writing – Page 22 – Ruth Livingstone

The Swing

Every time I visit, I wonder why I don’t do this more often.
I should be able to manage a story a day!

I really love the 6 Minute Story site.

Every time I visit, I wonder why I don’t do this more often. In fact, I was disappointed to see I’ve only written six stories on the 6 Minute Story site! I should be able to manage a story a day.

Today I chose, as I usually do, the random prompt.

As soon as the prompt is revealed, you have six minutes to enter your story in the text box. There is a timer that counts you down. After six minutes, the box freezes and you can type no more.

The random prompt today was ‘Swing’. I started with a mental image of a little girl on a swing and the story just flowed from there. Of course it would benefit from further editing, but I was quite pleased with my 6 minute story.

You can read it here: The Swing

No NaNoWriMo this year

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”

Getting down to writing – not!

My Birkbeck term ended a few weeks ago. I planned to use the free evenings (Monday and Wednesday were ‘school’ evenings) to write, write and write some more – no longer do I have the distractions of assignments, prescribed reading, etc.

What have I done since the end of term?

I have done the following: Continue reading “Getting down to writing – not!”

Tried it. Read it. Done it. Survived

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”

Try It! (Reading poetry out loud)

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.)