Hello Scribblers!
I hope you are all managing to keep well in these challenging times.
On a personal level it has become difficult being unable to see family and close friends, including all our Felixstowe Scribblers and contacts in other writing communities. It is just not the same making do with only phone and Internet communications.
For a time I lost my desire and ability to write anything at all. Funnily, since the WhatsApp group was formed, and since dear Cathy has been setting daily tasks on Facebook for members of the Orwell Writers, I have finally begun to enjoy writing again, albeit in shorter work than usual.
What has struck me recently is that we are missing our meetings and that face to face contact has allowed our writing to slip back a little. It’s not the same writing and sending work in when it cannot be shared immediately.
That is why, from today, the number of stories that will be displayed on our weblog, albeit just for a week at a time, will be increased from three to six stories. I hope you will approve and continue supporting us by sending your stories in.
From today there is a new subject set for your ‘homework’ and that is:
500-750 words on “I wish I was there…”
Looking forward to being able to read your stories soon. The very loose deadline is Wednesday 12th May.
A similar situation applies with our 100 word WhatsApp stories. The site is well used although the number of these short stories is less than we envisaged. Perhaps it is the fact that we all need something challenging to get our juices flowing. Today we have set another target for those 100 worders, and this could be a good exercise in creating characters.
Have you ever ‘people watched’? I expect we all have either consciously or unconsciously but can you describe, in 100 words, one of those people you have seen, and whether he, or she, could become a character in one of your stories.
Don’t forget, if you would like to join the WhatsApp group then please let Justin, Georgina or myself know and we will do the rest.
Please remember to keep looking at our weblog and read the weekly stories that are displayed.
Some disappointing news just in from Meg Reid. She says:
I am very sad to tell you that the Felixstowe Book Festival will not take place on June 26-28 2020 due to the risks surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the need to keep the health and safety of everyone of paramount importance, the uncertainty of when our venues will re open and not knowing when limitations on public gatherings might be lifted, we feel that this is the only option we have.
Take care of yourselves and your families in these difficult times.
Best wishes,
Meg.
With the need to keep the health and safety of everyone of paramount importance, the uncertainty of when our venues will re open and not knowing when limitations on public gatherings might be lifted, we feel that this is the only option we have.
Take care of yourselves and your families in these difficult times.
Best wishes,
Meg.
Not good news but understandable in the present circumstances. We must feel sorry for Meg for her devotion to the festival.
Good luck, keep scribbling but mostly,
Stay safe and healthy.
Dave.
