-
Athelstone started the topic Sorry not sorry in the forum Blogs 6 years, 2 months ago
This link is to a marvellous but heart-breaking blog by our very own @KazG. Maybe wait a bit before reading if your blood pressure is high right now.
Linked with permission.
-
Squidge replied to the topic Monthly comp – May 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 2 months ago
A circuitous route – the same-old, same-old – but not so taken for granted as once it was.
Hot grey asphalt, its dull top layer peeled back by sun and tyres, glistening wet and black under, suggestive of a just-laid stickiness.
Pavements littered with the faded shadows of chalked rainbow messages to un-caped crusaders or old-fashioned hopscotch…[Read more]
-
Raine posted an update 6 years, 2 months ago
7 weeks of homeschooling (9 of lockdown) done. 5 & 1/2 weeks of homeschooling left. The end is just beginning to appear over the horizon!
-
Hurray! And well done on the home schooling. Have you managed to get any writing done as well?
-
Mixed feelings about the whole school thing here – some are going back, some not, some parents agree, some don’t… Having seen reports where teh libraries are being taped off with hazard tape to stop the kids handling books, I don’t think I’ll be putting my volunteer librarian hat back on for some time…
-
Yes, much as I and the mini are missing school (!), I am so glad we aren’t in England & facing going back to schools when it isn’t safe and when the measures schools are forced to use seem to be stripping all joy and light out of the school environment. Those photos of taped off bookshelves, and of chalked squares in the playground make me feel sick.
-
-
Bits, yes. I am struggling health-wise, and my capacity to structure and concentrate is shot to pieces. But I am doing lots of ‘research’ reading (about hedge magic, herbal remedies, victorian women botanists and the British Raj!), and pantsing a couple of novels that are almost certainly destined for the bin but are providing some escape for now.…[Read more]
-
Glad to hear you are managing to write ‘bits’ but very sorry about the ill-health. It’s a bugger, especially when you know that you’re not firing on all cylinders – so frustrating on top of everything else. However just reading about your research makes me want to read the novel that will result! It’s an enticing concoction. There’s every chance…[Read more]
-
-
-
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Richard's Literary Byways: Arthur Machen and the Angels of Mons in the forum Blogs 6 years, 2 months ago
Excellent blog, Richard. I fear my “to be read” list has acquired some new items.
-
-
Squidge posted an update in the group
CoronaMo 6 years, 2 months agoWell, still trying to edit Tilda 3. Have made some major changes to plot to keep the reader guessing a bit longer, but seem incapable of getting it all to ‘flow’. Feels like I’m making it worse instead of better! But keeping on keeping on, regardless…
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly comp – May 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 2 months ago
Between 2011 and 2013, for some eighteen months, I participated in a ‘Small stones’ project; a daily moment of intense observation. Many were made during the twelve minute walk (six there, six back) to buy a morning paper. This is a 396 word selection.
Autumn
Stepping stones of yellow sycamore
stuck to the rain-damp roadAnd the sky this mor…[Read more]
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly comp – April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 2 months ago
Loved the entries this time round. Very well done Libby. Raine, great topic. Came so close to telling you about my green rug, but it wasn’t to be.
-
Can’t imagine you with green hair, Ath.
-
Never been green – although it suffered a great deal of henna back in the 70s. These days I’m approaching the age where hair-loss is expected, if Paul McCartney is to be believed, so maybe a rug is on the cards. Or my head.
-
-
-
John S Alty replied to the topic Monthly comp – April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 2 months ago
Well done, Libby, thoroughly deserved.
-
Squidge replied to the topic Monthly comp – April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 2 months ago
Well done, Libby! Loved your piece. Interesting to read the stories behind the objects from everyone.
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly comp – April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 2 months ago
Thank you Raine – both for setting such an interesting, informative and though-provoking challenge, and for picking my favourite as winner. Well done Libby.
-
Raine replied to the topic Monthly comp – April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 2 months ago
Thank-you all. I just realised as I logged on to write this that we talked about making these comps run over two months rather than one? I’ll stick to one month being as that was how I set it. So. These were all a delight to read. So many memories and things that resonated with me very powerfully. Anyway, on to my thoughts.
@jllsted I am very…[Read more]
-
Sandra posted an update 6 years, 2 months ago
@libby, I loved, loved, loved your comp entry – the agonising over the purchase and then the description – sounds a wonderful piece of inspiration to have in sight.
-
@sandradavies Thank you!
-
@libby I agree with Sandra, your descriptions are stunning. I’m not quite certain where to post my comment, as I didn’t want to put it on the comp thread. I’m still working my way around… 🙂
-
-
-
Raine posted an update 6 years, 3 months ago
24hrs ish left to enter this month’s comp… Give me something to do tomorrow other than supervise maths. Please. 😀
-
Anything to dilute the maths 🙂
-
-
Athelstone replied to the topic Chasing the Dream in the forum Blogs 6 years, 3 months ago
I don’t remember this blog in detail, but I do remember thinking what a lucky individual you were to find such a wonderful spot.
-
Athelstone posted an update 6 years, 3 months ago
So, the Festival of Writing will move from York to the Internet this year.
It also seems that what for many is a big attraction, the meeting with…[Read more]
-
For me it works, big time. The up-front cost is way less (especially for members) so paying extra for a one to one session is not an issue as far as I am concerned. And it (presumably) keeps the headline price down for those who may not have anything to present to a one to one but simply want to learn.
-
That’s a good point. To be honest, I don’t imagine they had much choice and the reduced price is welcome. Plus they promise a session with Neil Gaiman. But never mind that: PHILIPPA EAST in June and AMANDA BERRIMAN in August!!!
-
I saw this too – wondered whether to sign up this time.
-
I’m not going to rush into it, but it might have some interesting bits – along with those I mentioned earlier 🙂
-
I’m thinking about it too although our broadband connection may not be upto it. I’ve told my SE course group about our internet troubles several times recently. I’m becoming a broadband bore. Anyway, a stand-alone 121 therefore might suit me well if I choose to go for one.
-
-
Hello everyone! I’m venturing back into the online writing world, having spent most of my time on Twitter. I see some of you there but not everyone, so this is a means to reconnect. @libby, internect connexions are such a pain. Instead of locking down in our country house where we have oodles of space and nature all around, we stayed in Paris…[Read more]
-
Hello @giselle. Lockdown has certainly shown up with extra emphasis the significance of tech in our lives, and especially how its failings can disrupt us. I don’t do social media and live a fairly low-tech life, but making online connections has become vital and so frustrating when they don’t work 🙂
-
-
-
-
-
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly comp – April 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Bringing a little light
I suspected, on reading the rules, if I did submit anything it would be something of a cheat, because there’s not a lot that’s actually old in itself in this room. Not much in the way of ‘things’ really, anywhere in the house (although I do have, in the loft, my great-grandfather’s two writing boxes such as Jill describes…[Read more]
-
Raine posted an update in the group
CoronaMo 6 years, 3 months ago1900 words today despite my computer (actually) screaming at me when I first turned it on this morning! Seems to have exorcised whatever ghost that was – phew. But then realised today’s words were about a ghost of a recording of the Little Red Ridinghood story so am expecting the computer to turn on with a howl tomorrow!
-
Raine posted an update 6 years, 3 months ago
10 days left to post something in the Monthly Comp. Not a ‘create a story’ prompt this time, so much as a ‘play with words’ one. So even if you’re feeling low on inspiration, give it a go.
-
I started working on something this morning, enjoying, just at the moment, not to have to think up a story. That’s not because of the virus but because have been editing the novel and my brain isn’t flexible enough for a sudden shift to other fiction.
-
-
Amanda Berriman (Skylark) posted an update in the group
CoronaMo 6 years, 3 months agoHello *waves* How is everyone doing? So much for my intention to spend more time in the Den – it’s been two months!! Things went a bit hectic in Feb/March with a lot of time and energy going into researching/organising stuff for Peter’s ongoing recovery/physical health. Of course many of those plans have now been cancelled! But subsitute dates are…[Read more]
-
Great to hear from you, @skylark! I’ve been wondering how you were managing with Peter with all appointments cancelled. Hope you have a good cycle out – I can imagine that big smile of his right now.
-
It was a GREAT cycle (see FB post). We’re getting on fine – just muddling through as everyone else is. I’m not sure we’re that brilliant at the physio side of things but doing something is better than nothing. It’s great to have another exercise that he can do now though. Burn up some more energy!
-
Lovely to hear your news @skylark. And so glad your bike ride was a success. Enjoy your family time!
-
I saw the little clip on FB, and it looks utterly splendid! Especially wonderful to have right now I imagine!
-
@raine It is! It’s been a bit of a worry the last month that his only exercise has been doing Wii sports in his standing frame and our unqualified attempts to mimick his physio sessions. I feel better knowing we can go out biking two or three times a week – a good cardio workout for him with the hills we have around here!
-
-
@janeshuff Thanks! We are making the most of what we can of this strange time. Hope you are keeping well xx
-
-
-
-
- Load More
Skip to content
Unbelievable! Well done Kaz for highlighting this.
It IS unbelievable 🙁 Thanks Kate.
And also Ath, for sharing it.