Into 2021

 Happy 

New 

Year

to the  

Felixstowe Scribblers!

I know this year, 2020, has been terrible with the pandemic. The New Year gives us hope with vaccinations expected to be given during the first months of the year. 

Perhaps 2021 will not be the best start but, having some positivity, we certainly have high hopes that the situation will improve and we can all pull together to defeat the virus.

Thinking ahead, maybe we will all stay safe and even be able to meet again perhaps in the Spring. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Whilst thinking of the future, please remember our Jim who is recovering from his major heart bypass. We wish him well and hope, in due course, to see a story or two from him complete with his terrific sense of humour.

Once again my friends,

A Happy New Year to you all!

Dave.

Final prompts from 2020

It seems that we have survived 2020... only a couple of days to go... and can now look forward to a better and hopefully safer 2021.

We hope to have an update on the Repository very soon so apologies for keeping you on tenterhooks for so long. Meanwhile the prompt remains the same - to write a seasonal story, factual or fictional or even frightening... by Tuesday 5th January 2021.

Meanwhile our WhatsApp prompt is simply "Still Waters"... there is a picture prompt on the WhatsApp group page. 200 words for a short story please to be posted by Monday 4th January.

Well folks, I wish you all a Happy and Safe New Year!

Keep Scribbling!!!

Another chance to share sea shore stories!

 Hello Scribblers

If, like me, you missed the deadline for a recent competition with a 'dark, wild sea' theme. then you may be pleased with another opportunity to post your watery tale.

Seabourne Magazine is a new digital publication with a mission to celebrate 'the brightest jewels on Mother Nature's crown: our seas and oceans'. They are looking for atmospheric fiction, non-fiction, poetry and visual artwork that captures the imagination. Their aim is to remind the world of the beauty, wonder and mystery of the sea, and to help protect these precious spaces.

Seabourne Magazine donates some of their revenue to charities who help keep the seas clean and protect the marine environment and wildlife within.

Possible themes for your sea-based writing include (but are not restricted to):

Sea creatures, mythology and weird tales, dangers of the deep, voyages of discovery, the call of the sea, or surprising and forgotten history.

Follow the links below to find out more about this new publication and how to submit a piece of writing for consideration in their next issues.

https://seabornemagazine.com/about/

https://seabornemagazine.com/submission-guidelines/

It's Christmas...Just not as we know it...

 

Inspiration from Rejection Letters

Hello Scribblers

 What's the most inspiring thing you can think of?

I bet it's not a rejection letter. 

But, prompted by these disheartening missives, some clever people have developed a website where rejection letters are celebrated. They welcome submissions in the form of said dismissive correspondence, but also poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, hybrid work- whatever you like really.

They like the absurd, the heartbreaking, the hysterical. Why not peruse the website to get a feel for the kind of work they tend to publish- have a browse through their poetry, non-fiction, rejection letters and other categories. You might just get inspiration for a piece of your own to share with your fellow scribblers, or to submit for publication.

At the very least, you might become a little more accepting of any rejection letters that come your way.

Follow the link below for some rejection... I particularly enjoyed 'The First Fish Who Walked Out of the Sea'.

https://rejection-letters.com/

Happy Scribbling!

https://rejection-letters.com/

Competitions in 2021

Hello Scribblers 

I've found a lovely little blog by a talented writer called Anne O'Leary.  Also known as the Word Herder.

She has compiled a list of some fabulous short story competitions coming up in 2021.

I'm pasting a link to her blog below, so you can find out more about her, see what other writing related gems she has on her blog, and also browse the list of competitions ready for next year.

I'll try and post the competitions as they get closer, but do have a look in advance, so that you can plan for any themes and word counts. Some of the early themes include 'Food and Drink', 'A Mystery' and 'Memories', but most have a no theme entry.

Explore the blog below, and get inspired by Anne's impressive list of writing acomplishments.

https://anneolearyblog.wordpress.com/2020/12/07/2021-short-story-competition-guide/

Happy browsing and planning for future scribbling!

Dark, Wild Sea Stories- there's still time!

Hello Scribblers

This is a quick little reminder about a competition we posted a while ago, with a dark and wild theme. 

The Janus Literary Story Prize is open for entries until December 16th. They are looking for stories with a dark, wild sea theme. The word count should be between 750 and 1,000 words.

Follow the link below for more details, and get those stories submitted for a chance to win!

https://www.janusliterary.com/submit/

Happy Scribbling!

This week's prompts.

This week's Manic/Micro Monday WhatsApp prompt is "A step in the right direction..." 

As usual a maximum of 200 words with the deadline next Monday 14 December to be posted onto our WhatsApp page.

The Repository prompt is for something Christmassy. Possibly a factual account, a humorous review or a piece of fiction, the darker the better! There is no word limit but the deadline is Tuesday 15 December. Please send to Liz in the normal way.

Stay safe everyone,

Dave. 

Changes...

 A couple of changes are happening with the Felixstowe Scribblers at the moment, and we wanted to gather some thoughts from our members and also ask if anyone might fancy getting involved in some of the 'behind the scenes' activity.

Liz, who has done sterling work in setting up and administrating the Repository, is going to take a step back from that. Georgina, who currently does occasional posts on the Scribblers Weblog, is willing to take on responsibility for the repository. However, doing both roles seems a bit too much, so we wanted to ask if anyone else is interested in either of the roles.

The Repository administration involves receiving emailed stories from members, and posting them under the relevant members name. It also involves posting members' stories anonymously for the occasional competitions. The amount of stories to be posted depends on the amount being sent in by members. It can be done once or twice a week, or as and when they are received.

The Weblog administration involves posting news, writing tips, competitions or anything else that may be of interest to us writerly types. Ideally this would be done about once a week.

The Weblog and the Repository have been vital to the Felixstowe Scribblers of late, as we have been unable to meet in person. The Repository in particular has enabled us to share stories and comments and feel part of a real writing community, when so much else in the world has felt isolating and insecure.

We would like a response from all of our members please, to tell us what you think about the Weblog and the Repository (and if you have any comments on the WhatsApp group), or anything else that you think would be helpful. Please, in your response, also mention whether or not you feel you could help with taking on a little extra activity to keep your fellow Scribblers connected.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you could help, please contact Georgina or Dave by email. Guidance and support can be given to help build up confidence, and expressing an interest doesn't commit you to anything!

Looking forward to hearing from you.
The Scribblers Committee

The Manchester Writing School- Short Story Event.

 Hello Scribblers

This post is for us short story enthusiasts. The Manchester Writing School are hosting an online event for those wanting to find out more about this genre of writing. Two of the finest short story writers; Lara Williams and Nicholas Royle will be discussing their latest work and talking about what makes this form so dynamic and unique.

The event, on the 3rd December, is free to participate in, and can be accessed by obtaining free tickets from the eventbrite website, by following the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-short-story-tickets-124675274101

Find out more about the event, the authors and more about what the Manchester Writing School has to offer by following the link below:

https://www.manchesterwritingschool.co.uk/events/the-short-story

Happy Scribbling Short Story Fans!

Jim.

We have today learned that Jim is in the Royal Papworth Hospital recovering from a quadruple heart bypass.

If you would like to message him his email address is 

jim.mcmillan@talk21.com

The Scribblers send their best wishes to him for his recovery.

Dave.

The Crystal Ball Competition

Congratulations 

to Gerry on winning the Crystal Ball competition with his compelling story 'You’d Better Come In.' Talk about twist in the tail, this had two! Well done Gerry.

Second place was shared between Dave and 'The Hotel,' and Martin and 'Medium.'

Third place was Carole with 'The Third Floor.'

Well done to all the entrants in this fascinating competition in memory of our much missed friend, Mairead Reidy.

Bush Theatre- Playwright Submissions Open

 Hello Scribblers

Here is an exciting opportunity for budding playwrights. The Bush Theatre are looking for new voices to champion in theatre. If you have an unpublished play to share, they would love to receive it during their current submission period.

The Bush Theatre, an internationally renowned home for new writing, based in Shepherd's Bush, are looking for playwrights that tell contemporary stories with wit, style and passion. They want plays that are provocative and entertaining and that reflect the diversity of  contemporary society.

Submissions are open until the 10th January 2021. Follow the link below to find out about the submission guidelines and to familiarise yourself with previous productions from the Bush Theatre.

https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/artists/submissions/

You can also navigate around their website to feel nostalgic for a time where we could book a theatre ticket and plan an evening out at will. May those days return to us soon.

Happy Scribbling Merry Playwrights!

Your latest story prompts

Just to let you know that this week's prompt for 200 words is : "Cold and Frosty" The deadline for the story is Monday 30th November.

Meanwhile the current Repository story is : "It will be here shortly" The deadline for the story is Tuesday 1st December which should be forwarded to Liz. There is no word limit!

Looking forward to hearing the result of the Crystal Ball Award very shortly.

Stay safe everyone and remember ...

Keep Scribbling!!!

The Writing Cooperative- Some Novel Tips

 Hello Scribblers

Some interesting advice here from The Writing Cooperative; for those who are struggling to finish their work in progress. The advice focuses on what might be stopping you from finishing your novel, but it could relate just as well to a short story, flash fiction piece, or a poem.

Some of the advice particularly resonated with me. I find it difficult to let a story flow, I try to edit as I go along, rather than let the story happen naturally, before going back to edit it within an inch of its life.

Hopefully, some of the advice will strike a similar chord with others who are finding it difficult to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Follow the link below to read the article, and to navigate around The Writing Cooperative website for more information, tips and inspiration.

The quote below, which I found on the website is my new mantra!

https://writingcooperative.com

Happy Scribbling!

Membership renewals now due! Competition votes and story prompts too.

Hello everyone!!!

Lockdown number two is proving to be another pain in so many different ways. Just praying that some time soon everyone will see sense and do what the Government ask in trying to control this spiralling virus.

Some of you will have 'extra time' on your hands so why not have a go at our two writing challenges? These are:

The 200 word Manic Monday WhatsApp group prompt is simply "Stuffed." This could be a toy for example, the gloated feeling after a big meal...etc., etc. The choice is yours! The Deadline is Monday 23rd November.

The Repository prompt is: "It will be here shortly." Could it be Christmas, the bus or train or the delivery of that special gift for your beloved? The choice, as always, is yours. There is no word limit but the deadline is Tuesday 1st December. That, my friends, will be here shortly!

Don't forget that your membership fee is due - that is just £15 for the year and will allow access to the Repository and entry into our online competitions as they happen. If your membership has not been renewed by the end of this month then I am sorry but access to the Repository will be withdrawn. Please advise Beryl or Dave if you are paying by bank transfer or by cheque. Many thanks.

Talking of competitions, the Crystal Ball competition is closed now, the entries are posted in the Repository and members can vote for their favourite this time round.  Please email your votes to erwalesisat@gmail.com by midday on the 24^th. Winners of the competition will be posted at some point on the evening of the 24^th, details of winners and authors will be listed on the competitions page of the Repository.  If you did not submit a story you are still entitled to vote, so please read and enjoy the selection of stories on the website.

Enjoy the stories on the Repository and don't forget to cast your vote!

Keep Scribbling and stay safe everyone!

The Repository prompt

 I do not know if I am shocked or amused to see so many Christmas trees and their decorations already up in front room windows. At one time the unofficial competition was to see who had the tallest, prettiest, grandest tree but maybe these days it is who puts their tree up the earliest.

Can you write a story with the titles “It will be here shortly” ?

It doesn’t have to be about Christmas, it could be about hope, expectation what ever your scribbler imagination can conjure up. As always if this prompt doesn’t inspire any story of your own choosing will be most welcome.

Happy scribbling

Prompt

 This week's member's prompt for the 200 word Manic (or whatever you want to call it!!!) Monday challenge is:

"Stuffed"

Could it be a stuffed toy bear, or that after-dinner feeling or something else, the choice is yours to make! Answers please direct to our WhatsApp page.

Good luck!!!

Lest we forget

 

We Will Remember Them

 

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them". 

Membership payments

 I hope you are all still keeping free of the big bad virus.

When I sent the renewal message round I omitted to say that our account is in the name of Felixstowe Scribblers so, to use the bank transfer facility, these are the details you will need:

Felixstowe Scribblers account number 43269426: Sort Code 20-16-12

Alternatively you may pay by cheque made payable to "Felixstowe Scribblers" and forwarded to Beryl whose address will be available on request.

We are hoping that our WhatsApp and Repository writing challenges and competitions will make an outlay of £15 great value for money! At least until we can all meet up again whenever that will be!

Keep smiling, keep scribbling and, most of all, stay safe,

Dave. 

Penguin is here to help!

 Hello Scribblers

Many of us may be struggling to find the motivation to write during this ongoing period of uncertainty and worry. It's such a shame when this happens, as the longer you go without writing, the harder it is to get back in the habit.

Penguin are here to help with some writing tips for new (and temporarily stuck) writers.

Follow the link below for some tips and advice, including self-editing and sticking with it.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2016/lisa-jewell-s-top-tips-for-new-writers.html

While you are in the Penguin website, why not have a look around and see what else of interest there might be? You can search through the library of books, find out about the authors and their bodies of work, and have a look at the Penguin blog.

You can even take a (seasonally inspired) quiz to find out which literary monster you might be!

If anyone is interested- I appear to be the Snow Queen- not displeased with that!

There are all sorts of other quizzes you can take, if you are at a loose end!

For those not feeling inspired by writing tips and silly quizzes- there's also a link to some famous literary 'hopeful' quotes, such as this:

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them" Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

Remember Scribblers: This Too Shall Pass.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2020/november/best-quotes-optimism-hope-authors-books-literature.html

Happy searching and I hope you are inspired to Get Scribbling!

Membership fees and other prompts.

 It is the time of year when membership needs renewing.

Obviously we are aware of the impact Coronavirus has had on us through Lockdown number one and now a fresh but hopefully shorter Lockdown starting on Thursday. It has stopped us meeting up and, if like me, you will miss the personal interaction of our meetings. The situation has not improved so, goodness knows when we will be able to safely meet again. Let's just say the hope of an antidote is at the forefront of our minds and that this virus will diminish in its deadly ferocity.

Your committee have all agreed that it would be futile to expect the full £30 membership fee - but, because we still have financial commitments we have decided to reduce the membership fee to £15 for this year only. We hope that you will continue supporting Felixstowe Scribblers and that the reduced membership fee is welcome. Although membership is not due until 17th November, payments can be made in one of two ways:

By bank transfer to our account number 43269426: Sort Code 20-16-12

or

By cheque made payable to "Felixstowe Scribblers" and forwarded to Beryl whose address will be available on request.

We are hoping that our WhatsApp and Repository writing challenges and competitions will make an outlay of £15 great value for money!

Our current writing prompts are:

"The Bigger, the Better." 200 word maximum story to be posted in our Micro Monday WhatsApp group. Deadline 9th November.

We have another online competition for our Repository. This time it is "The Crystal Ball Competition" in memory of our much missed friend Mairead Reidy. There is no word limit, but details of the competition have been circulated by our organiser Liz. The subject matter is "The Supernatural" in whatever guise you choose. Deadline is midday Tuesday 17th November.

Good luck everyone!

It is always nice to hear of former members successes. Ally Aldridge has published her first novel "Ocean Heart" and has her first press release featured on Felixstowe Nub-News.

Stay safe!

Dave

Recent Competition winners

 As you will be aware our competitions have been organised online during the ongoing pandemic.

Results of the 2020 JACK WILKINSON TROPHY   were:

Joint 1st place: Carole  with 'The Mystery of the Missing Girl'

and  Georgina with 'Grandpa Porky - The Legend.'

2nd place: Gerry with 'The Pact.'

3rd place: Rani with 'Sugar and Spice.'

Results of the  October 2020 BILL BUDNER TROPHY were:

1st place: Jim with 'The Book Club.'

2nd place: Martin with 'Flat Share.'

3rd place: Derek with 'Newfoundland.' 

Catching up...

 The latest prompts are as follows:

Manic/Micro Monday WhatsApp: is up to 200 words on 'Terms of Endearment.' Deadline Monday 26 October.

Repository: The Box... (could it be a jewellery box, a tool box, a first aid box, a post box, a hat box, a toy box, the list can go on but what type of box could you write about? There is no word limit but deadline is Tuesday 3rd November.

Stay safe everyone!

The National Creative Writing Industry Conference

 Hello Scribblers

I think this may be more exciting than it sounds!

Comma Press are inviting us all to The National Creative Writing Industry Conference (they possibly could have come up with a snappier name, or some clever acronym). It is being run in partnership with The Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University.

The idea is for new writers, who are aspiring to publication, to make connections with the publication/ commissioning world.

There are free daily panel discussions, and other events that are ticketed- such as workshops and pitching sessions.

The online conference is taking place between 26th and 30th October.

Follow the link below to find out more about the conference and how you can get involved.

https://ncwindustryday.weebly.com/about.html

Happy Conferencing!

Young Adult Short Form Fiction Competition

 Hello Scribblers

Can you tell a good story in 5,000 words or under?

Can you write the kind of story that Young Adults would love to read?

Voyage are looking for a well-told story that fits this criteria.

The story should be original, but in any genre you like. It should be able to be categorised as Young Adult Fiction, in that the story should be from the point of view of a teenaged protagonist.

The competition is open until November 15th.

Voyage is online literary journal dedicated to young adult literature.

Follow the link below to find out more about them, and the submission guidelines.

https://thevoyagejournal.com/contests/

Good luck and happy scribbling!

Novel Writers- This one is for You!

 Hello Scribblers

Are you one of those incredible people who have actually written a novel?

If you have, and you are above the age of 40 (which I think most of us Scribblers are), why not enter this competition: The McKitterick Prize.

Your novel should have either been published this year, or be still unpublished.

Follow the link below to find out more about the prize and if you are eligible to enter:

https://societyofauthors.org/Prizes/Society-of-Authors-Awards/McKitterick

The prize is run in collaboration with the Society of Authors.

Follow the link below to find out more about them and how they support the writing community:

(You can also check out their Blog, to see how the professionals do it!)

https://societyofauthors.org/About-Us

Good Luck Novel Writers, and Happy Scribbling!

Janus Literary: Dark, Wild Sea Stories

 Hello Scribblers

An opportunity here for Scribblers to be published in the inaugural issue of a literary journal.

There are cash prizes for the top three entries, and the chance of publication for all long-listed stories.

Janus Literary are looking for stories between 750 and 1,000 words; they must be sea-themed, with an added dimension of darkness- hence the Dark, Wild Sea prompt.

The Journal is open to " tragic stories, scary stories, sci-fi stories, dark-humoured stories". They can feature "horrible sea creatues, haunted seacliff castles, ghost ships, the Bermuda Triangle, selkies, merpeople, sentient lighthouses, possessed sailors, ill-fated cruises, fishermen lost at sea, etc".

The only limit is your imagination! Submission deadline is 16th December 2020

Follow the link below to find out more about submitting your WIld, Dark Sea Story:

https://www.janusliterary.com/submit/

INK: Call for Christmas Themed Entries

 Hello Scribblers

Autumn is well and truly upon us, and the unmistakable sound of jingle bells in the distance can be ignored no longer. The first Festive themed submission is open for entries.

INK, in partnership with Radio Suffolk, are looking for monologues or duologues to be broadcast over the airwaves. Entries should be broadcastable in no more than two minutes and should be Christmas themed.

There should be a nod to a Christmas song- your piece should include a sentence, or part of a sentence from the song. The title of your entry shouldn't give away the song title- but if your monologue or duologue is broadcast, they will also play the song that inspired it!

Closing date for submissions is Friday 30th October.

Follow the link below to find out more about submitting:

https://inkfestival.org/workshops/

Follow the link below to find out more about INK and what glorious things they do in our local area:

https://inkfestival.org/about-ink/what-is-ink/

Good luck and Happy Scribbling!

Remember

It is just over five years since we lost one of the real characters at Felixstowe Scribblers, or, as he called us, the 'Squabblers!' Last week he would have celebrated his 88th birthday and I'm sure he would have done it in style. Les was one of a kind, welcoming and helpful to all newcomers, polite and  diplomatic too.  His laughter and humour, used to light up our meetings and his writing was something to behold. RIP Les. Those who knew you will, like me, miss your presence.

Belinda, the benefactor of the original Bill Budner Trophy, wrote recently and wished to be remembered to those Scribblers who remember her. I have lost count of how long it is since she returned to her native Australia but it is good to know she is doing well and keeping busy after losing her Geoff. It seems appropriate to mention Belinda now we are approaching the deadline for the first on line Bill Budner competition.

Talking of that, a reminder that your entries should be sent to Liz by midday on Tuesday 20th October. The competition rules are on both the weblog  and the Repository.

This weeks Manic, or should that be Micro Monday prompt for a story of up to 200 words is: 'You can see for miles...' Your stories should be posted direct to the WhatsApp page by Monday 19th October.

Stay safe everyone!

Dave.

New WhatsApp prompt...

 Just a quickie this evening!

The new prompt for our WhatsApp group is as follows:

To write a story incorporating a 'collective noun.' You know the sort of thing...herd, flock, shoal etc...Have fun putting together a story of up to 200 words by the deadline Monday12 October.

A reminder that the Bill Budner competition is up and running. The deadline is midday on Tuesday 20th October. Amended rules for this on line competition are shown in the pages above.

Dave

Celebrate National Poetry Day

 Hello Scribblers

The first Thursday in October is set aside for the annual mass celebration of National Poetry Day.

This years' theme is 'Vision' and we are encouraged to #ShareAPoem and See It Like A Poet. So, why not explore the website to read some poems, find out what events are happening nationally and join in with your own poetry.

https://nationalpoetryday.co.uk

Why not explore the various styles of poetry out there? Take a look at this list from writers' digest detailing 100 different styles of poetry.

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry

I'll share one of mine here- it's an eco-rant, of course: In the 'Minute Poem' format.

Torn

Metal jaws clamp, bite, scream through to the heart,

where the sapling once stood. A crashing collapse.

Stripped, stacked and hauled away.

The squat stump next. Ripped from its grip on the earth.

Soft soil rains down.

Wary eyes, unused to wide skies, wonder what devil comes near.

Feel free to share one of your own, or one from your favourite poet, with a friend or group, by email, social media, or by knocking on their door and reciting it to a neighbour (remember to keep your social distance!).

Happy National Poetry Day and Keep Scribbling.

New Suffolk-based Literary Agency launches

Hello Scribblers

Laxfield Literary Associates; a new literary agency based in Suffolk, is opening its doors on October 1st. It is the first literary agency to be based in Suffolk. Set up by Emma Shercliff, in association with Blake Friedmann Literary Agency, the new organisation aims to address the challenges faced by authors outside of the London area. The Agency wants to support authors from Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as further afield, and particularly wants to represent authors from under-represented backgrounds and those with caring responsibilities. 

To find out more about this launch, follow this link to the bookseller website:

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/shercliff-launches-suffolks-first-literary-agency-laxfield-1220266

To find out more direct from Laxfield Literary Associates, follow the link below:

https://laxfieldliterary.com/

To celebrate their launch, Laxfield Literary are launching two new prizes- one for unpublished Norfolk and Suffolk based authors, and one for unpublished authors in any location.

Find out more by following the link below:

https://laxfieldliterary.com/new-anglia-manuscript-prize/

Keep Scribbling and Get Represented!

Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction

 Hello Scribblers

I'm pleased to tell you all about a competition that is free to enter. The Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction was set up by Comma Press following the sudden death of the talented writer, lecturer and blogger.

Dinesh Allirajah was a founding board member and director of Comma Press. He loved to write short fiction, and this competition is a legacy of that love.

The 2021 Prize is on the theme 'Home'. The deadline for entry is Friday 23rd October and the word count is slightly more than some Scribblers are used to: between 2,000 and 6,000 words in length.

Stories should not have been previously published elsewhere. The short-listed entries will be published in an e-book, and the winning entry will reecive a prize of £500. Comma Press are also hoping that, circumstances permitting, all short listers will be invited to a prize-giving event.

Follow the link below to find out more about Dinesh Allirajah, about the competition and details of how to enter.

https://commapress.co.uk/resources/prizes/

Follow this link to find out more about Comma Press, a not-for-profit publisher who specialise in the short story form.

https://commapress.co.uk/

Good luck and Happy Scribbling!

Updating...

First, I hope you are all keeping well. Apologies for being 'quiet' over the last week or so. I've been suffering, and still am, with vertigo and it's not very nice!

An update on the prompts for now.

WhatsApp: "The devil is in the detail." Up to 200 words please (or share anything you like). Deadline is Monday 5th October.

Repository: It is the online Bill Budner competition. There will be no limit on the word count so write as many, or as few as you wish and on any subject. Your story must be written specifically for this competition and, when submitted to Liz, should bear the words Bill Budner Competition above the story title. Deadline is midday Tuesday 20th October. Full competition rules are posted on the Weblog. Please note that the stories will be judged by an independent person, Ruth Skinner.

I know that the deadline is three weeks away so, if you wish to send in any other work to Liz for the Repository then please do. All work most welcome.

The new guidelines from the government really means we must wait even longer for the resumption of our meetings. That is depressing but, we will overcome! Eventually.

Stay safe everyone,

Keep Scribbling!!!

Dave.

BBC Writers' Room Opportunities

Hello Scribblers

Have you ever fancied writing sketches or one-liners for the BBC?

Opportunities are now open for submissions that will be considered for broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Newsjack.

They are looking for sketches and one-liners that approach current affairs from a new angle, delving deep into topics such as politics and sport to make them fun and interesting.

Any material used for broadcast will be paid, not to mention the thrill of hearing your work on the radio!

Follow the link below to find out more about BBC Writers' Room, and the various opportunities available, including script writing challenges, comedy writing and screen writing, as well as the Newsjack information.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities

Follow the link below to find out more about submission guidelines (subs are free) and payment fees for the Newsjack sketches and one-liners.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1hDdvFLfWClPHW7zT3sq01S/submit-a-sketch

Thanks to a fellow Scribbler for spotting this opportunity to share. He shall remain nameless, though is eligible to enter the 'Talented Scots' competition (in both criteria) so that may give some of you a clue!

Happy Scribbling!

Flash Fiction Podcast- Nancy Stohlman

Hello Scribblers

I'm linking to a podcast website, as sometimes it's nice to listen rather than read, and we certainly are missing our usual opportunity to hear spoken words from our fellow writers.

'Writer Types Podcasts', hosted by Eric Beetner, produce two monthly episodes relating to thriller, crime and mystery fiction. The episodes include author interviews, publishing insights and book reviews, and more. 

The latest episode, which prompted me to share, relates to Flash Fiction, which is the Scribblers' speciality. Author Nancy Stohlman shares her insights into the genre and talks about her recent book 'Going Short'.

Listen to that particular podcast by following the link below:

https://www.writertypespodcast.com/podcast/episode/1fc7b6b2/nancy-stohlman-beau-johnson-ryan-sayles

To explore previous episodes follow the link below and click on 'Podcast'

https://www.writertypespodcast.com/podcast

Happy Listening!

Retreat West Short Story Prize

 Hello Scribblers

Another post about the wonderful world of Retreat West.

Their reason for being is to "help writers develop their skills, get noticed and get published".

They run courses, competitions, retreats and more and have a varied range of formats to get involved with, from micro fiction and short stories to novellas and novels.

Explore their website by following the link below to find out how Retreat West can help you in your writing journey.

https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/

They are currently open for entries for their short story prize, with generous prizes and the opportunity for publication in the upcoming anthology.

The deadline is 25th October and the word count should be between 1500 and 3000 words.

Follow the link below to find out more about the competition and entry guidelines.

https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/competitions/the-rw-short-story-prize/

This year's judge is Peter Jordan- to find out more about him and his short story collection 'Calls to Distant Places' have a look at his website https://surfmyshorts.com/.

Good luck and Keep Scribbling!

Your new story prompts

Just to update the prompts for you.

WhatsApp: "Swept Away" up to 200 word stories please. Deadline Monday 21st September.

Repository: Our homework prompts are based on the themes from our meetings and tonight’s meeting was a flash fiction session based on physical prompts. Well if you copy and paste the link below into your browser you will be taken to another world with some physical object prompts. You can use just one object, or more, to write in any genre you wish, with as many or as few words as you wish.

https://www.nationalgallery.co.uk/products/van-gogh-still-lifes/p_1049065

Or why not explore the website and be inspired to write about something altogether different?

There is no word limit but the deadline is Tuesday 29 September.

From Jim comes a possible solution to our meetings. He suggests:

I understand some groups get around the rule on booking meeting rooms by saying that they are booking for a Line Dancing Club which is classified as a sports activity! So there you are Dave when the 6 person rule is scrapped we can become the Felixstowe Scribblers Line Dancing Society and go anywhere. All we need is a cowboy hat, Yeehaw!

Only Jim could think of that!

Dave

Disappointing events.

So near and yet so far.

How disappointing the way events are turning out. Further restrictions from the Government means that meetings are virtually impossible to arrange. Under these conditions I don’t think we will be able to meet again for some considerable time and probably not this year. It is dreadful but this is all out of our hands.

Hope.

All I can hope is that you will continue to support us and, hopefully, offer some of your work for the Repository and the WhatsApp group. I know it is difficult having a vision of what Felixstowe Scribblers should be doing and how all our plans have been stifled. What our future holds seems to be in the lap of the Gods.

Our Jim.

At least there is some good news on the horizon for our Jim. He says:

First of all an apology. I said I would let you know when Primary would be broadcast by BBC Radio Suffolk. I am sorry I kept quiet about it. The Duologue was performed well but they did a 4 minute prerecorded chat with me which was crap! So I told very few people when it was on.

However Radio Suffolk has now chosen the other Duologue I sent to them for broadcast next Friday 18 September at 830pm. This time they are interviewing the actors. This one is The Lockdown Barber which is in the Repository.

There is also a video of the performance which you can see at - https://we.tl/t-EaDHsNeyE5 (when you download the files, ignore the MACOSX one and open the other one.)

Well done Jim! Listen in! It could be quite entertaining.

Cathy and husband.

I understand Cathy’s husband, Nigel, is home now and hopefully he will get better as time progresses. She has asked me to thank everyone who sent in messages, she really appreciated your thoughts and good wishes.

Writing prompts.

There is little to say about our immediate future, just that the committee have yet to meet up again but I see no desperation to do so at this moment in time. The Government’s fresh rules have knocked the wind out of our sails. Remember there is a future for us and we can help keep our aspirations alive by participating in our writing ‘challenges.’ The current prompts are:

Repository: A Sense of Place. No word limit but the deadline is Tuesday 15^th September when a new prompt will be posted.

WhatsApp: The Big Soup Pot. 200 word maximum. Deadline is this Monday 14^th September when a new prompt will be posted.

Stay safe everyone and remember to:

Keep Scribbling!!!

Dave.