This is a article first posted on my external blog, A Pencil Is Best. In the writing universe, November is NaNoWriMo - it's a chance for writers to concentrate on their work in progress. Here, I look at an alternative of doing different writing-related activities, and reflect on their meaning.
When I persuaded my friend and editor to take part in one of YeahWrite's fiction/poetry grids, I was pleased for a number of reasons. His Views From Home were a masterclass in writing a kimo, i
My kettle died the other day, just as I was desperate for that morning hot drink. Irritating, but easily solved by buying another one. When my laptop died yesterday evening, that was something else again. Even my not very technical brain could understand something serious had happened from the error messages that appeared on the screen.
Fortunately it's still under warranty, just. A phone call to the seller's helpline confirmed my suspicion that the hard drive was fried. Great ... I
About this time last year, I announced the start of my off-site blog, A Pencil Is Best. it's anniversary time, and I thought I'd report back. Is it still going? would be my first question in your shoes. Yes, it is, and doing pretty well. When I started out, I had no idea how I would generate enough material to keep a blog going. Although I have to say, part of that came from the idea that I had to post x number of things over a certain period for the blog to justify itself. I'm over that now, th
In a moment of January madness, I decided to inflict my writing on the wider, virtual public by starting a blog on WordPress. I already blog on there in a work capacity, but this is rather different. This is me (as northie) putting myself out there in a very crowded arena. I'm under no illusions about the amount of attention it'll garner, but I think it's worth a whirl. A Pencil Is Best serves both to display my writing, but also to promote the community here. If it results in additional interes
And beta-readers, for that matter.
My editor and I had a slight blip a couple of months ago. I was about to publish my second prompt response when I realised that my main character changed his name halfway through. Neither of us had noticed. In the same prompt, I committed a style faux-pas which had also passed my editor by. He wasn’t impressed with himself and suggested that the next blog post I wrote, should be used to comment on his editorial abilities. So, I’m doing so, just not quite in
On the way to read a partiular poem here on GA, I got side-tracked and read another instead. It was a piece of blank verse and as I read it, I thought I'd like to give it a go. As a rank amateur writer of verses, it was a bit presumptious, perhaps, for me to think that - I have given it my best go but I realise that may not be good enough ... All comments are welcomed. As ever, I thank Parker Owens for his patient assistance. However, all deficiencies are mine, and nobody else's.
This
Another Last Post Wins entry. I am no longer queen - I have been usurped To welcome our new monarch, Valkyrie, I wrote the following to help her pass the time as she's recovering from an operation.
[A bunch of hacks are waiting in a palace anteroom for a press briefing to start. They look engaged but not exactly riveted. The door opens and their eyes all swivel, focussing on the individual who enters. The (now ex-) queen walks up to the podium - she is dressed regally but lacks one vital it
This is the second (and concluding) part to my ballad which I wrote to cheer a friend up. If you haven't read part 1, you can find it here: http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/blog/664/entry-16410-the-bards-pursuit-1-an-l-p-w-ballad/ As a reminder, it's loosely based on elements of Last Post Wins, a popular game here on GA. I had enormous fun writing this and I hope you enjoy it.
The bard's pursuit (Part 2)
The bard he came straight to the Queen
And found her quite alone.
Her
A friend has had a trying August (his words) - so, to cheer him up, I started writing this ballad. It is loosely based on elements of Last Post Wins, a popular game on GA. It is a fun piece with the consistency of a meringue and the emotional depth of a puddle
The bard's pursuit (Part 1)
A grasping bard did gold desire,
He plotted all the while.
He drained his cup all through the night
And thought with all his guile.
One cool, bright morn he hurried forth
And thou
