Back from Morecambe

Returned from 4 days in Morecambe staying at the splendid home of my friend Sal. Weather wasn't perfect but that didn't stop us visiting Arnside  and Grange over Sands.
Arnside has a bore, quicksand, nice gift shops and tea rooms. I was sure I was going to disappear into quicksand when I walked on the grassy part of Arnside's beach but then I am a Drama Queen.

Grange has a long promenade with lots of benches that bear plaques. Some after reading made us want to ask questions or make up stories. We had a lovely lunch whilst the rain came down in torrents.

Had afternoon tea at The Midland Hotel, Morecambe, fabulous food sitting on the sun terrace looking over the jetty. Bought souvenirs for the family. 

I read Sal's novel and can't understand why it hasn't been picked up by an agent. It's well written and a great story. All in all 5* holiday. Thanks Sal.

Flash Mob

Here is a link to Flash Mob.... tomorrow I'll find out if the story 'Rise and Fall' on this blog is a winner. Love it to be but I think it probably won't as its an international competition attracting lots of entries
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http://flashmob2013.wordpress.com/

Flash-fiction Day, this year is on 22nd June, please read all the little amazing stories.
http://t.co/7lv636z45q   My story 'The Chair' will be on at 9am

Rise and Fall

A story I have written for International Flash Fiction day.

Rise and Fall 

At last the blood has gone. I’ve scrubbed myself raw to get rid of the last remnants of you off my skin. I slather on copious amounts of body lotion, breathe in the heady perfume. I’ve always thought it would happen. One of us would fall and the other rise.  But just not like this. 

I’ve always envied you. You wearing the latest fashions, coming first in every exam, in every race.  My father looking at you in the way he shouldn’t. He’d always look around to see if anyone had clocked him. I always did. It wasn’t your fault that I was a bit slow, a bit plain and to be fair you were always nice to me, letting me wear your clothes in secret.  

When you moved in next door, just the two of you, I used to think that maybe we could be friends one day. Go out arm in arm laughing and joking together like friends do. But no my father saw to that with his looks and innuendoes. His decision to marry your mother put paid to that, his bad judgements always ruined things.  

My shins hurt where you kicked me. My arms hurting, where you tried to restrain me. The bruises are beginning to show. When I call the police they are going to take photos of my bloodshot eye and my bleeding nose and all the marks you inflicted on me. 

They are going to ask me lots of probing questions. I’ve rehearsed my answers over and over again. I have to convince them. The body, lifeless in the corner, the bread knife sticking out at an odd angle. What will I tell you Step sister? How will I explain about your mother’s cruelty? 

 

Maybe I am a writer ????

I'm still in shock. Received an e-mail telling me my flash-fiction 'Penitence' is going to be published in the NFFD 2013 Anthology http://t.co/CHB04FRHBD and my other story 'Salsa' is shortlisted for 1000words flash-fiction competition http://t.co/NByphFs3r7

It's all happening now I've turned sixty :)

99words published another one of my little tales 'Vanity' on their new site  http://t.co/MnOANddZJi
Had a couple of nice encouraging comments.

Vanity 

“I didn’t hear any of that. Did you Betty?”

I shook my head. My hearing wasn’t as sharp as it used to be.

I was too vain to ask the Doctor to speak up. George was too vain to wear his hearing aids. 

“Do you think it was bad?”

I shook my head. He looked alright. He still made me mad with his forgetfulness and whinging on about his aches and pains. I always thought I was going to be a merry widow but he’d see me out for sure.   

We both missed the Doctor saying it was terminal.

 

 

 

My friend Tessa always asks is it a happy story? Sorry Tess this one isn't .... but Salsa and Penitence both are. :) 

How Old?

On Friday, the last day of May I will enter my sixties. I'm feeling uneasy, why I don't know? I have never before bothered about the big '0' birthdays apart from when I was about to be twenty and I would never be a teenager again. Then, I shed tears.

Is it because the majority of my life is behind me? God willing I might have a good 30 years in front of me, both my parents are 87 and only now are they showing signs of age. I have been reminded that I should count myself lucky to get to this age, many people don't.

So on Friday I will wake in Brighton, enjoy a hearty breakfast in the hotel, walk on the pier, shop in the Lanes, people watch in the cafes. Speak on the phone to my son in Poland, my daughter and grandson here in the Midlands and look forward to my next big 0 birthday. The next ten years I promise myself will be as interesting as the last thirty.  

Walking to Work

Wow... I'm thrilled, my story Walking to Work has been long listed for the WoWfest http://t.co/naiCbqhuN9 .... Twenty stories will be whittled down to ten on Wednesday evening, 8th May 2013 and will be read on the night and the winner announced. Unfortunately as the evening happens in Liverpool and I live in the Midlands I wont be able to attend. It will be a great night I'm sure and I'm sad to miss it. If I am short-listed I hope someone will read it for me :)

I'll let you know the winner as soon as I know. Good luck to the other nineteen Long-Lister's.

Not a winner but they want my Flash-Fiction

Nice surprise in my e-mail box this morning. I'd entered a flash-fiction competition and already knew I hadn't been placed. But they want to publish my little 99 words on their new social network site which they hope should be up and running in May. I'm so thrilled when any of my little tales are thought worthy of being published. When its online I'll post a link.

My friend Tessa keeps saying "Please write a happy story". Sorry Tessa this one isn't a happy one either :)