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Writers' Bloc - Creative Writing Off Topic Thread

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  • #1232
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Yeah, that's a nice deadline I think I can hit but the utter lack of constraints - even a simple wordcount - is itself daunting. Will have to have a good think about direction. Maybe with such a broad horizon I can try that experimental piece ha.


  • #1233
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    km85264 wrote: »
    That's probably worth a tenner, though it's hard to know what they'll be looking for : "We set no limits on length or presentation and allow combinations of prose and poetry as well as dialectic and colloquial speech patterns, unusual grammatical formulation and anastrophe."
    Still, all you can do is send your best work, then find the next competition.

    I thought I was having a stroke whilst trying to understand what they were after :pac:

    Manchester Prize is closing tomorrow at 5pm. It's steep at £18, but if you have your McManus stories hanging around, it's an option.
    https://www.mmu.ac.uk/writingcompetition/fiction-prize/

    The Galley Beggar press one is closing on the 30th
    £10 entry with 6,000 word limit.
    https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/prize


    A heap open up in December usually.


  • #1234
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Yeah, same; I read the Competition "rules" and had to go over it again, sure I missed some obvious notes about word counts & subjects. Hey ho.

    Been trying to think of more off-kilter ideas and it's really hard! It's interesting to realise your own limitations and natural biases. A lifetime of cinema obsession means my mental narratives and ideas tend towards the melodramatic or set-piece driven. Not so much conceptual flights of literary fancy.


  • #1235
    pixelburp
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 35,941 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Got the bare bones of an idea for the Wordsmiths comp.: not a particularly experimental one but I'm going to go for a slightly different execution if I can. The total lack of a word-limit or theme is oddly limiting but my idea seems like it should settle in at the 2,000 word-count.


  • #1236
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    I have, at long last, submitted the final edit of my poetry manuscript with Revival Press/Limerick Writers Centre. Looks like I'll have my debut collection out in time for Christmas!


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  • #1237
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    Insect Overlord wrote: »
    So on Thursday afternoon, by pure coincidence, I bumped into the very man I wanted to see.

    We chatted for a few minutes before I casually dropped it into the conversation that I've been working on something. He's interested in seeing it, both the electronic copy of the document and the printed prototype. There's a possibility of this becoming a book before the end of 2018. Exciting times!

    This was in May 2018. LOL.


  • #1238
    km85264
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭km85264


    Insect Overlord wrote: »
    I have, at long last, submitted the final edit of my poetry manuscript with Revival Press/Limerick Writers Centre. Looks like I'll have my debut collection out in time for Christmas!

    Delighted to hear it


  • #1239
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    km85264 wrote: »
    Delighted to hear it

    Cheers!

    It's been an amazing learning experience. Every time I thought I had the thing perfect, I got feedback that showed me just how much more room there was for improvement.

    Maybe Pickarooney was right to be so harsh when I started posting here 14 years ago! :P


  • #1240
    km85264
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭km85264


    Sometimes you need to get a stark lesson in how to improve. Perhaps stark more than harsh :-)


  • #1241
    Scuid Mhór
    Registered Users Posts: 2,326 ✭✭✭Scuid Mhór


    Congratulations @Insect Overlord, that sounds fantastic! I look forward to reading it.

    For all the rest of you, I think I'm going to have to tap out this month and next -- circumstances in my life have shifted dramatically in the last couple of days (nothing serious, don't worry) so I won't have time to write properly again until December or so. I look forward to writing something for a competition then. Although I suppose I could always just submit one of the stories I've written before but I feel like writing competitions are more fun when you are writing something fresh for them.

    @km I'll get back to you on your story when I've had a proper chance to sit down, read it and think about it. Thanks again for sending it on.


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  • #1242
    km85264
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭km85264


    Scuid Mhór wrote: »
    Congratulations @Insect Overlord, that sounds fantastic! I look forward to reading it.

    For all the rest of you, I think I'm going to have to tap out this month and next -- circumstances in my life have shifted dramatically in the last couple of days (nothing serious, don't worry) so I won't have time to write properly again until December or so. I look forward to writing something for a competition then. Although I suppose I could always just submit one of the stories I've written before but I feel like writing competitions are more fun when you are writing something fresh for them.

    @km I'll get back to you on your story when I've had a proper chance to sit down, read it and think about it. Thanks again for sending it on.

    Hope all goes well with you. Keep on writing, it's very good for the head, just do it for the enjoyment.
    Don't worry about getting back to me :-)


  • #1243
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    Scuid Mhór wrote: »
    Congratulations @Insect Overlord, that sounds fantastic! I look forward to reading it.

    I got the electronic files to preview/proof-read last night. I love the cover! They used the photograph I wanted for the front and cropped it beautifully. :) I'll have to blog about this stage of the process when it's all done.


  • #1244
    Livvie
    Registered Users Posts: 714 ✭✭✭Livvie


    Insect Overlord wrote: »
    I have, at long last, submitted the final edit of my poetry manuscript with Revival Press/Limerick Writers Centre. Looks like I'll have my debut collection out in time for Christmas!

    Congratulations.

    Poetry is special - harder (imo) than straightforward story-telling.


  • #1245
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    Looks like an online launch is the only option for the book. At the moment it's scheduled for the same afternoon as the All-Ireland hurling final. :pac: I'm happy to share the link if anybody would like to tune in.

    If not, "Inside Out" is still available for pre-order at https://limerickwriterscentre.com/product/inside-out-available-to-pre-order-now/ :)


  • #1246
    km85264
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭km85264


    Insect Overlord wrote: »
    Looks like an online launch is the only option for the book. At the moment it's scheduled for the same afternoon as the All-Ireland hurling final. :pac: I'm happy to share the link if anybody would like to tune in.

    If not, "Inside Out" is still available for pre-order at https://limerickwriterscentre.com/product/inside-out-available-to-pre-order-now/ :)

    I’m not sure if I’ll be available but please pass the link on. I hope you have a fantastic day, you deserve the reward after all your work.


  • #1247
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Huge congratulations Insect Overlord. It must be so satisfying to hold it in your hands after all that work.


    My Stinging Fly story was published today. I am chuffed.

    https://stingingfly.org/2020/12/04/magnetic/


  • #1248
    km85264
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭km85264


    Das Kitty wrote: »
    Huge congratulations Insect Overlord. It must be so satisfying to hold it in your hands after all that work.


    My Stinging Fly story was published today. I am chuffed.

    https://stingingfly.org/2020/12/04/magnetic/

    Beautiful story, Michelle, wonderfully written. I've been trying to get into Stinging Fly for over a decade and yet to get there. Congratulations!!


  • #1249
    Livvie
    Registered Users Posts: 714 ✭✭✭Livvie


    Insect Overlord wrote: »
    Looks like an online launch is the only option for the book. At the moment it's scheduled for the same afternoon as the All-Ireland hurling final. :pac: I'm happy to share the link if anybody would like to tune in.

    If not, "Inside Out" is still available for pre-order at https://limerickwriterscentre.com/product/inside-out-available-to-pre-order-now/ :)

    I've taken the liberty of tweeting this - I'm assuming you are ok with that, but just let me know if not. It looks awesome.


  • #1250
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    Livvie wrote: »
    I've taken the liberty of tweeting this - I'm assuming you are ok with that, but just let me know if not. It looks awesome.

    No problem at all, and thank you! I was lucky to have a friend from my college days who takes beautiful photos and who was happy to let me use one for the cover. :)


  • #1251
    echo beach
    Registered Users Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭echo beach


    Das Kitty wrote: »

    My Stinging Fly story was published today. I am chuffed.

    https://stingingfly.org/2020/12/04/magnetic/

    You have reason to be chuffed. That is a story to be proud of even if it never got published. It held my attention from the first line and I now so want to go there.


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  • #1252
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    echo beach wrote: »
    You have reason to be chuffed. That is a story to be proud of even if it never got published. It held my attention from the first line and I now so want to go there.

    Thank you! :)


    I want to go back there too. Might be dangerous though :pac:


  • #1253
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    By the way, EVERYONE GO AND READ AND VOTE on our VOAT

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2058138677


  • #1254
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    km85264 wrote: »
    Beautiful story, Michelle, wonderfully written. I've been trying to get into Stinging Fly for over a decade and yet to get there. Congratulations!!

    Thanks K!

    Yeah, I still can't believe it. I've been at it a similar amount of time. I've reached the peak now, I can retire!


  • #1255
    echo beach
    Registered Users Posts: 1,252 ✭✭✭echo beach


    Das Kitty wrote: »
    Thanks K!

    Yeah, I still can't believe it. I've been at it a similar amount of time. I've reached the peak now, I can retire!

    When you reach one peak there is always another one in the distance. You have to keep going. You can’t retire now. Your fans are waiting for more!


  • #1256
    Sheridan81
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,429 ✭✭✭Sheridan81


    Congratulations on the Stinging Fly publication, Das Kitty. Good story, interesting theme, the lines

    "His lips were making a prayer of my name."

    &

    "There’s a glacier wedged on top that has a little curl of ice jutting up at its peak, like a buried woman’s finger beckoning the sky."

    Really stood out.


  • #1257
    Scuid Mhór
    Registered Users Posts: 2,326 ✭✭✭Scuid Mhór


    Das Kitty wrote: »
    Huge congratulations Insect Overlord. It must be so satisfying to hold it in your hands after all that work.


    My Stinging Fly story was published today. I am chuffed.

    https://stingingfly.org/2020/12/04/magnetic/

    This is amazing, Das Kitty, well done!

    Between having writers here who have been shortlisted for the RTE Short Story Competition or had their own poetry collections published or have been published in The Stinging Fly (among other unrevealed accolades I'm sure), I think we should do what we can to keep this thread alive. It's nice to have something like this in the cybersphere with likeminded people.

    And speaking of The Stinging Fly, did anyone submit during their latest round there? For the first time, I submitted both poetry and fiction. No expectations though, given the lockdown I wouldn't be surprised if they received thousands of submissions.


  • #1258
    Insect Overlord
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 30,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    I think I've written a grand total of 2 new poems since September. I had a great rhythm going for a big chunk of the summer (reading and writing) but fell out of that again after a change of accommodation. I also burned myself out a bit with two big writing projects.

    A well-respected Limerick poet mentored me with the first draft of my book back in 2018. I assumed back then that he'd be impressed with it once I followed most of his feedback. He recommended a couple of good books for advice on writing as well. I asked him to do a preview on my "final" draft last summer and he sent me back another big pile of new advice! :D Most of it was very effective, to be fair to him, and really helped me to strengthen the collection again before it was published.

    I also chanced my arm with the adults' poetry collection contest at the Comórtais an Oireachtais. They extended their deadline for entries by a week or two, so, at the last minute, I compiled a set of 40 poems that I thought worked well together. Most of them were in English so I spent a full week translating 30+ poems into Irish, and editing the others to make them a little stronger. I didn't win the competition, but I did get some very encouraging feedback from the judges.

    Between the two of those I felt that I'd drained myself creatively. It's a new year now though, so I think the energy is coming back. :)


  • #1259
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Scuid Mhór wrote: »

    And speaking of The Stinging Fly, did anyone submit during their latest round there? For the first time, I submitted both poetry and fiction. No expectations though, given the lockdown I wouldn't be surprised if they received thousands of submissions.

    1853 stories :eek:


  • #1260
    lambswool
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭lambswool


    Disappointed I missed the stinging fly window but I think it would have been an outside chance to say the least! I've tried twice before I think.


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  • #1261
    Scuid Mhór
    Registered Users Posts: 2,326 ✭✭✭Scuid Mhór


    Insect Overlord wrote: »
    Between the two of those I felt that I'd drained myself creatively. It's a new year now though, so I think the energy is coming back. :)

    Try not to beat yourself up about it too much - I've found that because of the pandemic, most people's creativity has been on the decline as well. Sometimes the best thing you can do to create is to rest and revitalise yourself.
    Das Kitty wrote: »
    1853 stories :eek:

    Haha, surely at a certain quality threshold that just becomes a lottery? Or maybe they are going to have to consider bringing out more than two issues a year. I have the feeling I won't be making the cut anyway.


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