Goldie's Writings

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:46:00 +0000

Dear Readers - I thought this article I'm sharing would be of interest to you. I received the article from writetodone.com
Hope you enjoy it!...Goldie

102 Resources to Transform Your Writing

You don’t have to play coy.
You want to become a better writer.
In fact, you’d love to crack the code on becoming a writer with tremendously loyal readers who covet every piece you put out there.
That’s why you’re here, right? Checking out all the great ideas that Write to Done has to offer?
The problem is, you keep meaning to work on becoming a better writer, but how many tips have you actually implemented? How many ideas have you really tried?
The good news is you can become a better writer. The key is to totally immerse yourself in the best pieces of advice you can find—and use them.
I’ve put together a list of some of the best tips, ideas, and resources to help you become a writer who commands attention and brings home the bacon.
Let’s get started, shall we?
These are the resources that will make you a captivating writer.

Deal with your fears and beat resistance so you can stop staring at that blank page.

Creativity is a noble act of pushing back darkness to give hope to despair. http://snip.ly/QBB9 via@JeffGoins Click To Tweet

Make sure you take the time to understand what resistance really is (and why it’s not necessarily a bad thing

Overcome writer’s block like these 13 pros.

Your unconscious can’t work when you are breathing down its neck: snip.ly/BJS5 via@ANNELAMOTT pls RT Click To Tweet

Kick writer’s block to the curb with these 15 proven methods (and 15 more proven methods.)

Ditch writer’s block by keeping your muse on speed dial.

Use this writer’s block map to get unstuck.

Learn how to silence your inner critic.

Don’t allow a past failure to lead you into failure today. http://snip.ly/gQt1 via@ADDerWORLD Click To Tweet

Get over the fact that “it’s all been done before.”

Have a plan for when fear takes over and you feel paralyzed to move forward.

If you’re afraid of rejection, hit submit. http://snip.ly/Q0P via @write_practice http://bit.ly/1JB6gpo Click To Tweet

Overcome writing burnout.

Forget trying to make major habit changes and create tiny writing habits.

Use fear to your advantage.

Don’t let your story let you off the hook.

Freedom is nothing to fear. http://snip.ly/zW2b via@ThisIsSethsBlog PlsRT Click To Tweet

Make sure you have a morning routine that sets you up for a productive writing day.

Harness the power of simple writing.

Writing for the web means designing it for skimming and scanning. http://snip.ly/yfZA via@jeffbullas Click To Tweet

Don’t let the perfect storm take you down.

Fight your way through the writing gap and whatever you do, don’t quit.

Make sure you indulge in these 3 habits to boost your chances of becoming a great writer.

Channel your inner squirrel so you can write a 1,000-word article in one hour (or less.)

Change your “who am I to write this?” thoughts into “who am I not to write this?” using the LSC Method.

Don’t let criticism stop you by insult-proofing your ego.

Find the courage to express yourself: http://snip.ly/phm9 via@marieforleo @WritetoDone pls RT Click To Tweet

Adopt these 10 mindsets to become a more confident writer.

Ditch these 6 excuses and become a serious writer.

Grab your readers right from the get-go with a bombproof opening.

Breaking sweat over your openings means you’re serious: http://snip.ly/O7Fh via@JonMorrow #writingtips Click To Tweet

Use the Rule of Three to become a more engaging writer.

Tell itty-bitty stories to engage and entertain your readers.

Remember to focus on your key message only: http://snip.ly/wsmO via@HennekeD Click To Tweet

Know how to write great headlines.

Know the difference between a plot-driven and character-driven story (and which one is better for you.)

Make sure you know how to analyze writing structure and use it to your advantage.

Follow the Four “P” Approach for more persuasive writing.

Create a Swiss cheese first draft.

Be a plotter, not a pantser so you can craft popular stories.

Create awesome characters (who don’t sound like you.)

Good characters step off the page and into readers' hearts. http://snip.ly/AMlu @Janice_Hardy Click To Tweet

Don’t wait for inspiration. Make inspiration come to you.

Follow these 3 secrets and get emotional with your writing.

Feel the emotions you want to convey. http://bit.ly/1EZtmzx pls RT Click To Tweet

Find your writing voice.

Stay inspired and avoid burnout.

Take a cue from CSI to come up with your next brilliant idea.

Sneak inside your reader’s head (and learn 17 other seductive writing tips.)

If You’re a Writer, Call Yourself a Writer. http://snip.ly/Qswq via@LFormichelli Click To Tweet

Get in the mood to write.

Stop trying to be a “good writer” and focus on being a talented writer instead.

Appreciate that grit is the real key to creativity (and ditch your excuses while you’re at it.)

Stop focusing on the fact that writing is hard and appreciate that you do it because it’s who you are.

Take a page outta Lady Gaga’s book and don’t let rejection keep you down.

Rejection can actually enhance creativity. http://snip.ly/J7vk @99u Click To Tweet

Stop asking for permission to be called a writer and just call yourself a writer, for goodness’ sake!

Use writing prompts to get in the mood to write.

Take Leo Babauta’s advice when you run out of ideas.

Try one of these 7 (data-backed) techniques to boost your creativity.

Stuck for inspiration? Fill in the blanks.

We tend to get in our own way when it comes to creativity. http://snip.ly/RwaQ @tannerc Click To Tweet

Understand why your writing sucks (so you can make it better.)

If writing feels hard, try these 5 steps.

Develop your narrative voice by stealing from bestselling authors.

Either find the time to write, or don’t.

Take Chris Brogan’s advice and ditch your time-sucking roadblocks.

Use “idle time” like waiting room time to write. http://snip.ly/ZzV9 @chrisbrogan Click To Tweet

Get in the zone and stay focused on your writing with these tips.

Know the secrets of a prepared writer.

Hire a virtual assistant so you can spend more time writing.

Get serious about your writing schedule.

Successful writers write no matter what! http://snip.ly/vqE3 @MenwithPens Click To Tweet

Use the Pomodoro technique to finish the first draft of your book in just 25 minutes a day.

Cut your writing time by 50% with these 4 habits.

Make your writing 100% more powerful with these 7 simple edits.

Use a few of these 317 power words to give your writing a boost.

Get rid of flabby words that rob your writing of its power.

Write sparkling sentences with these 5 keys.

Be engaging. Be enchanting. Be good. http://snip.ly/qCj0 @henneked pls RT Click To Tweet

Make sure to check out these 10 essential editing tips.

Do these two things to quickly improve your writing.

Write your best post ever with these 6 editing tips.

Tighten your copy with this 25-point checklist.

Be a remarkable writer who swings the snow shovel.

Write less, not more (and 5 other pieces of advice from successful writers.)

Check out Stephen King’s 20 tips for being a frighteningly good writer.

Take some cues from these 21 writing tips from great authors.

Your mother will not make you a writer - Paul Theroux. http://snip.ly/PF8g @ThoughtCatalog Click To Tweet

Learn from Fred Waitzkin’s creative process so you too can master the art of writing.

Find your book’s ideal audience.

As you write, keep in mind Khaled Hosseini’s honesty about limitations all writers have.

Eliminate your obstacles and follow these 7 habits of prolific writers.

Create a sense of timelessness with each piece you write (and 22 other writing notes from Danielle LaPorte.)

Follow Dan Pink’s methods for getting words on the page.

Check out some famous writers’ sleep habits and decide whether your sleep patterns need adjusting.

Showing up day in and day out is the surest way to achieve lasting success. http://snip.ly/xvfI via@brainpicker Click To Tweet

Grow your audience and readership by growing relationships with other bloggers and authors.

Know what agents and editors are really looking for.

Try Ernest Hemingway’s top tips to become a better writer.

Enjoy some gems of wisdom in Leo Babauta’s Writing Habit FAQ (including how to deal with the times the creativity just isn’t flowing.)

Create a writing ritual. Leo Babauta http://snip.ly/ly1Y via@zen_habits Click To Tweet

Use the power of constraints to create your best piece of work ever (just like Dr. Seuss.)

Write what you need to say.

Follow these 11 tips to sound like a brilliant writer (without having to use big words.)

Know why most writing tips are useless (and how to actually write like a rockstar.)

Get clear on how you can really make a living as a writer.

Know what successful indie authors have in common if you want to be one too.

Grab one of these 15 apps that every author could use to write more proficiently.

If you’re failing to make a living as a writer, find out why.

Get in the know about why some people make money writing and others never will.

Become a better writer by being a skilled reader.

Let your audience help you decide what to write.

Avoid trying to be original at all costs.

Read these 9 essential books to transform your writing forever.

Join a book club to help your writing.

Make sure to keep in mind these 3 lessons every writer should learn from marketers.

Write the book you’re longing to read.

Get published with these tips from a book agent.

Keep these 10 things in mind before getting published.

And definitely don’t miss this hilarious take on the publishing process in .gif form!

When will you stop dabbling and become a writer worthy of praise?
There you go—102 resources to help you go from amateur writer to seductive wordsmith.
You don’t have to implement every single one of these. Just pick those that you know are right for you. (You’ll know which ones they are.)
And don’t forget that success isn’t just about learning. It’s also about taking action.
You’ve got the lessons you need to learn in the list above, now it’s up to you to take that action.
So go for it. Become that pro writer whose readers can’t help but crave more.
Which tip are you going to use to make that happen?
About the author:
You want clear steps to create addictively awesome content that attracts more sales. That’s exactly what Jenna Dalton will give you. Don’t leave without snagging her free video How to Write the Perfect Blog Post.
Lead Image: petarpaunchev / 123RF Stock Photo

Write to Done - Barriers to Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:14:00 +0000

Hullo Readers I'd like to share this article with you. It's good!...Goldie

http://writetodone.com/barriers-to-writing/

Writer's Quote

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 11:20:00 +0000

"The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something."

-- Kurt Vonnegut

Advice from Creative Writing Now

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 09:44:00 +0000

Here is a copy of an email I received from Creative Writing now who have online writing courses.

I thought their advice excellent...Goldie

Hello,

Recently, we've received a few e-mails from writers who have trouble finishing what they start.

They lose interest in the middle or get distracted by new ideas which seem more interesting than the one they're working on.

Here's what writer said: "I may start out enthusiastic about what I want to write and along the line, after about a thousand words, I don't feel like looking at it any more. It just feels old and boring and then I stop writing. I try thinking up new ideas but I've just lost the fire."

New ideas are exciting. When that newness is gone, the ideas lose some of their glamour.

The bright, shiny surface wears off, and it's easier to see the imperfections underneath. That's just what happens to ideas over time.

So, as a writer, how do you stay inspired long enough to finish something like a screenplay or a novel?

The most important thing to remember is that *you don't have to stay inspired*. It's not necessary to feel inspired all the time. You can write anyway.

If you have a job, you probably don't always feel inspired to go to work, but you do it anyway. If you are raising children, you probably don't always feel inspired in your parenting, but you do it anyway.

You do it because you've made a commitment. You do it because the rewards are worth it.

Inspiration is wonderful. Inspiration is fun. Inspiration makes writing easier. In future e-mails, I can give you tips for getting inspired and staying inspired. There are techniques that will help you keep that fire burning.

But you don't need the fire. Knowing that is liberating. It puts you in control.

Do you want to finish that novel? Then you'll sit down every day and work on it until it's finished.

Some days, you may feel inspired. Other days, you may not. But you keep working anyway.

If you keep working, the inspiration tends to come back. But you don't need it. With or without it, you're going to finish what you've started.

And what you'll have at the end of this process is a poem or a story, a screenplay or a novel!

That's a reward that's well worth the effort.

So, some advice:

- Decide when you're ready to commit to a particular writing project. Then keep your commitment. On days when you're not inspired, treat your writing as a job.

- If ideas for new projects come up while you're in the middle of a manuscript, make a note of the ideas in a separate notebook so that you can come back to them later.

- For some (not all) writers, advance planning can help prevent a project from losing steam in the middle. If you're working with an outline or detailed notes, then even when you don't feel inspired, you'll always know what you can write next.

- Keep in mind the reward waiting for you at the end of the process.

"Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself no less impressive than sailing single-handed around the world."

-- Tom Clancy

Happy writing.

All the best,

Nancy

Creative Writing Now

http://www.creative-writing-now.com

CWN Writer's Shop

http://www.creative-writing-now.com/creative-writing-books.html

A Crime Story

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 11:57:00 +0000

Have just completed the first draft of my crime story "Murder at Compton House" for Fairfield Writers Group's "Crime Collection"

I'm feeling great!

Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 06:43:00 +0000

The Stringybark Short Story Award 2014

Stringybark Stories is pleased to announce its latest short fiction award with over $860 in cash and books available to the best entries. This is our annual open themed competition. The only proviso is that the story must contain some reference to Australia — no matter how minor or incidental. Writers have 1500 words to produce a short story that will delight and entertain the judges. International entries welcome.

Closing date for entries is 18 January 2015. Details at: http://www.stringybarkstories.net

Results of the Twisted Stringybark Short Award 2014
On 2 September 2014, the judges announced the winning stories in the Twisted Stringybark Short Story Award 2014. Pauline Sorensen (QLD) won the award with her remarkable tale, Role of a Lifetime. Anna Mae Kaine (United Kingdom) came second with her intriguing story, Trifles Light as Air. and Michael Kelly (NSW) came third with his clever story War Wounds. The winning and highly commended entries are available as a paperback and e-book in the new anthology Role of a Lifetime.

A full list of the place-winner and highly commended authors can be found on our website: http://www.stringybarkstories.net

WRITERS GROUP CONVENTION

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 12:57:00 +0000

This Sunday, some of us from my writing group (Fairfield Writers Group-Queensland) went to a Writers Group Convention at the Enoggera Bowls Club. It was excellent. Several authors talked about their journey to publication and a number of writers groups talked about their activities.

It's so good to mix with people who have the same interest as yourself and to maybe learn something new as well. Here is a link to further information about the convention.
http://writersgroupconvention.com/tag/brisbane-writers-group-convention

QWC | The Rabbit Hole | Queensland Writers Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 13:49:00 +0000

QWC | The Rabbit Hole | Queensland Writers Centre

Queensland Writers Week - Update Day 7

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 07:31:00 +0000

Hi! Readers - what a good day! 645 words for the last day of QWW.

I have enjoyed being a part of QWW immensely, and the best thing of all is that I have kick started my novel and commenced on chapter 2.

Happy writing and reading to everyone.

Carol
aka Goldie Elston

Queensland Writers Week - Update Day 6

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 11:29:00 +0000

Hullo Readers - I haven't written today, but did research for my novel instead. I am ever so pleased, I found information on my maternal great grandfather that I'll be able to use in my book.

More writing tomorrow!

Carol
aka Goldie Elston

Queensland Writers Week - Update Day 5

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:39:00 +0000

Am in the midst of a block, but still managed to do 428 words. Having trouble with my paternal great grandfather's story so have switched over to my maternal grandmother. Hope this block goes away by tomorrow!

Carol
aka Goldie Elston

Queensland Writers Week - Update Day 4

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:11:00 +0000

It seems I've only managed around 400 words per day so far. Today was 388. If I could write 500 words per day everyday for a year I'd have a first draft. Life gets in the way though doesn't it? Regardless of interruptions, I'm gonna keep plodding on!

Carol
aka Goldie Elston

Queensland Writers Week - Update Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 13:14:00 +0000

Hullo folks - 416 words today to be precise. I've nearly finished a chapter. Whoopee!

Carol aka Goldie Elston

Queensland Writers Week - Update Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:32:00 +0000

Hi! folks - Managed to do just over 500 words today. I'm pleased!

Carol aka Goldie Elston

Queensland Writers Week - Update Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 11:12:00 +0000

Hi! there - I'm so pleased to be taking part in QWW and hope I can get lots of writing done. It's been extremely hot in Brisbane today and I sat in the air-conditioning all afternoon. It's hard to believe it's spring and we're having a heat wave.

Now to my writing. I didn't write as much as anticipated. Only 428 words. Still, 428 words less to do tomorrow. In addition, I did do some editing and a tiny bit of research for my novel so I'm happy...Carol aka Goldie Elston

Tips and Exercise You Need to Write Crime With Katherine Howell

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:08:00 +0000

http://youtu.be/gka4AJNZUsE

Writing Prompts, Blogging Prompts, Story Topic Generators, Photo Inspiration · Creativity-Portal.com

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 13:50:00 +0000

Writing Prompts, Blogging Prompts, Story Topic Generators, Photo Inspiration · Creativity-Portal.com

Finding Humour in Teenage Drama

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 14:16:00 +0000

Finding Humor in Teenage Drama

by Laura Backes, Publisher

It seems when kids turn 13, one word sums up their lives: melodrama. Emotions hover on the surface; every event is huge. Adults are idiots who don't understand them, and their classmates are constantly watching to make sure they don't do anything stupid (which includes wearing the wrong clothes to saying the wrong thing to listening to the wrong music). Oh. My. God.

As adults on the receiving end of this hysteria, we may roll our eyes or deliberately show up at Back to School Night with wet hair, just to see our child's response. But as authors, we can mine the drama for its flip side: humor. Many books for teens feature characters who are on the edge of the abyss and facing life-or-death situations, extreme moral choices, or have been dealt a tough hand and have to somehow live with it. Their drama is achingly real. Or, a protagonist might be self-assured enough to rise above the sniping judgements of his peers. Both characters are admirable, but often not funny. Humor comes from a flawed character the reader genuinely likes, who's in a sticky situation the reader can easily imagine. Then the author turns it up a notch. The reader gets to laugh at someone who's like her, but from the safety of not having to actually suffer the humiliation personally.

In Denise Vega's click here (to find out how i survived seventh grade), Erin Swift is not having the best start to middle school. Her big feet are the butt of jokes, she lands the role of Corn Cob in the school play, and the Cute Boy she has a crush on becomes infatuated with her best friend Jilly. But Erin's a whiz with computers, and joins the Intranet Club to become the lead designer for the school's web site. She also keeps a secret blog where she spills all her innermost thoughts and true feelings about everyone at her school. When her blog accidentally gets posted on the school web site, Erin's convinced she's going to die. Vega's taken traditional middle school dynamics and filtered them through Erin's self-deprecating lens, which lightens up the angst of the genuinely heart-wrenching scenes (Cute Boy's attraction to Jilly, Erin overhearing girls criticizing her in the bathroom). Then Vega throws in every middle schooler's worst fear: that they'll be stripped metaphorically naked in front of their peers and revealed for who they really are. If Erin's public blog was the only drama in the book, we'd pity Erin but not really identify with her. But because of the melodrama in earlier scenes, we know that Erin's learning to laugh at herself, and she'll find a way to survive this very real problem.

Parents offer endless inspiration for melodrama. If you're looking for a good adolescent plot twist, simply ask yourself, "What the most embarrassing thing a parent could do to this character?" Your answer might give you a whole book. The opening line of Shelley Pearsall's All Shook Up says it all: "Looking back, I would say everything in my life changed the summer I turned thirteen and my dad turned into Elvis."

Like Vega, Pearsall keeps close to comforting upper middle grade territory but then cranks up the embarrassment. Josh is sent to live with his father in Chicago one summer when his mother has to take care of his sick grandmother. Josh hasn't seen his dad for a while, and assumes he's still the scatterbrained shoe salesman he remembered. But Dad's got a new gig as an Elvis impersonator. And what's more, when Josh's visit is extended into the fall and he starts school in Chicago, one of his classmates leaves him anonymous notes about Elvis. Josh's dwindling ability to keep his dad's identity a secret is completely shattered when Dad is invited to perform at the school's 1950s concert, and Josh must take drastic action that threatens to ruin his relationship with his father forever. Readers will certainly emphasize with Josh, but also observe how he and his father learn to compromise and respect the person each has become. Josh is forced to think about someone other than himself, which (along with the fact that Dad is a terrific performer) helps deflate the social suicide of having Elvis for a dad.

For my money, one of the best beach reads you'll find this summer is Two Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film About The Grapes of Wrath by Steven Goldman. 17-year-old Mitchell is a slightly scrawny, socially inept, average student, whose best (and only real) friend tells Mitchell he's gay one day at lunch. Mitchell's junior high school year is marked by trying to talk to girls (Does his sister and her best friend count?), navigating the school hierarchy, reassessing his friendship with David, and turning in a slightly pornographic claymation film in lieu of an English paper on a book he hasn't read. Much of the humor comes from Mitchell's dry, somewhat clueless first-person voice. He's hovering outside the whirl of popularity, and so can comment on high school without having much to lose. School Library Journal called the book "A side-splitting slice of male adolescence, [that] turns the spotlight on the ridiculousness that is the average, contemporary American high school experience."

When I asked Goldman how he writes humor, he said, "I was just trying to capture some of the feelings I could remember from high school, and really see the world through the eyes and the running narration of a character with a particular view of the world and a particular way of expressing his feelings. One of the things I really enjoy about writing YA is that I find high school students to be funny. Frankly, I think they have better senses of humor than adults. They are willing to put themselves in situations that no one with a brain would, and yet they have the intelligence to realize that they are doing it. That risk-taking extends to language as well -- they will say things that are brutally honest and horrible and therefore frequently funny." This brutal honesty, both with each other and themselves, creates those situations bordering on melodrama. Once of my favorite scenes from Two Parties is at prom, when Mitchell is in the bathroom thinking about his date who's abandoned him, and he accidentally pees on his white tux pants. While laughing at Mitchell's description of himself, I couldn't help but cringe at the image of him walking through the school gym with wet pants.

Even as an adult, I still feel I share in Mitchell's experience. That's why writing humor for teens may be easier than you think. As Goldman said, "We never really recover from our adolescence; those years starting in middle school and continuing through high school are so formative that they we can still find them in a lot of the ways that we feel about things as an adult. I might be 45, but when I walk into a party I swear I%u2019m still 17 and clueless about what to do next. We may leave high school, but we never really escape it."

The Other Side of the Story: Guest Author Anna Lee Huber: Writing Setting Throu...

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 12:24:00 +0000

The Other Side of the Story: Guest Author Anna Lee Huber: Writing Setting Throu...: By Anna Lee Huber, @AnnaLeeHuber Join me in welcoming Anna Lee Huber to the blog today, to chat with us about setting--and how you can ...

Book Launch by Fairfield Writers Group

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:41:00 +0000

Fairfield Writers Group are delighted to announce the launch of their third anthology, "Changing Seasons", the final book of a trilogy. Below are details -

Venue: Brisbane City Council Library
             Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre
             180 Fairfield Road
             Fairfield, Queensland 4103

Date:    28th September 2013

Time:   10.00 am

There will also be an opportunity to order copies of our previous two anthologies in the trilogy, "Beginnings" and "Life's a Roller Coaster".

Refreshments will be served.

Changing Seasons Anthology by Fairfield Writers Group

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 13:44:00 +0000

Less than a month to go until the launch of our anthology "Changing Seasons". Members have been busy handing out posters and flyers.

FWG Anthology

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 14:38:00 +0000

Fairfield Writers Group Qld - Third Anthology

FWG members are wildly excited about the upcoming release of their third Anthology, Changing Seasons. With 13 stories by 8 authors, Changing Seasons promises a great read, and is sure to be enjoyed by those who enjoyed our 2009 and 2011 Anthologies, Beginnings, and Life's a Roller Coaster.

Changing Seasons will be launched in Fairfield Library at 10 am on Saturday Sept. 28.

An Incident On The Train - A Short Story By Goldie Elston

noreply@blogger.com (Goldie Jell) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 12:05:00 +0000

Write a story that contains a train, shots fired and yelling.

Hullo Readers - The above is another exercise we did at writing group. Hope you enjoy it

Goldie

Mum and I were on our way by train to visit her sister, my Aunty Betty, in the country town of Horsham. The train was fully booked. We were lucky to get tickets. I was getting ready for bed in the tiny sleeping compartment. Mum was already in the lower bunk and having taken her medications, fast asleep. I tried reading and could not concentrate, so stopped to peer out the window into the night that was awash with dark and foreboding shadows. The moon was full, although partially obscured by big black clouds. We were nearly over a bridge that crossed a wide river. Suddenly the train stopped with a lurch and I heard loud noises like carriage doors being banged shut and yelling, then two gun shots. I shot out of bed, hurriedly pulled on some clothes, opened the door with a minimum of sound so as not to wake Mum, and made my way down the swaying passageway towards the front of the train, along with many other passengers I might add. I had not gone far when a guard came along and told everyone in no uncertain terms to go back to their sleeping compartments.

“There’s been an incident,” he said in a clipped voice, his lips barely moving as he spoke.

“What happened?” someone asked.

“Never you mind what happened, Sir” he answered brusquely, “No need to worry yourselves.”

“But, we are worried,” wailed some woman in a brown hat. Why she had on a hat at that time of night is beyond me.

“The passengers will be informed in the morning, in the dining car when breakfast is being served,” he said in his clipped voice, his pencil moustache not moving, not even a slight wiggle, as he spoke through his yellow, disgusting teeth.

I had to resist the urge to giggle. Pompous creature, I thought. I think he loves been in charge. Must be the uniform that’s gone to his head.

“None of you are in any danger and I will not tell you people again. Go back to your cabins immediately.”

We all shuffled back to our respective cabins muttering and complaining along the way.

I got back into bed. Mum was still sound asleep. The train convulsed into action, clanking and clumping, the whistle blowing. Slowly it moved down the track its wheels gathering momentum. I could not sleep no matter how many sheep I counted and lay there wondering what had happened. I was just about to drop off when a scuffling sound outside our cabin door brought me to life and once more I threw on some clothes and peeked tentatively out the door. It was only one of the cleaners mopping the passageway floor.

“Oh dear, you did give me a fright,” I said.

“Sorry Miss,” the young man said. “I was trying to be quiet.”

“That’s alright. You’ve got to do your job.”

“I don’t suppose you know what happened on the bridge tonight do you?” I asked, and gave him my nicest smile for encouragement.

“As a matter of fact I do,” he answered, smiling back at me as he reached into his pocket for a cigarette, more than willing it seemed to have a break from the drudgery of cleaning and tell me what he knew.

I could not believe my luck. My curiosity had been burning and dying to be satisfied all night and now I was going to find out.

“Why don’t we go to the end of the carriage where we won’t disturb anyone?” he suggested.

I hesitated for a minute; after all, I didn’t know this young man and he might have bad intentions, but my curiosity got the better of me and I walked with him to the end of the carriage. He lit his cigarette and lounged against the wall puffing smoke all over me of which I was not one bit impressed.

“Do you mind?” I complained. “I’m not a smoker. Keep your smoke to yourself.”

“So sorry,” he said in a sarcastic tone. Do you want to hear the story or not?”

“Yes, but not with a smokescreen in front of the storyteller,” I replied and glared at him.

“Well, as far as I could see this is what happened.”

“What do you mean, as far as you could see?”

“Oh, I hopped off the train and went to the front, keeping out of sight of course.

“What happened then?”

“There was a bundle lying on the railway line. Looked like it could have been a man. I suppose he had intentions of killing himself. Next thing another fellow came running from under the bridge with two constables and a German Shepherd in hot pursuit. The dog was about ten yards in the lead. The constables were armed with rifles. “Stop in the name of the law or we’ll shoot,” they yelled. He kept running, swerving this way and that way in an effort not to get shot I imagine. The bigger of the two constables lifted his arm and aimed the rifle. He fired two shots, missed the first time and then got him in the left leg with the next shot. The man staggered like a drunk. The German Shepherd reached him and leapt at his arm pulling him to the ground. The man screamed, the police arrived and handcuffed him. Meanwhile, what I thought was a man lying on the track, in fact was, and he raised himself up to a standing position, crying like a baby. He must have thought that his mate was shot dead. I presume they were mates because they were both dressed identically with the same haircuts, if you can call shaven heads a haircut that is. My assumption is that they were prison escapees. The train driver was a bit of a mess, wandering around in a daze of no use to anyone. Must have given him an awful shock.”

“What happened then,” I asked. This was exciting!

“I can’t tell you anymore because I thought I’d better get back on the train before I was missed by the other cleaners. I could still hear that man sobbing his heart out as I boarded. Poor bugger, he must have been in a right state to consider killing himself.

“Gosh, what a night. Thanks for telling me all about it. I’ll say goodnight then. Mum will be wondering where I am,” I lied, feeling uneasy all of a sudden.

“What’s the hurry, Miss. How’s about a little kiss before you go?” the young man asked and placed his hand on my shoulder. I could see the lustful look in his eyes. My heart started to pound with fright. “N-n-no th-th-thank you,” I stuttered, wrenching his hand from my shoulder as I turned around and fled. I could still hear his laughter echoing along the passageway when I reached the safety of my sleeping compartment.

Mum stirred when I crept back into the bunk.

“Is that you moving about Angela? Are you alright dear?”

“I’m fine Mum, just having a bad night.”

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