Sunday 25 April 2010

new idea

I'm working towards writing something that ends with the line,
'. . . as though surfacing from a dream' although I don't know how I'm going to get there yet. I am, however, determined not to write about girls or kissing again, because, juvenile that I am, I know I write about that sort of thing too much. Still, its probably going to take a while to work around to something, but hopefully when I get there it will be fresh / interesting.
I also want to include the line, 'like the water at the top of the mountain, where the rivers just a child', and possibly follow it up with 'like the water dreams of the ocean when it gets too tired.'
Finally, had some reassuring and constructions responses to my short story, 'Sherriff Woods', so am trying to find a moment to go through and edit it into a second draft.

So, that's everything for now.

Tuesday 20 April 2010

Short story submission

I have just now submitted an old short story of mine called 'Adam' to Dr Samantha Matthews from Sheffield University for their online creative writing, Route 57. When writing it I tried to engage with something a little deeper than just writing a story, but I feel silly saying what that was and would probably sound really pretentious, or just like a prick.
Let's hope she enjoys reading it, but I think, considering the numerous emails they've been sending out about extending the deadline for submission and PLEASE SUBMIT WORK OH GOD PLEASE SUBMIT WORK I think I stand a pretty good chance of it being included.
Anyway, I'll post again when I hear back from them, for now here's the opening paragraph, perhaps I'll post a bit more if they accept it . . .


It rained. Adam stood by the side of the grave as it rained and felt the moisture advancing through the layers of his suit. It infiltrated the tight cotton weave of his unpressed shirt to rest against the skin of his shoulders and back, and he allowed his eyes to peer through the rain streaked lenses of his thick-framed glasses around at the collected mourners. Black umbrellas shielded dresses of black and he thought of the seeming impropriety of the service’s solemnity, considering his father’s nature. He had not been a religious man, and had asked to be burned in a boat on the sea like a Viking: he had said theirs was a noble race, and he would like to walk in the halls of their dead. However, in the presence of his newly-devout-catholic sister, Adam observed a Christian burial, committing his father into the hands of her God. He felt the priest’s words as they vibrated the air around his head and in his ears, where a multitude of small bones vibrated in kind, like a thousand tiny hands tapping a message in Morse-code. This sent an impulse to his brain which told him a man was talking about his father.

Monday 19 April 2010

p.s.

I have now finished 'Sherriff Woods', and I've sent it to around ten people who expressed and interest in reading it via facebook. Once I hear back from them with their feedback I'll collect all the responses in a post on here.

'An evening of poetry.'

Had an excellent time at the reading on saturday, which went very well.
There was a high standard of poetry from all involved, and it was nice to get to meet more poetry enthusiasts.
I think the next event on the horizon is an open mic run by 'speak easy' at the Hallam union, though I'm not sure when that is exactly. Once I find out and if I decide to read I may just post one of the poems I decide to read on here.
Over and out.

Thursday 15 April 2010

Reading on Saturday

Looking forward to the reading at Firth Hall (one ofthe University's buildings) this Saturday. Thinking about what I might read, and am struggling a little to decide.
I don't want to read any of the ones I've read before, so am going through all the ones I have and trying to pick a couple. I'd better do it soon or I won't have time to memorise any of them, as I'd like to do at least one from memory. This is one I'm contemplating doing, called, 'Like Rain.' I think its quite likely I'll do this one as I already know it by heart.

Red from the resheathing sun
Bled into the clouds
As though from the wound it left behind
Dissecting the day.

The new bruised sky that welcomed night
was reflected in your expectant eyes
as your lips made the shape of a kiss
closing round the 'o' in my name.

Like rain, falling on thirsty ground,
I laid my hand on the side of your face,
Kissed its delicate curve,
Kissed and kissed again.

I hope you enjoyed it.

Sunday 11 April 2010

Workworkwork

Having to put writing a little on hold at the moment while I work on some essays for University. Back to the writing grindstone later this week.

Friday 9 April 2010

Sherriff Woods

Written a little more than 3000 words of my short story now, pretty pleased with it and having a good time. So far, 2 toy story references and one o brother where art thou reference, so good times!
I've given a 1600 words version to a friend, will post their response when I get it back.
Once its done and I've sent it in I'll see about posting the first chunk on here or something.
Woopwoop.

Friday 2 April 2010

Sherriff Woods

Been working on my short story for the competition, I don't really know if it's any good, but I'm having a lot of run writing it. Here's the first little bit (the very first part, up to "seldome deserve it") we had to use, it was part of the competition guidelines or whatever.

“In my experience those who beg for mercy seldom deserve it” he told me.
“I just say, my name is Sherriff Noah Woods, my word is the law and you are under arrest.” And that is what he would say, I saw him ’rrestin’ many a crooked soul right out there on the street, and every time they would say, “have mercy, Sherriff!” he would just repeat that line and throw ‘em in a cell.