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Libby replied to the topic Monthly competition October 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 months, 2 weeks ago
A reminder for anyone who, like me, forget this month’s competition deadline is tonight: the October monthly comp deadline is midnight tonight! You might have a suitable WIP hiding away somewhere…
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Kate replied to the topic Choices in the forum
September Song 6 months, 3 weeks agoIce
The Last Kingdom
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Libby replied to the topic A scheme to show books written without AI in the forum Coffee Shop 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Thanks, Ath. Yes, I was thinking that writers might collect some AI produced fiction and do something with its tropes, sort of like Pop Art did. I’m vague about this. Am looking for reasons for optimism!
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Libby replied to the topic A scheme to show books written without AI in the forum Coffee Shop 6 months, 4 weeks ago
Hi Sandra, I saw your comment about self-pub authors but it has disappeared from the thread. As you say, it’s harder to see how authors could guarantee their own writing. I expect someone will think of something to address this, or try to address it.
I also think some readers will seek out AI novels because AI writing will be reliable. It will…[Read more]
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Daedalus replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum
September Song 6 months, 4 weeks agoI finally managed to read Ulysses earlier this year after numerous failed attempts over several decades (Middlemarch likewise). So I’m going to make the most of it!
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Good to know that other Denizens have issues reading classic works. I remember the professor of philosophy at university remarking that there were a few books that every educated person should read. One of them was “The Magic Mountain” by Thomas Mann. Took me 40 years and 2 translations to become educated 😁
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Congratulations on finishing Ulysses. I’ve never even tried.
The thought of reading The Magic Mountain crosses my consciousness from time to time. But Ath, did the philosophy professor explain why it should be read?-
Not directly – or any of the other books on his list. I only remember a few. I suppose it was on his list because it gives an insight into how people think about life and death and some other major philosophical issues. My difficulty stems from myself, I think. I sometimes find it hard to read something that I’ve been told I ought to read. On…[Read more]
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I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t heard of it, but a lot of non English language literature is not on my radar. As far as Ulysses is concerned, I can see why it is important, and I enjoyed parts of it very much, but it was a tough read because with the style constantly changing, I couldn’t settle into it the way I generally can sooner or later. Middl…[Read more]
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Haha, Rosamund Vincy really is the worst! Even worse than the executives indeeed. But so memorable! I found the political bits in Middlemarch hard to get through personally, but yes the introspection can be pretty lengthy too.
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I read Middlemarch very quickly when I was 19 and still had the habit of reading 2 or 3 books every week. MM took me a whole week. I have no recollection of how I felt about it afterwards, because, in my usual way I was onto the next book. Parts of it have sort of emerged into my mind, and, if I’m honest my writing over the years. The book that…[Read more]
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I enjoyed Middlemarch when I read it some years ago. I like politics in novels – didn’t mind those parts. As for Rosamund Vincy: poor Lydgate. The mistakes we make.
The classic that’s had most impact recently is Wuthering Heights. I had to reread it for a book group or else wouldn’t have bothered. Teenage memories of a depressing story of a grim…[Read more]
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Merle Oberon wasn’t the finest Catherine either. But Larry, dear Larry, was hopelessly miscast.
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She did look as though she’d never been on a moor in her life.
Here’s Larry, wondering if he’s done the right thing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuthering_Heights_(1939_film)#/media/File:Laurence_Olivier_-_1939.jpg
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Daedalus replied to the topic Choices in the forum
September Song 6 months, 4 weeks agoSnow
Ulysses
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Libby started the topic A scheme to show books written without AI in the forum Coffee Shop 6 months, 4 weeks ago
As boundaries continue to blur between human creativity and AI, here’s a new kite-mark scheme to help readers distinguish. It will be interesting to see what happens from this small beginning.
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I wondered whether it included self-published books … then that it would be easy enough to self-apply the validation. Will be interested to see how this develops.
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Libby replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum
September Song 7 months agoGood idea, Ath. I’m always curious to know what people, especially fellow writers, are reading.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly competition October 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 months ago
Some great stories have already come in. We’re half way through the month – plenty of time for more entries.
A reminder of the details:
It’s October and I’m going for the obvious: Halloween. Or All Saints’ Eve or Hallowmas Eve or whatever you prefer. It doesn’t have to be ghostly, though if you can give us all the shivers that would be fun.
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Libby replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum
September Song 7 months agoSuch a brilliant range of novels in the Choices!
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Libby replied to the topic Choices in the forum
September Song 7 months, 1 week agoRain
The Hearing Trumpet
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Libby started the topic Monthly competition October 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 months, 2 weeks ago
It’s October and I’m going for the obvious: Halloween. Or All Saints’ Eve or Hallowmas Eve or whatever you prefer. It doesn’t have to be ghostly though if you can give us all the shivers that would be fun.
Max 400 words, connected to 31st October in some way.
Deadline midnight 31st October.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Competion – September 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 months, 2 weeks ago
Thank you, Jill! That was a lovely surprise when I switched on this morning. Such brilliant writing from Knicks and Ath, everything so vivid and pleasurable to read.
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Libby started the topic Emma Darwin has started a youtube channel in the forum Coffee Shop 7 months, 3 weeks ago
At present it’s only advertising her new novel.
The ad is fabulous.
https://www.youtube.com/@emmadarwinwriter/videos
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Competion – September 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 8 months ago
This month I’ve gone for an essay, or at any rate not a story.
338 words
Outside my window there’s the small garden and then a field, where a tractor drags a harrow. The harrow’s arms are open and horizontal. Metal discs hang below them, making contact with the ground, and I hear the discs rattling along the soil and bouncing over flints. The…[Read more]
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly competition August 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Apologies in advance, Sandra. I won’t be doing a story this month. I do enjoy these poetry prompts but a combination of holidays and life admin is swallowing the time.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 9 months, 2 weeks ago
A great prompt, Sea – I just haven’t had time to write a story this month. Very enjoyable entries from everyone.
I’m sorry to hear about the cardiologist.
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