northie

Backslide, as in? Geoff's embarrassment isn't going to evaporate overnight. That's just him. Love your social media advice. Now, will Tony take it?

Geoff's eyes suddenly snapped open. All his senses alert. What had woken him up? He listened for a moment. Silence. He couldn't be bothered to sit up and look around in the sort of half-light created by heavy curtains. Typical, he now felt wide awake. It'd taken him long enough to get to sleep in the first place. Concerts always did that to him. Whole segments of the bloody Walton, playing on a loop in his head. Wait … There was something else. The room was different. The bed … Someone ly

My characters can get quite sweary on occasion because that's how some men (and women) in the UK can be. To expect all characters to speak 'properly' would've been ridiculous. I'm usually pretty cautious how I rate my stories so I think I'm covered. I don't think I've ever used a swear word in a topic post. Why would I want or need to? Never, ever racist language.

I loved the idea of our old TV shows wending their way across zillions of light years until they reach alien civilisations. Thanks, tim. Really enjoyed it.

Thanks, Kitt. I've used the link on the 'available website' part of my profile / writing profile. I've seen other members here doing that.

@BHopper2 @Defiance19 Thanks, both. Much appreciated. GA will always have first call on my writing though.

Even before reading any stories, this theme would've been perfect for me. Silence fascinates me. Maybe I'll go off and write something anyway.

@mogwhy @sandrewn @Parker Owens Thank you all for your support and encouragement. You make me feel a little less like a solitary drop in the ocean that is WordPress.

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 interest for GA, I will be very happy. In addition to republishing a number of my shorts from here, I hope to be using some of the prompts available from other bloggers. Although I have to say, my current writing time is pretty much taken up already. I'll see. From time to time, I'll also be using the blog to give form to some of the many thoughts about writing and the creative process which swim around my head. So if you're already a WordPress denizen, or you simply pass through occasionally, please stop by to say hi. By just going to the site, I will know someone has looked at it (and believe me, that'll be something worthy of note ), or if you're feeling adventurous, anyone may leave a comment. However, there is one significant proviso: you can call yourself whatever you want as the name to go with the comment, but it will only be accepted if you give a valid email address. As the 'owner' of the blog, I see that address along with the comment (it is never displayed publicly). I realise that might be a significant disincentive, but still ... As the title says, I'm venturing forth. What will result? Who knows ...

@Reader1810 @Timothy M. Deleted it on my laptop, no problem ... *sigh* Must remember to do it only on the laptop.

Been there, tried that - certainly on my tablet I can't find a way of deleting it. Not that my tablet can find, tried that previously as well. I'll try on my laptop later on. Thanks both.

Yeah, it was just a link to that particular story which then transformed itself into what you see. I can't see the original link, only what's displayed. It's hardly urgent, just irritating. I thought I'd change it to something else and ....

Thanks, Tim, but I know the theory fine. It's just the kind of signature I currently have won't go away. I can't delete, overwrite or do anything else to it.

I'm probably being dim here, but I can't work out how to change my signature. I know where to go to change it, but I can't seem to delete my current one. Android tablet using Chrome.

Thanks, Carlos. I'm glad this opening chapter made such a good impression. Social isolation, particularly of older people, is one of our modern scourges.

Every now and again, I forget, and it's the first thing my editor picks up on. I'm getting better, but still tends to happen in chapters where I'm having to think hard about other aspects ...

A situation made more difficult by not being in an urban area, where there was at least a chance of living some sort of life, and being true to yourself. Eric's story will be continuing. Thanks for reading.

I'm pleased it made such a connection with you, Val. Adult social care and how to pay for it is a hot topic on this side of the pond, with no easy, obvious answers.

@droughtquake Social isolation can happen to all sorts of people for a wide variety of reasons. Loneliness in old age is depressingly common. Eric is at least trying to take his first steps towards changing that. Thanks for reading, drought.

multidimensional character? Thank you! Certainly, I have little interest in creating two-dimensional, stock characters. It is too easy to lose yourself in the business of survival, instead of taking time to live your life.

I'm not sure content is a word I would use about Eric. Perhaps more a resigned acceptance that his life is what it is. Until of course, he makes that phone call. Pressures on adult social care budgets mean that provision is being denied people on a daily basis. Thanks for reading, Tim.

Yes, and no. I think of Eric as coming from a background where no-one paid him much attention, or gave him support. In a small, rural town, it is easy to feel isolated if nothing much changes around you, and you've already decided that you don't fit in. Thanks for reading.

Renee's still doing this blog, I'm posting the prompts into the topic / forum. Photo prompts would be good occasionally. I know tim @Mikiesboy suggested one of my photos ... I've never seen a photo prompt. Maybe Renee would give it some thought?

From now on, I shall be helping Renée post the prompts into the topic. There's a bit of a backlog which I shall gradually catch up with.

A lonely, older man has spent his life hiding his sexuality. One day, by chance, this changes. Then a young man arrives to help him widen his horizons, as he slowly comes to terms with life as a gay man.