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Janette posted an update 3 years, 9 months ago
Sorry I haven’t been around for so long (and probably missed loads). It has continued to be a busy time for me. More than that, after finding fatal flaws in my current book, I decided on a complete rewrite. I also decided to give York another try, mainly to see what is happening out there in the publishing world, and what they might now be looking…[Read more]
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Good luck at York, Janette. I hope it provides all the information you need.
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Hope York goes well – I didn’t pick up on it this year as was already booked for a weekend away in September…which I can’t go to now because of visitors from India! Next year…
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Thanks, both. I’m hoping it’s going to be a good investment as well as enjoyable. Looking forward to seeing some old friends and hopefully get the ‘York’ feeling. I’ll report back.
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Hilary replied to the topic The Future of the Den (again) in the forum Blogs 3 years, 10 months ago
Hello. Long time no see, everyone. I’m posting this to say I do occasionally pop in to see what’s going on, but haven’t actually logged in for a Very Long Time. So, apologies. And also, thanks to you faithful few, and especially Ath and any other admin (?) for keeping it going. Yes, other things going on for me too, but the other day I was feeling…[Read more]
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Hi Hilary, lovely to see you here! Hope all’s going well with the book. x
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Thanks, Thea. Yes, all is well with the book, thanks. Publication date January next year. So excited! Hope all’s well with you.
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Oh, that’s fab, Hilary ! Please post an update when the book comes out. Looking forward to reading it 🙂
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Janette posted an update 4 years, 6 months ago
Apologies for the over-long gaps between my visits to Den. So much is still going on for me, including regular follow-up hospital visits following my multiple, bi-lateral arm breaks, one arm sadly looking towards being permanently handicapped. It happens to be my dominant arm, so many problems have arisen, including housework, personal care, the…[Read more]
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Oh dear, Janette, that sucks on so many levels. All I can do is send you a virtual hug, so consider it sent.
At least you’ve been getting follow-up care. MrsB fell and broke her left humerus while we were on holiday about fifteen months ago. There were a couple of visits to local hospitals while we were still there, but since coming home she’s…[Read more]-
Oh, Richard, that’s not good. If she’s still not right, they should be looking after her. I have to say I cannot fault my treatment, and they sent me for a bone density test, which showed up Osteopenia, which they are addressing. Is a consultation with your doctor worth a go?
Thanks for the hug – sending one right back.
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Janette posted an update 4 years, 7 months ago
Can anyone help me with my book research? I’ve come across a fatal flaw in my book and need to age up a character a little (otherwise it’s a full book rewrite, which I’m trying to avoid).
Did anyone (or anyone you know) leave school in Summer when you could have/were due to leave in the Easter break?
My MC leaves at Summer, but I need to add…[Read more]-
I can’t think leaving at Easter would’ve been that likely, because of ‘O’levels.
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Hi, Sandra,
I was one of the ones who had to stay on an extra year and leave aged 16 (in June 1974 – oops, showing my age!), which I was pleased about because I wanted to sit exams and my parents wanted me to leave to earn a wage. It was a common thing then, that some kids were expected to leave the earliest opportunity to ‘bring home a wage’, and…[Read more]-
I was 16 at Easter 1963, so can’t help you there, sorry.
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Steve says school leaving age was 15, but you could stay on. Also see wikipedia Raising_of_school_leaving_age_in_England_and_Wales
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Thanks, Sandra. I’m trying to find someone who could have or did leave at Easter. Better still, someone who remembers if it was mandatory or whether there were exceptions. My MC wants to stop on, but her parents are insistent she leaves asap. However, if something meant she couldn’t or shouldn’t leave at Easter …
It’s a long shot, and I’m fast…[Read more]
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I don’t think it’s ever been mandatory to leave at Easter – short of expulsion. You are required to choose your subjects for a full year well in advance of Easter, so that staying on is the default position, even if it’s obvious to all that a specific student is going to leave. In theory, I could have left school at Easter in 1972, but at that…[Read more]
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Thanks, Ath, that’s very helpful. My MC is being pressured by her parents to leave school and earn a wage, but the employer/employment route might be the way to go. Pity I didn’t think of this when I drafted the book.
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Janette replied to the topic The Future of the Den in the forum Blogs 4 years, 11 months ago
Sorry I’m so late to this. As many of you know, I’ve had rather a bad accident (tripped on a pothole) and suffered several injuries, including breaks to both arms, particularly the left elbow (I’m left handed).I have been warned the recovery will be long and involved, and I’ll probably not recover full movement to my left arm/elbow. Typing is slow…[Read more]
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Gosh, so sorry to hear that, Janette. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care. x
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Oh dear, oh dear. MrsB tripped on an uneven pavement and broke her arm while we were on holiday last year, and I remember all the pain and worry, so I have some idea of what you’re going through, and you have my sympathy. Especially since your case sounds worse, though reading between the lines it sounds like you’re getting better care too. Best…[Read more]
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Rubbish news, Janette. I hope you recover as soon as possible. Sending more hugs – gentle ones.
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Thank you, all, for your well-wishes. @richardb, sorry to hear about your wife. Care has been hit-and-miss due to an over-stretched NHS, but Mr O has taken a sabbatical from our small business and is taking good care of me. Just a pity I can’t always get to talk to relevant NHS departments when I need to.
Re Den, lets hope we can sort it out and…[Read more]
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Hi Janette, I’m really sorry about your accident. It sounds horrible. I really hope things start to get better soon.
Re the typing, would investing in voice software be helpful? Word has a dictate function which I found unusable (any pause for thinking and it switches off, and it’s also too basic to be any good) but there are proper pro…[Read more]
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly Comp – March 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 2 months ago
Wow, who would have guessed that no take-up would transform into four superb entries that I can’t fit a gnat’s wing between. I’ve read and re-read, and gone out for a walk – and here are my conclusions, before I change my mind:
Sandra – Catalyst
A gritty, rich voice taking us through a concise, gripping read and an unexpected but brilliantly…[Read more]
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly Comp – March 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 2 months ago
last (24hr-ish) shout for the monthly comp (do we still want to keep this going in its current form?). Already we have two excellent entries, but one or two more would be lovely.
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly Comp – March 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 2 months ago
One week left for the March comp, with one excellent entry as yet.
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly Comp – March 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 2 months ago
Now our winter comp is over – may I remind all of you wonderful story tellers that the monthly ones are still running, March already half-way through.
At present no contenders. -
Janette started the topic Monthly Comp – March 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 3 months ago
I’m mesmerised, at this time of year, by the sudden appearance of bright spring flowers, transforming seemingly barren ground to a show of life and colour. So this month’s competition is about TRANSFORMATION. Any kind – winter garden to spring; person from human to angel. Whatever your imagination comes up with, in 400 words.
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly comp – February 2021 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 3 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] -
Janette replied to the topic Monthly comp: December 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 5 months ago
Thank you for the comp and the positive comments, Ath. And well done Libby – nice work.
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Janette replied to the topic Indie publishing deal in the forum Podium 5 years, 5 months ago
This is such fab news, proving that publishing life doesn’t begin or end with trad agents. Can’t wait to see this in print. Enjoy and celebrate your announcement to the hilt – so well deserved.
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Janette replied to the topic Monthly comp: December 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 6 months ago
A New Opening
Lockdown. Away from a contageous world full of contageous people. Away from touch. Away from hold. Away from gossipy nudges and ear-whispers in the office, shrinking my world to room size; specifically the area where work-table met window. I unfasten the latch and swing it wide open in a desperate bid for expanse.
Between remote…[Read more] -
Janette replied to the topic Monthly competition November 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 6 months ago
Well done, and well deserved, Ath!
And thanks, Sandra for such an interesting challenge. -
Janette replied to the topic Monthly competition November 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 6 months ago
When The Magic Ends
‘I dreamt about you last night.’
‘Sally, about that.’
‘No, please don’t say it. Things used to be so magical.’
‘But that was then, can’t you see? People move on. You’re not that kid I first met. There are others –’
‘Always were. From the very start you didn’t try to hide it let alone show any remorse. That deep chuckle…[Read more] -
Janette replied to the topic Monthly comp – October 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 5 years, 7 months ago
Congratulations, Sandra – an excellent story. And thank you, Sea, for the feedback and setting a challenge I could rise to.
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