter out of it. He gently places it on his bed and collects a clean pressed suit off his wall. He changes into it slowly as he stares at the computer. Now he is ready, sitting back down he opens his bottom drawer and takes and places something on his desk. A final deep breath and he opens the file.

Second Page

2011-09-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Continuing from an earlier post, here is page two of Saltire's issue 1.
If anything, I hope people see what goes on behind the scenes.
I promise I'll blog about actual things at some point, for now, read some of what I do on a daily basis.

PAGE 2

CLOSE ANGLE – Two POLICE MEN are seen gazing at the blaze backed by their squad car. One, the older and moustached, is on the radio, screaming orders to his troops. The other, younger and inexperienced, is just staring at the blaze. A crowd is forming, drawn like moths to a candle. There is panic, its busy, like a contained chaos.

2.1.1 CAP: Not your usual hero, the cop or fireman; or even a guy in spandex

MEDIUM ANGLE: A full shot of MATCHSTICK running from the building, into a dark alley behind it. Bags with what appears to be cash are flying around his arms. His total appearance is masked but his eyes burn bright, clearly the fire was his doing. We can see his grin also, burning into view from the shadow.

2.2.1 CAP: A defender of JUSTICE. Someone to take the bullet.

CLOSE UP: Our angle is from further down the alley now. MATCHSTICK is much closer in the panel now, almost staring directly at ‘us’. His expression has changed from a frenzied grin as he was running to complete shock. His jaw has dropped, mouth wide; he did not expect this. The flames leaping from his body reach new intensity at this surprise.

2.3.2 CAP: To defend the INNOCENT.

- Life sucks, drink more coffee

Poem 1

2011-08-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

Found this today, can't even remember when I wrote it.

It was the only ring
I gave away
That I felt dread for
A crying shame
No love, no hope
No cross bred dream
Of longing nights
Or star studded memories
That flowed so easily from one
To another with no pause
A ring in which no secret shared
Promise kept nor pining
Keeping my beating heart alive
A ring passed from one
To another with pauses fleeting
A token breath, fake until the end
No urge for ayes
As no warrants the same emotion
Passing on that ring
From this one unto another

I wrote it about those gummy rings you get in Haribo's

- Life sucks, drink more coffee

Script to page

2011-08-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd give you a little taster of the background work that goes in to making a comic book.
This is the first page of Saltire issue 1, my series (waiting on concepts from a new artist). This is the comparison of the script I write compared to the page the artist produces.
This was from an artist who worked with me a few years ago but couldn't continue as the full time artist.
Anyway, thought it could serve to see the work behind the page.

Script

Ben Nunan

EDIT

22/03/11

PAGE 1

EXT. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING – NIGHT

WIDE SHOT – A huge explosion, taking out a whole level of the building. Think Die Hard or Terminator for the size of the explosion, American big, over the top. Jets of flame erupting from the windows, spiralling into the air, dominating the top of the page. Below the building is the police presence, red and blue lights dwarfed by the fire. Go nuts with the explosion, it’s a distraction, it needs to be impressive.

SUPER: SALTIRE

1.1.1 CAP: This city needs a hero

- Life sucks, drink more coffee

First

2011-08-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

First post, a new era of writing about inane crap, but how to start?
If you've found this blog then you know I am Ben Nunan, writer, Scotland born and Bristol based.
I'll be using this to publish some of my scripts, ideas and tid-bits. You'll be able to see some of my ramblings, what I am working on and what I hope to be doing in the future.
Apart from the comic writing I do, very recently the comic reviews and generally telling people what they are doing wrong, I also write erotica.
That however can be found at thrustyuk.blogspot.com, please do go have a peek if you are so inclined.
Today though, bacon sandwich.

Welcome!

- Life sucks, drink more coffee