Deadline February 28th!

Recieved today!!!!.


Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.comand watch the recent script winning readings performed by professional actors. At least 2 winners a month.  See the 1000s of views each video garners as well. Get your story seen by agents and producers! Bottomline, that's what we do.


Below are the links to the various contests. Due date is February 28th. Hope to see you submit:

FULL FEEDBACK on all entries from a committee of industry professional screenwriters and script consultants. Guaranteed excellent feedback or your money back,

Winners get their story performed at the monthly writing festival.

FEATURE or SHORT screenplay contest - Get FULL FEEDBACK on your script. Winners get their script read and shown online by a professional actor!
http://www.wildsound.ca/screenplaycontest.html

TV PILOT or SPEC screenplay contest - Get FULL FEEDBACK on your script. Winners get their script read and shown online by a professional actor!
http://www.wildsound.ca/tvscreenplaycontest.html

SHORT STORY CONTEST - Get FULL FEEDBACK on your short story. Winners get their short story read and shown online by a professional actor!
http://www.wildsound.ca/short_story_contest.html

1st CHAPTER or FULL NOVEL CONTEST - Get FULL FEEDBACK on your book. Winners get their 1st chapter read and shown online by a professional actor!
http://www.wildsound.ca/book_contest.html

1st ACT or FULL PLAY CONTEST - Get FULL FEEDBACK on your essay. Winners get their plays read and shown online by a professional actor!
http://www.wildsound.ca/play_contest.html

ESSAY CONTEST - Get FULL FEEDBACK on your essay. Winners get their essay read and shown online by a professional actor!
http://www.wildsound.ca/essay_contest.html

POETRY CONTEST - All entries win and get their poem showcased on this popular website. Winners get their poem made into a film!
http://www.wildsound.ca/poetrycontest.html

Submit your LOGLINE to the WILDsound network for exposure
http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

- Take a look at recent loglines submitted. Network averages over 100,000 unique visitors a day. There's even an option to have a video made for the logline and have it performed. Submit loglines for any story


Hope you take a look at what we have to offer. Either way, good luck. and keep writing

WILDsound

www.wildsound.ca

Orfordness Lighthouse Writing Competition

 Take part in a unique project to celebrate

Orfordness Lighthouse!

The Lighthouse on Orfordness was switched off forever last June, and the sea is rapidly washing away the shingle it stands on – it now faces a very uncertain future. A writing competition has been launched to celebrate this iconic building.

There are two categories in this competition – fiction and non-fiction, and three age groups – 12 and under (up to 500 words); 13–18 (up to 1000 words); Adult (up to 1500 words). There is no minimum word count, but please do not submit anything over the limit. The competition opened 1^st January 2014 and closes on 31^st May 2014. (Please note there is no poetry category in this competition.)

Competition organiser and Orford resident Liz Ferretti explains. ‘This lighthouse has been helping shipping and fishermen since 1792. We all felt as though we’d lost something when it was switched off. This writing competition is a creative way to celebrate a building that is such a powerful symbol on the Suffolk Coast.”

For this competition, we want you to find inspiration in the Orfordness Lighthouse and the Suffolk Coast, but what you write after that is up to you.

A fiction category entry could be a short story or an extract from a longer work, and be in any genre – crime, literary, adventure, sci-fi... The non-fiction category could be a contemporary journalistic piece, nature writing, or it could focus on history, the people involved in the lighthouse, our changing coastline, the writer’s own thoughts…

There are some fantastic prizes to be won, including brunch for two on the Lady Florence river restaurant, and book tokens. The winning entries will be published in the EADT’s Suffolk Magazine.

This writing competition is part of Touching the Tide, a three-year Heritage Lottery Funded project along the Suffolk coast between Covehithe and Felixstowe, hosted by the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

For more information and for full competition rules, please go to www.touchingthetide.org.uk. Please submit to: Bill.Jenman@suffolk.gov.uk. We prefer email submissions, but if this is not possible then send hard copy to: Bill Jenman, Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB, Dock Lane, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1PE. Please mark all communications “Orfordness Lighthouse Writing Competition”.

ENDS

Notes

1. Touching the Tide project overview

Touching the Tide is a £900k three-year Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership Scheme along the Suffolk coast between Covehithe and Felixstowe, hosted by the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB. The landscape area covered by this project is essentially the Suffolk Heritage Coast, which lies within the AONB. It's a very dynamic environment which is constantly changing and evolving, primarily influenced by the sea, and by the soft, recently deposited, overlying geology. The project period is Spring 2013-Spring 2016.

2. Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Located on the coast of East Anglia, the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) encompasses 155 square miles of wildlife-rich wetlands, ancient heaths, windswept shingle beaches and historic towns and villages. This tranquil and unspoilt landscape is a haven for a wide variety of wildlife and birds, and a fantastic place to explore and discover.

Cardiff International Poetry Competition.

The 2014 Cardiff International Poetry Competition is open for entries.

The competition offers one of the largest monetary prizes for a poetry competition of its kind. First prize is £5000. Additional prizes are £500 for second place, £250 for third and five runners-up receive £50 each. All entries to the competition will be judged anonymously, so this is a great opportunity to have your poetry judged on its own merits.

Literature Wales is delighted to announce that the 2014 competition will be judged by Lemn Sissay and Rhian Edwards with Samantha Wynne Rhydderch acting as Filter Judge.

Closing date: Friday 14 March 2014

To download an entry form, click here.

Alternatively, to download a black and white version of the entry form, click here.

To receive an entry form through the post send a stamped, self addressed envelope to:
Literature Wales, CIPC14 Entry Form,
Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 5FL.

For further details contact Literature Wales:
 post@literaturewales.org

The Cardiff International Poetry Competition is administered by Literature Wales with the financial support of Cardiff Council.

Words for the Wounded

I hope you don't mind me reminding you that Words for the Wounded Writing Prize (raising money for the recovery of wounded troops) closes to entries on 11 March. Up to 400 words of fiction, memoir and poetry. Prize money totalling £400 and publication in Writers' Forum. Entry fee £4.50.   Details can be found on www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk  Remember - 100% of your entry fee goes to the wounded.

Thanks so much, and good luck!

Margaret

-- 
Margaret Graham
www.margaret-graham.com
www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk
www.wordsforthewounded.blogspot.co.uk
www.margaret-graham-author.blogspot.co.uk

New website

I have started a website which I think will be of interest to you. I would be hugely grateful if it was possible for to have a look at the site and provide me with some feedback, good or bad.

 

www.readerswriters.ie is a new website for grass roots writers. Readers Writers is a simple idea. The plan is to offer everyone from the writing enthusiast to the budding journalist a platform to demonstrate their literary talents to the general public and in turn the written media. Readers Writers will provide a platform for individuals to write on their chosen topic, a well informed and authentic piece that reflects their knowledge and interest in that particular area. We welcome contributions in all areas, be they short stories, prose, opinion pieces, articles or reports.

 

We already have one Irish National newspaper, and One Local Newspaper on board and they will dip in and out, and take recommended articles.

 

We also have secured an agreement with a UK publisher for the provision of quality material.

 

We would appreciate it if you could forward this e-mail or link to anyone you think this website would be of interest to.

 

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Regards,

 

James Lee-Geary

Readers Writers Ltd.
Co. Limerick.

Republic of Ireland.
E-Mail: james@readerswriters.ie
Web: www.readerswriters.ie

Meeting report - at last!!!

It has happened twice now. Both times the near 2,000 word ‘files’ have corrupted for some unbeknown reason. This is a shorter report which I hope will suffice – and be saved...

Felixstowe Scribblers Meeting Report for 18^th February 2014.

In attendance: Dick, Les, Liliane, Jane, Susie H, Beryl, Tony, Martin, Richard, Barry, Dave and a new member, Derek.

Apologies were received from Caz, Carolyn, Cathy, Clive, Suzy G and Katy.

It was nice to welcome Derek to the fold. His passion is travel writing but has been a member of other writing groups before coming along to Scribblers. He has also attended a creative writing course with Martin.

It was good to see such a healthy attendance despite all the call-offs. We send our wishes to those who are unwell and hope to see you back at Scribblers very soon.

The Lost Sock will be shown at the Felixstowe Book Festival on 28^th June from 5.pm. This will also include time for the public to meet the Scribblers. The cost will be three pounds which will go to Festival sponsorship funds. We will try to prepare an anthology and will try to have copies of the film available for sale. An email will be sent to those who have offered help with the anthology and also their presence at the event.

Tony has requested more stories to be provided for the radio spots, ICR broadcast the Scribblers work on Tuesdays at 15.30 on 105.7FM and Felixstowe Radio Wednesdays at 21.00 on 107.5FM.

Our advertised meeting plans altered this time with members allowed to bring a piece of their favourite work, an extract from a story, perhaps a poem or even a completely new piece of work. Here’s how it went:

Susie H: Shackled and Tethered: Money shoved in my slot. I’m sprung free, the early starters always rushing to get the job done. Next come the elderly, the pace leisurely and slow then the lunchtime punters on a quick mission of acquisition. Afternoons are long. I make them angry and frustrated. BOGOF deals, booze, ready meals fill me to the brim. Your soul on wheels, the supermarket trolley.  

Barry: Thumping in the Dark: Darkness and the thump, thump thumping even when I am asleep. I have the same thumping inside me but not so loud. My space is gets smaller as the walls close in. The water around me drains away; I look down and see the dim light in the darkness. Falling into the land of giants; the high pitched noise is replaced by, ‘Hello. What shall we call you then?’ 

Richard: All the Time in the World: Twenty eight and a half minutes to go. Time for a cup of tea. Mugs neatly stored, tins, labels facing out. You need discipline, like the twenty girls in packing. They respected me. Power, that’s what women like. Early retirement and my wife left home. Seven minutes past. Not good enough. The girl on their switchboard was rude, hung up the little hussy did. They just don’t know how to behave these days.

Martin: The Talk Show: In his inimitable style Martin took us to an American Talk Show where the horrors of the Holocaust were discussed, and how a young girl born in Frankfurt, a German national, lost her citizenship. Along with her family they fled to Amsterdam and went into hiding from the German occupation of the Netherlands and persecution of Jews but were betrayed. Anne Frank and her sister Margot died in Bergen-Belsen concetration camp of Typhus. Anne’s diary chronicles her life from 1942-1944.

Dick: Shocks in the Shop: Author of a booklet on the ghosts of Landguard Fort, this chapter was omitted from the publication. It tells of the gift shop volunteer who saw a soldier appear, smile and wave to her then faded away. Another volunteer was scared witless when five Airfix kits suddenly took off from a shelf and landed a good distance away. Dick himself witnessed the strangest thing of all when a customer asked for evidence of haunting and suddenly a heavy Oerlikon shell fell from the top sheld and landed with a deafening crash in an empty ammunition box. Proof enough?

Dave: Predicament: Boing, boing, boing! Widower Kenny had fancied neighbour Tracy for ages. She used to help round the house and then more intimately. Suddenly two springs broke, one protruding from the mattress and the other agonisingly disappeared to where the sun never shines. Unable to remove the spring from his derrière, Judy called 999. The mirth of the operator, the ambulance crew, nursing staff and the doctor hardly helped. Eventually the inner spring was removed much to Kenny’s utter embarrassment.

Beryl: Wedding Day: This is the final chapter of Beryl’s book, the end of the story Roma has been telling Beryl, her daughter. Sam Samuels, Ru’s father wanted to break up their relationship and threatened to be at Roma and Ru’s wedding with a shotgun. The preparation for the wedding began early in the day, with hairdressing, make-up and wedding dress before the cars arrived to take Roma to the synagogue. There was no Sam, so the wedding ceremony went ahead despite all the stress and worry caused.

Liliane: In the Peace of the Evening: Kitty and Bobby were in reflective mood as they had their nightcaps. They had had a good life, both would be seventy on their next birthdays. They recalled Lea who died in a motor accident, the lunatic who shot Steven and killed Bee. How their home had been a ‘Welcome House’ for the family. Now having emigrated to Sydney they looked forward to enjoying the peace. Then the doorbell rang loudly...

Jane: Getting Away: Holidays are good for you I told my son Paul again. He said talk to Michelle who gave me that tight lipped look. She recalled Habib in Turkey who took a liking to me then took her daughter for a walk. She told the police he’d kidnapped her. And it wasn’t my fault when the tent blew away when we went camping. They are doing a staycation this year Michelle said with twitching eye. It only happens when I visit, Paul said. Wonder if there are mental health issues in her family.

Derek: I Saw Her Standing There: A story showing the passing of time. I first saw her four years ago, sobbing in grief, a good looking woman, black hair laced with invading grey. Passed her in Michaelmas then spoke on the Ides of March. The year passed through hot August, October and Christmas. At spring drilling we chatted then on May Day shared a jug of ale. She accompanied to the Midsummer Ball and by Harvest Supper we found it hard to keep our distance.

Les: Three Poems: It’s always difficult summarising poetry but Les’s three are terrific. Caesar’s Farewell – Beware the Ides of March.. et tu Brutus.. the brutal pain of treachery as I face my Gods. Romance in the Dordogne – A line of poplars, dappled sunlight telling the story of a long lost love. Distant Hills, Bordeaux cafes... Hotel Vouvre... I wonder where she is now. Dreams to Treasure – I dreamed a dream of nymphs cavorting in a stream, beautiful women begging for more, to wake alone on the floor! Body like a Grecian God, but I’m just a flabby old sod!

Tony: A Walk in the Green Forest: This comes from Chapter Three of Tony’s ‘Sword of the Kings.’ In this, Hunions is off in search of Blind Eye MacPherson. He survived an unsuccessful attack on his life by Lieto and Uriah. Eventually he met Knott and told him he was looking for Blind Eye MacPherson who had a female companion. Knott gave directions in strides, left turns and right that eventually took him to his quest but after discussion, Blind Eye MacPherson shut the door in his face.

So another excellent evening of entertainment and creative genius...

Good luck to Susie who is moving into her new home next week.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 4^th March when the homework assignment is to write up to 1,000 words on your husband, your wife or your partner. Obviously this can be complete fiction or as truthful as you dare to be...!

Keep Scribbling!

Dave.

Tonight's meeting

Despite a number of call-offs through illness and travel commitments there was a very healthy turn out for tonight's meeting.

With an open subject allowing writers to bring in favourite or older work or even something new, it was an enthralling meeting with some wonderful words from the very start to the end. It was well worth attending just to listen and so those who were unable to attend missed out on a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 4th March when the homework assignment is for ladies to write up to 1,000 words on their husbands whilst husbands write the same amount on their wives! It can be fictional or as true as you want it to be!

Keep Scribbling!!!

Tuesday 18th February...

Tuesday is all but with us... and it's our meeting in The Room at the Top Felixstowe Library. Starting at 7.30 the meeting is open to any of your favourite, or new work... short stories... poetry... extracts from your ongoing work... the choice is yours! Pleas ensure the work contains no more than 1,000 words. Thank you.

Hoping you'll be able to join us!

Dave

ps... three ads follow...

88888888888888

A lively and informative 'how to' on writing erotica by a published author Kelly Michelle Lawrence, with a focus on plot and crafting integral erotic scenes, with practical exercises for the reader.

 

Published in March by Compass Books as part of the Compass Points series, Passionate Plots is a book aimed at new and emerging writers, or existing writers looking to expand their skills, younger writers and fans of the erotica genre and readers of erotic literature interested in writing their own stories.

 

Please see press release included and request your review copy, preferably PDF. Please also contact for articles, excerpts and interviews.

 

Book Title: Compass Points: Passionate Plots

Author: Kelly Michelle Lawrence

 

John Hunt Publishing (Compass Books) announces the new title

Compass Points - Passionate Plots
A Brief Guide to Writing Erotic Stories and Scenes

Kelly Michelle Lawrence

Publication Date: March 2014

 

Kelly Lawrence’s Passionate Plots is a clear and concise teaching tool for anyone learning to write erotica or anyone just wanting to write a better sex scene. A must have for every writer’s reference shelf.
KD Grace, bestselling author of 'The Initiation of Ms Holly'

New and emerging writers, existing writers looking to expand their skills and readers of erotic literature interested in writing their own stories will find this book a lively and informative 'how to' on writing erotica. Written by a published author, Passionate Plots focuses upon plot and crafting integral erotic scenes, with practical exercises for the reader.

Kelly Lawrence is a writer, creative writing teacher for the Writers Bureau and mother from Coventry, West Midlands.

Publisher: office1@jhpbooks.net
Review copies available on request
Distributors:
Orca Marston in Europe tradeorders@orcabookservices.co.uk
NBN in US customercare@nbnbooks.com

compass-books.net

http://www.compass-books.net/books/compass-points-passionate-plots

978-1-78279-430-1 Paperback (93PP) $11.95  |  £7.99 March 2014

 

Kind regards

Maria

www.compass-books.net

888888888

This is a practical, no nonsense guide, full of advice for writers, and yet fascinating for readers of poetry.

 

Published in March by Compass Books as part of the Compass Points series, A Practical Guide to Poetry Forms is a book aimed at the beginner poet and is stimulating enough to interest the more experienced poet.

 

Please see press release included and request your review copy, preferably PDF. Please also contact for articles, excerpts and interviews.

 

Book Title: Compass Points: A Practical Guide to Poetry Forms

Author: Alison Chisholm

 

Kind regards

Maria

www.compass-books.net

John Hunt Publishing (Compass Books) announces the new title

Compass Points - A Practical Guide to Poetry Forms
How to find the perfect form for your poem

Alison Chisholm

Publication Date: March 2014

 

Alison Chisholm's new handbook should be essential reading for all aspiring poets, and many experienced writers will also find her guidance and explanations to be invaluable, as it serves as a refresher course in the technical side of creating poems.
Stephen Wade

A Practical Guide to Poetry Forms is a practical handbook on poetry forms, giving informative details on the construction of the major set forms. It also includes exercises, all within the scope of the beginner, yet stimulating enough to engage the more experienced poet.

Alison Chisholm has been writing poetry for over 40 years, and has had ten collections published, (nine by specialist poetry publishers and the most recent self-published), as well as ten textbooks on the craft of writing. She lives in Southport, UK.

Publisher: office1@jhpbooks.net
Review copies available on request
Distributors:
Orca Marston in Europe tradeorders@orcabookservices.co.uk
NBN in US customercare@nbnbooks.com

compass-books.net

http://www.compass-books.net/books/compass-points-practical-guide-poetry-forms

978-1-78279-032-7 Paperback (109PP) $14.95  |  £9.99 March 2014

888888888888

Our next meeting

Our thoughts are with all those unfortunate people affected by the flooding in this terrible period of adverse weather. 

With whistling wind and lashing rain outside it is best I try and catch up on some of the emails I need to answer etc. So I have to start with a reminder that our forthcoming meeting is on Tuesday next 18th February start time 7.30pm. It is a change to the original programme and means that there is no specific homework but you may bring along a favourite piece of your work, a short story, poem, extract from a book, etc., the choice is yours... but please remember, a maximum of 1,000 words. 

At last I have updated the weblog with Jane being added to the Roll of Honour - sorry for the delay folks!

Hope to see you at the meeting on Tuesday so until then, keep safe and...

Keep Scribbling!!!

The trophy presentation...

At long last... the photo of Jane receiving  the Bill Budner Trophy from Les....

Well done Jane...

Report of meeting held 4th February 2014

FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS MEETING: TUESDAY 4^th FEBRUARY 2014.

 

Apologies were received from Katy, Clive, Beryl, Carolyn and Suzy G.  

 

In attendance: Tony, Les, Dick, Susie H, Liliane, Barry, Cathy, Jane, Richard, Caz and Dave.

The Apologies were all received in good time before the meeting. Katy’s grandmother has broken her hip and with her partner working she had no baby sitter to call on. Clive has just had a procedure to help him and may miss a few meetings. Beryl was caught up babysitting for her daughter’s children. Carolyn is between international trips whilst Suzy G has been suffering with dental problems and anti-biotics. We wish them all well and hope to see them back with us very soon.

Previous meeting’s work was returned to the authors which then begged a plea from Tony for work for the radio shows on both Felixstowe and Ipswich Community Radios. As an aside Tony becomes a DJ with Felixstowe on Friday morning.

For your information ICR broadcasts the Scribblers work on Tuesdays at 15.30 on 105.7FM and Felixstowe Radio Wednesdays at 21.00 on 107.5FM.

A questionnaire of sorts was handed out to look for support in forthcoming events,

The Felixstowe Book Festival 2014. We now have a slot for The Lost Sock which will be on Saturday 28^th June between 5 and 7 pm. This will also incorporate a meet the Scribblers time when, it is hoped, we will have anthology and copies of the DVD available for sale and a few table top items of examples of our work. The entry fees were discussed and a decision taken which will be released later.

Holding the Fort. On the same day there this event takes place at Landguard Fort throughout the day on Saturday. It will feature writers and readings amongst a whole range of different events in a growing programme. The theme is based on World War One and will feature stories associated with that time. Peppy Barlow, the organiser, has invited us to attend if we wish so we ask that you think about whether you would like to be part of that day. Anyone with tales or stories set in or around WW1 can have the opportunity to read them out on the day. If interested please let Dave know as soon as possible!

Ebooks: Just a reminder given that both Barry and our friend Ray, have eBooks available whilst Ally’s first novel, “Drift” can be read on the Swoon Reads website.

The 21^st staging of The Bill Budner Trophy. The trophy was finally presented to Jane after the last meeting’s hiccup. Les did the honours whilst Jane, being the last name on the cup suggested she retain it forever! No chance! It will be passed to Bill’s widow Maureen who has kindly offered to buy a new trophy. Those present agreed it should be a cup of the same design and hopefully Maureen will be able to attend our next competition in May.

Talking of cups – now for the results of our homework assignment, “I won the cup”.

Caz: Jack Won the Cup: It was the day the school broke up for Easter Holidays. Caz was in a rush to meet Jack at the school gates. One or two children on their way home, called to her but Caz didn’t hear what they said. Instead she met Jack, huge smile on his face, ‘Mum guess what? I won the Courtesy Cup!’ The cup was almost too big for him to hold and Caz was bursting with pride for her son. Jack, as many Scribblers recall, was a very talented and creative young man, always smiling, always making sure he had his (Scribblers) homework to read out. Such a pleasant and courteous boy outside school he certainly deserved that cup. 

Richard: I Won the Cup: ‘I won the cup...’ typical Dave, he won just about every competition but that junior tennis one was what I had wanted to win myself. If per chance Dave was losing in informal games he would declare best of three, best of five and so on until he won! At 14 I was comfortable not winning anything. Dave was always tops whilst I was always twelfth. Once he had an off day on the courts and at deuce he simply picked up the balls and walked off. A habitual winner who couldn’t bear defeat. As life progressed he went to University, then to Australia. Five years ago, retired, he lived in Bath but he was ill and couldn’t have visitors. Dave died and I was sad. Everything was a competition to him, well, old friend, you’re dead, I’m alive, I’ve won and there is no Best of Three.

Jane: The Parasite: I won the cup today but it was hard to celebrate. It should have been Harry on the podium holding the trophy aloft. He’s one of those people blessed, in class, in all the ball sports. I discovered running in the second year 10,000m my best distance. I felt the rush and surge of winning, of being the best. Then Harry joined me, gave up some of his other sports then began to outpace me. I felt disheartened but he insisted we run together. I took a year out from University but met up with him again. He was squeaky clean, no drinks or drugs. At the inter-varsity athletics they brought in drug testing. It was easy to spike his drink. He broke the record by 3 seconds before being disqualified, sent down his reputation ruined. My plan worked, I won the cup today but somehow don’t feel like celebrating.  

Dick: I Won the Cup: Yes! I won the cup after four hard years of trying at Grafton Manor School for Boys. I’m Daniel, proud to see my name engraved on the cup for cross country running a sport I actually like. Running through long grass, cow pats, often drenched through and freezing cold is not everyone’s idea of a good time. I was pretty good at it, but always finished behind Harry Foster and George Radley despite my best efforts. Another friend suggested if I couldn’t win fairly then I’d have to cheat, but it was not my way. My athletics teacher explained to me how Foster and Radley always won. They conserved their energy until it mattered, He explained the tactics I should employ to defeat them, and by pacing myself, running slower at the start of the race I could beat them – and I did!

Liliane: The Wishing Cup: I won the cup playing tombola at a school fete to raise money for special projects. The four us 15 year olds, Sofia, Grace, Nona and me, Tara, went together. The cup was like a love goblet Grace suggested. Nona thought it could be a wishing cup and Sofia mocked, ‘If you rub it maybe a genie pops out and says, your wish is my command, oh mistress. I suggested we rub it, make a silent wish but keep our wish secret otherwise it won’t come true. Nona went first, rubbed it three times, closed her eyes and made her wish. Next was Grace who repeated the ritual followed by Sofia. Then it was my turn and I wished that Mum and Dad might get together again. At home I placed the cup on my bedside table. Mum and Dad did get back together but Dad got shot by a lunatic. I still have the cup but never made another wish on it. Once was enough! 

Tony: The Things we do for Timothy Whiteboots: This is another of Tony’s wonderful stories, so hard to capture in a short précised form. ‘My name is Timothy Whiteboots,’ he told Sam. ‘I have a job for you to perform. A very simple job.’ Timothy les the way into the large back room and Sam moved towards a large cup standing on a pedestal in the centre of the room. ‘Careful!’ Timothy warned. ‘It would be a disaster if the Kattas Cup was damaged.’ Along the wall by Timothy was a shelf split into twelve section, seven of which were occupied by artefacts. Sam admired one of the jugs and could see the words Holy Grail’ upon the side. ‘I must warn you,’ said Timothy, ‘I believe The Holy Grail to be fake.’ Sure enough, on careful inspection, written on the underside were the words “Made in China” Upon the shelf, seven tablets of ‘Aqua Setzler’ also known as the ‘Tablets of Stummer Kake’. Reputedly a great writer and philosopher from a mythical place called Suffolk...

Dave: A Voice in Her Head: ‘I won the cup...’ Lynne heard the voice in her head. First she thought it was imagination, thought she was going crazy. Recently moved to the country cottage from London she found a job in the Farm Market shop. It was her Utopia – until that damned voice started. Her GP prescribed drugs but she tore up the prescription. When she next heard those words she screamed, ‘What bloody Cup?’ In a wine induced sleep Lynne dreamt of a silver cup. When an elderly lady came to collect some vegetables at work, they began chatting. Mrs Curtis once lived in Lynne’s cottage until her husband Clem died. He had been a bowls enthusiast and won the County Cup. ‘Never saw the going of it,’ she lady said. When Lynne heard those words in her head again and she called out ‘Is that you Clem Curtis?’ Upstairs a door slammed. Investigating, all the doors remained open. She remembered the loft and, for the first time, she climbed up, and discovered the cup in a box. After cleaning it, she saw Clem’s name engraved on it, then handed the cup to Mrs Curtis. For the final time Lynne heard those words, ‘I won the cup.’

Cathy: Making Things Right: ‘I won the cup,’ Harry muttered in his sleep. ‘Indeed you did.’ Arnold thought from the hospital chair staring at a faded photograph in his hand. Visiting time up Arnold’s daughter Julie saw offered him a lift home. ‘Who did you visit?’ she asked but he was alone with his memories. He was lost in thought. Julie pulled up and took him for a cuppa and a natter in a coffee shop where she asked to see the photo. Her Dad opened up, pointed to two faces, ‘Me and Harry. Ended up in the same POW camp and we looked out for each other. We were keen gardeners and we used to have competitions when anything was harvested. One bloke whittled a tiny cup out of a bit of wood. I always won it. But once I cheated. Harry was in sick bay and his produce was better than mine so I entered it as my own. Harry knew he should have won but never said a word. Today I put things right, I gave him the cup Julie. Put it in his hand. I think he knew my voice.’   

Susie H: The Cup: Why do bras have cups? Such a strange word for an item of supporting underwear. What about knickers? Should they not have cup sizes to fit the assortments of shapes and sizes of buttock and, come to that, men’s underpants could follow the suit of cups theme, cups to cup the manjigglies?  Bra designers liken designing a bra to building a bridge as similar forces are at work, including gravity and tangential, divergent forces created when a woman runs or turns her body.  Then determining the size, measurements round the girth and protrusion, bend over and measure the hang to reveal the cup size from delicate AA through to E for enormous, F for Fake and H for Help, ‘I’ve fallen over and can’t get up!’ Perhaps the following would correspond better than A to G sizes, how about thimble, eggcup, teacup, goblet, chalice, Holy Grail, soup bowl, mixing bowl or bucket? Forget burning the bra, fill with compost, stuff with geraniums and hang the things either side of your front door! Stuff the bra! 

Barry: Bad Hair Day: ‘I won the cup,’ our teacher said. ‘It’s your summer holiday assignment.’ My best friend Fifi elbowed me and said we could work together but Miss Knight continued, ‘NO combined stories. No plagiarism, no copying other people’s work and that includes using Google.’ The summer holidays flew by and Sundays became a pj day. On one of these days Aunty Hannah came round as I sat on the sofa watching TV and brushing my long black hair. When I don’t brush it I call it my Witch day. Hannah was a hairdresser who needed a model to enter a hair cutting competition and somehow I became her model. My Nanny bought me a very pretty dress and some high heeled shoes for the catwalk. I sat in the chair and when my hair was cut the judges walked round me before all the finalists and me lined up on stage. There was a long pause before Hannah was announced the winner of the cup. I wrote it up for school and Miss Knight thought it was so good she entered it in a competition and guess what? I won the cup!

Les: I Won the Cup: Our Les provided a poem entitled I won the Cup. It has long been an ambition to see my name on Bill Budner’s pot but can’t reach that noble position and that really hurts a lot. Ages spent at the keyboard, heart and soul in each bit, some beautiful pieces, some happy, some sad but why can’t the voters see the winners work is no better than me! At last it came true, my skill was noted and a publisher has come through to publish all my work, poems, short stories, the lot! There are plans to discuss many topics at interviews on TV and such, I’ll be feted and praised then retreat to my place in the tropics. It’s like a trip on a magical swing, yes, you’ve guessed, dreams are wonderful things!

Suzy G left some short pieces for us at the Library but with time at a premium we were unable to read these out.

Thanks to Caz for supplying the biscuits!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 18^th February here in The Room at The Top. There is a change to the advertised programme – instead of two members reading out extracts of longer work, it was decided everyone can bring in a piece of their own favourite work be it stories, poetry, fact or fiction. The choice is yours! The only stipulation is that the maximum word count remains at 1,000. The meeting will start promptly at 7.30pm.

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!