Tag Archives: Creative writing

Blogiversary Celebrations

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Noooo, not mine…..Jennifer M Eaton

To celebrate her Blogiversary, Jennifer has invited her followers to write a story with her and so, I became participant number 9 🙂

You can read all the story on Jennifer’s blog, but here’s my contribution 🙂

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“Please Janosc, leave us!” Janelle glared at her brother.
“Very well, I will wait outside.”
Marci watched in awe, as his wings carried him out through the open window.
“I must apologise for my brother Marci, he always thinks he knows best.”

Janelle sat down on the bare wooden floor and crossed her pale delicate legs. Her wings folding elegantly behind her as she lowered herself. She patted the floor and Marci sat down in front of her.
“I’m really confused Janelle, what Janosc said, I…..”
Janelle put her finger to her lips. “Hush child. Janosc was telling the truth. Being Queen isn’t the same for my people as it is for yours. There will be no pretty frock and crown for me.” She hung her head.
“Well don’t do it then.” Marci pleaded.
“Please try to understand Marci, my love for my brother is great, but my love for my people, our whole existence, is greater.”
Janelle got to her feet and walked towards Marci. She put her hand on Marci’s knee and smiled.
“Thank you Marci, for all your help.”

From outside came the sound of laughter. “Marci? Marci?”
“Thats my father!” Marci gasped.
“I must go child.”
Janelle opened her wings and flew up to Marci’s face, where she hovered, her wings beating silently. “Please don’t worry about me child, I know what I have to do.”
Before Marci could reply Janelle flew up to the open window.
“Will I ever see you again?” Marci asked as a tear trickled down her cheek.
Janelle turned and smiled, and with a wave, she was gone.

A tear dripped from Marci’s chin onto her hand. She watched, as it rolled down her finger, then dropped onto the wooden floor, next to the Olden Leaf. She scrambled to her feet, and snatched up the leaf. Taking a small wooden pot from her shelf she placed it inside and wiped her face with her sleeve.

“Marci? Marci? Oh, where is that girl?” Her mother called.

“I’m coming!” Marci called in return and ran down the stairs to great her father.

This will make no sense whatsoever unless you’ve been keeping up with the story lol. My little section is very basic compared to some of the beautiful writing some of Jennifer’s participants have submitted. But I’ve enjoyed the challenge, especially as I’ve never written any YA stuff before.

Do you think I should give YA a go? Or throw in the towel now? Lol

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JENNIFER – May there be many more to come!

Six Sentence Sunday 26th August

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I just can’t seem to manage pulling my finger out and actually registering officially on the Six Sentence Sunday site 😦 I really must make an effort next week lol

Ok, so here is today’s offering…..

The heavy scent of lavender filled my nostrils, relaxing my senses. Late August, and the sun was beginning to grow weary. Soon, there would be no more early evenings spent on the patio with my book and a chilled glass of Chardonnay.

I thought back to last summer and those happy days spent in Sicily with Roberto. How I missed his smile, his touch, his taste. I closed my eyes as the memories of that passionate night flooded me with a warm wave of lust.

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Hmmmmm, could this be my first foray into Erotica? 😉 *snigger*

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Practising Conflict

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The following scene is when the heroine (Kate) see’s the hero (Harry) when she’s out having lunch with her friend. She’s already met him, through work, and liked him, but now she’s seeing him in a new light…..

“Isn’t that Mr Rayner over there?” Francesca gestured with a nod of her head towards the back of the cafe. Kate turned and saw Harry Rayner sitting at a table with a young boy. She tried to look disinterested and turned back to the large display of sandwiches.

“Do you want a panini Francesca?”

“That must be his son. I wonder where his wife is, I told you he’s wearing a wedding ring.”

Kate pushed her friend forward as the queue moved slowly towards the cashier.

“Two medium skinny lattes and can we have these toasted please?” Kate placed a twenty pound note on the counter. It was her turn to pay today.

“Francesca, stop staring.” She whispered.

“I’m not, am I? Oh but Kate, he’s gorgeous.”

Kate gave a sideways glance to Harry’s table, just in time to see the boy knock over his drink.

“Oh for heaven’s sake Danny, what is the matter with you? Can’t I even have a coffee in peace?” Harry bellowed.

Kate and Francesca watched open mouthed along with the rest of the customers as Harry stood up, his chair scraping violently against the floor. He made his way to the sugar stand and grabbed a handful of serviettes. As he rushed back to his table his eyes met Kate’s.

“Oh, hi, sorry, I’ve…” He held up the handful of white tissues.

Kate smiled sympathetically. “I can see.”

“Yeah, child minders let me down.”

“Oh dear…” Kate was interrupted by the cashier.

“Two skinny lattes. Take a seat; we’ll bring the food over. Don’t forget your change.”

Kate turned to the cashier and took the coins, but when she turned back to Harry he had returned to his seat. She could see him talking to the boy through a clenched teeth whisper.

“Well, and there was me saying he seemed like a nice bloke.” Francesca huffed as she flicked her bleached blonde hair out of her eyes.

“Can we sit outside?” Kate asked. “You can work on your tan.” She knew exactly what to say to distract Francesca from the situation.

As they made their way outside with Francesca wittering on about her upcoming holiday Kate noticed the small boy sitting with Harry looked miserable. If she had stayed a few seconds longer she would have seen Harry apologise and for the pair of them to hug.

By the time the waitress brought them their panini’s Francesca had told Kate for the four hundredth time exactly what she still needed to buy for her trip to Cyprus.

“I can’t believe you’re not coming Kate, it would have been such fun!” Francesca pouted. “I’m sure we could have found you a rather attractive waiter, a summer fling?” She winked and laughed.

Kate smiled. “And that’s exactly why I’m not coming. Really Francesca, I don’t care if I stay single for the rest of my life.”

“You don’t mean that Kate. You will find someone nice, someone who won’t let you down. I’m sure of it.” Francesca lent forward and put her hand on Kate’s arm. “They’re not all like Ray you know.”

At that moment the door opened and out walked Harry. “Come on, come on Dan, I haven’t got all day.” He held the door open and frowned as the boy came out onto the pavement.

“Come on.” Harry urged and began to stride up the street. The boy ran to keep up.

Francesca turned to Kate. “And I’m sure they’re not all like Harry Rayner.” She giggled. “He may be lovely to look at but hey, I don’t envy his wife.”

Kate stared up the street and watched as Harry grabbed the young boy’s hand, pulling him across the busy main road.

“No, I hope not.” She muttered.

The idea of the exercise is to introduce conflict.

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Did it work?

Six Sentence Sunday 19th August

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I managed to keep up to date with my prompts during Swanwick. The following sentences are from a piece I wrote whilst I was there 🙂

The morning sun was beginning to rise as Sam made her way down to the lake behind the hotel. The shadows from the trees fell onto the still water, and gave the lake an eerie feel. Sam shivered as she sat down on a bench and watched a solitary duck glide silently through the murky water.

She felt sleepy, the tablets had begun to work. She knew she had to time it perfectly, or for the second time, she would fail. She waited, listening, to make sure there would be no one around to rescue her.

Oh dear, very depressing….well, you know what prompted this don’t you lol…..

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I’m Off Again…..

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This time, to Swanwick 🙂

As you read this I’ll be on my way up the motorway in the direction of Derby.

So the blogging schedule will be out the window for another week lol. Of course, I’ll be doing daily updates, but, yet again, I’ll be a bit behind with your blogs 😦

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So what am I looking forward to?

Keeping Up Appearances with Steve Hartley How to keep your characters in character.

Short Story Success with Linda Lewis The main course I’m enrolled on.

Show Not Tell with Roz Southey

Getting an Agent with Meg Davis

Twitter or Facebook with Peter Jones & Della Galton

How to Write Romance with Sharon Kendrick

Historical Sagas with Tricia Kitchin

Writing Erotica with Della Galton

The evening speaker every night, walking round the lake at 6am in the morning, chatting to the other smokers in the smoking tent, the performances from the scriptwriters, the buskers night and catching up with people I haven’t seen for a year.

Last year, when I got home I had to go straight to bed, I was exhausted! So looking at this years programme I’m sure I’ll have to do the same again lol

Now where did I put that insect repellent?

Writing Workshop With Sue Moorcroft

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I recently attended a Short Story Writing Workshop with Sue Moorcroft

What a great day 🙂 Sue is an excellent teacher!

As per usual, you know me, I made lots of notes 🙂

Sue had lots of interesting tips for writing short stories for magazines, so if that is something you’d like to explore, I can highly recommend Sue’s book. But it’s not just for short stories. Sue has published several full length novels too 🙂

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One of the tips she gave us that I thought was really helpful was the 10 Words/Phrases This really helps with writing description, and if you incorporate those actual words into your story, hopefully, the reader will be more able to picture what you’re describing. Personally, I think it is great for getting to know my characters. I can split it up into 10 personality traits, or 10 physical features. It’s really helping me focus on what my characters look like 🙂

Think of 10 words or phrases that relate to your character or your setting. So, for example, when I picture my heroine, Kate, these are the words that immediately come to mind:

Pale skinned
Plain
Clumsy
Chestnut hair
Single
Smartly dressed (suit)
Stubborn
Dog owner
Believes in romance
Friendly

Sue is teaching a writing course in Italy next year, and I’m so tempted to go, no, more than tempted, I really want to go 🙂 Arte Umbria are doing Creative Writing courses next year, the setting, a country house set in 220 acres of the Umbrian Hills near Tuscany *wistful sigh* 🙂

So, dear reader, should I go to Italy? lol 😉 and anyone fancy joining me? 😉

On The Pull

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Nooooo, not me, I’m a married women…..but then so is she 😉

This is the piece I wrote that was inspired by the “powder room” photo on Saturday 🙂 In first draft, I’m still experimenting with first person POV.

“Quick, hold the door and keep watch.”

“But Sara, I can’t physically stop people coming in?”

“Yes you can, go on, stand in front of the door.”

I rested my weight against the door and tried to focus my attention on the flock wallpaper rather than my friend, stripping down to her bra and knickers.

“I don’t know why we have to go through this every time. You looked fine.” I muttered under my breath.

Sara laughed as she pulled up the scarlet Lycra mini dress.

“Oh please, you know if Dave saw me going out like this he’d kill me!”

I had to admit she was right. Sara’s husband was possessive. She was only allowed to see me once a month and as far as he was concerned you didn’t need to dress up for Bingo. But then, he didn’t know that we never actually went.

Sara folded her jeans and T shirt and placed them in her bag. She was already wearing high heels, Dave loved her in stilettos.

“Right, all done, just the makeup.” She twirled “How do I look?”

I wanted to say like a whore, but I bit my tongue. It wouldn’t have worried her anyway, that was the look she wanted.

“Great, very sexy.” Well, it was partly true.

She quickly applied some more makeup and pouted her blood red lips.

“Now, just a little something to get me in the mood.” She winked and laid a small mirror on the shelf above the sink. I bowed my head and listened to her snorting.

“Do you have to do that in a place like this?”

“Oh, stop being such an old woman Chlo. Right, let’s go get em.” She shrieked with laughter and as she leaned over my shoulder to the door handle, she paused. “and don’t forget, if I pull, I’ve stayed at yours tonight.”

I smiled, I knew the drill.

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Hmmmmm, not too sure where that one is going. Perhaps tonight, Chloe will tell Dave the truth?

I’m open to suggestions?

Six Sentence Sunday 5th August

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This weeks offering…..

“Dad, can we go to the park today Dad?”

“Tommy, please, just let me finish this work, we’ll go later.”

I watched my son as he pouted and stomped out of the room, slamming his feet down on the polished oak floor as heavy as he could.

Don’t listen to anyone who says working from home is better than being stuck in a depressing, grey office. Give me fabric covered partitions and queuing at the coffee machine any day, especially during school holidays.

I pick up my pen and continue writing my report.

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Ahhhh, poor Tommy. Something tells me he’s not gunna get to the park today 😉 I don’t envy parents who work from home when the school holidays come round. It must be a nightmare!

22 Hague Avenue

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This is what I wrote in response to Saturdays photo prompt (first draft)…..

Helen watched the happy scene through the window as she stood outside number 22 Hague Avenue. Christmas Eve and bitterly cold, the desire to ring the doorbell was overwhelming. But, she remained rooted to the icy pavement beneath her feet.

Had she made the right choice 2 years ago? It was one of those forced situations in life where the decision had been unbearable.

She watched, transfixed, as the man lifted the small boy into the air. “Bobby” she mouthed as her eyes filled with tears. The boy laughed and giggled. He had changed so much, but that was inevitable, she hadn’t seen him since he was 6 months old. It took all her willpower to keep her arms by her side. A mothers natural urge to reach out and hold her baby. Helen slumped to the ground and silently wept.

She knew John would be a good father. Had been confident that Bobby would have a great life. But she couldn’t help wondering if Johns heart was still broken. Did he still love her and yearn for her as much as she did for him? The thought of him getting on with his life, finding someone else, was tortuous. What would he tell Bobby about her death? Would he tell him about the tragic accident where her body had been so badly mutilated she was unidentifiable by anything other than her dental records.

Pulling herself up she stood silently at the gate. Blowing a kiss towards the window, she turned, and tiptoed down the street to the waiting car.

“Are you ok?” The Agent asked, as Helen got into the passenger seat beside him.

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Not really sure where this is going, I guess I could go back in time to explain how she got to that point? Or just carry it on with her new life? Fast forward to the future? Any thoughts? 🙂

Six Sentence Sunday 29th July

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I missed Six Sentence last week because I was in Caerleon, sooooo, here is this weeks offering 🙂

Sam ran his fingertip across Ruby’s shoulder. Her skin tingled, the goosebumps spreading down her arm.

He leaned forwards and Ruby closed her eyes, expecting to feel his soft lips press against her own. Instead, she felt his hot breath on her cheek and his hand rest on her knee.

“Stay with me tonight?” He whispered.

Ruby’s heart fluttered as Sam’s hand moved up to her thigh.

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I’m trying my hand at romance, so blame Kate Walker 😉