HJ Furl subjects disarmingly vulnerable characters to distressing conflict in a world of isolation and controversy. A filthy glue-sniffing girl begs you for help at dusk. A mother and her children face robotic annihilation. Chaos breaks out on a long-haul flight when a tourist is incapacitated by bugs. Unclad soldiers hunt down a ruthless insurgent. A widower wanders through the wilderness searching for his dead wife and little boy. A male and female contestant fight a beast in the deadliest game of chance in the world. A schoolboy is challenged to a cruel dare by a bully.Thrill seekers are infected with a deadly virus in their remote jungle retreat. A WW2 airman is fated by a mysterious wartime dancer. A three-year-old girl goes missing presumed dead in a blazing inferno. A car crash victim stalks a gigolo hell-bent on revenge…
Is It Today? they meet their fate?
What will you do when the harsh realities of modern life become too much for you to bear?
Will fantasy be your only salvation?
*****
Is It Today? is my first, devastating, anthology of short stories.
Available as a limited edition signed copy from me at strx545@btinternet.com or online as an e-book or paperback from Amazon.
I am thrilled to give you a sneak preview of Act of Kindness from Is It Today? LIVE, the audiobook featuring sensational Linnea Sage as Harriet-Jacqui Furl, narrator and her cast of vulnerable characters. Due out in June.
I have a blog with news, video, images and thoughts . I’d love to hear from you!
https://www.hjfurlswritersblog.com
Thank you so much for reading me.
These are strange times for us all. Please, stay safe and well.
Warmest Wishes
HJ x
Facebook: Is It Today by HJ Furl
e-mail: strx545@btinternet.com
Twitter: @FurlHj
Gas! Gas! Gas!
I was learning to write when the crying gas attack happened: the attack on protest, the attack on freedom of speech and expression. I’ll never forget how I crouched under the stairs waiting for the gas to come. The wailing of their sirens. The insistent percussive hammering of stress messages in my ears:
‘Warning! This is Crying Gas! Stay indoors! Do not go outside! Do not attempt to protest!’
I was curious. I wanted to see, touch, feel, smell the gas. I went outside. I took off my gas mask.
She was waiting for me on the front lawn. I reached out to her, using her name,
‘Get you in your new yellow bio-hazard suit, Meg!’
‘It’s Crying Gas!’ she cried.
I didn’t listen. I took off my mask. The gas etched my face in celestial patterns. I started to cry. I was beautifully scarred for life. My face screamed. I lacked confidence.
Life was wonderful before the gas attacks in 2020.
They told me I should keep writing. Until everyone respects one another.
Until we are all equal. Until abhorrent racism is a crime of the past.
And the human race can truly call itself civilized.
HJ Furl
Tweet HJ @FurlHj
