Horror Writing

Fortunately Saturday morning was bright and sunny rather than dark, rainy and foggy because the subject matter of our workshop would certainly have put many members off.

Horror writing, it's certainly not a genre that I have ventured into, well not intentionally anyway. But under Mary V Williams' expert guidance it really doesn't sound that scary at all, but is it?

Where do you start? Like any writing you start with what you know. Okay fortunately I don't have experience of vampires, werewolves or or psychotic killers but I do know what it’s like to be frightened and I know what frightens me. That is exactly where Mary told us to start. Many members wrote for a few minutes or what frightens them and when they read their work it was quite revealing and very interesting. We’re all different, what scares one person doesn’t affect another creating diversity and interest and many many potential stories.

For more information on Mary V Williams, her publications and Inky Digits the writers’ group she runs in Market Drayton, Shropshire see her website on www.inkydigits.com.

And to Mary, many many thanks for an entertaining and informative workshop that the whole group enjoyed.

Chairman's Challenge

The challenge that was accepted by the group for July was 'Who or What motivates and inspires you to write and why?' I had the pleasure of judging this and believe me it wasn't easy. As chair, it was interesting because month after month these members turn up and share their work but we have never really discussed what actually motivates them to sit down and do some writing. Many of their stories I think all writers will identify with.

1st - Nicola Vincent

In the second infants, I wrote a poem, “Caterpillars Are Many Colours”. My teacher deemed it a masterpiece and displayed it on the wall for several years to come.

Three decades on I dream of seeing lyrical prose worthy of Toni Morrison flow from my pen; for the covers in the bookshop to bear my name, alongside the slogan ‘Orange Prize-Winner’.

Yet the truth, to paraphrase the poet Naomi Shihab Nye, is that I write not to become “Famous” but because I never forget what I can do.

I write not to let my six year old self down.

2nd - Angeline Wheeler

My Inspiration

Year 1982, age 32. Qualifications zero, third child beginning school. Helping at school I realized I had a flair with words and enjoyed them in small ways with the children. There I met someone who really took an interest and encouraged me to go to evening classes where I gained three G.C.E. Later he helped me with A level literature by reading and advertising my work then again through an access year to higher education. Then something came UP between us and I had to make a choice so I moved on for a while.

Although at this time and ever since, my husband was and is supportive he is not interested, leaving me with a depth of gratitude to the man who inspired and motivated me to believe in myself.

3rd - Sue Ross

You ask what has inspired me

And wait with baited breath

To hear the story

Of a world

Created

By my hand

And death as well as life

Was written

Then,

In darkness

Waiting.

I scribed this world

Creator

And Divine,

I watched a zillion sunsets,

Caused great galaxies to

Swirl

Entwine,

The firmament, that’s one of mine

You know.

I drank of oceans vast,

Like finest wine

A heady brew,

I wore night’s blackest cloak

To shoot the stars

And furrowed through the sands of time

To write this world

For you.

Treat it well.

Chairman's Challenge

The Chairman's Challenge for June was write a hundred words on 'tedious' Our Vice - Chair Barbara Groom had the task of judging it. One I know she didn't find easy although she thoroughly enjoyed it.

1st - Barbara Maitra

I’m undeniably discriminated against. I’m an orphaned tubby, short arsed donkey sequestered on a starvation patch. I count the blades of grass, how tedious!

The 2 stallions call me wonky donkey and feast 5 star in the top field.

I’m planning to kick pretty boy Banjo to death one day, followed by a swift getaway. Boyo I can run like a Rhino. The other brat gets a nip from me if I get close but I’m cooking up something nasty for him also.

I admit I’m psychologically disturbed but Life in solitary does this to you. Think I’ll lie down now. Dreaming up death threats puts me to sleep nicely.

2nd - Sue Ross

How tedious is

The daily dodge

Of marching cones,

Regrouping nightly

New formations spring around each bend

(Just to keep you on your toes)

They guard the highways,

Wait to catch us out,

Is it this way, that way?

Who bloody knows?

And all the time

The furtive cameras

Lurk

3rd - Brenda Carter

When I was at school I thought it was boring to stay with Aunt Jenny for tea because Mum worked. No T.V. and all those antiques.

How tedious, I thought as a teenager, that Mum insisted that I do errands for my Aunt.

It was tedious to sit with my Aunt as she grew older. But a maggot wormed in my brain so I paid especial attention.

Aunt Jessie passed away and I felt guilty with hope.

But oh, how tedious it was to sort out her precious things; she’d made me an executor of her will and left everything to charity.