Xander Michael

Thank you Squidge,I appreciate the input. Food for thought.

Thanks Jules.

You mean the coppery tang of blood as her scalpel slices through pale flesh?! Just kidding. I know what you mean, Laure, I need to work on the atmosphere.
I hope this exercise is helping others to get a grasp of what makes a story work – join in everyone.

Oh. My. Giddy. Aunt! Amazing news! So pleased for you!

Haven’t stopped dancing little happy dances since I heard. 🙂

Ava will be so loved by everyone who meets her. I can’t wait to see where she takes us. (and Jack. I love him a bit) xxx

Superb news Kaz – I’ve always loved your writing so know this is very well deserved. I’ll be in Melbourne in November, but more whizzing in and out a couple of times, on our way elsewhere, Will send you a closer wave, at least.

I’m going to go with the advice given and submit it to another comp, this time with its original title ‘The Grandmothers’. If it sounds familiar, it is because it was an old comp entry over on Cloud but which I polished up a little, this one set in a Celtic village (yes, rather like my other wip *blushes*). As I don’t want to compromise by…[Read more]

… And now I’ve found this thread!
Firstly, many congratulations, Elle, Daeds, Hil, Kaz and Jules. I’ll look out for those links.
I think I’ve already said too many times already, but I have also come first AND second in the same local comp, Pennine Ink, with my two entries. Not stumbling upon this first, I opened a fresh link and posted the link…[Read more]

Just read it – told with your usual heart-warming warmth, salted, as always with human reality. Excellent.

*blushes* Sorry, I’ve only just found this link. Yes, Mandy was indeed bloody brilliant and it felt oh-so-special to be sat listening to her. It was the proverbial cherry atop the York cake that had already proved to be one-to-be-remembered.

Yes, Hel – please do post – here or in our SE Group (not sure you’ve found that?) but let us know where. I definitely want to read it.

Only just found this Janette – brilliant and well-deserved news. Keep us posted.

Thanks so much everyone and many congrats, Philippa.

Raine, of course I can post it but, frankly, it’s not that wonderful. But I can if you want. Do you mean post it here?

How are you doing? What are you writing? Your work is so good…have you sent anything out to agents recently?

J. That’s AMAZING! You are storming the flash scene! Are they putting together an anthology? Or website publication, or something?

And yeah, when you have a pub date/name, pop it on the Podium forum so’s we can all cheer.

Hel you are ace, and that’s got to be a huge boost in writing motivation! Would love to see the magic 500words if/when you feel like sharing. Pretty please!

Yay for the recording!!! Hope we can access it somehow when it goes up. *crosses fingers*

And no excuses necessary for shouting, WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF HER!!!!!

Taking on board the comments so far, here’s an edited version, with a title change.

The First Time
Two men wearing overcoats followed the nurse down the corridor.
“Florence has quite perked up since you arranged this visit so she should be able to answer your questions. She’ll tire quickly, though, remember she’s over ninety.”
“Thank you, we’l…[Read more]