Is anybody out there… ?

If so, you may enjoy this short story that was recommended to me recently.

 

 

 

 

 

Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2015 Short Story Competition

Relax… the deadline for this one’s 15th Feb 2015, and it’s free to enter! Short story entries are invited up to 2000 words on the theme ‘Joy’. The prize is a healthy £500, plus a place on an Arvon writing course of your choice. For more details, see the website. 

 

Ooh! Top-drawer novelist to visit Story Cafe!

I’m pleased to announce that none other than the fabulous Graham Joyce will be coming to visit the Story Cafe on Tuesday September 30th.  This event is part of Leicester’s Everybody’s Reading festival, and will run from 10.00am to 12.00pm at Beaumont Leys Library.

You can’t beat learning at first hand about the craft of writing and the habits of the successful writer. Who better to impart these jewels of wisdom than local writer Graham? The prolific author of more than twenty novels has won many prizes and knows more than a thing or two about how to tell a good story and what it takes to succeed as a writer. The Story Café will throw open its doors to the public for this session, an unmissable opportunity for all would-be writers.

 

Inspiration…

If you’re ever stuck (or, more to the point, need to put an idea in perspective!) check out the Worst Muse on Twitter…

If a character has curves, make sure to specify that they are in all the right places. Otherwise, readers will be confused.

 

@WorstMuse

 

…and other inspiring advice 🙂

 

A different perspective

This article is interesting.  Whether or not you agree, it will get you thinking, and that’s usually a good thing.

 

The mystery of the cherry tree

For anyone interested in that story I was talking about today… here’s a link with slightly more detail than my sketchy mind:

Mystery-as-Japanese-space-tree-flowers-years-ahead-of-schedule.

 

The Reunion

I’ve updated the work-in-progress pages with the chapters Mo and Irene sent me, if anyone wants to have a read how it’s going? I’ve left a space open to add any character/plot-tracking documents anyone has as well. Email me if you want anything adding.

 

Something I came across on facebook which might be of interest….

http://www.1418now.org.uk/letter/about/

This is a project to commemorate WW1 by writing a letter to the Unknown Soldier – the statue on Paddington Station who is reading a letter. They’ll be published on the website above on 28th June, and then eventually be archived in The British Library.

 

Discovering Literature

Oooooh… the British Library have launched Discovering Literature, set to be the world’s largest digital English literature resource. It offers themed resources, uploads of treasured collections and articles all showcasing literary British giants. Warning: there is a high chance of losing a week, or two… http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians

 

Zadie Smith on storytelling

Thanks to the twitter sphere I came across this today. Inspiring stuff, I thought.  I like what Zadie says about writing as a way of clarifying; I can relate to that.  I like the idea that everyone is a world, too, and envy her ‘ease and fluidity’.  Maybe we all need to root out some children’s books and get reading!