Staying positive.

I hope you are all still well and trying to keep positive. It is difficult sometimes, to believe that we are in this situation and will remain so for some considerable time.


It galls me to hear pundits declaring that we should be given exit instructions for when the lockdown ends and even asking for an exact date! 


We have to be creative with our enforced time at home, perhaps there are many things on the DIY list that still need doing – I can say that our local hardware shop is closed so that lets me off the hook again – only if I can find a hook anywhere.
.

Enough of that, but I must ask our members to consider sending their work in to scribblers.1@btinternet.com – the current theme is “TRAPPED” and gradually each story (with your permission) will appear on the Story of the Week page on our weblog. We are asking your stories fall within the 500-750 word target area please. The cut off date is 15th April.


Additionally, for those who are keener on shorter work of up to 100 words, then our WhatsApp group is up and running thanks to Justin. We have several members already listed and whilst it was essentially meant for short stories there are many other topics that spring up. For the 100 word short story the subject is “I Will Never Understand Why…” It is likely the theme will soon change. Have a go, it really is fun to do.


Talking of that, please remember to frequently view our weblog – Georgina has been posting many ideas and suggestions including today’s, “Top Tips for Writing Flash Fiction” which might be of interest to Derek… (just joking!).


If you are on Facebook then go to ‘Ruth Dugdall author’ where Ruth has posted some very helpful tips


If you have any comments or ideas then just let us know.


Keep Scribbling folks but remember to keep smiling too.


Dave

Another day dawns.

Awoken by the dawn chorus - up soon after. 

Outside, blue sky and sunshine. Such a lovely looking day. Terrific! 

Then it dawns on me. 

Coronavirus. 

Lockdown. 

Blast it! 

Trapped!

Have a good day everyone!

Dave.

Top Tips for writing Flash Fiction

Hello Scribblers

We have been focusing on some shorter fiction styles of late: flash fiction and even micro-fiction. Short stories are still very welcome and we are hoping to continue sharing some scribblers' contributions on our 'story of the week' feature. Please send any 500-750 word stories to us using the email address scribbers.1@btinternet.com.

For those of us who are concentrating our limited attention spans on flash or micro-fiction, there is a link below for some tips on writing and editing for this length of piece.

Just because it's shorter, doesn't mean it's easier!

Every word has to earn its place!

Follow the link below for thirteen specific tricks (and a writing exercise) about how to write flash fiction (including insanely short stories). The advice comes from Flash Fiction Online: An online fiction magazine offering tips and stories- they are also open for submissions...

http://flashfictiononline.com/main/2015/04/thirteen-tips-for-writing-flash-fiction/

Choose your Challenge...

Hello Scribblers

Have you written something that you would like to share?

When it comes to getting your work noticed, there’s little better than winning or being shortlisted for a writing competition… and the odds of that happening aren’t as long as you think. Every competition listed on the Neon Books website produces one or more winners every year, as well as numerous honourable mentions and shortlisted writers.

All you have to do, dear Scribblers, is choose a competition to enter.

The list provided on the webite are all competitions based in the UK and they  have prizes that justify the entry fees.

Follow the link below to choose your competition.

https://www.neonbooks.org.uk/big-list-writing-competitions/

Neon Books is a UK-based independent publisher. They produce a literary magazine two or three times a year, and they share a wealth of writers' resources, including the list of competitions in the link above.

Struggling to find your creativity? Enter The Cabinet of Heed.

Struggling Scribblers,

The Cabinet of Heed- Literary Journal has set a challenge for writers who are unable to find their words and are temporarily 'stuck'. 
There are four challenge prompts: All 500 word limits
The Stream of Consciousness: .....
The One Word Prompt: Soup 
The Song Lyric Prompt : "They said things over there might be a little strange" 
(Jumbo. by Curved Air) 
The Photo Prompt:  

Entries must have been written in response to the prompt. The best of the submissions will be selected to appear in a special free online issue of The Cabinet of Heed.
Visit cabinetofheed.com and look for the Covid-19 Challenges.

The Journal is read in over 130 countries, and they are always hungry for entries for their monthly journal. Visit the link below to submit stories, poems, creative non-fiction and flash fiction.
They are also hungry for visual art- for their front covers!

Check out the website for more information.

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

Bath Short Story Award 2020

Another Challenge Scribblers!

The Bath seventh yearly international Short Story Award is open now for international entries and closes on April 20th 2020 at midnight BST. They are looking for a story up to 2200 words on any theme or subject. Entry fee is £8.00

First Prize is £1200

Second Prize is £300

Third Prize is £100

There is also an Acorn Award for an unpublished writer of £100, plus £50 in book tokens from Mr B's emporium of Books in Bath!

Follow the link below for competition rules and entry instructions.

Good luck and Keep Scribbling!

https://www.bathshortstoryaward.org/

Bristol Short Story Prize 2020

                                                                                                                                                                                   Hello Scribblers

           For those who fancy a challenge- the Bristol Short Story Prize Competition is open for entries.

A more generous word-count than we are used to: 4,000 words, though there is no lower limit. Closing date 30th April 2020.

Follow the link below for rules and how to enter.

         https://www.bristolprize.co.uk/rules           

 

                                                                                    Good luck and Keep Scribbling!                                               

1. Closing date for receipt of entries is April 30th 2020 at midnight BST (‘midnight’ meaning the very last second of April 30th 2020).
2. Entrants must be over 16 years old on the closing date, April 30th 2020.
3. The maximum length of submissions is 4,000 words (does not include title), there is no minimum length. Stories can be on any theme or subject and are welcome in any style including graphic, verse or genre-based (Crime, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, Romance, Children’s etc..)