Are you up for it?

 Hello Scribblers!

I hope you are all remaining well and safe from the virus. It is a really worrying time although now it appears that we have a vaccination centre in Ipswich so, like so many others, am awaiting the call.

Last week our two areas of opportunity to share work was rather quiet, some would say disappointing. We can hope that this week we will see a better sharing of stories. Glad to see there are already a couple displayed on the WhatsApp so thankyou and congratulations to those contributors.

This week's Micro Monday WhatsApp prompt has been set by Georgina as:-

Something I never believed would be possible.

Up to 200 words please to be posted by Monday 1st February. 

The Repository prompt is still ongoing and here is a reminder:-

It is simply a photograph from which to create your story. Should the photograph not be suitable for you then please send in any of your work. Please note there is no maximum word count. 

Good luck with the stories Scribblers!

The challenges...

This week's Micro Monday WhatsApp prompt is "Supply and Demand." 200 words please to be posted as usual by Monday 25th January.

The Repository prompt this week is something different. It is simply a photographic prompt which can be found here:

https://unsplash.com/photos/Rg8sXOdLOLY

Your story surrounding the picture, or of any other subject you may prefer, should be sent to Georgina by Tuesday 2nd February.

Good luck!

Tips on Staying Motivated to Write

 Hello Scribblers

Many of us will have temporarily lost our motivation to write over the past year.

Writers Online have published a helpful article to help with beating the urge to procrastinate.

Crime writer Caro Ramsey shares her top tips and tactics to keep motivated and on-track with your writing regime.

Follow the link below to read the article and to explore the Writers Online website for more helpful advice and information.

https://www.writers-online.co.uk/how-to-write/how-to-stay-motivated-to-write/

A diversion?

This week's Micro Monday prompt is "Plan B". Stories should be no more than 200 words long and posted in our WhatsApp page by Monday 18th January. Just a little story to help get you writing again. I know the current situation is getting no better so perhaps using just a little time to get your creative juices flowing will be a welcome diversion.

Don't forget the Repository is open for business, with Georgina your contact for posting stories.

Stay safe everyone.

Writing Competitions throughout 2021

Hello Scribblers

There are a huge array of competitions open for entry throughout 2021.

We always try to feature some on the blog, to give a range of styles, lengths of word-count and themes. There are too many to promote them all individually, however, so I am providing a link to a whole spreadsheet of opportunities- provided by Betas and Bludgers- a virtual writing group. Follow the link below to see the spreadsheet and explore the competitions that might be of interest to you:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/

For those interested in finding out more about Betas and Bludgers- they have a presence on twitter with the handle @BBludgers

Happy spreadsheet scrolling!

Short Fiction Prize: An International Competition

Hello Scribblers

An exciting opportunity for Scribblers here, as the University of Essex, in partnership with Short Fiction- a visual, literary journal, are reopening their internationally renowned short story competition.

There are two different options for entries- an open-themed prize, with no restrictions on genre, style, theme or subject (entries should be in prose fiction rather than poetry or memoir). The other option is to submit an entry to the Wild Writing Prize- where your prose fiction should focus on themes of nature, environment and/ or climate crisis.

Maximum length of the piece for submission is 5,000 words (there is no minimum length).

Follow the link below to find out more about these competitions, including entry fee and guidelines. There are some free entry places for writers on a low income- which are provided on a first-come-first-served basis, so do be quick if you want to apply for this option.

Deadline for entries is the 31st March 2021.

https://www.shortfictionjournal.co.uk/competition

Good luck and Happy Scribbling!

What's your plan?

 Yes. What is your plan? Do you have one or more? Then again, if all fails, what is your...:

'Plan B'

???

A mere 200 words will suffice, ensuring they are posted in our WhatsApp group pages by Monday 18th January 2021.

New contact for posting stories

 Hello Scribblers of the Repository,

With everything happening in the world around us at present, we have our own little piece of good news.

Georgina is our new contact for posting your stories in the Repository. Her email address is available on request. Georgina has written to you individually today so if you haven't received her communication then please check your spam and trash folders in case it found it's way there by mistake.

Whilst thanks must go to Georgina for taking control of this most valuable resource, we must thank Liz for setting up the Repository and for her sterling administration work. Thank you Liz.

Now you have Georgina's details then I suggest you get writing and send in your stories!

Keep Scribbling but stay safe!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

 A story has been posted in the Repository entitled "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It is written by Steve B and is well worth a read. It really is an excellent work!

Well done Steve.

2021 has really arrived...

 Happy New Year Scribblers!

The first prompts of the year are:

MICRO MONDAY: 

The new prompt is:

'A Fresh New Start.' 

Up to 200 words please by the deadline of 11 January. Please post direct to the WhatsApp group page.

REPOSITORY:

As it's open house time, please submit any of your stories in the normal way. We still await fresh posting instructions.

There is no word limit but the deadline is Tuesday 19 January.

Good luck everyone and Stay Safe...