Extract from a Short Story.

The Depths of Memory.

I am a timid swimmer. Ten minutes of being bullied by the waves is enough for me so, toes groping for the slippery rocks beneath, I make my way back to the safe embrace of the sandy beach. I spread my towel on the warm, soft sand and feel the sun chase away the dread of the water. I lie down to read but gradually my book falls from my hand as I doze. I am dreaming the dream.

Falling, tumbling through water, deeper and deeper, engulfed by murky green with bubbles rising up from the depths. I feel no fear, only a sense of overwhelming relief and an inexpressible sense of escape.

I wake with a start. How can I be so calm in the dream when in my waking hours the very thought of drowning terrifies me? I scan the turquoise ocean for my daughter’s head, sleek as a seal, as she swims fearlessly and joyfully. I quell the panic that rises, knowing that Izzy would dismiss my anxiety, reassuring me that only in the sea is she truly in her element; free. She has no thought of drowning.

Was my fear of the deep born within the walls of the damp, echoing swimming pool where we eight-year-old girls changed into our regulation navy blue swimming costumes and white rubber caps that pulled viciously at our hair? Was it nurtured by the two angular swimming instructors dressed in severe grey skirts and blue jumpers, shod in galoshes as they marched along the edge of the pool?

While one barked instructions as we stood in the shallow end, the other would single out a child and picking up a curious metal hoop attached to a long pole, would loop the ring over the girl’s head and under her arms in order to drag the hapless victim along in the water. Gradually each child, thrashing her arms and legs like a captured frog, somehow learned to swim.

How I hated the humiliation of being the last to achieve sufficient mastery of breast stroke to avoid the hoop, only for my accomplishment to bring new anxieties. I dreaded nearing the deep end on each endless length but more than anything, I feared the ritual that would follow.

If you would like to read the entire story, it is published in Greenacre Writers Anthology Vol - still available for 5.50 + p&p
Greenacre Writers Anthology Vol 1
or as a download for 39p at AlfieDog

Greenacre Writers Anthology Vol 1 wins 3rd place.

Pleased that the Greenacre Writers Anthology Vol 1 was placed third in the NAWG anthology competition.

Stories for the second Greenacre Writers Short Story Competition are coming in, for which I am a reader and shortlister. The winning entries will be published in the Greenacre Writers Anthology Vol 2. There's still two months in which to enter.




Entries may be made by post: e-mail greenacrewriters@gmail.com for entry form or enter online: Here

Tutoring at Swanwick 2012

Swanwick Writers’ Summer School is a staple in many writers' calendar, so you can imagine my pleasure when asked to tutor a four-session 'Getting Started in Fiction' course for them. Planning the programme began ages ago but I was still tweaking up to the last minute. Used to running workshops for numbers between 4 - 15, I practically had a cardiac arrest when a veteran Swanwicker said numbers could be anything from 10 to 70. Seventy? I calmed myself by reasoning that Swanwick attracts experienced and published authors so my course would be for a small number of newbies, and this proved to be the case. I resumed normal breathing and took 999 off my speed dial.

There is nothing worse than a group too terrified to contribute or read back their work, but this bunch was receptive and needed little encouragement to participate. They also produced some great writing - perhaps because some weren’t quite as new to the art as 'Getting Started in Fiction' would suggest. I received some very positive feedback from students and hope the official feedback forms are as encouraging.

I also participated in a number of workshops and attended talks. I loved the session with children’s author, Steve Hartley, of Danny Baker, Record Maker fame. Steve is very serious about being silly. What do he and Bridget Jones have in common? Simply enormous pants. Steve’s were big enough to fit eleven people in and he proved it. His workshop the following day on characterization, using the concept of character based on Carl Jung’s work was inspirational.

David Nobbs’ witty talk was sheer joy from a consummate master of his art. Writing for many of the best comedy acts and sit-coms at their height in the 70s and 80s, his work formed the British collective culture of the time. I was sorry to be able to attend only the first of his sessions the following day.

The social side of Swanwick in today’s networking culture was rich. It was great to put faces to names I’d come across in various writerly forums. There were always friendly and interesting people to talk to, some quite eccentric. I was a little bemused when asked if I was ‘the one who has toothache’ and wondered if my habitual facial expression was of tortured agony. Tearing off to peer in the nearest mirror I was only somewhat re-assured. One supercilious lady queried my credentials for running a course. ‘Why? You’re not famous. Are you?’ ‘No’, I replied, ‘I’m not famous - yet.’

Greenacre Writers Anthology - Vol 1

Very pleased to hear that the Greenacre Writers Anthology has been shortlisted in the NAWG Anthology competition.


Our second short story competition is underway with stories coming in - closing date 31st October, after which the second anthology will be published early next year.


Greenacre Writers Short Story competition

Reflections on the Greenacre Writers Mini Literary Festival

The seed of the idea for a festival had been lying dormant for some time, I'd have to prod it occasionally to make sure it was still there, but suddenly the seed germinated. It came to fruition pretty quickly thanks to the support of our invited guests, along with plenty of hard work from co-organiser Rosie Canning and myself.

Our festival was a success - for my thoughts a week on, see 
Reflections on The Greenacre Writers Mini Literary Festival

Greenacre Writers Mini Literary Festival: 26th May 2012

Fellow Greenacre Writers co-ordinator Rosie Canning and I have been busy organising our first Mini Literary Festival to be held as part of 'Trinity in May' Arts Festival on 26th May from 2.00-5.30pm in North Finchley, at Trinity Church Centre, 15 Nether St, N12 7NN.

Five invited authors will be talking about and reading extracts from their books and writing, and members of Greenacre Writers will give brief readings from their work: poems, flash fiction, short stories and extracts from novels.

We are very please to announce our guest speakers:
Paolo Hewitt, Alex Wheatle, Emily Benet, Andrew Bradford and Lane Ashfeldt. 

Greenacre Writers are represented by June Armstrong-Wright, Liz Goes, Keith Martin, Anna Meryt, Wendy Shillam, Ruth Kriz, Rosie Canning and Lindsay Bamfield.

Tickets for this great event are free but we are collecting donations for Greenacre Bicycle Rally and Trinity Stroke Group. For more information click on Greenacre Writers link on the right of this blog.

World Voice Day: April 16th

You probably take your voice for granted. It’s always been there for you so why think about it?

But take a moment to imagine life without your voice: no phones calls, no smart ripostes when chatting to friends, no soothing lullabies for your baby, no reading stories to your children, no heckling at a council meeting, no singing your favourite tunes to the radio…

Writing, e-mailing and texting don’t make up for a lost voice because you convey so much more than words with your voice. Humour and all your many emotions are communicated by the pitch and loudness variations of your voice.

Working with people with voice problems - or dysphonia, to use the medical term - most of whom, I’m pleased to say, recover their normal voice, has shown me that even a minor problem with one’s voice can be a distressing and frustrating situation. Imagine waking up and looking in the mirror and finding your face had changed overnight and was unrecognisable. Think of the stress it would cause. A change in your voice is just as personal and can be quite as stressful.

• ‘When I had my voice problem, I felt I no longer had the right to speak.’ Maureen, 63
• ‘They teased me about my voice and said I sounded like a boy.’ Alexa, 11
• ‘My boss thought I was taking the mick, keeping on having days off, but trying to talk hurt my throat so much it made me feel tired and ill all the time.’ Simon, 34
• ‘Now my voice is normal, I feel as if I have my life back.’ Denise, 42
• ‘I just supposed it was old age and I’d have to live with that strange, weak old voice for the rest of my life. Now I sound like I used to, and I feel younger and livelier because of it.’ John, 84
• ‘I tried really hard not to shout and now my voice doesn’t hurt any more.’ Tyrese, 5
• ‘I can sing now. I’m so happy. I’m me again.’ Lindy, 33*

You may have heard of well-known singers and actors suffering from voice problems but anybody can experience dysphonia - I’ve seen people of all ages from toddlers to those in their nineties with problems ranging from minor changes that are remedied very quickly to those that are far more complex and, just occasionally, need highly specialist surgical intervention.

Many voice difficulties are a result of muscle tension, so keeping active but relaxed with good posture can help prevent problems. Your voice is precious and like all precious things, it needs a little care. One of the best things you can do for it, is to keep well hydrated and water is the best way - so drink 6 -8 glasses a day.

Your voice likes to be used but not misused. Shouting and screaming don’t do it any good at all. Talking over constant noise can soon cause it problems and smoking is a big no-no. Avoid frequent throat clearing as that too can irritate your vocal cords. (No, they’re not vocal chords!)

If you have concerns about any voice changes which have persisted for more than a couple of weeks, see you GP and ask for a referral to a specialist Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon (ENT). Specialist Speech and Language therapists can help in overcoming many voice problems, once a diagnosis has been made.

World Voice Day on April 16th aims to celebrate our voices in all their wonderful diversity.

See also:

The British Voice Association

 

and the Voice Care Network

http://www.voicecare.org.uk/

NB. *Names have been changed for confidentiality.