Challenges found on the Internet, or elsewhere
So what is the point of NaNoWriMo? And why aren’t I doing it this year?
This year, I have said “no” to NaNo. For a number of reasons. My current work load is pretty overwhelming. The NHS project I have been working on for 5 years is coming to a climax and I am in the second year of my BA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck University with deadlines for assignments looming.
So, no NaNo for me this year. I’m feeling sad and angry and left-out, and even somewhat Continue reading “No NaNoWriMo this year”
Yesterday evening I joined an enthusiastic group of student poets in Cambridge House, Camberwell. This was a reading-aloud poetry evening, part of Birkbeck University’s ‘Try It!’ programme. The theme for the evening was ‘Journeys’.
I am not sure if any actual members of the public were there – the audience seemed to consist mainly of poets and their friends. But it was a great evening with a wide range of fantastic poems, and Continue reading “Tried it. Read it. Done it. Survived”
At the moment I feel like I am standing on the tracks and waiting for a train crash to happen.
I don’t consider myself to be a poet. But I did write some poems last term as part of my BA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck University. And, in a moment of madness, I volunteered to read one of my poems at an evening poetry session.
Why? Well, the theme of the session is ‘Journeys’ and I had a poem that was about a journey. And I have set myself the challenge of always trying to respond to a new writing challenge. And, to be honest, I thought there would be numerous volunteers and I could happily stand down. But, no, I was the only one from my poetry group who responded with “Yes, I can read one of my poems out”.
Then it turns out we need to bring two poems to read. Not just one.
So, on Saturday, I will be reading a couple of my not-very-good poems out loud in front of a (hopefully) small audience at Cambridge House in Camberwell. If you are passing by and fancy a free glass of wine and nibbles, do drop in. The other poets are much better than me and you will enjoy it. We kick off at 6pm.
(Further information can be found on the Birkbeck Web site.)
Tomorrow I am going to my first ever fiction festival – Alt.Fiction – in Leicester. This weekend festival is for readers and writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror.
For some reason, and it seemed like a good idea at the time, I have signed myself up for the Flash Fiction Open Mic segment. I get three minutes to recite a story, extract or poem in front of a wonderful audience of like-minded people.
How difficult can that be?
Well, my story is neither science fiction, nor fantasy, nor even horror. But I did enjoy writing it and I hope it gets a laugh.
Will report back on how it went, if I survive. (Do people bring tomatoes to these events?)
TEAMWORK was the challenge set. Despite being chosen to be an Olympic Storyteller, I really have very little personal interest in sports. How do I set about writing a story on teamwork with a sporting theme?
Connection was the topic for the latest Olympic Storyteller challenge.
I have to confess, despite being chosen to be an Olympic Storyteller, I really have very little personal interest in sports. And when I do something sporting, I usually choose an activity where my efforts are solitary. Not for me the team spirit of the hockey field, netball court or relay race. I am more inclined to go for long walks on my own, ski a slope in splendid isolation, or play a game against a computer opponent.
So Connection? How do I set about writing a story on the connecting power of sport? Continue reading “Telling Stories – Olympic style.”
Ruth Livingstone 