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Creative Writing Thread - August
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Message 1.聽
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Wednesday, 27th July 2011
Writers Thread 鈥 August 鈥 Secrets and Lies
It has fallen to me to open in optimism, hope and anticipation, a Creative Writing thread for the month of August.
Your mission, should you wish to accept it, is to post and share any outpourings and verbiage that comes to mind on the topic of 鈥楽ecret鈥檚 and Lies鈥 (or anything else that floats your boat). Anyhow you wish to tackle it: in jest or in grim solemnity; in haiku, prose, sonnet or free form; fact or fiction, funny or sad, old or new, long or short.
I have slightly broadened the thread title in order to encourage those who may 鈥榮cribble鈥 but not think of themselves as a writer. If you write, you are a writer. All are welcome here with their thoughts and feelings put into words. No pre conditions apply. No tests of your credentials will be applied.
We try and support each other and may offer gentle positive critique if desired.
There is only one rule. Clean and within 主播大秀 rules and R E S P E C T. Ok, there are two rules................
So, without further ado (pass the super size scissors please) I duly declare this thread 鈥極pen鈥
Shhhhh. Please don't tell anyone else. It's a secret! -
Message 2
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Wednesday, 27th July 2011
A secret is a trap for the unwary. Don't tell, it's our secret, then it turns out that it wasn't as secret as all that. Several people had the same secret with him, and with every additional recipient, he became more puffed up and proud of himself. He thought he was a wonderful guy, and became the saviour of the town. But then it all started to come out. The rent he was charging me was well above what he was paying for it. He was getting it from a charity and they had had to charge the poverty stricken pensioners a lot more for their places in the almshouses. He wasn't giving money to make their lives better, it was all going into his back pocket. The other shopkeepers were paying even more than I was, and our rates were even higher because of the rents they were paying him. And every year, the Council was paying him to put on a festival at a profit. He was coining it. His latest scheme is to get the select few to pay more to stimulate Trade. It won't work. I'm not giving him a penny. He'll be in for a haircut soon, and I've sharpened the shears. That comb over is living on borrowed time. They'll all see him as he really is...
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Message 3
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Wednesday, 27th July 2011
snork, Rwth. Mr Rachman's long lost cousin, I presume?.
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Message 4
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Thursday, 28th July 2011
He's still going round puffing his chest out saying "cockadoodle doo what a fine man am I!" Not for much longer.
Sorry, this isn't the hen thread, please forgive the crowing references. -
Message 5
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Thursday, 28th July 2011
Blimey Rwth, looking forward to the sequel!
Meanwhile, here's a confession.
鈥淚鈥檝e lived with the lie all my life. It鈥檚 not bin easy, you know, letting someone take the rap for me and all the time me acting like butter wouldn鈥檛 melt. You try it matey. And why鈥檓 I letting on now, you ask. Think about it....鈥
I don鈥檛 have to think too hard; who was it said something about being hanged concentrating the mind wonderfully? Johnson, was it? Yep, my friend here is coughing because he knows his time is up and wants to put the record straight.
鈥淭hing was,鈥 he goes on, 鈥渟illy beggar, that Sparrer, puts his wing up for it, right off. 鈥業 did it,鈥 he said, 鈥榤e, on me tod, with me bow an鈥 arrer. Biff, baff , boff! 鈥 鈥
I give him a why鈥檚 that then? 鈥淭here鈥檚 the question,鈥 he smiles a bit, 鈥測ou gotta have bin there, really, to understand what was going down in the wood back then. Loyalties, family stuff, territories, vendettas, the lot. Someone do you a favour, you do 鈥榚m one back - sooner or later. And he had it coming, that Robin. Quite a cock he thought he was, but I was the big guy in the wood. Big guy, big family. That Robin should not have messed with the family. High roosters we was. The highest, 鈥榗ept for a couple of hoods who dropped in from time to time and took what they wanted, no messing.鈥
And? I prompt, the hidden recorder whirring away in my pocket.
鈥淲hat they wanted that time was me little friend Sparrer鈥檚 life, no more, no less. Only small he was, dull, like, but chippy. They was after 鈥檌m, no question. Me and mine, well we chased 鈥檈m off, saved 麓im. 鈥楧o anything for you, mate鈥 he said, 鈥榓ny time. Just ask.鈥 Time came. He delivered. See it was me what slotted that Robin, and there was all this sighing and sobbing and stitching and singing and catching of blood and digging going on, and people asking who killed him and that Sparrer just puts his wing right up, like this,鈥 he stretches a glossy blue-black wing, 鈥渁nd said it was him. Bang to rights. I didn鈥檛 even get a mention. Not in the frame. Me cousin Rooky even did the vicaring for 鈥檈m.鈥
Unfortunate turn of phrase, I think, 鈥榖ang to rights.鈥 And on cue the gamekeeper comes into the hut.
鈥淣ot quite dead then Mr Crow ?鈥 he says, 鈥淢ust鈥檝e missed. Oh well, good day for a hanging.鈥
I turn and leave the hut. Now, where鈥檚 that bloody Owl? Got something juicy off his mobile I need to ask him about. -
Message 6
Posted by Bella Milbanke (U2389689) on Friday, 29th July 2011
No cameo from the Thrush, Josey?
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Message 7
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Saturday, 30th July 2011
Goodness, just realised I haven't finished what I was writing.
A real life secret came out this week [not one of mine] & life 'was too much with me' for a while!. -
Message 8
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Sunday, 31st July 2011
That would be a good 'un, Bella, all that psalm singing. What secrets would he have, I wonder?
SJ, looking forward to seeing your piece. Will it be about the RL secret? -
Message 9
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Sunday, 31st July 2011
A secret to be told
Some friends you have are there for ever. Anna was mine. Started school together through to the top class in Juniors, dodging Mr. A's blackboard rubber and managing to pass the 11 plus. Different schools then but we spent free time at weekends together, went on holiday with each other's family until our mothers almost forgot who belonged where.
College for Anna and teaching the reception class, Library school for me. Boy friends came and went until we met our husbands to be. Tom and I went abroad for a while with his engineering work. Anna stayed on the farm with her husband David and her mother in law. She loved it but there were few holidays. I had my children, two boys and a girl. Anna loved them and as they grew, summers helping on the farm were the highlight of their year.
Anna mostly kept her sadness at having no babies to herself but sometimes spoke of it to me. We got back from our last trip abroad in the spring of the year.. The phone rang.. Anna and I caught up with the news. A few days later she called and said she had something to tell me and I was not to mention it to a living soul: telling mum on my weekly visit to her grave to change the flowers wouldn't count. Anna would call when David was milking the next afternoon.
We had turned forty by now and my worry beads rattled fit to scare the crows. The worst stories I had ever heard hurtled like fast film across my memory. Bad, bound to be, inoperable, she would be gone before the summer. Tears poured down my face and I sat in misery. A good talking to from Tom set me right as I sniffed my way through making dinner. I knew it, she needed the leg amputated which the bull had kicked, that would be it. Bad, but she would be there. Or it was a tumour and her beautiful blond curls would be shaved off. Oh I can worry for England when it comes to people I love. An hour late home and I have the children in an RTA; rather a surprise when one wanders in and chatters on about late sports practice. The night passed slowly and the kitchen floor was shining like new by the time she called.
I could hear tears in her voice and I knew I was right. Then she said.
'This is the secret you have to keep for three months. Promise on the guinea pig's life', using our childhood oath.
gulp.
'Of course I will but tell me, is it....'
I faltered, not being able to ask the dread question.
'I know you. Have you picked the funeral flowers yet?' asked Anna gently.
'Of course not' I said loudly.
'Now listen, Petronella Jane Fairbrother. This is what you can't tell a living soul except David.. I am pregnant and we want to keep it to ourselves for the next few weeks. Everything looks fine but with me being a bit old for a first baby, I am taking special care'.
I dropped the phone, lost my voice, laughed and cried until she got the message I might just be a tad pleased at the news.
'Oh and none of your lectures on what I must do please. Ma says if Primrose, her prize milker, can do it, so can I, and if not, she'll send for the vet..'
I promised on anything she chose to keep the secret. And I did, though it was very hard.
But I can tell you now. She had twins, a boy and a girl, and got her name in the local paper and 72 cards from people she never heard of. .Autumn crocuses, that's what the twins are, perfect.. And I am never gong to use my worry beads ever again. Ever.
Well, hardly ever. -
Message 10
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Sunday, 31st July 2011
sorry, josey, real life secret has to stay secret for a while!.
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Message 11
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Tuesday, 2nd August 2011
That's lovely, SJ. I didn't guess what it was, even though, reading it again, I did find a clue or two. As always, your writing makes me feel I'm actually there and believe in it.
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Message 12
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Friday, 12th August 2011
Thank you, Josey.
and BYT, where art thou? Feels like the 'Deserted Village' here!.
Is everyone too busy keeping screts to take time write about them. -
Message 13
Posted by Alsdouble (U524298) on Saturday, 13th August 2011
Let me think now,
er, where was I?
Ah, yeh, you stink.
You smell like:
the worse thing in the entire world, and what is more,
even worse than that,
the worsed thing in the known universe and probably beyond.
You stink and you smell like,
Sorry, to be so insulting but, it's true,
You stink like a,
neglected cat litter tray.
Told you it was bad.
you stink. -
Message 14
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Saturday, 13th August 2011
Lovely, Al - I particularly like the subtle irony. Secrets and lies, hah?
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Message 15
Posted by Alsdouble (U524298) on Monday, 23rd January 2012
You stink.
YOU stink.
You...STINK.
YOU STINK
youstinkyoustinkyoustinkyoustinkyoustinkyoustinkyoustink
YOU
stink.
You stink so bad you.........
GRRRNNNYYEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!
(Phew! That's really bad.) -
Message 16
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Monday, 23rd January 2012
als, come out from behind that stinky mask and bring one of your poems out. Please.
4 months and no creative witing at all. Everybody been hibernating like me?. -
Message 17
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Monday, 23rd January 2012
Hi Al and SJ.
Strangely enough, I was thinking of this thread this afternoon, when I was riding in the rain; the hawthorn branches hung with huge drops of water and the lichen-covered trees inspired me, but now, I'm depressed by the subtle and inventive wordplay that Al has crafted.
I could never follow that. -
Message 18
Posted by diasporatehousewife (U9694450) on Tuesday, 24th January 2012
Creative writing is alive and well and living in the Bull...
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Message 19
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Tuesday, 24th January 2012
My apologies. I will retire to the shed and hibernate again.
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Message 20
Posted by diasporatehousewife (U9694450) on Tuesday, 24th January 2012
Jennie - don't retire, just keep writing!
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Message 21
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Wednesday, 25th January 2012
Strange thing, writing. I have my pencils and my pad ready. Staring at the page and expecting a title to be there.
...How come I missed that cobweb when I was cleaning.
Paper and pencil not working. Try the computer. Get a fresh page ready.
...blast, I must tell Mr. Next door that it was DAC [that darn cat] from over the road who broke his plant pot.
Topic for today is. uum lets try "Bookshops".
... excuse me, just need to call the library to renew my books. They charge a big fine if they are overdue.
Bookshops have miles of tidy shelves and pretty displays and the very latest blockbuster. And enormous textbooks which cost a pop star's ransom...Or they are dark and full of well loved books looking for new owners, piled so high the titles are invisible.
...how can anything be a blockbuster when only the reviewers and the publishers have read it.
I visit a bookshop which has possibly the largest book-room in England. All sorts of nooks and crannies and steps. And people standing reading books everywhere. And assistants who can find the book you ask them for in an instant. Perfect.
...so why can't I find my copy of 'Pride and Predjudice' anywhere, we only have three bookcases.
I went to the Children's Department aove the big room to find some more 'Horrid Henry' stories for a special little boy. Did enjoy reading those sitting on their squashy sofa and quite forgot to buy a single one.
.. so I am not a writer. Just a grandmother who makes up stories for that special little boy 5000 miles away. And I am late with the next instalment about Gyp and Carlo and Sandi and Joker the cat. .
The shed is a bt cold now so I bid you goodnight.
[with profound apologies to bloggers who really can write..] -
Message 22
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
Oh Jenny, how your bookshops piece resonates. I like it very much.
As for 'real' writers vs ????. Who is to say? I now some creative tutors say that if you write, you are a writer. I veer towards that some of the time. I would add a codicil. If you write, because you want to,, not because you have to, you are a writer. By that I distinguish from people who write reports for work for example.
Life has been bit up and down here - a toxic job, now history and some major surgery - also history.
I have a few recent pieces but am reticent to share. Not because I am ashamed of them - I am not - thought neither proud. They are just ex[anded thoughts that in some way I have tried to shape or polish.
But as part of a small group locally, we feel that we need to take the next step, which is sending work off to competitions or small publications with a view to see if we 'cut the mustard' with anyone but ourselves.
And putting work out into the ether on such as a message board falls foul of the usual 'previously published' rule.
I hope all other 'scribblers' are keeping on doing what they do, even if not here. -
Message 23
Posted by diasporatehousewife (U9694450) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
I love this:
try it! -
Message 24
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
BNYT, I take your point about not putting work on here if you want to publish it. But a bit sad because I love your writing.
Thank you for the kind comment about my nonsense. I don't write much at the moment . Concentration has gone walkabout!.
Sorry life has been horrid & I do hope the New Year brought a better start for you. -
Message 25
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
dh, a magical mystery tour. Yes, lke the sound of that. Will look later.
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Message 26
Posted by diasporatehousewife (U9694450) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
And putting work out into the ether on such as a message board falls foul of the usual 'previously published' rule.聽
oh.... thank you for telling me -
Message 27
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
But a bit sad because I love your writing.聽
Oh Jenny that is so kind. I have no illusions about my writing other than sometimes I like a phrase or an analogy and try not to overwork it - and that usually it is a way of helping me to making sense of some of the carp and beauty I see and hear.
I do hope you write down the stories you tell. We do not have a good storytelling ethos any more unless you count pop songs. A shame.
I may be persuaded to post rough or first drafts, or of course things that could never make it anywhere. A couple on the go now after a bit of a wilderness experience over the past few months - all good now! Thanks.
Disparate )great name btw)
Glad to be of service. I asked a publisher about this and the statement was unequivocal. Any unchanged piece put into print and available to the general public (on library walls, local anthologies, blogs, websites, message boards etc) all break the rules.
Sad but true. Of course I am sure many are blogged before publication but worth knowing. -
Message 28
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
I started telling the stories to gds when we were together on holiday; now he just gets an attachment to an email. But they are just about the family dogs and cats, most in the happy hunting grounds. The ones I do regret not writing down were stories I told to ES when his daddy was away on a year's detachment in the Middle East. ES was 5 and had dreadful nightmares, so I invented a dragon to guard him and that evolved to include a naughty cousin.
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Message 29
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
dh, try clicking on 'fun stuff' on this site. then 'authormatic'.
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Message 30
Posted by diasporatehousewife (U9694450) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
Any unchanged piece聽
ah! so my pieces under development, if they develop any further and I don't share them, might qualify...
thanks for the link Silver-Jenny -
Message 31
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Saturday, 28th January 2012
It's a small print matter disparate.
Most entry forms and submission rules will say something like 'published anywhere else in their current form......'
HTH -
Message 32
Posted by Carol Tregorran (U8943346) on Sunday, 29th January 2012
Silver Jenny, that authormatic link is absolutely brilliant & hilarious!
Lol stuff!
Thanks! -
Message 33
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Sunday, 29th January 2012
Yes, seconded.
May I put it, credited to you, of course, in The Bull? -
Message 34
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Sunday, 29th January 2012
Of course you may, Carrick.
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Message 35
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Sunday, 29th January 2012
Thank you, Silver Jenny.
It may, of course, turn into a blood-bath, but I hope people will have fun. -
Message 36
Posted by Alsdouble (U524298) on Monday, 30th January 2012
I threw myself under a train.
It mangled me.
And when it passed, I got up
Put myself back together
And faced the world
But it hurt like hell.
And it still hurts,
for every moment of every day
for a lifetime.,
Every waking moment,
of every day, moment to moment,
for a lifetime.
Such is life.
We soldier on.
No, we do not.
Soldiers have bigger mountains to climb.
Bigger horrors to face.
No lesser, no bigger.
And the rest of the time
Some joys, some pleasures.
Let us dwell not upon the reality of being. -
Message 37
Posted by Alsdouble (U524298) on Tuesday, 31st January 2012
I chucked myself through the catflap
Without explanation we were on the edge of a ravine.
I rolled on the grass and fell into the abyss
and died
the death of a thousand bounces.
And on my arrival in heaven God said:
'Are you alsdouble?'
I paused and replied:
'Who's asking?'
And he said, stroking his bird. (He had no beard, but he carried a parrot on his shoulder.)
'Can I have your autograph?'
And after he had paid me and received instruction
I progressed into Room 101 where I found
The Buddham Siddhartha, playing pontoon with The Prohet Mohammed
and a little man dressed in a bedsheet who resembled Ben Kingsley.
'Deal me in' I said, and through 30 grand into the pot.
It was at this time Marylln Monroe began to pester me for sex
and after I'd surrendered, for four days, I decided death was not for me
and........................ -
Message 38
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Tuesday, 31st January 2012
and died
the death of a thousand bounces.聽
Does that preface the later reference to sex with Marilyn Momroe, Al?
Nice dreamscape, BTW. -
Message 39
Posted by gyles3 used to be Gyles2 (U15129799) on Saturday, 4th February 2012
hello J,SJ and even the cornvellian with the knotty name, nice to see you are all still in the land of the ????
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Message 40
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Saturday, 4th February 2012
Hello, Gyles.
Land of the ...imagination. ...Faraway Tree. ... Land of Green Ginger.
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