-
Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly Competition – June 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years ago
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. Iβm so glad Iβm not the only one still waiting for that Corinthians mom…[Read more] -
Barny replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years ago
DoW problems: Usability just isnβt what it should be; not being able to post pictures is a pain; definitely doesnβt 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]
-
Seagreen replied to the topic Monthly Competition – June 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years ago
It’s not great, but it’s an entry… π
THAT BIT BETWEEN WHITEKIRK AND TYNINGHAME, NEAR TO BINNING WOOD
(276 WORDS inc TITLE)
I wondered if there might be ticks. In the grass, I mean. After all, theyβre rampant in this weather, arenβt they? And theyβre nasty little buggers. The consequences of Lyme disease can haunt you for years…[Read more]
-
Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years ago
The garlic will be ready for harvesting in a few weeks.
-
Ha, bet it’s nicer than shop bought! π
-
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 Iβve managed is chives.
One thing about the weather this year: the patches of meadow pea on the laneβs verges are larger than usual. Rich golden yellow flowers liked by bees.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Thea replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years ago
Sorry, late as usual! Having read through the comments, I think there are lots of excellent points made and, yes, it feels like the site needs sprucing up. For example, there is always a big buzz in the autumn when the annual challenge is announced – but how to maintain that buzz? For a prospective new member, the general lack of activity must be…[Read more]
-
Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years 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 5 years, 1 month 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]
-
JaneShuff replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years, 1 month ago
Deeply pleased to hear other people want idle chat.
-
Idle chat about what? Oh, β¦ yeah. Yes please.
-
Been lucky enough to escape Covid testing but got to have two next week before travelling. Are they really as awful as people claim?
-
Ah, I can spot idle chat when it slaps me in the face. Have done one of the lateral flow type – you have to stroke your tonsils with a long cotton bud, then right up your nose. Fun. I find the tonsils one really difficult, makes me retch. OTOH I was clear π In the UK we can get free tests from pharmacies. Go for it! Hope itβs a nice holiday.
-
Well, I’ll let you know Barny but it sounds disgusting!
-
-
-
[idly] you did ask. Yeah let me know how it goes, but you can skim the details if you want.
-
Watch this space…
-
All fine! But only nasal swab for PCR test in France!!
-
π
-
-
-
-
-
-
Libby replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years, 1 month 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]
-
RichardB replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years, 1 month ago
Even after a year-plus of lockdown in various degrees I don’t do social media at all, no Facebook, no Twitter, no Zoom, no anything, so the Silence of the Denizens has been quite saddening for me. Not that I’ve been better (except in one respect) than anyone else. My problem is the opposite of that of several leading lights here: having…[Read more]
-
Athelstone replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years, 1 month ago
I certainly agree with the point about idle chat.
-
JaneShuff replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years, 1 month ago
My thoughts… I agree that the format doesn’t help and I’d love to see it changed. Maybe to something that would encourage more idle chat. Something about the format makes me feel I need to have something particularly worthwhile to say in order to post. I think idle chat is important for keeping relationships going but I may be in a minority…[Read more]
-
Raine replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years, 1 month ago
First off, apologies. I am not as active on here as I was, and definitely not as active as I was on the Cloud. Partly, recently that’s been due to being swamped with book release stuff. Partly though it’s because of the format & the way the site kills off chat. Both in hiding replies and in it’s weird notifications limitations. I think that’s a…[Read more]
-
Kate replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years, 1 month ago
The Den’s been a lifeboat for my SE group. And I love the inspiration the winter writing challenge brings. It’s also lovely to be able to see the successes of people I met on the cloud.
But I wonder if, for the main page to be active, we need writers at different stages. I think we’ve all got a fair amount of experience on here, have writing…[Read more]
-
-
Squidge replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 5 years, 1 month 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 5 years, 1 month 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 5 years, 1 month 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 5 years, 1 month 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 5 years, 1 month 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] - Load 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.