Whisks

  • RichardB posted an update 3 years, 8 months ago

    Went to the cattery this morning after returning from holiday to find that our cat had succumbed to kidney failure while we were away. She was a gentle, affectionate soul and much loved. Plus, we both have rather nasty colds. Not the the best homecoming.

  • After a hectic few hours, it was lovely to sit down and read these entries. Thank you all for taking the time to enter.

    Athelstone – I felt very close to your character. When I finished reading I felt very sad.

    Seagreen –  I thoroughly enjoyed this. The final paragraph was lovely to read. Who is Ameilia I wonder?

    Sandra – I found this very inte…[Read more]

  • Clebs posted an update 3 years, 8 months ago

    The September monthly competition closes at midnight tomorrow.

    I appreciate how busy everyone is but I would love to read other peoples perceptions of what happened after a gathering.
    Clebs

  • After the Gathering

    There was never an invitation. No surprise email in your inbox, no speculative phone call while your mouth was full of the last of the chocolate brownies, and no snatched conversation as you unloaded your shopping in the supermarket queue.

    ‘Have you heard? Amelia’s having another one of her get-togethers this weekend. It see…[Read more]

  • Just 5 days left for Clebs’ excellent monthly comp. Thinking-caps and writing-hands!

  • After the Gathering

    I shan’t go next year.

    I mean, Tom wasn’t there. Jackie spent the whole evening talking to Spence and nobody can get a word in with those two. And Pete. That was a shock. Pete’s joined the choir eternal. Playing three-card brag with St Peter more like.

    ‘So you don’t have to.’ That was his thing. I remember when he broke hi…[Read more]

  • Raine posted an update 3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi all, just dropping by to catch up on the annual challenge & whisper that a previous challenge story (Bathymetry) has just won the British Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction. So thank you all for being part of such an inspiring annual event. 🙂

  • On my third attempt. The previous two kept wanting to turn into short stories!

  • Squidge posted an update 3 years, 9 months ago

    Dipping in to say hi… ridiculously busy at the mo with Life, so barely time to breathe, let alone write! How is everyone doing at the moment, following the Queen’s death? Whether you’re for the monarchy or not, it seems to have impacted nearly everyone I’ve spoken to in some way, shape, or form. Sending hugs if you need them x

    • Doing well (I think). Similarly busy, especially yesterday when I was included in a tale of lost keys which necessitated a drive from Worthing to London and back.

    • Even for a republican like me it does feel like the end of an era. Thinking about how as a Scout we had to make promises to do our duty to the Queen etc, and every time you see a post box or a coin, or hear The King, it feels strange. Very few people have known anything different – @athelstone that sounds like an incredibly trying day, was it all…[Read more]

      • Yes, no harm done, thanks.

        • Oh blimey, Ath…can imagine that being rather stressful.

          • Busy here too, but yes, life seems to feel ‘on hold’ as we witness the end of an era. While not being an ardent Royalist, I did have a lot of respect for a queen who was the unwavering anchor for her family, showing how publicity could be done properly without scandalous revelations. I think I shall miss her.

    • I had a very strong (and somewhat unexpected) emotional reaction to the death. She has always loomed large in my life as my father is an ardent royalist. I’d expected to feel a bit sad, as I did when Prince Philip died, but I burst into tears when I heard the news. We were in Scotland and very nearly passed the cortege from Balmoral to Edinburgh…[Read more]

  • RichardB replied to the topic Choices in the forum Group logo of All You NeedAll You Need 3 years, 9 months ago

    Crystal Palace

    Yes there is

  • Any more takers for the annual Short Story Challenge? There’s still time to join the “All You Need” group and make a couple of simple choices. The group closes and becomes private on Sunday evening, 22:00 UK time. It’s an easy way in for 6 months of fun and anticipation.

  • Daedalus replied to the topic Choices in the forum Group logo of All You NeedAll You Need 3 years, 9 months ago

    Coniston

    Yes there is

  • I am attending a gathering of sorts next week and am aware that when the attendees leave they will have different thoughts and emotions. The event will evoke different memories for them.

    In 500 words or less please write a piece entitled ‘After the Gathering’. With the exception of the title and the number of words there are no res…[Read more]

  • Reading the other entries I didn’t expect that! Thank you. I really enjoyed this competition.

  • Well done @clebs. I said it’s excellent – and it is!

  • Another reminder to all Denizens. The annual short-story challenge is awake once more. If you haven’t joined already, you only have until 11 September to join the group ALL YOU NEED and make a couple of choices.
    And to those who HAVE joined, choices must be made by that same date in order to enter the challenge.

  • Athelstone replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum Group logo of All You NeedAll You Need 3 years, 9 months ago

    Ah, I see.

    Cf. my choice

  • Daedalus replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum Group logo of All You NeedAll You Need 3 years, 9 months ago

    For me the town is the sticking point, as whatever I go with will necessarily narrow down what kind of story I can write a fair bit. That’s what comes of writing across a range of genres I suppose!

  • Burn

    The day the power went off for the last time, Dad started on about the country again.

    “When did this country change?” he growled. “Things never used to be like this. This is Britain, how did it get so the electric doesn’t work?”

    Gemma didn’t understood when he talked like this. It was like he felt the whole island was somehow the same. G…[Read more]

  • <p style=”font-weight: 400;”><b>Upwards and Downwards</b></p>
    <p style=”font-weight: 400;”>An unexpected ray of light pierced  the blanket of cloud which hung over the otherwise dull cemetery. A plot empty of earth with planks and ropes ready to lower a coffin screamed yet another death.
    </p>
    <p style=”font-weight: 400;”>Had the reaper taken…[Read more]

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