Diary of a Writer – May Prompt

Mailboxes

I believed I’d open this post with a photograph of one of Corsica’s beautiful flowers, but on scrolling through the pics I took on my recent trip to that amazing island, I remembered I’d been really taken by this piece. Is it furniture? Maybe it’s what one would call a ‘fitting’. The little panels still have names in some cases so there shouldn’t be any confusion for Monsieur or Madame. The possibilities, however, are endless. Expecting a cheque? You can see an envelope with a bank’s logo thereon through the tiny portcullis – but it’s in the next door box to yours. A love letter? News of a job or a sick relative? So near and, without that key, so far.

Endless possibilities, endless scope, endless fun. What does it conjure for you?

Have you visited Capital Writers April catch-up post yet? Some of my writing friends have been very busy indeed.

Rejection e-mail from the lovely ed. Hurumph! Ah well, goes with the job, doesn’t it? Must try harder. With that wonderful post box above, there’s no excuse.

Anne

Re-reading is such a Pleasure

City of Discoveries

Gathering momentum towards the final resolutions, City of Discoveries has been a joy to follow on the Daily Serial slot from People’s Friend.

Full Blooms

Orchids are a rewarding flower to keep but sometimes the ‘keeping’ can be a while. Two and a half years in the case of the yellow one. The tall pink one, on the other hand, blooms almost year round. So these are for my editor, Alan Spink, who chose City of Discoveries for this second outing. Thanks, Alan.

What are you re-reading? Is it your own? The sublime Georgette’s? Or AN Other’s?

Anne

Diary of a Writer – April Prompt

London

Will this edited photo of me, taken by my Uni friend, Miranda Kennet, inspire anyone?

Well, firstly, Miranda is an artist, Miranda McArthur, and was keen to try out the softwear she’d been sent by a friend. Secondly, she thought the pics of me available online at that time were uniformly bad. (Hides head in shame) I must say, I do like the slightly more sophisticated appearance given by her softwear. Maybe it will inspire me to think myself into circumstances worthy of a story.

Scottish Association of Writers Conference

At the conference last month, I attended Olga Wojtas’s workshop on creating fiction out of historical fact. It, too, involved changing one’s view of oneself. In the workshop, Olga invited us to remember an event which had an emotional impact on us. Then, before writing it up, to change our sex. So, girls became boys and boys became girls. Did this distance us from the incident enough to make more objective decisions? Did it empower us to answer the perpetrator differently?

I hadn’t answered at all in the incident I chose, but others did find becoming male made them more assertive, for example.

I imagine everyone finds themselves furious with themselves from time to time when wrong-footed or left gasping over a verbal insult. Why didn’t I say…

Writing fiction, we have ample opportunity to craft perfect replies for all situations. Let’s get to it. Bullies, verbal and physical, beware the power of the pen.

Synopsis writing has at last turned the corner. Being confined to my study while a new carpet was laid on the landing and staircase was a material factor.

Really enjoying the Daily Serial manifestation of City of Discoveries.

How are things with your writing?

Anne