Jill

  • Jill posted an update 3 years, 8 months ago

    Congratulations, Squidge. Over to you for the July competition!

  • Six great entries and difficult to choose a winner, as although all but one use the theme of Midsummer Madness, each also encompasses Midsummer Magic in the quality of the writing.  Diverse interpretations; equal merit.
    First, Sandra’s contribution. This promised drama and menace from its opening and I loved the way Sandra’s unique descr…[Read more]

  • Gentle reminder – only one week left if you are thinking of entering the June competition. 🙂 Would love to read more of your creations on the theme of Midsummer Magic or Midsummer Madness.

  • It is June and we are approaching Midsummer, so I have chosen the lighthearted theme/title MIDSUMMER MAGIC for the competition to lift our spirits in these difficult times. I feel you should have a choice too and so you may use MIDSUMMER MADNESS as your theme/title instead. Interpret in any way you wish. What is important is to let your…[Read more]

  • Thank you, Libby – what a lovely surprise to find I am the winner for the interesting topic you set us. Loved the other entries and enjoyed going back down memory lane myself. I have many memories from that happy childhood, but having to focus on the school journey was good writing discipline! Less is more and all that jazz…

    Your…[Read more]

  • Down Memory Lane and Beyond
    I am nine and today choose to leave for school by our front gate. I step down into Sandy Lane. The tall trees shielding the convent opposite rustle their leaves as though whispering the secrets of a cloistered life. If I walk up the lane to the top road I will pass the allotments with their topiary birds unable to…[Read more]

  • Congratulations, Libby. Well deserved – loved all the entries, but something about a mysterious ‘real life yet uncompleted sitter’ becoming a long lasting inspiration tugged at the heartstrings of fellow writers I think.

  • Jill posted a new activity comment 3 years, 11 months ago

    Very good description of the process, Libby.
    And we must not forget the immense power of steam!

  • Jill posted a new activity comment 3 years, 11 months ago

    Thank you, Skylark. 😊

  • Jill posted an update 3 years, 11 months ago

    Cogs turning slowly, which is not surprising when we all have so much of concern on our minds. But those cogs are at least turning and not at a standstill, so must thank whoever/whatever for that. Thinking of everyone and hoping all safe and well.

    • I know what you mean, Jill, about being glad the cogs are moving even if slowly. I find the whole writing process, and actually the reading one too, is an acceleration of thinking processes followed by a deceleration, often to a dead halt, and then getting going again slowly like an old steam train. And that’s without a pandemic.

  • Jill posted an update 3 years, 11 months ago

    Pleased to report that I have actually got around to researching agents and publishers again in order to try my luck once more. I am reminded, though, what a difficult game it is … but, never say never!

  • Jill posted a new activity comment 3 years, 11 months ago

    What a delightful picture you paint, Raine. No, I have not seen any swallows yet, but many other birds visit our garden, as we have countryside all around our home. We are a long way from the sea and beaches, but we do have terracotta bowls of such items as you describe in our home – many dating as far back as when we lived in Cyprus! Have a…[Read more]

    • Looking out for swallows here. We only moved in in January, so not sure what the avian fauna are like, except there a rooks/ravens plucking twigs from trees and then flying off to build nests, and seagulls doing their squawking thing, and since we started putting food out the sparrows, tits and similar have been very enthusiastic, also the rats…[Read more]

      • Yes @raine, What is a sea brick?

      • 😂 It’s a brick that’s been washed up by the sea so it’s all eroded and smooth. We get a fair few normal ones but a white one was special! Sea tiles are my fav – bits of broken and smoothed ceramic from all sorts of things. Old decorated plates are the best.

  • Jill posted an update 3 years, 11 months ago

    There is going to be a celestial treat tonight. Moonrise in this area will be 18.53 hours and the best time to see a beautiful Pink Supermoon. I think we can all do with a treat such as this in present circumstances. Enjoy!

    From an online site:

    ‘Are you ready for 2020’s great big perigee-syzygy moon?

    That’s the astronomical term for…[Read more]

  • Jill posted a new activity comment 3 years, 11 months ago

    Hello, Squidge and Jane. I was interested to read how present circumstances are affecting your writing. Like you two, I am keeping busy (and maybe distracted) with the simple things of life and enjoying the slower pace, actually. Not to say there isn’t the general underlying anxiety, but trying to keep hopeful and positive despite all the…[Read more]

  • A Victorian Writing Box

    Crafted in walnut with brass trimmings and lined with deep blue leather, the box is labelled discreetly as being made by Cawston, a portable case maker of 27 Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly. I can only imagine its complete history and wonder whether it might have journeyed with its original owner in fine carriages from…[Read more]

  • Jill changed their profile picture 3 years, 11 months ago

  • Jill posted an update 3 years, 11 months ago

    Creating weekly stories for Facetime sessions with grandsons, I am also learning or relearning historical facts as we go often go back in time and to different countries. An unexpected bonus helping to keep the old brain functioning well!

  • Thank you, John for setting this competition and for your kind comments. Raine is, indeed, a worthy winner – we all need ‘all that energy and power’ especially now to keep us going! Loved the other two entries too. When I joined I said I probably would not be entering competitions as I needed to concentrate on my own writing at the moment, but…[Read more]

  • Spring’s Beautiful Bounty
    ‘No-one ever said that Life would be a bed of roses.’ Spring 2020 is proving that old saw to be true in no uncertain terms worldwide.
    But Mother Nature continues her cycle for the eye’s appreciation and the lifting of spirits; for inspiration too.
    Unseasonal buds have appeared on climbing roses which reach up to the war…[Read more]

  • Jill posted a new activity comment 3 years, 12 months ago

    Well done, Raine.

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