Friends – Activity – Barry Walsh

Hilary replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Raine. in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

YES about the detail. So evocative.
Hilary replied to the topic Class 1 Writing Exercise, Jane in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

Sorry you’re feeling that way, Jane. It’s great that we can support one another with or without feedback – glad you posted anyway.
Hilary replied to the topic Class 1: Writing exercise, Squidge in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

I love the bit of dialogue about the peas.
I found the listening exercise very hard. Tried it again the other day. I would need to be very close or the speakers would need to be very loud!
Interesting about trying to write ‘gorgeous’ when you don’t feel you normally do. A good exercise, though, to try a different approach. Scary dream!
John S Alty started the topic Story idea in the forum Coffee Shop 6 years, 9 months ago

I woke this morning with an idea for a short story/novella. It’s not something I’d tackle so I thought I’d put it out there for anyone looking for a new project:

Two women have taken on the challenge of rowing across the Atlantic for a charity – say, breast cancer awareness – and have acquired the necessary sponsorship, had a boat built and have…[Read more]
RichardB replied to the topic Chaos and Catastrophe: Radstock, 1876 in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

There was, of course, no such thing as corporate manslaughter back then. But I did hear that after one Victorian accident (not this one) where the driver was charged with manslaughter, Punch published a cartoon showing a policeman collaring the driver and a director walking away, with the caption ‘Yes, you’ve got one. But you ought to have got…[Read more]
Squidge replied to the topic Class 1: Writing exercise, Squidge in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

Thanks both, especially for the kind words about how I currently write.

I do have very vivid dreams, which are full of this level of detail. Sometimes, they’re full of sensation too, but this one wasn’t – I was simply an observer in this one.

Why did it feel false to write? I think it was because I was consciously trying to make it ‘gorgeous’…[Read more]
Athelstone replied to the topic The truth about – back then in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

I’m not sure. An I remember exercise about a particular relationship would be something of a curiosity I think. I enjoyed writing these short pieces because they helped me remember the taste of the time rather than focusing on every intense flavour.
Daedalus replied to the topic Chaos and Catastrophe: Radstock, 1876 in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

With such a litany of abysmal systems, irresponsible staff and wayward practices, it’s a wonder that a lot more than fifteen people weren’t killed. Not that that’s any consolation. The people who ran the show ought to have gone to prison for a very long time
Athelstone replied to the topic Chaos and Catastrophe: Radstock, 1876 in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

It’s really hard to believe that somebody could send deliberately ridiculous/obstructive messages like Herbert John when lives were at stake (and I know he was only 18). That said, it’s a level of managerial incompetence and hubris that almost defies belief. Sadly, as the years go by it’s clear that more than cream floats to the top.

Another…[Read more]
Squidge replied to the topic Class 1 Writing Exercise, Jane in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

Ditto. And *hugs* from me, too x
Hilary replied to the topic Bumbling Round the Citadel in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

Thanks for sharing this, Philippa. What a journey!
And I would just like to add, for the record, that while Philippa was going through all this, and working (and crying) so hard, she has continued to be ever-generous in giving support and encouragement to others. Much appreciated.
RichardB started the topic Chaos and Catastrophe: Radstock, 1876 in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

Railway accidents have many causes. Sometimes the fault is with the hardware: the signalling, the track, the trains themselves. More often one or more people make mistakes, through pressure of work, a moment’s lapse of concentration, or sheer negligence. But the Radstock collision of 1876 on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway was, fortunately,…[Read more]
Squidge replied to the topic Bumbling Round the Citadel in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

Kudos for sticking with it all, Philippa – it sounds like it has really taken a toll over this year.

Looking forward very much to reading it – I am sure that it will be worth every bead of sweat, nibbled fingernail and tear shed.

And if it makes you feel better – Tilda’s just been published and even though we went through all the pages,…[Read more]
Squidge replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Sea in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

Love it! It was Donny Osmond for me, but not for very long. Adam Ant pushed him out!

For I remember, I think we naturally turn to the most impactful memories – the really good or bad or unusual ones. I wonder if we tried to do a specifically ‘good’ version, how different it would be. Or how hard it would be to pick out those kind of memories?
Squidge replied to the topic Class 1: Writing Exercise, Hilary in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

Oh, Hil – your I remember struck a chord, as we’ve done this recently about people we’ve loved and lost to prepare an artwork for a community project exhibition (I blogged about it just today). Sending hugs – it’s never easy to do.

Hope your time with your grandson helped ease the pain – you certainly got some interesting snippets! Love the belly…[Read more]
Squidge started the topic Class 1: Writing exercise, Squidge in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

So I plumped for an ‘overheard dialogue’, and a ‘write gorgeous’ option.

Overheard dialogue: found this really hard! I was too interested in the conversations to get them written down or couldn’t keep up. And I was in a pub, so lots going on around me. However, here’s what I did catch:

(in passing)
I’m like, Shit! And I’m thinking…

Talk to…[Read more]
Athelstone replied to the topic The truth about – back then in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

Thank you, Kaz. Do you think this might count as an “I remember” exercise?
Woolleybeans replied to the topic Craft Seminar Class 1: Getting Started: Memory, Obs in the forum Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 9 months ago

I have to say, my Twain dialect sounds a lot like my Of Mice and Men California dialect – that is, they more sound to be from Barnsley.

I have not done any exercises yet. I did I Remember for another thing a few weeks ago and I think confusion might be something that fixes memories for me!
Athelstone replied to the topic The truth about – back then in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

Thanks Gerry and Richard. Oh, and Richard – more rails. Definitely.
RichardB replied to the topic The truth about – back then in the forum Blogs 6 years, 9 months ago

Thanks for this. I remember your ‘The Truth About…’ blogs on the Cloud, and used to enjoy them immensely: perceptive (Isn’t hindsight wonderful?), moving, and uncompromisingly honest. This one is no exception.

And yes, there has been a sad dearth of blogs lately. Maybe it’s time for another tale of the rails…
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