Felixstowe Scribblers 2021

Friday, 10 July 2020

Writers' HQ- Writing Without Fear

Hello Scribblers

Here's an offer I certainly won't be refusing- I've signed up already!
Writers' HQ are offering a free course, starting 3rd August- entitled 'Writing Without Fear'.
The course contains tips, tricks and advice on boosting your confidence, over-coming self-doubt and other terrible writers' curses like the dreaded block.
It's an online course- with email prompts and challenges. There's no fee and no catch, though Writers' HQ would like you to sign up to be a member of their lovely writing community.
A minor word of warning, though, there may be a teeny bit of swearing involved- the clue is in their logo really. If it's not for you, that's fine, but I for one am looking forward to it!

Follow the link below for more details about the course, and to explore the website to find out more about Writers' HQ.

https://writershq.co.uk/free-creative-writing-course-writing-without-fear/

Keep Scribbling!

Thursday, 9 July 2020

A Fruity Micro-Prompt from Retreat West

Hello Scribblers

A quick little competition for your delectation.
Retreat West's monthly Micro Fiction competition has a fruity picture prompt to enthuse you.
They are looking for a 100 word story inspired by the picture prompt below.
Deadline for entry is 12th July- so not long to get those creative (mango) juices flowing...
Follow the link to find out more about how to enter.

https://www.retreatwest.co.uk/monthly-micro-fiction-competition/

New Voices 2020- A Novel First Page

Hello Scribblers

This competition/ opportunity is for writers who have already embarked on the first stages of writing a novel. New Voices want to help with that process, by finding a winning entry to receive a start-up mentoring package. This package is a mini-masterclass, covering everything you need to know about writing a novel, including a consultation and manuscript appraisal.
The competition is aimed at those who have written at least the first fifty pages of a novel. The deadline for entry is 14th Septemebr 2020. The idea is that you use the time until the deadline to get those fifty pages in tip-top condition.
To enter New Voices 2020, send in a one-page synopsis of your novel, and the first page only.
Follow the link below to find out more about entry requirements and how to enter.

http://adventuresinfiction.co.uk/new-voices-2020/

This is a very interesting competition for those with a winning idea, who may just need a helping hand to get it in better shape for sending out into the world, on completion.
The picture of published novels used to promote the competition even has our very own Scribbler Ruth Dugdall's book 'The Sacrificial Man' nestled in- inspiration indeed!

Good luck and keep scribbling!

Writing Prompts and challenges.

MANIC MONDAY: Up to 200 words on "The show must go on," to be posted in our WhatsApp group pages by Monday next 13 July.

REPOSITORY: “The Playlist," To write a story with some form of musical reference, even if

it is just a mention of a song in the background. Which piece of music inspires you or a

character you can create, desert island discs in words. There is no word limit to worry about

but your stories should be sent to Liz by Tuesday 21st July.

These are two interesting themes that have been set. Are you creative Scribblers up to these challenges?

Transition,

The time has arrived when we need to make some changes to our long running weblog. Currently posted stories are the very last ones to appear under the two banners, 'This Week's Stories' and 'More Weekly Stories.' From now onwards new stories from all our members will be posted in the secure Repository ( https://scribblersrepository.co.uk/ ) This weblog will, of course be updated with items of interest and current Scribblers information.

The changes all come about from the Coronavirus explosion that has ripped our nation's daily lives to threads. Our meeting place in The Room at the Top rightly became unavailable and with government restrictions imposed our meetings have suffered. We tried hard to keep all our members interested in writing by setting up the two pages on the weblog where themed stories could be posted. At first it was a terrific success but over the past weeks stories from our writers have slowed down.

Every story that was posted during lockdown is now included in the Repository, well over fifty at the last count, and all available for you to read and enjoy. What is more, there is a comment field after each story to allow feedback. A terrific idea!

To have your stories included in the Repository then please send them to the editor, erwalesisat@gmail.com who will post them as soon as possible. The stories do not have to be written to the homework theme but any subject of your choosing.

For your information the story prompt for the current homework is posted on the Repository. Simply log in, then you will find it at the bottom of the Information page. Another good thing is that there are no word limits and consequently you can make them as long or short as you wish. Your homework can be submitted to Liz at anytime within the two week period before a fresh subject is posted. The information is well worth reading too!

After all the hard work Liz has put in to this project of ours, I hope you will all give her your support and use the website regularly. I know I will!

As far as our WhatsApp group is concerned, the word limit there has doubled in recent weeks from 100 words up to 200. Georgina's 'Manic Monday' produces some intriguing themes, this time 'The Show Must Go On.' It would be brilliant to see more people post their stories there too.

Keep Scribbling everyone !!!.

Saturday, 4 July 2020

Flash 500- Three ways to enter

Flash 500 are currently running three different competitions- Flash Fiction, Short Story and Novel Opening- something for everyone I hope?

The Flash Fiction Competition is for a 500 word maximum story.

The contest runs on a quarterly basis, the current deadline is 30th September 2020.

The Short Story Competition is an annual contest with the current deadline being February 2021.

Short Stories should be between 1,000 and 3,000 words.

The Novel Opening Contest is for an unpublished opening chapter of a novel- up to 3,000 words.

Follow the link below to find out more about these three opportunities to send your work into the world, the submission fees and the prizes that could be won.

https://flash500.com/

Good luck and keep scribbling!

Crafting Short Stories- The Opening Sentence

Hello Scribblers

Some writing advice here from TSS Publishing, in an article by Peter Jordan.
TSS champion the short story- including Flash Fiction and Micro Fiction. They publish stories on their website, as well as insightful news, intervies and articles on the craft of writing.
This article by Peter Jordan focuses on the importance of the opening line- the need for clarity and starting as near to the action as possible.
Follow the link below to read the article:

https://theshortstory.co.uk/crafting-short-stories-a-good-opening

Follow this link to find out more about TSS Publishing, including their resources.

https://theshortstory.co.uk/about/

Follow this link to find out more about Peter Jordan, who has a recently published collection of short stories and is a multiple prize winner for his short form fiction.

https://twitter.com/PM_Jordan

REPOSITORY

The Jack Wilkinson Competition for stories about children for an adult reader, is open for entries until 1st June. Stories should be emailed in the usual way to Georgina, making clear that it is a competition entry. Your entries can be in any genre of writing and should be no more than a maximum of 1,500words. Once all entries have been received, they will all be posted on the Repository. Members will have a week to read and choose their favourite three stories. Please do not vote for your own story. Your top three choices should be emailed to Georgina stating 1st, 2nd, 3rd and the corresponding story titles. Please don’t make any comments below the stories until the outcome has been announced. All stories will be published anonymously, with only a story title and a corresponding letter of the alphabet. Once all votes are in (and scores have been double checked) the winning entries will be announced. As we are unable to present the trophy due to the existing situation, an e-certificate will be awarded to the winner. The more entries, the better, so get those scribbling sticks out! Please email all contributions to Georgina Dave

CORONAVIRUS

Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, Felixstowe Scribblers have sadly cancelled all future meetings until such time as Government advice and restrictions are lifted.

This means a great upheaval to many of our writers, but we will do our best to keep you updated both on this weblog and by email.

We intend to maintain our writing with 500-750 word assignments that may be posted on here for a short period of time whilst our WhatsApp group will have regular 100-200 word exercises to help keep our creative minds working.

Further information will be released as soon as possible.

30 March 2020

Gipping Press

Felixstowe Scribblers chose Gipping Press to publish their 2014, 2017 and 2019 anthologies. Our reasoning was based on their enthusiastic help, great track record and, more than anything else, the quality and high standard of their work. Our anthologies are testament to their expertise.

We anticipate another anthology in 2021 and will be seeking the help once again, of Gipping Press.

We can honestly recommend Gipping Press to anyone seeking advice in publication and for their very competitive prices.

Thank you Gipping Press.

http://www.gippingpress.co.uk/GPselfpublshing.html

Where we meet

Felixstowe Scribblers meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month in The Room at the Top in Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road. Meetings start at 7.30pm and end at 10.00pm.

Details of the library are on their website at https://www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/libraries/felixstowe-library/.

Felixstowe Scribblers are indebted to the Library and its helpful staff for all their valuable assistance.

Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, our annual membership fees have been reduced from £30 to £15 for the coming year until November 2021.

Meetings, when they are able to be organised again will allow people preferring to pay at each meeting a charge of £5.

Our writing programmes are available via our two avenues, The Repository and our WhatsApp group.

Membership is open to both published and hobby writers and whilst there are no age limits it is wise to be aware that there may be adult content included in some work.

For more information about Felixstowe Scribblers simply email our Secretary catherine.stafford1@ntlworld.com or our Chairman, Dave, at scribblers.1@btinternet.com.

Committee Members:

Hon President: Ruth Dugdall.

Chairman: Dave Feakes.

Secretary: Cathy Stafford.

Treasurer: Beryl Sabel.

Scribblers Repository Editor: Georgina Salmon.

Weblog Co-ordinator: to be arranged.

Anthology sub committee:

Beryl Sabel,

Georgina Salmon,

Dave Feakes.

WhatsApp administrator:

Justin Keogh

In Memory

Martin Enticknap One time member of the Scribblers who stayed in touch from his home on Sanday in the Orklands. 2003.

Nobby Clarke A keen sailor, he relayed many amusing tales from his past life. Died tragically in a road traffic accident in 2004.

Bill Budner A lay preacher who joined the Scribblers and provided so many prolific words in his short stories. 2006.

Jack Wilkinson Our youngest member for four years, he provided so much laughter and talented creativity before losing his life to cancer at the tender age of twelve. 2006.

Allen Williams Our Welsh wizard had a wonderful wit that kept the group in fits of laughter. 2007.

John Crowson At 97, our most senior member. He passed just a week before he was published for the very first time in the 2010 Felixstowe Scribblers Anthology. 2009.

Doreen Rayner Published and very knowledgeable Felixstowe historian and former member of the Scribblers. 2012

Les Smith Such a welcoming and endearing character, his laughter, matched with his personality and his humorous writing leaves the Scribblers much poorer for his loss. 2015

Mairead Reidy Such a warm hearted and generous person who was both extremely talented and knowledgeable. Liked and loved by all. Another very sad loss to our creative group. 2018

Dick Bradshaw A warm and friendly long term member. A wonderful and published writer with a wealth of knowledge and so many humorous tales. A very sad loss of a good friend. 2018

It is fitting that we also remember Liam Fairhurst of Soham who died of cancer in 2009. He raised enormous sums of money for charity all beginning in memory of his friend and ours, Jack Wilkinson.

Maurice James, the creator of the Coast to Coast competitions and a great friend to the Scribblers. 2010