@katemachon
Active 1 day, 11 hours ago-
Libby replied to the topic February 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 1 month, 4 weeks ago
A reminder of the monthly comp, as we’re over half way through February already.
Here’s the original post:
As it’s February the theme this month is love. It needn’t be romantic. It can be of any sort – for a place, a piece of music, an animal – whatever you like that that provokes a feeling of love.
Max 400 words, deadline midnight Saturda…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted an update 2 months ago
Some very sad news for old Cloudies, which I suppose is most of us. I’ve just heard that Barb (Barbara Dawn Ettridge) died in Australia just over a week ago. Barb was funny, sharp, a great writer, and a good friend. Details are here:…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic January 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 2 months ago
Terrie, I had a tricky January but that’s no excuse. Sorry for missing a super monthly comp. Well done Libby, a really great entry. Well done all.
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Libby started the topic February 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 2 months, 1 week ago
As it’s February the theme this month is love. It needn’t be romantic. It can be of any sort – for a place, a piece of music, an animal – whatever you like that that provokes a feeling of love.
Max 400 words, deadline midnight Saturday 28th February.
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Libby replied to the topic January 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 2 months, 1 week ago
Thank you, Terrie. That’s a lovely surprise! Thank you, Jill and Sandra too. The thrill of a new baby from Jill, with other newnesses too. And Sandra – creative writing books are such a mixed bag. I’m glad you have one which is properly helpful.
I’ll post the February comp later.
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Sandra replied to the topic January 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 2 months, 1 week ago
Well done Libby, like Terrie my mind was contorting to keep up; the wellies adding much to the scene. And thank you Terrie for a theme which was instantly fulfilled (and I’m still re-reading and finding further inspiration, except I can’t get my head around irony)
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Terrie replied to the topic January 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 2 months, 1 week ago
Thank you Jill, Sandra and Libby for giving me totally engaging entries composed in three distinct voices. This monthly challenge is always a great showcase for the talents of the members of Den of Writers.
Jill:- Lots of new beginnings in this piece. New start new job new house new baby. A well-crafted thoughtful story with lots o…[Read more]
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Libby replied to the topic January 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 2 months, 2 weeks ago
500 words
Jim’s ballet exercises weren’t about dancing, they were about muscle fitness, until he was bent over, clutching the Aga rail which was his barre, and the shooting pains in his back were a quiversful of landed arrows. Gasping for breath he thought of that painting of St Sebastian, a dreary affair in his view, inspirational of not…[Read more]
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Terrie replied to the topic January 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Just a reminder that there is less that a week until the the January comp ends and there are only a couple of entries so far . If you have something you think will fit the fairly broad remit of the theme then do please submit it .
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Athelstone replied to the topic The Sweat of the Workers in the forum Blogs 2 months, 3 weeks ago
I know that feeling. I was also a government employee who found himself parcelled up and sold to the highest bidder, or at least the one that made the most empty promises and said the things that our betters at the high table wanted to hear. I recall now how our managers queued up to tell us what a good thing it was and, yes, they used that exact…[Read more]
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John T replied to the topic Not a Disaster Story in the forum Blogs 3 months ago
We must venture that way. We’re at the other side of Bannau Brycheiniog near Abergavenny.
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John T posted an update 3 months ago
Happy fairly-new-year, everyone! I’ve written very little in the last three months for health reasons, but I’m slowly winding back up again. I’ve found a (hopefully acceptable) way to take part in September Song, and I’m returning to blow the dust and cobwebs off my WIP.
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Sandra replied to the topic January 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 3 months, 1 week ago
Fingers crossed, yet another resolution
New book and a new – and very welcome – experience for me: a “How To” write book received as a birthday present which I found many times more compelling, educational; entertaining and personally useful than the many “How To” books on writing I own: a dozen on my bookshelves, and knowledge of one di…[Read more]
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Terrie started the topic January 2026 Monthly Competition in the forum Monthly Competition 3 months, 1 week ago
As January is the start of the New Year my obvious thought was New year – new beginnings – but then I thought let’s widen that theme of ‘New’, so write about anything new that motivates, or perhaps daunts, you, or the main character/s of your story.
Think….New Year resolution. New crime scene. New house. New relationship. New…[Read more]
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Terrie replied to the topic Monthly Competition – December 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 3 months, 1 week ago
Well done Jill, Janette and Sandra , December comps always seem to be more of a challenge as most of us usually busy with other things.
Thank you for the chance to set the January comp Ath.
Sorry was busy yesterday and forgot to pop in to see the results . I will post the January challenge as soon as I come up with one . …[Read more]
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Sandra replied to the topic Monthly Competition – December 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Well done Terrie, and everyone else who between them provided a kaleidoscope view of Christmas, and thank you Ath for prompting me into putting a long-held memory into words.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – December 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Right, here we go.
Is there anybody who hasn’t had at least a small part in the production of a nativity play? Jill, that’s just how they go. A perfect evocation. And your story has a Christmas miracle as well – or was it a mischievous young actor?
Janette, I was there in that supermarket. No, really, I was actually there I think, barging past…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – December 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 3 months, 2 weeks ago
OK, it’s a fraction after midnight so 2026. I’ve read them all. They’re annoyingly good. So sorry, you can all wait until tomorrow is well and truly underway. Happy New Year!
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