@libby
Active 1 day, 23 hours ago-
Libby posted a new activity comment 1 year ago
I enjoyed Middlemarch when I read it some years ago. I like politics in novels – didn’t mind those parts. As for Rosamund Vincy: poor Lydgate. The mistakes we make.
The classic that’s had most impact recently is Wuthering Heights. I had to reread it for a book group or else wouldn’t have bothered. Teenage memories of a depressing story of a grim…[Read more] -
Libby replied to the topic A scheme to show books written without AI in the forum Coffee Shop 1 year ago
Thanks, Ath. Yes, I was thinking that writers might collect some AI produced fiction and do something with its tropes, sort of like Pop Art did. I’m vague about this. Am looking for reasons for optimism!
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Libby posted a new activity comment 1 year ago
Congratulations on finishing Ulysses. I’ve never even tried.
The thought of reading The Magic Mountain crosses my consciousness from time to time. But Ath, did the philosophy professor explain why it should be read?-
Not directly – or any of the other books on his list. I only remember a few. I suppose it was on his list because it gives an insight into how people think about life and death and some other major philosophical issues. My difficulty stems from myself, I think. I sometimes find it hard to read something that I’ve been told I ought to read. On…[Read more]
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I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t heard of it, but a lot of non English language literature is not on my radar. As far as Ulysses is concerned, I can see why it is important, and I enjoyed parts of it very much, but it was a tough read because with the style constantly changing, I couldn’t settle into it the way I generally can sooner or later. Middl…[Read more]
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Haha, Rosamund Vincy really is the worst! Even worse than the executives indeeed. But so memorable! I found the political bits in Middlemarch hard to get through personally, but yes the introspection can be pretty lengthy too.
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I read Middlemarch very quickly when I was 19 and still had the habit of reading 2 or 3 books every week. MM took me a whole week. I have no recollection of how I felt about it afterwards, because, in my usual way I was onto the next book. Parts of it have sort of emerged into my mind, and, if I’m honest my writing over the years. The book that…[Read more]
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I enjoyed Middlemarch when I read it some years ago. I like politics in novels – didn’t mind those parts. As for Rosamund Vincy: poor Lydgate. The mistakes we make.
The classic that’s had most impact recently is Wuthering Heights. I had to reread it for a book group or else wouldn’t have bothered. Teenage memories of a depressing story of a grim…[Read more]
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Libby replied to the topic A scheme to show books written without AI in the forum Coffee Shop 1 year ago
Hi Sandra, I saw your comment about self-pub authors but it has disappeared from the thread. As you say, it’s harder to see how authors could guarantee their own writing. I expect someone will think of something to address this, or try to address it.
I also think some readers will seek out AI novels because AI writing will be reliable. It will…[Read more]
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Libby started the topic A scheme to show books written without AI in the forum Coffee Shop 1 year ago
As boundaries continue to blur between human creativity and AI, here’s a new kite-mark scheme to help readers distinguish. It will be interesting to see what happens from this small beginning.
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I wondered whether it included self-published books … then that it would be easy enough to self-apply the validation. Will be interested to see how this develops.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly competition October 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
Some great stories have already come in. We’re half way through the month – plenty of time for more entries.
A reminder of the details:
It’s October and I’m going for the obvious: Halloween. Or All Saints’ Eve or Hallowmas Eve or whatever you prefer. It doesn’t have to be ghostly, though if you can give us all the shivers that would be fun.
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Hi Libby! Nice to see you on here. I hope you’re well
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I’m fine, thanks. Trundling on 🙂
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Libby started the topic Monthly competition October 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
It’s October and I’m going for the obvious: Halloween. Or All Saints’ Eve or Hallowmas Eve or whatever you prefer. It doesn’t have to be ghostly though if you can give us all the shivers that would be fun.
Max 400 words, connected to 31st October in some way.
Deadline midnight 31st October.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Competion – September 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year ago
Thank you, Jill! That was a lovely surprise when I switched on this morning. Such brilliant writing from Knicks and Ath, everything so vivid and pleasurable to read.
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Libby started the topic Emma Darwin has started a youtube channel in the forum Coffee Shop 1 year ago
At present it’s only advertising her new novel.
The ad is fabulous.
https://www.youtube.com/@emmadarwinwriter/videos
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Competion – September 2023 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 1 month ago
This month I’ve gone for an essay, or at any rate not a story.
338 words
Outside my window there’s the small garden and then a field, where a tractor drags a harrow. The harrow’s arms are open and horizontal. Metal discs hang below them, making contact with the ground, and I hear the discs rattling along the soil and bouncing over flints. The…[Read more]
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly competition August 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 1 month ago
Apologies in advance, Sandra. I won’t be doing a story this month. I do enjoy these poetry prompts but a combination of holidays and life admin is swallowing the time.
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Libby posted a new activity comment 1 year, 2 months ago
I admire your ability to write while having the chemo treatment, Jill. I don’t think I’d be able to do that.
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Hello, Libby ~ hope all goes well with you and your writing. Thank you for your comment. I think I am lucky in that the chemo isn’t the ‘aggressive’ kind and I haven’t really had side effects, just a few niggles. True, I get a little tired but I can rest and often that is when many writing ideas occur! I also find writing is therapy. 4th Cyc…[Read more]
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Comp – July 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 2 months ago
A great prompt, Sea – I just haven’t had time to write a story this month. Very enjoyable entries from everyone.
I’m sorry to hear about the cardiologist.
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Libby posted a new activity comment 1 year, 3 months ago
I agree with Kate. They’re both lovely books. Natasha Pulley has a warmth in her story telling that I find appealing.
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Not read the book, but I imagine a sort of rattley squeak.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 3 months ago
That’s such a fabulous story, Seagreen.
I enjoyed everyone else’s entries too. Thank you Ath for the prompt and all your comments.
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Libby replied to the topic Monthly Competition June 2025 in the forum Monthly Competition 1 year, 3 months ago
Moving On
The elderly man picked up a landline receiver. On his desk lay an open, glossy page of Country Life. The man underlined a phone number and dialled.
“Hello, my name’s John Tucker,” he said. “I’d like to sell my house. Could you send a valuer?”
He gave his address. A distant phone voice burbled.
“Two valuers?” said John. “This aft…[Read more]
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Libby started the topic "Galley Beggar Press – Pressing Issues" on Substack in the forum Coffee Shop 1 year, 4 months ago
If anyone would like a free one-month subscription to Galley Beggar – Pressing Issues on Substack, let me know. As a subscriber myself I can give this offer to three people. I’d need your email address so please include it in a PM.
The Pressing Issues newsletter is available to non-subscribers. Subscribers get all the other stuff too — insights…[Read more]
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