Mad Iguana

  • Congratulations, Ath. Delightfully creative tale!
    Thanks to Janette for the prompt and to Sandra, Libby and Terrie for a selection of wonderful stories x

  • Congratulations, Ath,  for your interpretation with a twist  and well done  Sandra, Sea and Libby as well.

    I enjoyed everyone’s entries.

    Its always interesting to  see others  take on  a challenge prompt.

  • It’s been on my mind that during this month I will begin the last year of my sixth decade. The topic this month is the last of something. So, whatever that suggests to you, good, bad, indifferent, in a maximum of 500 words.

  • When I say that I seriously didn’t think I’d win – I mean it. There was a fistful of really great entries. Thanks to Janette for the prompt and to my co-entrants for some great entertainment.

  • Ps, yes, thank you all for your brilliant entries, I meant to say- sorry if this didn’t come across in my summary.

  • Five great stories this month, making my decision oh-so difficult and changeable.

    Sandra – Lyrical Determination (thin on legend)
    Smartly-penned descriptives throughout, giving vivid imagery of Fran lying prose on the attic bed, having decided to give her virginity to Ivo (having been inspired by the words of John Martyn).  Love that she bathes…[Read more]

  • Janette posted an update 11 months ago

    Time passes so quickly. Would you believe there are only six days left to enter the May competition? Already four stunning entries but, go on, please make my job to pick out a winner even more difficult – I like a challenge. Give me an essence of May.

    • I started a story but life has been busy. Let’s see if I can a) finish it and b) it’s not too embarrassingly draft-like to share.

  • May

    The cactus on the table, out there on the decking, it’s gone mad. Look there are four new paddle things growing off it. Mr Hoskins from next door says they’re called “cladodes”. He should know, seeing as he’s a botanist or something at the college. It’s a modified stem, apparently, which serves the function of a leaf. He came over for a cup o…[Read more]

  • Renewal Dance

    Below a patchy canopy of leaves, sunlight falls in dusted shafts of light, highlighting small tufts of fluffy-winged seeds, spiralling and soaring in the breeze and somewhere, within the cool, dark, caverns of under-earth, the chime of rock, root and soil begins its soft, ceaseless, song of renewal.

    Stirred from slumber beneath the…[Read more]

  • Princes Street, Edinburgh, in early May. The morning is bright, the sky opaque with a promise of blue, and there’s enough chill in the air to warrant the cardigan I left on the back of the chair in the kitchen. I’m walking on the sunny side of the street – the side across from the gardens – with measured, purposeful steps as I head to a train…[Read more]

  • Today’s walk gave me the inspiration I needed, while I hummed away to May Day songs. I’d like you to write a story with a May (Day) theme.

    It could be goings-on at a festival or fair while Maypole and Morris Dancers dance in the May. Or a nod to the Green Man (Jack-in-the-Green) defeating the Holly King of winter. Perhaps be inspired by the lines…[Read more]

  • Congratulations, J! Well deserved ☺️

    Thanks to Libby for challenging my poor sluggish brain cells with an extraordinary prompt, and to Sandra for an excellent read.

  • Heck, I did not expect that. Thank you for such an awesome feedback, Libby, and for a competition prompt which challenged my writerly boundaries. Also well done to Sea and Sandra for their excellent stories.
    I have nothing in mind for the next topic – a walk is in order to mull it over, not that I need and excuse to set out in this wonderful sunshine.

  • Oh BOTHER! So sorry, Libby. I confess I found the prompt a little tricky, but I was getting the start of an idea. Then I got myself involved with something and forgot all about it.

    Well done to all three entrants, especially Janette. I liked the stories very much.

  • Janette posted an update 12 months ago

    I wondered if I could ask a favour of any fellow writers who enjoy character-led novels. The current title of my book Saving Grace has never really sat easy with me, being aware it also the title of a major film (one of my favourites), and I more recently learned it is the name of a US series, besides being used several times by other authors…[Read more]

    • Hi @janette , I immediately liked (Don’t) Call Me Graceless and
      My Growing Chain of Big Fat Lies. Is Fibs an alternative title?
      The first title suggests character, the second plot. They both have voice.
      I’m not keen on Fibs. It feels vague.

    • I like ‘The Art of invisible mending’ which offers intrigue.

  • <u>Parsnip Wine

    </u>

    Our back-facing neighbours were the first to acknowledge our arrival. Each time I looked out, the ever-preened woman was at her bay window, dog-in-hand (at least I think the explosion of fur was of canine origin). Gerald supposed she were sun-worshipping, her glances only polite curiosity – then he always did see the good i…[Read more]

  • Janette posted an update 1 year ago

    And sorry for the belated congratulations, Libby – amid the business of being employed again, I thought I had already posted my response to your comp win, which was a fine, worthy entry.

    I confess I didn’t know what to do with the April challenge you posted, but some thought during a weekend walk gave me a lightbulb moment.

  • Janette posted an update 1 year ago

    Kate, brilliant stuff. Congratulations!

  • Kate replied to the topic New novel from Kate Machon! in the forum Podium 1 year ago

    Thanks, Sea! 😃

  • Seagreen replied to the topic New novel from Kate Machon! in the forum Podium 1 year ago

    Ooh! Congratulations! 😀

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