Mick’s Musings: And It’s Goodnight From Him….
And it’s good night from him.
A simple line, but by gum, I wish I could have written it! So, another of the great entertainers takes their final curtain call in a year that so far, I for one wish we could do without. We’ve lost so many already this year. You’ll be missed Ronnie Corbett.
As writers, we’re always hoping to come up with that ‘killer’ line, those few words that, on their own don’t mean anything, but put them together in the right order and bam! Of course, it’s the 400th anniversary of a certain gentleman’s birth this year who’s become the go-to writer for killer lines. Yes, I am taking about the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare, but don’t worry, this isn’t going to be another half-baked celebration, for a start, and please don’t tar and feather me, I’m not a huge fan. I can just about take some of his comedies, but any of his serious plays usually send me to sleep – sorry.
My point is simply that we use his killer lines in our everyday speech, most of the time without knowing it, and wouldn’t we all love to be quoted! In the good way of course. It’s only six words, ‘And it’s good night from him’, but so memorable. I think we could all quote scenes from our favourite novels, but most of us wouldn’t be able to quote a favourite line, or perhaps rather one that would stand out for longer than a few months in our minds.
Which brings me onto the update on my present WIP. I talked in my last Blog update about how hearing a radio interview had interrupted the flow of what I was writing at that time, if you recall. The new one, tentatively entitled ‘Three Little Words’ (but very likely to change. Not because I don’t like it, but because it’s already been taken a number of times), and as of the last few days, I have finished the first draft with the word count standing at 81,986 words. Deciding that I’d like to get about 10,000 words done from Monday to Friday kept me on track.
by 
Novel Kicks Writing Room: You’re The Boss.
Tuesday 7th June 2016: You’re the boss.
Today’s prompt: Write about a day in your life if you were running a country. What would you do if you were in charge for a day?
Write from 8am until 23.59pm. Write in the first person.
Include as much as you can about your surroundings, how you feel, who you work with and what you have to deal with.
What kind of leader are you? Continue reading
by Courses and Competitions: Luke Bitmead Bursary 2016
Entries are now being accepted for the 2016 Luke Bitmead Bursary.
Luke was the first author to be published by Legend Press and the bursary was set up shortly after his sudden death in 2006. Now in its ninth year it is the UK’s biggest prize for unpublished authors.
It’s an annual award that was set up to support and encourage the work of novel writers whilst also raising awareness of mental health.
The top prize is a publishing contract with Legend Press as well as a £2,500 cash prize.
There is a £10 fee per submission which goes directly to the Luke Bitmead Memorial Fund. This needs to be paid before you submit your entry.
The novel must already completed before you enter and it must be over 60,000 words to be considered. Also, submissions should be from authors who have not been previously traditionally published and who are 16 or over.
by Competitions: June’s Win A Blind Date With A Book
It is very easy to judge a book by its cover. I know I do it. Our competition is one with a twist. It’s your chance to win a blind date with a book.
I’m not going to reveal what the title of this month’s book is nor will I reveal the cover. All I will reveal is that the themes include ‘Family, Mystery, Secrets and Sibling Relationships.’
How to enter:
All you have to do is comment below with your name and county. The closing date for entries is Wednesday 29th June 2016.
I will then pick out a winner at random and will announce it on the Novel Kicks blog on Thursday 3oth June 2o16.
by Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Word Association
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing prompt. The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can. Once you’ve finished, don’t edit, just post in the comments box below.
Today’s prompt:
Grab a blank piece of paper and a pencil. Fold the piece of paper in half or draw a line through the middle. Using one of the prompts below, start playing word association with yourself until you’ve filled both columns.
Elephant
Ticket
Extend
Dishonest
Snow
by Book Club
