Kate

  • Well done, Libby – a deserved win!! And thanks Ath.

  • The other day I discovered that sabulous means sandy or gritty. For this month’s competition please use sand and/or grit as a prompt for a piece of fiction or non-fiction, word range 100 – 500. You can use the word sabulous itself if you wish but you don’t have to.

    Be literal at least some of the time. If a problem is figuratively gritty, let i…[Read more]

    • I did grin at this, Libby – I’ve had ‘sabulous’ scribbled on a scrap of paper and Blutacked to the edge of a shelf above my head for at least three years, but never had a chance to use it. (Possibly I got it from @raine) On the same piece of paper is ‘perse’. I’ve just looked that up and reminded myself it’s bluish grey colour, or , more…[Read more]

      • It’s a great word!

        • I love the perse word, Sandra. Thanks for introducing me to it. I’d like to know more terms for colours but, as you suggest, they can be ambiguous which probably doesn’t encourage common use. Bice – learned from a novel I read a while ago – is brownish grey or dark grey, but can also refer to green or blue shades. So it’s all a bit of a challenge…[Read more]

  • Yes indeed, Well done Libby – such beautiful writing. [And well done Ath for getting it right ;-)] Also for the theme of the competition which chimed with the greater degree of looking back I occasionally do these days.

  • Libby: Sound Waves.
    A real slice of life. Beautifully portrayed, the violent action all at a distance and the thoughts of the protagonist so quiet so mundane that we just know a bomb is going to explode into the story.

    Sandra: Another fairy tale.
    Ah, becoming an adult. I’m so glad I’m not the only one still waiting for that Corinthians mom…[Read more]

    • Thank you @athelstone. I enjoyed writing to the theme. The other entries were so good I’m very chuffed to have won.
      I’ll go away and think of a theme for July.

  • Barny replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    DoW problems: Usability just isn’t what it should be; not being able to post pictures is a pain; definitely doesn’t promote idle chat.

    The wordcloud was very far from perfect, but had one significant difference: the course offerings meant new people were always joining, wondering wth was going on, some figuring it out or persisting without fig…[Read more]

  • Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    The garlic will be ready for harvesting in a few weeks.

    • Ha, bet it’s nicer than shop bought! 🙂

      • How long does it keep for?

        • I’ve no idea…hang on…according to google, it lasts about a month just sitting around doing nothing, but if you put it somewhere warm and dry so that the skin-layer of leaves goes papery, it can last for several months.

          • I thought you were an experienced garlic grower but I see you’re a novice like us! At least yours has grown. Ours never showed its face!

            • The best I’ve managed is chives.
              One thing about the weather this year: the patches of meadow pea on the lane’s verges are larger than usual. Rich golden yellow flowers liked by bees.

  • Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    Well, there’s a lot to think about. And to get started on.

  • Libby replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    I agree with everything said so far, from the time pressures for people with publications etc in the works via Richard’s points about the site layout right through to feeling that posting stuff may not be worth the effort. And yes, idle chat would be lovely.

    I don’t use social media but I’m quite active on Jericho Writers and therefore could…[Read more]

  • Libby replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    I like Kate’s suggestion of a fortnightly writing topic. A clearly marked heading and space might draw in potential new members among people who are Googling for writing advice. But it would need the links problem to be solved.

    I agree with Richard about subjects currently being hidden away.

    As a member of Kate’s SE 2016 group, this site has…[Read more]

  • Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    I certainly agree with the point about idle chat.

  • Squidge replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    I don’t post here as often as I perhaps should, though I love knowing it’s here if I need it, or to celebrate good news with other peeps, and of course, to be challenged to write a short story every now and again.

    Beyond that, I think because I’m published, working on new material, editing for other people, testing a writing course, I don’t have…[Read more]

  • Sandra replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    Site was ‘murdered’ because owner decided to shut it down then did so, Telling no-one and refusing to answer all communications thereafter.

    I do think we that were there were lucky, insofar as it was a chatty, supportive active group, probably at the peak of its activity, which made the death of it al the more tragic,

  • Knicks replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    A quick run of thoughts apologies for typos. I came to the Cloud just before it collapsed so I do not have the same level of emotional investment as those who were floating there together for years and years. I discovered and came for my Random lovelies, and stayed for my Random lovelies. They are my only priority. I show up when they show up, and…[Read more]

  • Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    I have belonged to one or two sites that have been invaded and effectively ruined by the invaders, after which they failed. How is a site murdered?

    As for contributers…well, that’s tricky. When it comes down to it, it’s people’s leisure time. If they feel compelled to contribute then I’d sort of hope it was some sort of internal compulsion…[Read more]

  • Sandra replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago

    Read this, Ath, and will ponder (not that I think I’ve any answers.) but a year in which to turn around is an excellent idea.
    Another thought, along the lines of ‘if you pay for it you make sure you get your money’s worth; would be more convincing were this as lively and well-functioning as we’d like it to be.
    But, The site I cut my writing teeth…[Read more]

  • I have added a blog and I think it’s important for ALL members to take a look, Thank you.

  • 1) It’s that time of year when our hosting providers ask for some money again. As ever, this forum is free to members, but should anybody wish to contribute please head over to the Donations group where you will find information in the forum. You will need to join the group, which doesn’t commit you to anything, to view the posts.

    2) You can…[Read more]

  • Blimey, managed to write something and very pleased to be able to enter the comp. Was a bit concerned at managing to get to 250 words and wanting to post without having to DQ myself! Happily at 256 words including title. 🙂

    This might be the day.

    He hadn’t closed the curtains. The sunbeam found the bed at 6.37 and warmed his left foot at 6…[Read more]

  • A Bump re the monthly comp. You know it makes sense. Always let those words unload, because I won’t be there when you cross the road.

  • Load More