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John S Alty replied to the topic Monthly competition – February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 5 months ago
New Day
The smoke from cooking fires lay like a grey blanket over Alexandra township and a tangerine sun rose behind it, then burst clear and threw its warming mantle over the land. The windows of the high-rise buildings on the distant Johannesburg skyline glinted like slabs of molten gold. A typical autumn dawn on the highveld but this was not a…[Read more]
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John S Alty replied to the topic What if I'm a bad human being? in the forum Blogs 6 years, 5 months ago
There are also examples in art – Paul Gauguin, Picasso and Freud, for example, were not particularly nice folk, it seems.
If a writer’s work doesn’t reflect his obnoxious views, does that make it OK? Or if his views are expressed in a work of fiction and not an educational piece?
Some very good people write fiction that contains extreme views, but…[Read more] -
Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 5 months ago
Bit of a confession from me – this lifted from current wip, otherwise I might not get one done. 400 words plus title.
Returning from honeymoon (First day of the rest of their married life)
They were on the A9, having just left the Kinross services, before Luke asked. ‘Your wedding present? When do I get to see it?’
‘Soon as we get home,…[Read more]
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John S Alty replied to the topic Monthly competition – February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 5 months ago
No problem @Libby, it was a flippant remark on my part, not intended to be taken seriously.
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John S Alty replied to the topic Monthly competition – February 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 5 months ago
I have two pieces nearly done but I don’t now which of them to enter. Maybe I’ll enter both, one under a pseudonym. Would that be cheating?
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John S Alty replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 5 months ago
Well done Libby, excellent. Good job, Jane.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 5 months ago
Very well done, Libby – such a strong and individual tale (as were they all) and thank you Jane for the prompting and the comments.
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Sandra replied to the topic Class 3 writing exercise "I don't remember", Sandra in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 5 months agoNope, Raine, it does not 🙂
I’m trying (struggling) to write a man who, the more I get to know him, the more I realise he has psychopathic tendencies, from the hiding in plain sight/joy of transgression PoV. Born into (8th generation) family business but wants to forge his own path (while holding on to respectability) so secretly deals in…[Read more]
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John S Alty posted an update 6 years, 5 months ago
The activity thread is rather strange since the DIY MA programme got underway – it’s like overhearing half a conversation. Intriguing.
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Unfortunately, WordPress with its plugins that give us groups etc. has a fair few bugs. For some unknown reason, the DIY MA group, in spite of being set as private, spills its conversations if you select Activity whether you’re a member or not.
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You should join us, John. It’s very relaxed!
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Yeah, soz about that. I and the admins have both (all) tried to sort it and it just isn’t playing. Frustrating, but if it lures you into joining in, then maybe that’s a win!
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Sandra replied to the topic Class 3: Writing Exercise, Bella in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 5 months ago“the miscarriage story is a lie” – aha! I did think there was something over- … stilted? about the letter. A bit too well-composed for the trauma undergone.
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Sandra replied to the topic Class 3: Writing Exercise, Bella in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 5 months agoI remember Waltraut as being a well-established character of yours, even though I don’t remember reading anything about her. The writing, of what ought to be written, and the tearing up – is it weakness or selfishness? (my money goes on the latter).
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Sandra replied to the topic Class 3: Writing Exercise, Raine. in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 5 months agoHeartbreaking. Those inconsequentialities so poignant and the “plucking a sunripe fruit from a tree, pressing it against your cheek for the simple joy” such a vivid recollection of the good. Yet my impression is she got out – had the strength of character to get out – much earlier than many.
I’m wondering if she posted this, though? -
Sandra replied to the topic Class 3 writing exercise "I don't remember", Sandra in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 5 months agoThanks Raine – son has been quite insistent about making space for himself! It’s his father who keeps eluding me, despite him having to be MC (apart from the usual duo of Luke and Baz)
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Sandra replied to the topic Class 3 Writing Exercise "I Don't Remember" – KazG in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 5 months agoThanks Kaz – this inspired me to have a go at fleshing out a new character from an unexpected viewpoint, as well as bringing memories of my own then ending with an adult viewpoint. That endless circle, eh?
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Sandra started the topic Class 3 writing exercise "I don't remember", Sandra in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 5 months agoI don’t remember my parents laughing together.
I don’t remember my father being silly; his ‘jokes’ always cruel or intending educational.
I don’t remember being shy at junior school because of how many cousins there were there.
I don’t remember, until this year in sixth form, being just me, and not one of ‘the Duncans’, but neither do I re…[Read more]
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John S Alty replied to the topic Dipping my toe back in in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
Hi @skylark, good to see you’re back.
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Sandra posted an update 6 years, 6 months ago
“Why I write” – excellent piece by Emma Darwin to be found here: https://slowculture.eu/2020/01/23/why-i-write-vol-15-emma-darwin-holland-house-books/?fbclid=IwAR14kjZ9Q4U1G3vwQK39IJ83x21FIyG-Nyu1H6PCQ2DXQ2p2Y10EMtXPIVY
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Thanks, Sandra. I must buy one of Emma’s books. I keep meaning to.
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Her ‘Not a book about -‘ is excellent on the difficulties of writing, and ‘The Mathematics of love’ one I aim to re-read annually. Time I re-read the other one …
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Shame on me, I haven’t read either of the novels, but yes, ‘Not a Book About…’ is excellent. And in this blog Emma, as usual, hits the nail on the head. That last bit, ‘To Be Heard’… yes, absolutely. After I resigned myself to ‘A faint hope of being read, maybe just a silly dream, but still…’ becoming ‘No hope’ my motivation drained away.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 6 months ago
What a wholly satisfying tale Libby. Thank you.
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Sandra replied to the topic Dipping my toe back in in the forum Blogs 6 years, 6 months ago
Still here also (and elsewhere!) and glad to say one 2019 resolution was fulfilled by my self-pubbing the first three of my ‘Love triangles with murder’ series, so now I’ve got book 4 to a near-beta read stage and begun book 6.
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 6 months ago
Wow, Sea, this is hard-hitting and not a word wasted. Superb.
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