Out Where the Rivenbuds Grow – Mark Rookyard

Science fiction / Story   Leave a comment

The second sun sat low in the sky, its pale red light smeared through a blanket of grey clouds. The winter had been a long one; five years, and the rivenbuds were a rare splash of colour in the world. Caitlin fed the plants, her hands wet and dirty. The winding stems twisted above her, green and bright. The flowers of the rivenbuds were blue, red and white, and a score of colours in between. …

Another question for Mark Rookyard

Q: What’s your writing schedule?

A: My writing schedule is a work in progress at the moment. I set myself the target of writing at least 1,000 words a day when I’m working on a story. To start with, that meant hurriedly writing a few words here and a few words there throughout the day before finishing off whatever words I had left to write when the family went to bed on a night. With this story, I set the alarm early (about 5 in the morning) and tried to get the words done before I went to work. That seemed to work pretty well, so I might stick with that. Finding the time is always a struggle though, and can’t see that changing any time soon!

Mark Rookyard’s story “Out Where the Rivenbuds Grow” was published in Metaphorosis on Friday, 12 August 2016. Subscribe to our e-mail updates so you’ll know when new stories go live.

Tides of Reflection – Mark Rookyard

Science fiction / Story   Leave a comment

The winds whispered promises of winter as they plucked with cold fingers at Silven’s shawl. She held it tighter around her shoulders and tucked her hair behind her ear. It was quiet on the cliff tops, the world seemingly shocked into appalled silence after the violence of the storm the night before. The sky was a parched blue, and diamonds of light danced on the sea under hazy pink clouds. The path along the clifftop …

A question for Mark Rookyard

Q: Are you optimistic about the future of humanity?

A: I’d say I’m 50/50. There’s the excitement and wonder of new technology and where that can take us, but then I think there’s always humanity’s baser instincts holding us back from what we could truly achieve. I could never imagine humanity, with all its failings, will ever achieve a utopia.

Mark Rookyard’s story “Tides of Reflection” was published in Metaphorosis on Friday, 6 May 2016. Subscribe to our e-mail updates so you’ll know when new stories go live.