Southport Writers' Circle Conversation - Recent Posts

Competitions

Val — Fri, 01 May 2020 10:21:37 +0000

For historical fiction writers, details of the Dorothy Dunnett 2020 short story prize.

https://historicalwriters.org/awards/ddshwass-award-2020/

RE: Writing exercise - Pick a number!

Val — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:16:01 +0000

I took up Alison’s challenge, which I found very stimulating, thanks Alison.

Book number 29 The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell

Page 29

Sentence 29 is on page 30, but hey.

Didn’t make it to 29 sentences but this is the story so far.

We were still slaughtering the last of the Danes when Finan’s scouts reported that horsemen were approaching the hill crest to the south. If we made haste, we might cut them off. No time to lay a trap and no cover to stage an ambush. Keeping the hostages alongside me, I headed straight toward them.

She breathed deep it seemed for the first time in many hours as the men galloped away. The infant in her arms was beginning to stir and she had feared it would cry out and give away their hiding place. When the Danes came, she had concealed herself and the child in a cart, burrowed beneath sacks of grain brought in for the priest. By some miracle no Dane sword had been thrust through the sacks to waste the best of the harvest. Perhaps they who now lay dead all around had planned some use for it? That other miracle that had aided her to live another day as she fled toward Mercia and her uncle’s protection would no doubt be short lived. Neither band of marauders had set light to the church or its barn. But if the men the Saxons rode out to meet were victorious, fire could yet rage through this dry thatch and wooden posts. She must move and swiftly, but which direction was safe

RE: Writing exercise - Poetry - based on life or a dream...

Helen K — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 10:15:02 +0000

This was entered into the competition recently, about my home town.

I realise the last bit sounds a bit biased! Every city's people are mighty and proud but here goes:

MANCHESTER

This city’s a goddess in a newspaper gown,
with eyes of gold and a worker bee crown.
It’s song is the thrum of the Metrolink tram
and the roar of the engine and wheel of a pram.
It’s power is it’s people, forming the crowds
that walk beneath tumbling, turbulent clouds.

It’s might made the chimneys of industry smoke
and belch out smog like an acrid cloak.
Progress has steeped it in offices vast
but it’s poverty’s not a thing of the past.
Rich and poor stream through the streets
they flow fast like a river of dancing feet.

It’s lyrics are cobbles, canal barges, bars
the lives of the ordinary and of the stars.
It’s hair is the colour of glowing red brick.
It’s voice is workers that make the clock tick,
and the party goers in the teeming pubs
and dancers and DJ’s in thriving clubs.

It’s tears are ours when tragedy comes
but it takes the stage and beats the drums.
This city has teeth, it fronts up and fights,
the darkness of life, the longest of nights.
This city’s a goddess who walks on a cloud.
Her people are mighty. Her people are proud.

RE: Flash Fiction - 'Exits'

Alison — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 13:58:13 +0000

@becky Wow Becky, when you write something it is always thought provoking and I want to see more! At first, I thought this might be a resident at a care home that has confusion within their own mind. The concept of time for this character is very important - like time is running out. You repeat the world is a blur and compare clarity in different forms. I feel sorry for the character because they don't seem to know what is going on. That can be really scary, and even though they do wake up to a friendly smile, I'm still not reassured that is all well.

Joining

swconline — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:29:08 +0000

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swconline — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:25:22 +0000

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RE: Writing exercise - Poetry - based on life or a dream...

Helen K — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 18:31:01 +0000

Lovely. The hellish beginning grabs the reader instantly. Especially love 'breathe when you see the see the stars', then the last bit: '...greet the new day...' Very powerful and timely.

RE: Flash Fiction - 'Exits'

Helen K — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 18:29:03 +0000

@sean-h

Thank you Sean. My character is mentally unstable, that's why she considered the thing on offer. Yes, very unbelievable though :)

RE: Flash Fiction - 'Exits'

Sean H — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 17:54:45 +0000

I enjoyed both of the above. Both were self contained, evocative stories that had all the detail they needed and allowed the reader to fill in the blanks, as well as ask awkward questions. I would gripe though that both were missing certain things: Alison's had minimal context, main character had clues, but was too 'everyman' for my taste. Helen's while with an awesome premise lacked the ring of truth - why would someone even consider untested hokum like this? :D Otherwise, both good. Will post mine soon. I got some more via email too, i might post on people's behalf until they sign in, because i think I can reattribute posts?

RE: Writing exercise - Poetry - based on life or a dream...

Alison — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 20:57:22 +0000

Moving this over from my e-mail...

Then

When the Black Dog drags you into its pit, your clothes smeared with soil from the earth. A tightness in your chest. Then breathe.

Breathe when you see stars, let your hands tingle, the ground shake beneath your feet. Then speak.

Speak and succumb to tears as soft words catch you off guard. Then listen.

Listen to your heart, be kind to yourself. Then climb.

Climb and reach out. You will slip, you may fall. Don’t give up, one step at a time. There you go. Then fight.

Fight the doubts, second by second. The Black Dog howls, sharp teeth drag you down again. Then learn.

Learn to move forward. Greet the new day and cherish the bright blue sky. Then live.