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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly comp – February 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 2 months ago
4 fab entries.
Sandra: a mind tortured by contemplation of an almost-certain affair and a child on the way that may not be his own. But which betrayal warrants the biggest shiver? What a deliciously twisted tale.
Seagreen: what an terrible tale – but writing as sharp as February frost. It isn’t the weather that makes the reader shiver, but an…[Read more]
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly comp – February 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 2 months ago
The Softness Of Untouched Snow
‘I say, Lilian, there’s a fair covering out there. Fancy a walk – a slide?’
‘Silly old beggar.’ I shook my head and carried on knitting. ‘Out there, in that? Slipping and shivering – at our age?’
‘Shivering means you’re alive. Come on, old lass, it’s been a long time indoors. Lets make some footprints afore anyone…[Read more] -
Squidge replied to the topic Monthly comp – February 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 3 months ago
Just Another Night at the Theatre.
Suspenders. Check.
Stockings. Check.
Corset and lacy panties. Check.
Stilettos.Check.
Pearl necklace. Make up to die for. Check.
Lab coat. Check.
Rubber gloves. Check.
Rice, torch, water pistol, newspaper, confetti, party hat, rubber gloves. Check.
Sense of humour. Check.
Willingness to participate.…[Read more] -
Athelstone posted an update 5 years, 3 months ago
Dear Denizens,
I hope you are all well and not too discommoded by the present restrictions on movement and fraternisation in your various locales.
May I draw your attention to the date. I observe that there are 6 days and some hours before the February Monthly Comp closes. So far we have two superb entries, and there is plenty of room for more.…[Read more]-
Seem to be on a roll producing shorts at the mo – I’ll see what I can do. No promises… 😉
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Phew, didn’t think I’d find the time for this one, but squeezed in (sideways) a quick effort today.
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Athelstone posted an update 5 years, 3 months ago
The countdown begins. Including today, just 10 days left to enter the monthly comp and win the FABULOUS PRIZE of being picked!
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Athelstone posted an update 5 years, 3 months ago
Still February. Still time. Not a leap year. Be quick.
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Squidge replied to the topic Comments from an Editor in the forum Blogs 5 years, 3 months ago
Oh – and contractions? Bunkum! If you have a distinctly voiced character, they will ‘think’ and describe in contractions just as much as they use them in dialogue. I’d have no luck with this editor cos I often write voice with contractions…makes it more real to me as the writer, and immerses the reader in the story, in my experience.
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Squidge replied to the topic Comments from an Editor in the forum Blogs 5 years, 3 months ago
Is it worth having a look at how you’ve used ‘I’, Doug? If you’re using it frequently, then yes, definitely worth looking up psychic distance. There’s a big difference between ‘I sit at the table near the window. Outside, I see a man fighting to keep his brolly up in the wind and rain’, and ‘I sit at the table near the window and watch the man…[Read more]
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Seagreen replied to the topic Monthly comp – February 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 3 months ago
RETRIBUTION 373 words (not including explanation)
‘Sire, if I may plead caution…’ James’s face was hidden from me as he stared out of the window across the city, and I began to wonder if, indeed, he had heard my quietly spoken words. But then he turned, and I saw in his eyes the haunted look I knew so well and had come to dread.
‘You may plead…[Read more] -
JaneShuff replied to the topic Comments from an Editor in the forum Blogs 5 years, 3 months ago
Interesting. I would have said it is perfectly acceptable to use contractions such as I’m, He’d, don’t etc in narrative writing. In fact I think it’s fine to use anything you want provided it doesn’t obscure the meaning. It’s all down to what the voice and style require.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Good news on the lyric writing front in the forum Podium 5 years, 3 months ago
That is amazing news. Well done, indeed!
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Thank you, Ath
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Squidge replied to the topic Good news on the lyric writing front in the forum Podium 5 years, 3 months ago
Congratulations! Fab news!
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Seagreen replied to the topic Good news on the lyric writing front in the forum Podium 5 years, 3 months ago
Fabulous news, John! Congratulations 😀
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Thank you!
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Good news on the lyric writing front in the forum Podium 5 years, 3 months ago
Wow! Congratulations! Where can we read it?
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Should be here:
https://www.songwritingcontest.co.uk/later-than-you-think.html-
Beautiful, John. I can hear it. Where do you go from here with it?
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Collaboration. Either someone wanting to produce this song, or one of my others, or wants me to write something to a specific melody. We’ll see! Elton John hasn’t called yet – must be busy.
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John S Alty started the topic Good news on the lyric writing front in the forum Podium 5 years, 3 months ago
John Schofield (my real name) has won the Lyrics Only category in the UK Songwriting Contest 2020 with his song “It’s Later Than You Think.”
The UK Songwriting Contest directors and judges include top award-winning producers and songwriters who have worked closely with many of the world´s major artists. There were almost 10,000 song entries from 8…[Read more]-
Oh, big WOW John – not that I didn’t doubt you, but against 10,000??! Will anyone be taking the lyrics up going ahead, for recording? Are we allowed to see them? This is brilliant news for such a cold, icy-blast sort of day. Many congratulations.
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Congratulations, John! What a fantastic achievement 🙂
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Thanks, Thea
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Thanks, Janette.
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and I’ve just bumped in!! Hooray, now for the reading 😅
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Daedalus posted an update 5 years, 3 months ago
Cutting a story down from 3800 to 2800… Got to 3200 and now every word removed feels like a fingernail
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Keep going, Daeds. And good luck!
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Thanks @libby! 209 to go
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Oh no, @daedalus, we’re not going to be haunted by all the babies murdered, are we? 😀
Seriously, good luck with that. If anyone can, you can.-
Thanks! It’s looking pretty sparse, I can tell you
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59 for me.
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And I just happen to be reading a book about writing titled “Murder Your Darlings.” 🙂
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Sounds like fate to me. Keep slaying 🙂
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I have allowed myself one darling to remain. The rest have been butchered
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I started out at 900 words over, Daedalus, but persevered and think my cut down version is stronger. Funny how that can happen. Good luck with losing those final few hundred words.
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All of you! Save those precious babes and enter them in the Monthy Comp!
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Often that is the case, but in this case the original version was fairly tight, and there was no real way to lose length other than salami slicing. Ah well
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Athelstone started the topic Monthly comp – February 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 3 months ago
Can’t believe it’s February already. To quote Don McLean, February made me shiver. Cold, love, anger, heat, fear, excitement, illness, happiness – 400 words maximum on absolutely anything that caused a shiver one February.
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Ooh, thank you, Ath – you’ve enabled me to tackle another tricky scene.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 3 months ago
A small field but some fab entries and I’m very happy to be picked!
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Raine started the topic Cover reveal for This Is Our Undoing in the forum Podium 5 years, 3 months ago
Hey all,
Just wanted to show you the cover for my book – I can’t post pictures here, but this link takes you to a wee blogpost. I witter a bit about it there, but you can ignore that and just admire the foxyness of the art. Daniele has done covers for the likes of Stephen King and lots more, so to have him do my art is pretty awesome. 🙂 It’s…[Read more]
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Congratulations. Looks fab. And very exciting!
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Fabulous, Raine! I look foward to reading about it in more detail on your blog.
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So thrilled for you Raine. This is a long time coming, but wow, what a result when it did. Looking forward to reading my copy.
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It is a thing of BEAUTY and I just love it, @raine! It’s so perfect for your prose – it’s mysterious and evocative and moody with an edge of wildness, and fox. It’s perfect! SO exciting isn’t it? xxx
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Thank you, Ath, for the prompt, and for the nice comments. I’ll go and put my thinking cap on now.