tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9341353523479239282024-03-05T20:04:21.515-08:00Ward's WordsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-76343946165589132232016-01-15T01:42:00.002-08:002016-01-15T01:43:00.416-08:00Happy New Year!2016 has arrived, and got me thinking about resolutions. I'm pants at keeping them, so have decided to just go for one:<br />
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<b> TO GET SIGNED BY AN AGENT</b></div>
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It's quite a hard one. But I'm already working with one, and have been for the last year or so, in an editorial capacity. <br />
I've had some insights into my writing, namely that I avoid editing and write lots of new stuff, which is great; but I'd like to get something properly finished. <br />
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I entered lots of fabulous writing competitions in November and December last year, so they are soon to be judged. <br />
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If you write flash or short stories, or are fighting a novel I think you must get onto Twitter if you aren't already. It is amazing for linking up with other people in your position, and finding cool free writing competitions to enter.<br />
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A great one is Ad Hoc Fiction, which runs weekly and gives you a prompt word. That word must be in the story, and you have up to 150 words. It's free and exciting, give it a go. Find it at Adhocfiction.com.<br />
Reading the pieces that the other fabulous writers submit is crucial. The standard is so high!<br />
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Other writing advice for January is keep reading! REVIVAL is one of my Christmas presents, I'm saving it as I catch up on my Talk Time reading for my next telephone book group. The one for next session is by Joyce Dennys and it is very funny. Henrietta's War (1985) is a series of letters written in the 1940s, full of village life in wartime. Am loving it.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-2417323379991697462015-09-18T12:50:00.001-07:002015-09-18T12:50:11.206-07:00Writing every dayIt's Friday again. The week flies when you squeeze in as much writing and competition entering as possible.<br />
I've discovered Ad Hoc on Twitter - a great 150 word flash contest with a cash prize. Always worth a go.<br />
Today's Flash Friday entry:<br />
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Harvest Time</div>
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My belly took its time growing big. Quickly I knew somethin’ was up, when I felt all spacey and super tired. That old nine months is everlasting eternity, at the same time as being over in a flash.</div>
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I dreamed of it. In there, all safe and hugged by my body. A bean growin’ at the speed of light, until it was wedged into me, leavin’ me all breathless and full to the brim.<br />Ma said to cherish the feelin’s as I weren’t never gonna have the baby to hold. A deal was struck with a Priest, of all folk. He was in the next town over, and his wife was just about dyin’ to have a baby of her very own. September was gonna be my harvest time.</div>
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A Priest gotta be a good man. You’d better believe it. No man of God is going to be mean to a little baby. That’s what Ma tells me over and over, and slaps my face if I keep up the caterwaulin’.</div>
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She don’t know it was a Priest did for me. I ain’t tellin’ her, neither.</div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /> </div>
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I decided to try and write in an accent, and from a very young teen POV. Poor kid, I wanted her tough but likeable. I wanted to have her protect her mother's feelings about religion at the end, even though her 'Ma' has been domineering and unsupportive of her predicament. </div>
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I recently heard that I've been shortlisted for a MASH writing contest, a short story which had to include the words Taxes, Vinegar and Carpenter. Hilarious to get those disparate terms in smoothly. Very challenging. </div>
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I'm looking forward to October/November, when the anthology with my short story in is due out. Original Writing seem a lovely bunch of folks. It'll be my first time in print for years, bar a poem I got into an anthology ages ago.</div>
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Castlecroft Writers had a fabulous 6th meeting with ten attendees. We're a right old bunch of cuckoos. We ended on a game of consequences, kind of a random plot generator. Very funny to read out the bananas combinations of one person's character going through another's event in a third's setting, and then a fourth person's consequence. </div>
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Keep writing, keep trying, keep open and enter as many writing comps as you can! More tries = more chance that a pair of eyes zipping over your words will like them. </div>
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Go!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-75902352399850815642015-08-28T02:17:00.002-07:002015-08-28T02:17:52.989-07:00Today's Flash Friday entry
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Setting: a beautiful forest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Courage<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">323)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">@Viking_Ma<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The Glen of Light<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alice wandered, singing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The woods were deep and quiet, wet underfoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun never quite pierced through the thick
green canopy, allowing the things that flourished in dark and damp to grow
unchecked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She crushed toadstools and
dripping lichen, and centipedes and woodlice skittered across her toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bulbous spiders dropped low to reach their
feet out to her hair, which sparkled with dew.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With every tread that carried her further from the glen, her
singing quietened a touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother would
be pleased, but why did her own heart quail?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unconsciously, she slowed, and began to waver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe go back… and just peep into the soft
grasses…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bit her lip
to galvanize her spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One spider
reached her, and walked along the tiny path of her parting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She scratched at it, the egg-filled body splitting
under her fingers and smearing her hair with gluey innards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sight of a cluster of sweating yellow toadstools brought
her to a sudden halt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why was everything
rotten here? Why was it suppurating and foul?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She chewed a finger, thinking hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The forest was telling her to stop, to reconsider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her heart beat faster. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resolutely, she turned around and faced the
past, looking back through the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
that place where destiny had been so forcefully changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She sang again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘What’s
done must be undone.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her feet set out,
this time moving her back along to a different outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was terrifying, but to her heart it felt the
right choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gasping back a sob, Alice began to stumble, to run along the
slimy forest floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The path was tricky,
and confusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would she ever find the
glen again?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a final twist and turn, there it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only sunny spot, filled with a rioting rainbow
of wildflowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes cast about,
panic tightening her chest, when she spotted it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bassinette was still there, a tiny pink
hand reaching up toward a blue butterfly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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There's something about this. Quite magical. I wanted her to be a little unhinged, but brave. Cutting for the word count was tough as the description of the forest was really fun. Maybe I'll extend this into a short story. I like Alice a lot! <br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We had our 5th meeting of Castlecroft Writers yesterday, in the pub of course. I expect that's the real reason why we have such a large loyal membership. We used Emma's story cubes, and they really do inspire some great fiction. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">What I love is that when a diverse group of writers comes together, lots of things start to happen. Confidence grows, and we inspire each other to try new stuff. One of our poets is a quiet, unassuming fellow, but has been inspired recently to read his work in a pub - a huge deal for him. Reading out to our group helped him see that he could.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">follow him at @SilenceHappens</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The other thing I love is that from one starting point - for example, our 75 word warm-up was on 'The Death of Summer;' ten totally different stories grow like tendrils from a mad plant, all in our own special directions. Mind blown.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Thanks Castlecroft Writers, for being you, for being brave and coming to a group, and for sharing your passion of words. Good luck to you all with your own writing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The world needs to hear YOUR voice. Grab a pad, a laptop, a small child...and write on it. You'll surprise yourself, I promise. </span></span></div>
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Blog article-wise, I have done some more pieces for Jimmy Trims...a collection of chat up lines which was very funny to research, and a history of hairstyles. Am enjoying writing some very different things.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-77353427591609480692015-08-07T05:23:00.001-07:002015-08-07T05:23:27.689-07:00Keep on keepin' on<br />
New article on hangovers written by moi for Jimmy Trims!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://jimmytrims.com/social-club/10-of-the-best-hangover-cures/"><span style="color: blue;">http://jimmytrims.com/social-club/10-of-the-best-hangover-cures/</span></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">also been blogging for the fab @_IdentityStudio about Colour.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Won a short story competition for Original Writing too; being published in an anthology in October. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.originalwriting.ie/blogs/news/39762945-june-short-story-winners">http://www.originalwriting.ie/blogs/news/39762945-june-short-story-winners</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Keep writing, people! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-24351946347993176692015-07-29T14:00:00.000-07:002015-07-29T14:00:10.757-07:00A fabulous writing competition : screenplay writing<br />
I just entered a competition to re-write the end of my favourite film! How could I resist... but I will keep my entry secret until after judging.<br />
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The competition is here :<br />
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<a href="http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/thealties">http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/thealties</a><br />
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and linked to :<br />
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<a href="http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/">http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/</a><br />
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If you have always burned to end a film in a more satisfying way...have a go!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-28088674782062544522015-07-12T01:19:00.001-07:002015-07-12T01:19:09.750-07:00So much stuffIt's been insane!<br />
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We made the paper with Castlecroft Writers and our event in September.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_51PbScyHMLqecx25-XrPDofwzn7OMYEuP0JvxHQ3t-mqUt5D1RUMWntsUsoJl0clPRsWeEvSgSogcYVC6A43p5j5mOCV17sE0dIEJtGkc9ukYG_G-CBJnt_t0Nl4c8-1GTG2om2pW8jG/s1600/Castlecroft+Writers+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_51PbScyHMLqecx25-XrPDofwzn7OMYEuP0JvxHQ3t-mqUt5D1RUMWntsUsoJl0clPRsWeEvSgSogcYVC6A43p5j5mOCV17sE0dIEJtGkc9ukYG_G-CBJnt_t0Nl4c8-1GTG2om2pW8jG/s320/Castlecroft+Writers+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I wrote a guest blog post about Twitter for @_IdentityStudio a superb graphic design company in the West Midlands.<br />
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My paragraph 'Monkey Tails' is today's featured flash on @ParagraphPlanet<br />
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Early drafts of my 2nd YA novel are almost complete.<br />
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I'm loving this writing life.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-59389706741295850852015-06-03T13:12:00.001-07:002015-06-03T13:12:38.080-07:00FIRST stranger comment so got my first comment from a stranger on the travel article:<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #111111; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/24px Candara, Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">A fun and imaginative piece about ‘Castlecroft'; the place will be heaving now! A good, perky read.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #111111; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/24px Candara, Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #111111; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/24px Candara, Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Massive YES! *perky* Awesome.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-1998509436603184642015-05-28T02:14:00.001-07:002015-05-28T02:14:40.770-07:00Travel Writing Competition Win!See my article here :<br />
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<a href="http://seniortravelexpert.com/castlecroft/">http://seniortravelexpert.com/castlecroft/</a><br />
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the first ever fictional piece that has been used on the Senior Travel Expert website.<br />
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the feedback should be interesting.....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-54675324628524217232015-05-22T04:15:00.001-07:002015-05-22T04:15:15.624-07:00It's Flash Friday againWaterfalls and the conflict between man and nature. Great prompts.<br />
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209<br /> @Viking_Ma<br /> The Water Man<br />
He stared up at the waterfall. Water magic took extreme concentration, and sacred knowledge of the world and natural physics.<br /> The crowd around the top of the falls whooped and yelled in excitement, the TV cameras and news reporters jostling for the best view.<br /> The Water Man had been travelling the globe, performing miraculous and unsettling magic stunts on famous bodies of water. Thousands of people had seen him walk the Amazon river, lie flat on the Nile without sinking for five full days, even walk on his hands on the Atlantic.<br /> People who had been sceptical began to listen, to watch him with hungry eyes. Who was he?<br /> Today he would walk up the world’s tallest waterfall, after turning it to ice in the middle of summer. The crowd leaned as far as they dared, as he began.<br /> With a lightning crack, the rushing water froze solid. Faces full of amazement were beamed all over the world. He began to climb, without rope or spike. The molecules buoyed him upwards, and he rose swiftly in front of his public. As he let go to wave to them, his foot slipped and the ice instantly melted. With a wail, he disappeared into the foam, never to be seen again.<br />
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In other news I have won a travel writing competition with a fictional version of Castlecroft. I will link it to here when it is published.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-18897708957707431822015-05-16T13:22:00.004-07:002015-05-16T13:22:59.944-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw1Gyqjf_zPy0hu4jftbjEL7Hqkt_MMcTuE2cDvF2bmJmn_f3HkY6gK3xkcUN8LZdNLyEYfrhjukyAmdoL6QYby2xSNw9Poy3XPi1zGiCttKFU3kTCwaR40P8Qv-TtqyFDmdd7hWI5weQ/s1600/Writer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpw1Gyqjf_zPy0hu4jftbjEL7Hqkt_MMcTuE2cDvF2bmJmn_f3HkY6gK3xkcUN8LZdNLyEYfrhjukyAmdoL6QYby2xSNw9Poy3XPi1zGiCttKFU3kTCwaR40P8Qv-TtqyFDmdd7hWI5weQ/s320/Writer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want to write to live, first you have to live to write<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-56868156675957908492015-05-15T07:59:00.003-07:002015-05-15T07:59:36.846-07:00Today's Flash Friday entryI wrote this today, and I just really like it. The prompt was 'downtown' and a picture of a Native American guy. Some feedback suggested it could be a longer piece, and I do think there's a short story there somewhere. <br />
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(210)<br /> @Viking_Ma<br /> Travelling Spirit<br />
More taxis than stars in the night honked and barged, squabbling for lane space. The people on the pavements pushed and elbowed to force their way through cracks in the mass. Downtown was packed, heaving, smelly. The skyscrapers leaned in menacingly, blind window-eyes watching.<br /> Behind it all the sky was a putrid yellow, the clouds dull smog wisps. Nobody had seen a tree for six years now, and the only greenery downtown was in the tang of the acid rain.<br /> Even the lowest weeds were grey, scrabbling through the dust and grime. Car tyres kissed the shining roads, and enormous advertising hoardings screamed the next big gleaming things.<br /> These people have chosen their gods, thought the Indian. He had walked through time, seeing the future of his lands with increasingly worried eyes.<br /> He moved his head slowly, observing all he needed to see. The pavement people walked through him, a ghost from a forgotten past. They chased their dreams, frowns and sad eyes discouraging kindness.<br /> He spread his hands and rose above them all, sniffing the sick sky and feeling the dirt in the very air.<br /> There was a loud CLAP! And he whooshed back in time and space to the meeting and the Elders, with bad news to tell.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-26894803097764730892015-05-13T13:49:00.002-07:002015-05-13T13:53:10.226-07:00Writing UpdatesTime flies...when you write<br />
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I have a 3rd draft of my first YA novel completed, it is now 'breathing;' in other words, waiting until I re-read it and wonder what the hell I wrote it like that for.<br />
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My second YA is underway, and I am experimenting with genre (thriller) and narrator, trying 3rd person for a change. I'm finding it challenging, but it's early days yet.<br />
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The good thing about YA at my comfort length - ie, 40-45k, is that I can write two concurrently. Work on the other while the first rests. It still feels productive to do this.<br />
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One thing I've noticed that since I have been going hell-for-leather on the novels, is that I have nothing left for flash or short stories. Just haven't got the time! <br />
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I like the look of Molotov Cocktail online magazine though - excellent horror collection on there. the standard is very high. Will have to come up with some ideas to give them a try...<br />
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As for Castlecroft Writers - HUGE exciting news. Skylark Literary Agency are going to come and visit us, giving us a talk on the competitive world of children's writing. It's booked in for September 25th, so lots of time for us to prepare the event. What an opportunity for local writers to come and hear directly from the experts!<br />
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One last thing...a tweet I wrote got broadcast on channel 4seven yesterday. Sadly, it wasn't funny or clever, but amusing to see it on the screen! #BeCarefulWhatYouTweetAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-85667997056924462292015-04-15T12:15:00.003-07:002015-04-15T12:15:41.275-07:00Lockjaw Choose Your Own Adventure - my bit is now live<h3>
<strong>DO YOU:</strong></h3>
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<em>this installment was written by carolyn ward</em></h6>
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Cool eh!! <a href="http://www.lockjawmagazine.com/minutiae/part1/">http://www.lockjawmagazine.com/minutiae/part1/</a></div>
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is the start for the whole bonkers thing.</div>
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Hint: If you want to find my bit...you may have to talk to the scary shark man</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-74056927188094044732015-04-13T07:54:00.002-07:002015-04-13T07:54:32.286-07:00Flash! Friday Special mentionOld Dog, New Trick<br />
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That’s the ticket, Arthur! The successful spy must remain hidden in full view. Now, I have here your instructions, should you choose to accept them- ha! That was the old way, yes indeed.<br /> Right-o. You must make contact with a Mrs Shoemaker. She will be wearing a red wig, so you should spot her easily. She will lead you to the Leather Storeroom, where your next contact will…<br />Hey man! You can’t write these details down! This is all top secret! Think of your training.<br /> Now, where was I? Ah, yes. The second contact will make himself known, and give you a package. It is that which you must carry to Bolivia. Your tickets and passport are in the usual lockbox at the airport.<br /> It goes without saying that this mission is of crucial import to England: Why, I spent many years of my life chasing around doing similar.<br /> Must say old chap, your costume is very clever, the detail…even smells authentic…<br />Hang on? Are you Arthur?<br /> Wait! No! Please… They told me to pass the mission to the beggar on the cobblestones…I… I’m dying! Call someone, man…don’t just stand…. I’ve made a huge mis….<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>SPECIAL MENTIONS</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>For visions of aging James Bond actors and reflections of a tired 007</strong>: <a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/winners/josh-bertetta/"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Josh Bertetta</strong></span></a>, “<a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/flash-friday-vol-3-18/#comment-32194"><span style="color: #ff6600;">The Manliest of Man’s Manly Men</span></a>“</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>For cheeky reference to St. Peter (the keeper of heaven) as “Pete’s a good guy”:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/NJCrosskey"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>N J Crosskey</strong></span></a>, “<a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/flash-friday-vol-3-18/#comment-32208"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Heaven’s Gate</span></a>“</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>For mischievous reference to judge Shoemaker (but it’s judge King that has the red wig in reality):</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/Viking_Ma"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Carolyn Ward</strong></span></a>, “<a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/flash-friday-vol-3-18/#comment-32277"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Old Dog, New Trick</span></a>“</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>For giving us the chills:</strong> <a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/winners/joidianne4eva/"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Joidianne4eva</strong></span></a>, “<span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/flash-friday-vol-3-18/#comment-32359" style="color: #ff6600;">Suffer the Little Children</a><span style="color: black;">“</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>For a <em>Special Brew </em>of dietary delight:</strong> <a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/winners/a-j-walker/"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>A.J. Walker</strong></span></a>, “<a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/flash-friday-vol-3-18/#comment-32197"><span style="color: #ff6600;">Alas Smith and Jones</span></a>”</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>For the art of keeping it simple and doing the best things in a story really well</strong>: <a href="https://twitter.com/VedBrown"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Valerie Brown</strong></span></a>, “<a href="https://flashfriday.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/flash-friday-vol-3-18/#comment-32370"><span style="color: #ff6600;">The Thaw</span></a>. ” '</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Huzzah, got a special mention for this flash... only for cheekily using a judge's name mind you.....<br />
Follow @FlashFridayFic for a weekly flash competition with a great community<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All else is quiet on the writing front, a number of stories have been submitted and am awaiting results. <br />
<br />
The first session of Castlecroft Writers is 11 days away! Need to plan some 'Chairperson' stuff to say. <br />
Follow <complete id="goog_244888167">@CastlecroftWriters for updates</complete>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-21055777255663216982015-03-30T01:23:00.001-07:002015-04-13T07:57:43.808-07:00Irons in the Fire#AmWriting for a lot of cool new projects, spotted on twitter and around the internet.<br />
<br />
Follow @AuthorCrowd for their modern way to get your writing seen. You simply submit the next chapter of one of the books they have going. They pick the best, and then when the book is published, if it makes any money, the take gets split between the writers.<br />
<br />
They occasionally do short story compilations, but these are super popular so only send your best stuff. They want 3000-6000 generally, so had to push myself to reach that with a story, as generally mine sit at 1-2k words.<br />
<br />
I even had a go at a poetry competition, where the theme was 'Home' which inspired me to write about my kids.<br />
<br />
I've been listed as a Choose Your Own Adventure writer for Lockjaw Magazine, @lockjawmag for info; absolutely LOVED those books as a child - still do!<br />
They are creating a crowd written CYOA; which is a new genre for me as it seems very science-fiction-y so far. My piece will be added to the continuing adventure on April 15th - keep your eye out!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-87413332230845593032015-03-15T13:32:00.003-07:002015-03-15T13:33:12.876-07:00Finally a Flash Win!!! February 2015 99 WordsCan't believe my horrid little flash ''Fur Fiends'' won for February 2015. <br />
Thrilled!! Went immediately and spraffed the Amazon voucher prize on a cool t'shirt. Thank you 99fiction.net :-)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://99fiction.net/page/winner-22">http://99fiction.net/page/winner-22</a><br />
<br />
Fur Fiends by Carolyn Ward
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They met through coded messages left on lampposts; fake
missing kittens with backwards phone numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If any cat was out alone, it was considered fair game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither man had a job, so both were free to
hunt all day and night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Peter sometimes kept the yowlers for a while, before
skinning them and sewing beautiful fur coats and gloves, which he sold on the
internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gerry practised unlicensed
taxidermy; his flat was full of badly built specimens with wonky glass eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Together they halved the strays in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The local people knew, but chose not to see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-9848044612837374722015-03-13T11:45:00.001-07:002015-03-13T11:45:34.644-07:00Busy CreatingWe have launched a new writing group for Castlecroft, to find other word-addicts in the locality and share ideas. It is so exciting! I'm Chair <preens> and Em is the secretary, organising online presence and all the clever stuff. T'will be brill.<br />
<br />
Follow us on twitter @CastlecroftWrit<br />
<br />
and if you're local, come on by.*<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*there is sure to be cake, maybe even port. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-38411474013329230522015-03-06T10:24:00.003-08:002015-03-06T10:24:43.034-08:00Wild Bytes Cafe ExperienceToday my fellow local writer Emma Finlayson-Palmer and I trekked into the big city (Wolverhampton) to visit Wild Bytes café and see our work in the Black Country Writers project.<br />
<br />
We were too early though...so wound up visiting Nero's for a caffeine fix while we waited.<br />
It did not start well. The assistant dropped my chocolate twist (the last one) and Emma's choice of red velvet cake was bizarrely still defrosting. (at 10.15am? Really?!)<br />
<br />
We scored a good table; in the window. The baby got to work demolishing my chocolate muffin. Emma noticed there wasn't a spoon to be seen... so we improvised with a straw. Which filled up with hot tea and burned Emma's leg.<br />
<br />
Next, baby decided he was thirsty so I pulled out his sippy cup. While chatting away, I flipped the lid...which spurted a waterfall of cold water straight into my contact lenses and up the window. It amused the hell out of the morning clientele. Soaking wet, I dried off on the inside of the baby's hood. <br />
<br />
At last Wild Bytes opened and we wandered in...ready to drink yet more coffee. <br />
The welcome was warm and the coffee was hot. We read the excellent stories and poetry as baby head-butted Emma and tried to steal her pin badge.<br />
<br />
It's a great café with a huge menu. Baby beat Emma with his shoe while I admired the art.<br />
Hooray for encouraging local creativity. Meant a lot that they were very child-friendly too.<br />
<br />
check out @WildBytesCafe or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WildBytesCafeAndLounge?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/WildBytesCafeAndLounge?fref=ts</a><br />
<br />
and follow @FinlaysonPalmer as well as <complete id="goog_1806601363">@Viking_Ma</complete>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-13228880329927882152015-02-28T13:13:00.002-08:002015-02-28T13:13:31.217-08:00Short Story of The Week - Express and Star My story 'The Walkers' got chosen this week! <br />
Here it is:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
Walkers by Carolyn Ward<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There
were nine members of the Wild Walkers club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They met twice a week in the Musty Armpit’s car park, dressed up in the
latest walking gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hi-tech boots,
waterproof Therm-A-Down coats, Kill-Chill sharkskin gloves, Merino wool socks,
whatever was recommended by the walking websites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">For the
bored retirees, the walks were the highlight of their week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martha, Hilda, Bob and Gerry were eager
twitchers, looking out for anything feathered: raptors, lesser-spotted
woodpeckers, greater crested warblers and the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marina was a squirrel fanatic, who carefully
tally-charted every sight of the cheeky grey creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that she had never seen a wild red
made her moody and jealous of her squirreling pen pal, Scottish Lisa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bethan,
Victor and Oskar came as they particularly loved the botany of the local
hedgerows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bethan walked at the back,
quietly and illegally picking any rare flowers Victor had admiringly pointed
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be flattered, possibly
alarmed by the fact that she adored him so much that she pressed them all in a
huge secret tome worshipping him as her ‘God of Flora.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oskar
made up the third point of the flower-lovers’ triangle, admiring Bethan
enormously but far too shy to ever meet her eyes, let alone ask her round for a
small sherry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
newest member of the gang was Pete Rowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was tall, and heavily built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His wife had forced him into the walking club by working in cahoots with
his doctor, worried that he was ripe for a heart attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially scornful, to his surprise and his
wife’s delight, Pete had actually enjoyed his first walk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had chatted to Oskar about weed killer, and
Hilda about the pigeons in the town centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Not an
admirer of beautiful Mother Nature, Pete adopted the role of joker, talking and
laughing uproariously at his own jokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rest of the group started to become a little irritated, as his ruckus
frightened the birds and animals away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Martha
and Gerry were particularly peeved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
very morning they had both received an e-mail from Twitching.net to say that a pair
of rare Whinchats were in the south Midlands area, spottable over
waterways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thrilled, they had been
texting since the break of dawn, planning what kind of binocular and camera
lens to select for today’s walk, which was following the canal tow-path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since setting out, however, Pete had kept up
such a boorish monotone about his timeshare in Marbella, that there was not
even a crow within five miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘It’s
too bad!’ said Gerry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘That idiot wants
shutting up.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Martha
pursed her thin lips and nodded. ‘Who let him join, for heaven’s sake?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The walk
meandered around the nature valley, with all interesting wildlife frightened
into the next county by Pete and his rubbish jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘I say,’
hissed Victor, frowning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Can’t you hush
it down, old fellow?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Pete
pointed at him and laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘I’m
here to make you all have a good time! He boomed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a load of miserable old farts you were
before I joined this group!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mouths
dropped open and foreheads creased into scowls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oskar
smiled coldly, and grabbed a few arms towards the back of the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Don’t worry, folks,’ he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>’I still have some tools of the trade,’ he
looked at their faces one by one. ‘If you’ll help me, we can sort him.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">They
nodded grimly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Reaching
the car park again, most of them declined their usual pint and packet of
crisps, so eager were they to say goodbye to Pete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Next
time, then, gang,’ he roared, jauntily waving and marching into the pub.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The days
that followed were wet and rainy, perfect conditions for the Whinchats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The twitchers of the group rubbed their
hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next walk was planned to
circuit the lake behind the pub, where there were a big group of herons, and
often fat fish squirming in the muddy water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The morning
of the walk dawned fine, and again they met in the car park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oskar winked at the others, and they grinned
conspiratorially.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Pete was
last to arrive, annoyingly holding them all up, and clapping his hands together
noisily. ’Great day for it!’ he yelled across to them as he locked his Rover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Oskar checked
his pocket for the hundredth time, ensuring that he had everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Off they
set, taking in the sights and breathing deeply of the sweet country air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Smells
of dog poo!’ howled Pete, setting everyone’s teeth on edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">They
reached a shady copse, and Oskar checked there was nobody else around, before snarling
‘Now!’ from between clenched teeth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In a
whirl of crunching leaves, they were all around Pete, pushing him to the floor
on his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They knelt on his shoulders
and sat on his legs, holding him prone for Oskar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Eh? What
the hell’s this!’ he blustered, alarmed now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘You make
so much ruddy noise that you scare the birds away!’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In frustration, Gerry grabbed a handful of mud
and shoved it into Pete’s gaping mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He coughed and spluttered, his eyes watering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘And my
squirrels! I’ve not seen a one since you joined!’ said Marina, kicking him in
the ribs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Hold
still please,’ said Oskar cheerfully, whipping out a strange silver implement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a trice he had slipped it into Pete’s
throat, and he began moving it gently from side to side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Pete
gave out a gurgled scream, his big eyes open wide and bulging in horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Hang on
now,’ said Oskar, giving a deft twist of his dainty wrist. ‘There we go, all
done.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Oh well
done, Oskar dear,’ said Martha admiringly, as Bob and Gerry patted him on the
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marina giggled. ‘Great work. Just
as good as before your cataract!’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Pete sat
up slowly, clutching his throat and gargling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He spat a few globs of blood and saliva into the mud, and then, shakily
got to his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Well!’
he wheezed. ‘What…’ he turned purple with astonishment as his mouth gasped like
a goldfish but his voice faded away to nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His meaty hand rose slowly to his throat, where he stroked it gently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘A
complete success,’ declared Oskar proudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>‘The procedure was never legal in England, but we used it a lot in my
country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Severing of the vocal chords.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>‘Rendering noisy people completely silent.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Martha
and Gerry began scanning the sky with their binoculars, as Bob pointed over the
lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bethan followed Oskar and Victor
toward a patch of unusual purple flowers, admiring their bright colour against
the damp green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was so much to see
in the beautiful Midlands’ countryside, and what better way to enjoy it than on
a lovely walk with friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Suddenly,
Martha let out a low whistle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">‘Look
everyone!’ she whispered. ’It’s the Whinchats!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you see them Pete?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">They all
looked back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded,
miserably. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
This story has changed and changed again. My sweet little mother wanted there to be an entirely different ending... which I will put on here soon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-52653421346823085002015-02-24T12:22:00.001-08:002015-02-24T12:22:18.010-08:00JUMP! Magazine Brilliant Lynn Schreiber at JUMP! Magazine has sorted out the writing team's pages, and here is mine <proud face><br />
<br />
<a href="http://jumpmag.co.uk/author/carolyn-ward/">http://jumpmag.co.uk/author/carolyn-ward/</a><br />
<br />
I wrote a series of short articles about psychology for kids, and also a set of 'Stories from the Stables' about my escapades as a stable hand in the 1990s.<br />
<br />
Lynn is always on the look out for interesting articles for JUMP! so have a browse of this excellent magazine and maybe have a go?<br />
<br />
<br />
So.... a short story in a café...6th place in a December 2014 competition <Creative Ink>...2nd place in January for 99 words...now my work listed on JUMP! magazine. I actually feel like a 'Writer' now!<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-53870581420446669952015-02-23T09:55:00.002-08:002015-02-23T09:55:40.585-08:0099 words reserve for January 2015Yes! Got reserve (2nd place) for 99fiction's monthly competition for January 2015.<br />
<br />
I had the idea for a while of a story of people being trafficked, full of hope and then that awful realisation that they are not where they paid to be.<br />
<br />
It's a desperately sad world, sometimes.<br />
<br />
<br />
However, what really gets me about 99 words is the differing interpretations. 99 words read by different minds can give wildly alternative conclusions!<br />
My mum thought the protagonist had murdered her father for the money...<br />
My sister thought she was a criminal literally arriving in hell with the real devil.<br />
I love a little ambiguity in writing.<br />
<br />
Here is 'Hope'<br />
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Hope by Carolyn Ward</h1>
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She sat quietly, wringing her hands. The others were asleep, some snoring. She felt for her hair with cautious fingers, and patted the blonde strands neatly back into the chignon. Her family would be so proud that she was here! It was so exciting. An escape, a fresh start. She thought anxiously of the huge fee, and was so grateful to her dear father for scraping together the funds. Suddenly the van’s doors creaked open. A torch flickered over their faces. In a Yankees cap, the Devil himself yelled at her. ‘Bitch, get here now!’<br />
Make friends with Carolyn <a href="http://99fiction.net/profile/CarolynWard">http://99fiction.net/profile/CarolynWard</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-14736258997274599402015-02-18T07:11:00.001-08:002015-02-18T07:11:41.227-08:00UpcomingIdeas...<br />
a new project with my writer-down-the-road Emma Finlayson-Palmer could be coming soon.<br />
<br />
Half term is a great week for taking the kids out and about and looking for weird things that inspire.<br />
Fun writing rude poems with my niece too... ''Now write one about poo!''Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-39792149264587605102015-02-14T12:54:00.002-08:002015-02-14T12:54:22.531-08:00It's FebruaryAm currently in the writer's no-man's land of waiting.<br />
<br />
Waiting on several competitions being judged... and a few BIG bits away at agents.<br />
<br />
It gets to a point where you just need to know if it's a yes or no so you can move forward!<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyhoo, am up to 22k on second novel; it is a bit of a 'first person' experiment. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-70711408314742584472015-01-31T13:08:00.001-08:002015-01-31T13:08:14.884-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JgMCXQqc1JZxE2XaRSA34JkTzd7HLPCRy542hn6HmzWUgkJ4G_X0smwtBLl2J6ScwwGwu9hNPgldsHQGgcPxBUQAU7AcWdOFrs6Mh6j63Cack27EC2YcKsFo0eNLrv7hefKIyN_h2sYn/s1600/blog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JgMCXQqc1JZxE2XaRSA34JkTzd7HLPCRy542hn6HmzWUgkJ4G_X0smwtBLl2J6ScwwGwu9hNPgldsHQGgcPxBUQAU7AcWdOFrs6Mh6j63Cack27EC2YcKsFo0eNLrv7hefKIyN_h2sYn/s1600/blog+5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Every story starts somewhere</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934135352347923928.post-79317775344549179552015-01-31T13:03:00.002-08:002015-01-31T13:04:35.009-08:00CompetitionsI've entered two flash fiction stories with the theme of 'winter'<br />
<br />
But I'm waiting for spring. Imagine leaving the house without a coat! Hands free of gloves!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13802155277672123774noreply@blogger.com0