For Writers

By Writers

Ascriber / Writers Eyes Workshop - 3.

Small is Beautiful

Skip the Workshop take me straight to the submissions

`And now for something completely different.'

We are asking for literally a very short piece of writing from this workshop and as examples we actually had a very quick go ourselves.

Prose writers

We want a mini saga! For the uninitiated, this a complete story with a beginning, a middle and an end written in exactly 50 words, plus no more than 17 words in the title. Our rules are that regular abbreviations, for example; `did not' written as `didn't' count as one word. A half word (as in the first example) also counts as one word. Careful manipulation of the title can be used to tell part of the story for example the setting but don't forget, it is meant to be a title. One little bit of advice do not believe the word count on your word processor, but hand count your words.

Examples from the team:

Suckers of the World Unite

"Free home trial," the man says as he demonstrates the latest in computerised vacuum cleaner technology. "Sit back, watch as it controls itself."

I sit and try it. It gobbles dirt from the carpet, then the man, my dog, and looks at me. I look at it. "Where's the swi..

* * *

Every Witch Way

My old friend Joe Clutterbuck always loved adventure and went to live with the pygmy witch doctors, eventually becoming their spiritual leader. On returning, he hired somebody to write his life story and invited me to meet his ghost writer. It did seem strange shaking hands with a Ouija board!

* * *

Pleasant Feelings Upon Completion of a Mini Saga

"Finished at last, just one more count. One, two, three, looks good, four, five, six, where was I? seven, eight, two more is ten and five is fifteen. Good story, should be, it took long enough. Five is thirty, or is it twenty? three lines of ten, then one. Oops!"

* * *

Friends Beneath The Surface

Young men, energetic, full of fun, their lives just started left home to meet young men, energetic, full of fun, their lives also starting. They met, they fought, they died, they were left behind. The fields are flat but beneath lie young men, energetic, full of fun, their lives departed.

Poets

Have you tried Haiku, the traditional Japanese Poetry - and we mean as written by the 17th century Japanese poet Basho.

It is written (for the uninitiated) in three lines with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in the third. Traditionally the poetry also refers to a season of the year but we'll waive that if you wish.

With modern haiku we tend to change the syllable rule to accomodate Western languages but tough, the idea of this workshop is to make you think so we want 5 - 7 - 5.

Examples of Basho's Haiku :

On high narrow road
old traveller clears wide swath
tiny scythe glinting.

Old and quiet sound
suddenly a frog pops in
a deep water sound.

If you happen to be a poet who prefers rhyming poetry then we've got a special challenge for you:

Write a rhyming poem of three lines with three words in each (don't worry how many syllables).

Here's some we prepared earlier:

Black bat flies
through darkened skies
aurally replacing eyes

With fixed scowl
on woodland prowl
silent assassinating owl

We have got a few more but we daren't display them!

So there you are e-mail your submissions to our writing group submissions address and we don't mind if you attempt both prose or poetry.

Limitation:- No more than three mini saga's and no more than five poems.

Prose Submissions

No Trespassing
by Eleanor Dixon

She couldn't resist exploring the deserted house. The old man grabbed her and locked her in.
Police, family, local services - all looking for her.   Marcie found her.
The man was defiant. 'I only wanted her to catch the mice,' he mumbled, as she snuggled into Marcie's safe embrace and purred.

Comments

Really clever idea. What a twist in the tale (or should that be tail?).
Wilson Irving

It was Logical

by John Williams

Tom used to distil whiskey in his barn, but gave it up. Twenty years later his dusty unused still was discovered by the police. Defending himself he said he did not use it. Found guilty of possessing the necessary equipment, he pleaded guilty to Rape as well.

Comments

You've to think about this but I like it. And it's true, in theory, isn't it? Any way it brought a smile. Good work.
Wilson Irving

The Queen's Secret
by Stuart McDonald

Lucinda was looking for a suitable prince as a husband. “These are my sons,” said the King. “Archibald, Bertram, Cuthbert, Damien and Edgar.” “Aren’t they sweet,” said Lucinda, “but they’re rather young.” She gave them each a kiss, whereupon they all turned into tadpoles. Except Edgar. But that’s another story.

Comments

I liked The Queen's Secret. Unfortunately, it left me waiting for the next installment; what happened to Edgar? If the reader is left wanting more of your work, then you must be doing something right.
Janis Robertson

One Small Step...
by Janis M Robertson

Anna edged towards the open door. Freedom lay beyond it, if only she dared grasp to it. She had dreamed of this moment for years, but now she was afraid.
For the first time, she’d be truly on her own. One more step.
‘Wow!’ Anna squealed as her parachute opened.

Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed this. The clever way the tension is built up is brilliant.
Wilson Irving

End Game
by Wilson Irving

It had to end quickly now. He was surrounded. They were staring at him. Everyone was tense. He hunched over his weapon. Carefully, as the missile flew towards him, he struck out. It ended then, amid a loud explosion of cheering: he'd hit a six. He had won the match.

Comments will be posted here

Eyewitness
by Karen Deaton

Sarah rubbed her tired eyes, searching the photos. “It was so dark… “ Then, a familiar face. “That’s him!” she gasped. “The man with the gun!” “If you’re sure,“ the officer said, “sign here and we’ll bring him in.” She looked at him. "You mean THEM. I want my daughter back!"

Comments will be posted here

Poetry Submissions

Comments

Absolutely excellent
Steve Fowell