Off the Bloc

New beginnings are nearly upon us and the cold light of January calls. It should be an exciting year.

My novel is gathering strength and flexing its muscles, while smaller dark tales are percolating alongside. I have three submissions to make in the next four weeks, with the first deadline being imminent. I have the main body and the timbre, for that work, but need to write the denouement in a convincing way. I need to twine the strands right to the end and have the reader's realisation occur alongside that of the main character. A huge task, but the weekend should sort it. I'm happy with my idea and the arc of it, so it is now all in the final edit.

This one should complement my camera story, for which I gained such good marks from the OU and which is currently in competition land - awaiting the declaration of a shortlist. Fingers crossed for that, and a similar OU response for this one.

Happy days! And a happy and productive New Year!

Pootler x

Beneath the Cloth

This was one of our early tasks on the OU Creative Writing course A174. We were asked to describe three things in a room and then expand upon them. I promise the additional items were merely part of the fictional development.

                  Antiquarian books, with fine bindings, peeped from behind the detritus of life. Their forgotten stories echoing dreams that once lived here. Large empty photo frames leaned against the wall, undusted, untouched; anticipating visits that never happened. The stench of something more than dog shit ate into Simon’s nostrils, and throat. And there it was. From the table, papers spilled onto the floor where they were stuck with dried blood. Just visible, under the long chenille cloth a hand stretched: the fingers predated.

It's been a while!

Well, there I was with all those good intentions when life suddenly raged out of control and I was working 60+ hours a week. Now, I'm not. Although I do have more manic periods. Life has, oh so, moved on since I was last here. I have retired from my teaching career and found myself doing all sorts of random things: social survey sampling for the government, the census, inventing educational games, educational consultancy, the electoral register canvass, student registration, student clearing, one to one mentoring, adult education, genealogy, sewing, crocheting, photography and writing.

And it is this last one that brings me back here. I've just completed an OU course (A174) on creative writing that was brilliant. I learned soooo much, in just twelve weeks and most others on the course say the same. Now with the OU, you are encouraged to take part in forums. In fact, for that course, tutorials happen via the forums - with support and criticism being offered in equal dose, to help you improve. You are also encouraged to blog! So, with the time emerging to do so, I have returned.

If you were on the course with me, say 'Hi.' If not, say 'Hi,' anyway. You are all most welcome to drop by. I might even add a few recipes, so we can enjoy tea and biscuits, or a good macchiatto and cake together.

If you have a blog and want to share, then add your address in the comments box and I'll try to call round to see you some time. In the meantime, get happy and enjoy whatever it is you do in life.

I'm off to deliver some Yellow Pages. Getting paid to keep fit - Yay! After that, think I'll just pootle about for a while.

Make it happen!

Pootle xx