The Ear Demands Variety

Hello Scribblers

Here is something a little different for you.
I'm linking to a Ted Talk by Jonny Geller, chairman of Curtis Brown Creative, about writing, and specifically what makes an interesting, engaging read. I found the part about varying sentence lengths very interesting.
The sound quality of the YouTube clip below isn't the best, though it improves if you are able to listen with headphones. Click below to listen to the Ted Talk:

https://You Tube Jonny Geller

If you want to skip to the bit about sentence structure- follow the link below to the Twitter page where  I found the article. Hope you find it interesting!

https://twitter.com/Jonny Geller Five Words

To find out more about Curtis Brown Creative- follow the link below!

https://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/

Keep Varied, Keep Interesting and Keep Scribbling!

Call for Talented Scots

Hello Scribblers

This may be a little more niche than usual, but this post is for the Scottish Talent among us.
New Writing Scotland are looking for works by writers resident in Scotland or Scots by birth, upbringing or inclination. (Maybe not so niche afterall!)
They are looking for prose, poetry, drama, screenplays and graphic artwork, and are accepting submissions until September 30th.
If this applies to you or piques your interest- follow the link below to find out more:
https://nws.submittable.com/submit

Keep Scribbling!

Chunk of Fudge Anyone?

Hello Scribblers

I thought I would share with you some words of wisdom on the wonderful world of Flash Fiction.
It is sometimes hard to define, but a commonly accepted view is that Flash Fiction describes stories of 1,000 words and under.
As these are the usual parameters of the Scribblers' word count, I thought it may be of interest to share some thoughts about these small, but fully formed stories.
This article, from Literary Hub, introduces 13 ways of looking at Flash Fiction, and how these stories should affect and move the reader.
My favourite description in the article is that Flash Fiction stories are like 'dense chunks of fudge'.

If you want to find out more, including what 'Smokelong', 'Drabble' and 'Hint Fiction' are- follow the link below:

https://lithub.com/13-ways-of-looking-at-flash-fiction/

To find out more about Literary Hib- which is an 'organising principle in the service of literary culture, a single, trusted, daily source for all the news, ideas and richness of contemporary literary life', follow the link below and discover a world of resources and information: There are book reviews, craft and advice articles and even LitHub Radio to explore.

https://lithub.com/about-literary-hub/

Keep Scribbling!

News

Contact has been made with the library over the use of our usual meeting place but, at present, a reply is awaited. I confess that the possibility of a return in the next few weeks looks a little slim but, lets keep our fingers crossed in hope.

Depending on the weather the committee hopes to meet and discuss a number of things as we plan a way forward. Thanks to Justin for his suggestions...(all good ones I hasten to add!)

Meantime life goes on for the Scribblers with the WhatsApp Manic Monday prompts for the current week:

"Fair, fare, or fayre…" any spelling, any interpretation, any theme… with the usual word limit of 200. Closing date 31 August 2020.

That reminds me! You have until midnight tonight to submit your entries for the Jack Wilkinson competition. Entries will be on line from tomorrow in the Repository until 30 August to read and submit your votes to Liz. The winner will be announced on 1st September.  Full information can be found on the weblog.

We would welcome stories of any description for the Repository once the competition is over, and how nice it would be to see contributions from our Scribbling members who have yet to participate in our quest to maintain the flow of our creative juices. Don't forget our WhatsApp group with its many members yet too few contributions to the weekly prompts.

If you have any suggestions on how to maintain and improve interest then please let one of your committee know.

Until we meet again,

Stay safe,

Start scribbling once again and...

Good luck if you've entered the competition!

It's competition time!

Hi Scribblers! 

I hope you are all still surviving these strange times that we are still faced with.

As you know, Liz emailed everyone recently about the Jack Wilkinson competition. She said:

Hello Scribblers,

Our next homework will be the Jack Wilkinson Trophy competition.

We are asking you to write a story for a child. It is difficult to judge a nursery story against a story for older children and to make the playing field a bit more level we are asking for stories aimed at an audience between the ages of 7 to 11 years.

We are setting a word limit of 750 words.

Entries will be published in the members' stories area of the Repository for you to read.

The stories need a title but the authors will not be identified. Stories will be attributed to author A, B, C and so on.

Stories need to be emailed to Liz. 

Liz will see who the authors are and has elected not to vote.

The deadline for entries is midnight on Tuesday 25th August 2020.

You will have Wednesday 26th to Sunday 30th to read and vote. Voting closes at midnight on 30th August 2020.

You can vote by emailing LIz with your choices for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Please put the title and identifying alphabet letter of your choices when voting making clear your 1st 2nd and 3rd choice.

The winners will be announced on September 1st 2020. Results will be published in the information section of the repository.

Good luck!

So the Repository homework forms the Jack Wilkinson competition. This time there is a limited time to write and enter, the deadline being on 25th August.   It is the first time we have tried to run a competition on line so, fingers crossed, there will be plenty of entries.

I must not forget to mention the Manic Monday WhatsApp group that  has a prompt this time of... 

"In the nick of time..." 

Up to 200 words on this one please, and your stories to be entered directly onto WhatsApp. Deadline is 24th August.

Good luck with the competition,

Dave.


  

A Word in Your Ear...

Hello Scribblers

It's wonderful having our 'Repository' up and running for those of us who want to share stories and receive feedback from fellow Scribblers. The Whatsapp group is also working well for quickfire little tales and snippets of chat. But, I think I speak for many when I say it's just not the same. What I really miss is hearing stories read by the author: the real voice, with the right tone, stressing the words they wanted stressed, pausing for dramatic effect in just the right place. Does anyone else read their fellow Scribblers' work and 'hear' it in their accent, or with their droll deadpan delivery? I do, and it helps, but it's not the same. (I also worry about how my nasal estuary Essex whine must sound in your heads, but let's not dwell on that.)
I have discovered a website entitled 'A Word in Your Ear', that I thought may be of interest. It came to my attention because of a series of courses they are running, but on exploring further, they also have archived stories to read, and also to listen to.
A Word in Your Ear have run live story nights on a friday in Bath, Somerset for many years, but lately have had to move this to an online platform. You can access the stories via their website. It's quite a joy to sit and just listen to a good tale, well told.
Have a browse and listen to a few of the stories by following the link below:
http://www.awordinyourear.org.uk/story-fridays/story-friday-online-a-breath-of-fresh-air/

And if you are intested in the writing workshops that attracted my attention initially- click here:
http://www.awordinyourear.org.uk/workshops-2/online-workshops-and-lets-talk-stories/

It's worth browsing the website to find out more about A Word in Your Ear. They accept submissions at different times, and stories that are accepted will appear, recorded by talented readers- for the moment just online, but in the future (hopefully not too distant), back on stage in Bath- something to really look forward to!

There's still time...

Yes, there's still time to submit a "Prickly" story of up to 200 words to our Manic Monday WhatsApp group Deadline Monday 17th August.

The final days for the Repository unlimited word story on "The White Lie Mattered," "A Joyous Adventure" or "Denial." Deadline is Tuesday 18th August.

Perhaps the weather has been against submissions... it's certainly been hot hasn't it? Let's hope the heat hasn't frazzled our creative cells!

It seems the libraries are slowly progressing towards easing more of their restrictions but, so far, no news on room bookings more's the pity.

Stay safe everyone and start scribbling again!

To Hull and Back! Now Open

Hello Scribblers

Here is one Hull of a competition for your delectation!
The biennial short story contest with multiple cash prizes and a most unique cherry-on-the-top prize for the ultimate winner: To Hull and Back (run by Christopher Fielden), is looking for your short stories with a humorous element- this can be dark, twisted humour, or fluffy pink silliness, as long as there is no gratuitous sex or violence, it will be welcomed with open arms.
There is no lower word limit, but the absolute maximum (including title) is 2,500 words.
Follow the link below to find out more about the competition, rules and how to enter. Be sure to read the guidelines carefully as there are some mistakes that can get a story disqualified.
https://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-competition/

Are you still wondering what the cherry-on-top is?
Every shortlisted story is included in the the biennial anthology... but the overall winner will feature on the front cover of the 2021 anthology. That's not all, if they want to, they can literally be taken to Hull (and Back). Christopher Fielden will film the anthology, strapped to the handlebars of a Harley Davidson, on an epic 460 miles journey. And if the winner is of dubious good sense- they can even cling on to the back for the trip! The copy will be presented to the winner (possibly slightly damp, depending on weather) with an authentication certifying that it is the one and only copy that has been officially driven to Hull and Back.
Could there be a more ludicrous prize in the history of literary accolades?
Follow this link to find out more about Christopher Fielden and his informative website.
https://www.christopherfielden.com/

The picture below is last year's proud winner!
Entries are open now, until 31st July 2021, so get your special comedy thinking-cap on...
Good luck and keep Scribbling!

Write What You Know..

Hello Scribblers

I'm sharing an article exploring the well known saying: writers should 'write what they know'.
Some people take this to mean that we should just write about events we have experienced, topics we have a great deal of knowledge about, or things we have researched thoroughly.
But how would we have such a range of genres and styles- science-fiction, futuristic, murder mysteries, fairy-tales and many more, without stretching what we already know?
This article from  Lightbox Originals gives a more rounded view of how this quote can be better interpreted. Follow the link below to find out.

https://lightboxoriginals.com/write-what-you-know/

Lightbox Originals have a whole host of articles and tips for aspiring writers, including some great prompts for those looking to improve their 100 word stories. They have a monthly list of writing competitions, as well as regular features providing inspiration and opportunities.

Follow the link below to explore the website in more detail.

https://lightboxoriginals.com/

Keep Scribbling!

How to Start Writing!

Hello Scribblers

Today I'm offering a little advice for those facing a bit of a dry spell in their writing habit.
This little article was discovered during the course I mentioned a few blogs ago...
Currently halfway through the free, online course 'Writing Without Fear' (run by the generous and insightful Writers' HQ)- I discovered a link on 'How to start writing and stay writing'. Its opening headline; 'Don't fear the blank page' sounded a good one to share with my fellow scribblers.

It gives tips and tricks, as well as advice and reassurance to those staring with increasing anxiety at a blank page.

I hope those who are taking part in the course are enjoying it as much as I am.
It's not too late to start one of the free courses on offer. Follow the link below to find out more about Writers' HQ and the courses and other resources they offer.

https://writershq.co.uk/

Follow the link below to get straight to the article adressing FEAR of the BLANK PAGE!

https://writershq.co.uk/the-blank-page-how-to-start-writing/

Good luck, don't be scared and keep scribbling!

August already

Some good news has just arrived from Jim. He says:

"For some time I have thought there was too many competitions mentioned on the blog – but one day one came along that I fancied so I entered and now I have been told I am one of the lucky winners!

"On 22 June you told us about the Two Minute Duologues requested by the INK Theatre Company and BBC Radio Suffolk who were looking for 2 minute Duologues on any subject and in any style.

"My Duologue was based on my story Primary which is in the Repository and it is a shorter modified version. I have heard the recording which will be broadcast on Radio Suffolk and I think it’s great. I admit I am slightly biased!

"It will be broadcast in the next few weeks. I will let you know the date and time when they inform me.

"So thank you for mentioning all these competitions on the blog. You never know your luck!"

Looking forward to hearing the story when its broadcast. We always knew we had a bit of a story teller with Jim. Thanks to Georgina he entered the competition and ... didn't he do well?

Now to the current writing prompts.

First, Manic Monday: up to 200 words on the following:

"Whatever happened to..."

Deadline 10 August 2020.

And then the Repository prompts:

"The White Lie Mattered", "A Joyous Adventure" or "Denial".

No word limit but the deadline is 18 August 2020.

Good luck writing!

Stay safe and

Keep Scribbling!!!