@elle
Active 5 years, 10 months ago-
Janette posted an update 1 year ago
I wondered if I could ask a favour of any fellow writers who enjoy character-led novels. The current title of my book Saving Grace has never really sat easy with me, being aware it also the title of a major film (one of my favourites), and I more recently learned it is the name of a US series, besides being used several times by other authors…[Read more]
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly competition April 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
<u>Parsnip Wine
</u>
Our back-facing neighbours were the first to acknowledge our arrival. Each time I looked out, the ever-preened woman was at her bay window, dog-in-hand (at least I think the explosion of fur was of canine origin). Gerald supposed she were sun-worshipping, her glances only polite curiosity – then he always did see the good i…[Read more]
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Janette posted an update 1 year ago
And sorry for the belated congratulations, Libby – amid the business of being employed again, I thought I had already posted my response to your comp win, which was a fine, worthy entry.
I confess I didn’t know what to do with the April challenge you posted, but some thought during a weekend walk gave me a lightbulb moment.
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Thankyou, @janette ! And I’m pleased you had a lightbulb moment.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition April 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
Three sleeps become one [342 words]
Odd the way memory works, Changes shape and emphasis as one grows older. For me, hearing myself echoing my mother’s faux cheery encouragement as she told me and Robin, my brother, ‘So, you’ll be staying with Granny and Grandad Trent for a little while. Just three sleeps – ‘ shocked me. That I was …. not ex…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic New novel from Kate Machon! in the forum Podium 1 year, 1 month ago
Really well deserved. I love the fact that you carried the two MCs along for ages and are reaping the rewards!
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Knicks replied to the topic Monthly competition March 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 1 month ago
Thanks for the kind words, @sandradavies! I appreciate it. And congratulations to you, Libby! I enjoyed yours and every other entry coming out of this prompt. It was a good one 🙂
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition March 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 1 month ago
You may not have expected it, but you should believe it, Libby. really sharp story there.
Thanks, Sandra. I enjoyed that prompt. And thanks to all the other entrants; I really enjoyed reading through them this month.
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Sandra posted an update 1 year, 1 month ago
March competition winner declared, and I urge everyone to read the half dozen entries as evidence of the strength and breadth of talent in the Den, and thank Athelstone, for providing the venue.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition March 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 1 month ago
And, at close of play, I confess I find myself reeling at the richness of the offerings sparked by this ptompt, and rather than daunted by the necessity of choosing a winner, feeling well rewarded by the pleasures of reading them – thank you all.
<u>Terrie</u>’s single word of denial sparked instant interest, and maintained it with phrases suc…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition March 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 1 month ago
Of course, I felt stupid when I realised. There I was standing on the landing in shorts and tee-shirt with my apron on. “World’s Best Chef” it said on the font. Katya bought it for me for Christmas—oh—must be ten years ago. Mrs. Hardcastle from number seventy was out there as well. I wonder if she thought…
‘Morning Mrs. Hardcastle. It was the gu…[Read more]
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Knicks replied to the topic Monthly competition March 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 1 month ago
Promise Landing
(410 words*)
The screams tear Seth like cheap paper from shallow, disturbing dreams, and he gasps awake, eyes on the living darkness that writhes, malevolent with secrets, in the corners of the room. His gut can tell it’s way beyond midmorning, though the blackout curtain over the single window could convince him it’s the wit…[Read more]
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Daedalus replied to the topic The Wild West Railway in the forum Blogs 1 year, 1 month ago
Glorious. I’ve been to that part of the world and had no idea there had been a railway there, let alone one with such a remarkable history. It’s a shame it didn’t survive long enough that the preservation movement had got going, though by the sound of things it was probably lucky that they quit while they were ahead.
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Sandra posted an update 1 year, 1 month ago
Six days left before the monthly comp deadline, and three VERY different, exciting and surely inspirational entries already. Make my selection of a winner all the harder by posting your response.
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Athelstone replied to the topic The Wild West Railway in the forum Blogs 1 year, 1 month ago
Fabulous blog again, Richard. I’ve always been fascinated by narrow-gauge railways. I’m not quite sure what it is, but maybe it’s the feeling of being able to step into (or onto) something that doesn’t look feasible. I remember my excitement as a child on holiday visiting the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in Devon.
Mind you, you wouldn’t get me…[Read more]
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly competition March 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 1 month ago
The Prophecy
You will mistake the gulls
for the screaming of a girl
and run out of your flat
to an empty landingThis dark prophecy will forever haunt me.
An old neighbour uttered it; a self-proclaimed psychic, who called by to pass on the warning. Such a pathetic attempt, I thought, to scare me from moving to the new flats offered to tempt…[Read more] -
Athelstone posted an update 1 year, 1 month ago
Hi, I’ve just completed a substantial number of software maintenance updates. It all looked fine on the test site before I went ahead, but as the testing team (me) had limited time to test, I may have missed something. Any bugs or issues you spot, please let me know. Thanks. Ath.
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Athelstone replied to the topic The Enemy Within in the forum Blogs 1 year, 2 months ago
You’re quite right, and I made an over-generalisation instead of a point! What I was trying to say was that even though the superficial details of policy may change from government to government and party to party, the underlying assumptions are adopted almost intact. To borrow a cliche, the playing field remains the same. It may develop over…[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Competition – February 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 2 months ago
Thank you Knicks – Seagreen’s prompt really did its job!
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Knicks replied to the topic Monthly Competition – February 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 2 months ago
Congratulations @sandradavies!! Well deserved!
I loved each dragons – real, metaphorical, and felt. This was a delicious prompt to sink teeth into. Thanks lotsly, @seagreen 🙂
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Hi @janette , I immediately liked (Don’t) Call Me Graceless and
My Growing Chain of Big Fat Lies. Is Fibs an alternative title?
The first title suggests character, the second plot. They both have voice.
I’m not keen on Fibs. It feels vague.
Thank you, Libby. Your comments are very helpful.
I like ‘The Art of invisible mending’ which offers intrigue.