Miniature Flash Fiction- Competitions

Hello Scribblers

Following on from our very successful meeting last week- featuring 'on-the-spot' Flash Fiction, I have discovered some links to Flash Fiction competitions. These vary in what they are expecting, but are word-count based rather than time- limited.

I found it very interesting to read the 'micro-fiction' entries from Retreat West entrants- These tiny little tales are limited to 100 words. Not up to 100 words but 100 words EXACTLY! (Including the title.) There are monthly competitions and you can even vote on the entries. I found it fascinating to read through the entries and past winners to see how much drama, emotion and character can be crafted in so few words.

Click on the links below to find out more about Retreat West, and the Christopher Fielden website, where there are further links to Flash Fiction competitions and advice on writing, including short stories.

Don't forget our next meeting is on the 4th February where we will hear stories on the theme of: 'The Dinner Date'

Keep Scribbling!

https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/monthly-micro-fiction-competition/

https://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/flash-fiction-competitions.php

A Flash in the Copper Pan

We had a great evening on Tuesday 21st- with a Flash Fiction activity to stir up our imagination.
The prompts drawn from the hat were 'The Copper', 'The Trees' and 'Ghosts'.
We had some fantastic tales, written in just half an hour.
For some people it was their first attempt at a Flash Fiction, but we certainly couldn't tell.
We always get an incredible mix of stories and genres; always entertaining and educational!
A very enjoyable evening all round.
The Homework for the next meeting (4th February) is on the theme of 'The Dinner Date'.
Make of that what you will, something tasty no doubt...

Until then,
Keep scribbling!

Meeting Report

Many thanks to Liz for stepping in and taking the meeting minutes.

Minutes of Scribblers meeting held on 21st January 2020

Present:

Tony, Beryl,  Liliane, Georgina, Gerry, David, Carole, Martyn, Steven K, Glynis, Jane H, Arlette, Liz, Dave

Apologies: 

Derek, Mary, Steve, Jim, Jane B, Justin, Cathy.

Business: 

1.)The meeting opened with very good news, Derek's partner Sue is able to drive and fly. Justin avoided a flash fiction session by spending time with Mickey Mouse in Florida.

2.)Georgina has taken over from Dave in keeping the weblog up to date.

3.) Tony has worked through our request lists  and would be pleased to receive further suggestions for music from the 60s and 70s.

4.) Ruth Dugdale will be attending our meeting on Tuesday 19th May.

5.) Scribblers meal at the White Horse, Church Road, Felixstowe on Tuesday 11th February 2020. Please refer to the menu online and email your requirements for your meal selections to Liz.    erwalesisat@gmail.com

Please let Liz have your order by the 4th February by the latest.

We usually meet from 7pm for a sit down at 7:30pm. We buy our own drinks at the bar and settle our own bill when we leave. Usually we ask for participants to bring cash but last time the staff were happy to accept payment by card from individuals.

. 

Arlette picked three titles for our flash fiction writing; The Copper, Trees, Ghost.

Steven: Not Very Musical

Georgina: The Copper House Ghost

Glynis: Biscuits

Kay: Ghost Tree

Liz Copper v Twin Tub

Jane H: Trees

Arlette: The Lucky Copper (A true story)

Dave: Light In The Trees

Tony: The Copper Fortress

Martyn: Oven Chips

Beryl: Among the Trees

Liliane: The Retreat

David: Ice and Lemon

Carole: Granny Wade

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 4th February, doors will be locked at 7:30pm.  The homework of 750 words maximum is based on The Dinner Date.   

New Blogger on the Keys

Hello Scribblers
I'm introducing myself as the new Blogger for Felixstowe Scribblers.
A huge thanks to Dave for keeping us all up to date with news and articles of interest from the world of writing for the last ten years.
I am sure there will be posts from Dave from time to time, but I will be keeping us up to date for the most part.
Scribblers- do let me know if anything of interest occurs that we can share.
I will try to share tips and tricks that may be of interest, as well as competitions and events to challenge and inspire us all.
For now, best wishes to all and keep scribbling,

Georgina

Our next meeting...

Things have been rather hectic so now I hope to be able to catch up with the Scribblers items that need addressing. 

First things first though. You will be pleased to hear that our Honorary President and highly rated author, Ruth Dugdall, will be with us on Tuesday 19th May which will be an evening to remember I am sure. Ruth is an excellent advocate of the written word and a really interesting speaker. More about her visit nearer the time.

Meanwhile we have our next meeting to contend with. It is another of our Flash Fiction evenings when all you need to do is come along with pen, pencil and paper or other writing equipment. Cathy will ensure the prompts for the evening will be drawn at the start of the meeting and all you (or should that be 'we'?) need to do is compile a short story in the allotted time and then, hopefully, share your work with the group. There is one thing to remember about flash fiction evenings, they are fun! It is surprising what mini masterpieces are produced in around twenty minutes!

The meeting is on Tuesday 21st January with a 7.30 start time. The outer door will be locked at 7.30pm for security purposes but if you are late then please ring the bell on the wall and someone will come down and let you in!

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!!!

Meeting Report

Minutes of Scribblers meeting held on 07 January 2020

Present:

Dave, Liliane, Georgina, Martyn, Stephen, Jane H, Kay, Tony, Arlette, Cathy, Suzy, Justin, Steve, David, Carole, Beryl, Barry, Tom, Jim, and new member Glynis

Apologies:

Derek, Mary, Liz, Rani

Business:

Dave welcomed us all to the first meeting of the new year. It was good to welcome a new member, and to see Barry again on one of his relatively rare visits.

Welcoming our newest member – we all introduced ourselves and gave very brief comment on our writing interests.

Writeathon – has been completed and circulated. The consensus of opinion was that with so many writers involved, it made it hard to create a totally cohesive story. However, we did agree that it had been fun and challenging – maybe learn from this and do things slightly differently next time.

Derek’s partner Sue is recovering well – what good news!

Ruth has contacted Dave to apologise for the fact that the new monthly Book Club she is involved with will clash with the first Scribblers’ meeting each month.

Readings of homework:

The theme was ‘Danger: keep out’ – some excellent stories, and almost everyone had remembered to note the word count for their piece.

Steve – Danger: keep out – 683

Suzy – Danger: keep out – 669

Jane H – Danger: stay in – 693

Steven – Danger: keep out

Carole – The last hurrah – 749

Dave – Dangerous assignment – 741

Liliane – A sense of something evil

Martyn – Hotel – 730

David – Uranium half light – 542

Barry – Danger: keep out – 650

Justin – Dinosaur – 748

Beryl – Going home – 748

Arlette – Danger: keep out

Jim – Someone she used to know

Tony – an excerpt from his book – 734

Next meeting:

 21 January. No homework, as at this meeting we will be enjoying a flash fiction session, using word prompts. Don’t forget to bring writing implements!!

A massive attendance!

What a tremendous turnout tonight. Twenty Scribblers made tonight's attendance the biggest for probably years!

With a prospective new member and two returning Scribblers, it was a real boost to the start of our New Year. Most people had written on the subject of "Danger. Keep Out." and what a superb mix of stories there were. Brilliant!

Thoughts went out to our many Australian friends and relations...and for two special friends, Belinda in the Brisbane area and Chris up in Cairns. With fires blazing in virtually every area, we pray that they remain safe.

Good to hear that Derek's Sue is on the mend. Positive news!

Had New Year wishes from Ruth together with an apology about her new reading group taking place on  a Tuesday evening.

There were some comments about the Writeathon and ideas for future writing challenges.

A question via Felixstowe Radio - when will The Lost Sock be shown again? Don't forget to tune in to Tony's on Thursday evenings from 6.15 when stories, and serialised work by local authors will be broadcast.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 21st January when we will hold another flash fiction session - prompts will be drawn out at the start of proceedings.

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!!!  

Danger...Keep Out...

Happy New Year to you all!

First let me say a thankyou to everyone who participated in the Writeathon which has now been completed and is being circulated to our group. There's around 5,000 words so hope you all enjoy reading it at your leisure. Hopefully it will soon be included on this Weblog.

Whoops! I almost forgot to inform the Library of our proposed meeting dates but have hastily sent a copy off today. I don't envisage any problems as the Library have always done their best to help us out.

Now, tomorrow sees our first meeting of the New Year. It will be good to get back in the groove again. The topic for the meeting is "Danger, Keep Out." It is the usual 750 word limit which should produce some tremendous tales. The meeting starts at 7.30 when the door will be locked.

Hope to see you there!

Keep Scribbling!!!