Florence

You have a calm, authoratative voice that is perfect for these blogs, Richard. I start one of these and it’s like eating something delicious: I can’t stop until it’s finished.

On the topic itself: it’s reassuring to think that we’ve come a long way since those unreconstructed days of holy capital. Then I consider the unreported disaster that has…[Read more]

All Change!

First thing I noticed was the sodding light switch. I’m stood like a plonker in the door to the kitchen, whacking the wall and finding—nothing. No light switch. Just a plastered wall. I mean, bloody hell! How’s a man supposed to make his bleedin’ morning cuppa if he can’t see what’s what? After about a minute of pointless slapping, I…[Read more]

I did the same with this reply as so often before: typed it, went to check something, got distracted, forgot all about it, closed the laptop, assumed I’d sent it.

Mark 2.

Thanks @daedalus. I find that I remebered more than I thought, although We’reNot in Kansas Any More had eluded me for a bit. The two earlier ones were first, the Intercity…[Read more]

Oh, yes, 2016/17 was penultimate one wholly on the Cloud (Alan’s last challenge: Now and Then). Was yours Craquelure, a rather unnerving and powerful story about a painting?

Kate’s was from 2017/18 (My first Challenge: Whispers and Glances)

Mine was from 2014/15 (can anybody remember all the theme names on th Cloud? I know some)

I think you’re right.

There’s another challenge brewing. Should be up in a week or so.

That’s “pleaseD” of course.

So please, Richard. A brilliant and moving story, written with an intensity but also a subtlety that really marks it out.

4 longlisted and 2 shortlisted. I call that impressive for a small site like this.

I didn’t make the shortlist but I tell myself it was obviously a moment of madness by whoever made the choice 😀

Well done, Sandra. Another great competition. And well done to my co-competitors. Two top-notch entries. Congratulations, Alex. A nice twisty yarn!

My One and Only Love. That’s from the Cloud and all the way back to 2014/2015.

Congratulations, Richard. It’s a powerful story that deserves recognition.

I see from the website that my entry has been longlisted, too, which feels rather good. I didn’t recognise any of the other titles.

Andrew, 1975

It’s February, and evening is upon us. Andrew goes unnoticed. Pedestrians streaming by the Palace Theatre barely even see a youth leaning against the wall. Some look towards him, but they are peering through the glass doors. Maybe they are wondering whether Jesus Christ Superstar is worth the ticket price. The traffic sweeping a…[Read more]