tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70946498122129538782024-03-05T13:30:41.956+00:00Patsy Collins - Words about writing and writing about wordsPatsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-77630738601182821202023-06-04T08:08:00.003+01:002024-01-03T09:30:02.243+00:00Where to find me<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14_3pY__N9jtlGzM0xuW5A2L5tu2Nh2dRRFObkQYzozgMR1pGbkX927M6UFd6inNsOg_HGP7bruK0cFlOx60XSktTwknetZJhVgfCHq-iGb6GIg7mtz7iBfnk2MZR9npezp_RF9O1rfvHNntzX_6AE0GImn7ab4AH7gQVdc4MTZEoOVdNAo5PIaU_/s4032/IMG_1672.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14_3pY__N9jtlGzM0xuW5A2L5tu2Nh2dRRFObkQYzozgMR1pGbkX927M6UFd6inNsOg_HGP7bruK0cFlOx60XSktTwknetZJhVgfCHq-iGb6GIg7mtz7iBfnk2MZR9npezp_RF9O1rfvHNntzX_6AE0GImn7ab4AH7gQVdc4MTZEoOVdNAo5PIaU_/s320/IMG_1672.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">This blog is no longer regularly updated, but I am still blogging, and <a href="https://author.to/PatsyCollins" target="_blank">writing</a>, and now I'm learning to swim in the sea.<br /><br />If you'd like to learn more about me and my writing, you can follow the blog on <a href="https://patsycollins.uk/" target="_blank">my website</a>, or <a href="http://subscribepage.io/6yZgf2" target="_blank">sign up to my newsletter</a> (and get a free short ebook).<br /><br />If you're a writer and would like links to free entry writing competitions, information about submitting fiction to magazines, other writing news and opportunities, plus that chance (via the comments) to chat with other writers, then visit the <a href="https://womagwriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Womagwriter blog</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My little, <b>free</b> collection of short stories is available from Amazon and Apple <a href="https://mybook.to/NADTD" target="_blank">here</a>, and other retailers <a href="https://books2read.com/u/md17XW" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p>Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-80755087053861641102020-08-03T06:30:00.000+01:002020-08-12T07:34:07.235+01:00I'm over there!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4r4TyYhsVl-nNlUMN96wEshmYGwBpFWDdPuvGnJZDb_VqoQwM5yWYvk3YWarw0PBmzQlyRCAet6_vE8uUXA7nbTH_px2u1Br8VMIpOXoIMJIbpHZQdMrvOiHehAxh_kwNbhW0zKHwFaM/s1600/DSC_0414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1106" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4r4TyYhsVl-nNlUMN96wEshmYGwBpFWDdPuvGnJZDb_VqoQwM5yWYvk3YWarw0PBmzQlyRCAet6_vE8uUXA7nbTH_px2u1Br8VMIpOXoIMJIbpHZQdMrvOiHehAxh_kwNbhW0zKHwFaM/s320/DSC_0414.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This blog has now been combined with the <a href="https://womagwriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Womagwriter</a> one. It's all a bit experimental at the moment. <br />
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My plan is that I'll include free to enter writing competitions, Wednesday word of the week, Insecure Writers' Support Group, information about writing for women's magazines, my own writing news, guest posts, other random stuff I think writers and readers may find interesting or useful and lots of photos. I'll use the number of comments to gauge which of those elements to continue with, and which to drop.<br />
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If you'd like to, as well as visiting <a href="https://womagwriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the blog</a>, you could follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/PatsyCollins" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PatsyCollins.writer" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://mailchi.mp/a54d8ccbd4c4/sign-up-for-my-newsletter" target="_blank">sign up for my newsletter</a> (you'll get a free story if you do) or take a look at <a href="https://patsycollins.uk/" target="_blank">my website</a>. You could even <a href="http://author.to/PatsyCollins" target="_blank">buy my books</a>!Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-24776472525995094452020-07-22T06:00:00.000+01:002020-07-22T06:00:02.718+01:00Dressed<b>Dressed</b> is the past tense of <b>dress</b> or <b>dressing</b>. Most of these words are connected with putting things on – a person wearing clothes is <b>dressed</b>, as is a salad sprinkled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Gardens can be <b>dressed</b> with compost or fertiliser, a Christmas tree with baubles, or a graze with a plaster.<br />
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We can get <b>dressed up</b> in our smartest clothes, or give <b>a dressing down</b> to those who didn't make the effort. If we really want to get things right, we may even have a <b>dress rehearsal</b>.<br /><br />Stone and meat can both be <b>dressed</b> – in these cases it means trimmed to get them ready for cooking or building.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxzY5-8w6kiF7mJ7KxlAYhj0NG8NOWhNX9TkrL44AaZwqLer45LJgfTkL7CLuEMqd4H4jUuiNdeaS3VEkX0Pn1xtbNcUSaCcJSvLisvd5qYeth3O1wCFWk7lHyh9nifJppdYsWV9Ka10/s1600/DTI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="989" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxzY5-8w6kiF7mJ7KxlAYhj0NG8NOWhNX9TkrL44AaZwqLer45LJgfTkL7CLuEMqd4H4jUuiNdeaS3VEkX0Pn1xtbNcUSaCcJSvLisvd5qYeth3O1wCFWk7lHyh9nifJppdYsWV9Ka10/s400/DTI.jpg" width="246" /></a>Lots of things can be <b>dressed up</b> in an attempt to make them seem better. Probably best not to try that with our writing though. Editors, publishers and competition judges will soon see through a <b>dressy </b>font, pretentious wording and fancy formatting. If you try either this <a href="https://creativewriting.co.nz/creative-writing-nz-flash-fiction-competition/" target="_blank">monthly f</a><a href="https://creativewriting.co.nz/creative-writing-nz-flash-fiction-competition/" target="_blank">ree short story competition</a>, or <a href="https://creativewritingink.co.uk/competitions/free-to-enter-creative-writing-ink-competition/" target="_blank">this one</a>, or even <a href="https://writingquarter.com.au/the-writing-quarter-competition/" target="_blank">this one</a>, put your efforts into what you write, not how it looks and you could win a cash prize.<br />
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My latest short story collection is called <a href="http://mybook.to/BookDTI" target="_blank">Dressed To Impress</a>. Here's the blurb –<br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We choose our clothes to help us stand out, make a statement, or to hide inside. They may show who we really are or be our disguise. Perhaps they'll help us play a part, get the job done, or be a means for revenge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Clothes can warm, comfort and reassure us. We might buy or borrow them, damage or repair, give them away or have them taken. The items in our wardrobe might bring back memories, express hope for the future, or offer a surprise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">From glasses to shoes, fancy dress to fancy dresses, designer wear to charity donations, the clothes we wear all have a story to tell. <a href="http://mybook.to/BookDTI" target="_blank">This book</a> contains 24 of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">What kind of<b> dressing</b> do you like best?<br /><br /></span></div>
Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-44908171805185168422020-07-01T07:30:00.000+01:002020-07-25T12:42:31.970+01:00Industry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_W_F6PAkWxWqGR6OAaRk62x-BXMoIXqD0UGx3CZyklE-b8H9ielNcm2hxaxakwYWkvECkbz6rau3iKo98l7y2KnLxt1_bxrHiGuKNwE50k152wDLW5BVZOz0_wUGTYPYCsAfWfFiwQw/s1600/maritime07_19may_147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_W_F6PAkWxWqGR6OAaRk62x-BXMoIXqD0UGx3CZyklE-b8H9ielNcm2hxaxakwYWkvECkbz6rau3iKo98l7y2KnLxt1_bxrHiGuKNwE50k152wDLW5BVZOz0_wUGTYPYCsAfWfFiwQw/s320/maritime07_19may_147.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><br />
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<b>Industry</b> is a type of trade or manufacture, it can refer to trade and manufacture collectively. Those things will often happen in an <b>industrial</b> environment. <b>Industry</b> may also mean great activity or diligence. Those who demonstrate this are <b>industrious</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkm2NmhJx1N4YRjqA1uXlI2TgdUhtrSa1fGW7MURszuMOYnm8eKCFe0UV7kcysaOlrj3Fqt7poMSytYym4aDO1jiNeHt17Al211LkC9C1_Ho3r0EnlU4kSXvj1Na3cZTBtolxgO9LOOQ/s1600/money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkm2NmhJx1N4YRjqA1uXlI2TgdUhtrSa1fGW7MURszuMOYnm8eKCFe0UV7kcysaOlrj3Fqt7poMSytYym4aDO1jiNeHt17Al211LkC9C1_Ho3r0EnlU4kSXvj1Na3cZTBtolxgO9LOOQ/s320/money.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Publishing is an <b>industry</b>. We don't always like to think of it that way, but it is. In common with most other <b>industries</b> money is the main driving force. It's often not the only one, but it's very important. If (for example) a magazine doesn't sell enough copies to buy more paper, it can't print the next issue.<br />
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If a publisher doesn't think our book will sell, they can't risk paying for an editor, cover designer, print run etc, or they won't be able to pay the royalties earned by their existing authors – and that wouldn't be fair, would it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BeVY0gfbe61Cdc0gwtnrfvPCC9BN1zLqx1Zze_-daoPI-kTAoAmlseghatTyqBsj8GHMcFGfnT5S0j9_luoGxZ-O8qK5P3KWz-GgD6uiPkhBUEGXNs2UmMZWsq4XyPTV_o29v2GES8k/s1600/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BeVY0gfbe61Cdc0gwtnrfvPCC9BN1zLqx1Zze_-daoPI-kTAoAmlseghatTyqBsj8GHMcFGfnT5S0j9_luoGxZ-O8qK5P3KWz-GgD6uiPkhBUEGXNs2UmMZWsq4XyPTV_o29v2GES8k/s1600/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S2Mnedgpcf1Y0tMKS1AgFVMYAnm9U3WjYVOfX34cw5zKByceyzT1iT629xUh-09a9L-rR4dsKFGSwqaDVL1deDniAeSniUY88B-ShWhmbdJoaWBLDPIBN30JcVOrdfiENeDJwqEe2F8/s1600/DSC_0185-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1106" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S2Mnedgpcf1Y0tMKS1AgFVMYAnm9U3WjYVOfX34cw5zKByceyzT1iT629xUh-09a9L-rR4dsKFGSwqaDVL1deDniAeSniUY88B-ShWhmbdJoaWBLDPIBN30JcVOrdfiENeDJwqEe2F8/s320/DSC_0185-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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This month's <a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a> question is – There have been many <b>industry</b> changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?<br />
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I'd like to see things level out a bit more. Instead of a few authors making vast fortunes and the rest struggling to make any kind of profit, I'd like more of us to earn at least the minimum wage. But then I'd like that for those who work in all other <b>industries</b> too.<br />
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Things could be worse though. There are opportunities for 'ordinary' writers. Free to enter writing competitions are part of that. They offer the possibility of winning some money, improving your craft, building confidence, perhaps even getting noticed by someone in the <b>industry</b>. (Which is one reason I blog about them so frequently.)<br />
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<a href="https://www.nottinghamwritersstudio.co.uk/the-george-floyd-short-story-competition/" target="_blank">This one from Nottingham Writers' Studio</a> is for up to 5,000 words of fiction or non fiction to be included in an anthology titled Black Lives. The top prizes if £250. All published entries will earn at least £30.<br />
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For <a href="http://www.weareperito.com/perito-prize" target="_blank">the Perito prize</a>, you're asked to write between 1,000 and 2,000 words of fiction on the theme of accessibility and inclusivity. The top prize is £500. There's an anthology involved there too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.greenstories.org.uk/about-the-competition/" target="_blank">This competition from Southampton University</a> is for children. They're asked to write books on sustainability, for which they could win £200. (It's the 3rd competition down – you'll find others on the site for adult writers.)<br />
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Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-33307348968444834982020-06-17T10:18:00.000+01:002020-06-17T10:18:14.110+01:00Wallpaper<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPvbG_Ogaq8HXcRhPezJHaAR4CEMS14xpm8YGAYAxGQEg-YD3thwOsb7LBTsQzik9nrFoA9S1JboSuu7Wdi-ghCtLwVXVZIWZ0nVNPah4VSGAjyuFEpPQngEt6108R6d1p88mfGCilFM/s1600/pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPvbG_Ogaq8HXcRhPezJHaAR4CEMS14xpm8YGAYAxGQEg-YD3thwOsb7LBTsQzik9nrFoA9S1JboSuu7Wdi-ghCtLwVXVZIWZ0nVNPah4VSGAjyuFEpPQngEt6108R6d1p88mfGCilFM/s320/pan.jpg" width="213" /></a>Judging by the response to l<a href="http://patsy-collins.blogspot.com/2020/06/competition-news.html" target="_blank">ast week's post</a>, in which I asked for your competition news and provided the usual three links to free writing competitions, that subject is no longer of interest to my readers, so I'm dropping it for now. Instead Wednesday word of the week is back!<br />
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<b>Wallpaper</b> is, of course, paper sold to stick on walls to make them look pretty, or cover cracks, or both. Oddly I haven't got a single photo of wallpaper. Here's some fancy panelling (at Bolsover castle). It's a wall covering and made from the same stuff as paper ...
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<b>Wallpaper</b> can also mean an unobtrusive background, often background noise.<br />
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I don't recall every coming across <b>wallpaper</b> as a writing term until it appeared in a lovely review of <a href="http://viewbook.at/Firestarter" target="_blank">Firestarter</a> last week. (Ooops, I seem to have 'accidentally' included a more recent one too!)<br />
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In this context <b>wallpaper</b> means background, setting or location. It can form an important part of the story, or just be there to stop the reader feeling the action happening in a void.<br />
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What kind of wallpaper do you like?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVwfHO5Sy4tUhhoPx-33-Ll6bijsFkvY9ZQEY9FXXzqqeM2DTOtDo306GJ2OP_NVHQSjwUkMXpzZSMkxyT97Rgc1EZOP7C6iBSMWeyoBKxedAKmXe1z8b5G9LZdP29KhKzuxxS7pNl40/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-06-14+at+15.54.07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVwfHO5Sy4tUhhoPx-33-Ll6bijsFkvY9ZQEY9FXXzqqeM2DTOtDo306GJ2OP_NVHQSjwUkMXpzZSMkxyT97Rgc1EZOP7C6iBSMWeyoBKxedAKmXe1z8b5G9LZdP29KhKzuxxS7pNl40/s640/Screen+Shot+2020-06-14+at+15.54.07.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-47764674731556766152020-03-25T05:30:00.000+00:002020-03-25T05:30:02.830+00:00Literary lady? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjpZroscffNXt4P9HqzfG7KnsSx906b7K_Py2fZlNGZUQVORalvlXvwm7S3EzPQRkM2UZ3hJHZUdU_yrrBBsGhRhqPup8rg28UnZD2EHKHGDUcvmOBX1z1-zZIwUObeMk6NnFAaME8VI/s1600/NZ6_9441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjpZroscffNXt4P9HqzfG7KnsSx906b7K_Py2fZlNGZUQVORalvlXvwm7S3EzPQRkM2UZ3hJHZUdU_yrrBBsGhRhqPup8rg28UnZD2EHKHGDUcvmOBX1z1-zZIwUObeMk6NnFAaME8VI/s320/NZ6_9441.jpg" width="320" /></a><b></b><br />
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<b>Literary</b> means – of, constituting or occupied with books or written composition. Suppose that means I'm <b>literary</b> to some extent, as I'm often occupied with reading or writing.<br />
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To prove it, here are photos of me in libraries and bookshops.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7woBMue0o_2MzbYuSMYptHGPyfaGNJHSSkcpJNMI4wP_BEdKdS5u2kXWx9Q3Uj3Oog2sBz2mHpVOIislJJHKaBfESkP7mIjkFJdW7SluA615WQlTK3tYNNyY-j4e2CIWtD2VVi_Xvxk/s1600/reading+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1600" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7woBMue0o_2MzbYuSMYptHGPyfaGNJHSSkcpJNMI4wP_BEdKdS5u2kXWx9Q3Uj3Oog2sBz2mHpVOIislJJHKaBfESkP7mIjkFJdW7SluA615WQlTK3tYNNyY-j4e2CIWtD2VVi_Xvxk/s320/reading+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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You can also be described as <b>literary</b> if you're well informed about literature. Words or phrases which are used mainly in works of literature or other formal writing are considered <b>literary</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMzCxbduxab6og3LXBkK-xctJ2zodxX-cpIehIM_aSxNle-C6fqxAqHlFVllCuqMw0ZyIvCkdwYYaPq7d8HhpLDdJ1oPK-axVOTeyOKn7gyaEAYSLHyY9O1d2wIBibKxrZM-s8UTFeyM/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMzCxbduxab6og3LXBkK-xctJ2zodxX-cpIehIM_aSxNle-C6fqxAqHlFVllCuqMw0ZyIvCkdwYYaPq7d8HhpLDdJ1oPK-axVOTeyOKn7gyaEAYSLHyY9O1d2wIBibKxrZM-s8UTFeyM/s320/DSC_0118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I won't be doing another book signing for a while, but you can <a href="http://author.to/PatsyCollins" target="_blank">get your hands on my books here</a>. (There are a couple of short free ones.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIQhdOaxCS3Yt6SdIQHgPuaeqzsYY-tE5EUgkfn7rIT0pyXs0HPVcQi_IWxk9MeDfuCFovDuPvelyjqYCSc1VsdU8aawrViyeFdK6FfvfDkMx6_Ye2T664nUnrH43U8bZ59TnPTpZEk8/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIQhdOaxCS3Yt6SdIQHgPuaeqzsYY-tE5EUgkfn7rIT0pyXs0HPVcQi_IWxk9MeDfuCFovDuPvelyjqYCSc1VsdU8aawrViyeFdK6FfvfDkMx6_Ye2T664nUnrH43U8bZ59TnPTpZEk8/s320/DSC_0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://fitzcarraldoeditions.com/prizes/novel-prize" target="_blank">This competition </a>from Fitzcarraldo is for 'a <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif; text-align: justify;">book-length work of <b>literary</b> <b>fiction</b> written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world.' Entries close 1st July. The prize is publication and an avance of $10,000. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif; text-align: justify;">There is no entry fee.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BTDg9bHDfh2wKFbqrH6PHvFR6owQ0bugIx3Gn5SvWcG5ggpWO3F81qPvid1h7M4VRYFevmwREjpFdsi56hgsSa3klPWYcMfpQMlJntsED91GiUL-pP8E01hr1We9Jg41ZKUwTCcX5x4/s1600/QV-library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="369" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BTDg9bHDfh2wKFbqrH6PHvFR6owQ0bugIx3Gn5SvWcG5ggpWO3F81qPvid1h7M4VRYFevmwREjpFdsi56hgsSa3klPWYcMfpQMlJntsED91GiUL-pP8E01hr1We9Jg41ZKUwTCcX5x4/s320/QV-library.jpg" width="196" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">Even though I don't reckon it's what I write, I don't really know how to define '<b>literary fiction</b>'? What does that phrase mean to you? What's the </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">alternative?</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorlK6yUtrWxE1ZWHSWnRkAsE1LoSODeGpEgL2hqDm29nqfRNJCMkyrDYDsAU7UX_IfNgtcrqetcn6jHf30pIu_SUDKG4hdVX66ojJiERKJamnSZDoL5NPYFhug84Y1TeWNSASaNCQBWI/s1600/Patsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorlK6yUtrWxE1ZWHSWnRkAsE1LoSODeGpEgL2hqDm29nqfRNJCMkyrDYDsAU7UX_IfNgtcrqetcn6jHf30pIu_SUDKG4hdVX66ojJiERKJamnSZDoL5NPYFhug84Y1TeWNSASaNCQBWI/s200/Patsy.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Are you <b>literary</b>?Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-66610143026763695692020-03-04T05:00:00.000+00:002020-03-06T18:32:40.163+00:00Tradition<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglluApfevtiMZF8imxWtLhC0Ll_kLuYIw0QT_1QJn96pnDOI7bc2WqLLoHexBHXkIp4iXJkep5kc9Jj28sjOF8xSdZWmouJs9NT8gUwYZLqcBu1FsQ_DSP4yhiJnGBOiTan_XDATd7nx0/s1600/buns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglluApfevtiMZF8imxWtLhC0Ll_kLuYIw0QT_1QJn96pnDOI7bc2WqLLoHexBHXkIp4iXJkep5kc9Jj28sjOF8xSdZWmouJs9NT8gUwYZLqcBu1FsQ_DSP4yhiJnGBOiTan_XDATd7nx0/s320/buns.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">A <b>tradition</b> is an ongoing custom, belief or opinion, often passed on for generations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Atristic and literary principles and methods which are based on experience and common practice are also considered<b> traditions</b>. It's <b>traditional</b> for romances to have happy endings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A <b>traditionalist</b> is someone who has respect for traditions, perhaps to an excessive extent.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BeVY0gfbe61Cdc0gwtnrfvPCC9BN1zLqx1Zze_-daoPI-kTAoAmlseghatTyqBsj8GHMcFGfnT5S0j9_luoGxZ-O8qK5P3KWz-GgD6uiPkhBUEGXNs2UmMZWsq4XyPTV_o29v2GES8k/s1600/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BeVY0gfbe61Cdc0gwtnrfvPCC9BN1zLqx1Zze_-daoPI-kTAoAmlseghatTyqBsj8GHMcFGfnT5S0j9_luoGxZ-O8qK5P3KWz-GgD6uiPkhBUEGXNs2UmMZWsq4XyPTV_o29v2GES8k/s1600/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Which <b>traditions</b> do you follow and enjoy? A lot of my favourites involve food – I like to pour brandy on the Christmas pudding and set fire to it and try the <b>traditional </b>foods in places I visit, such as Welsh cakes, Cornish pasties and Scottish shortbread.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first Wednesday of the month is <b>traditionally</b><a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank"> Insecure Writer's Support Group</a> day and March is no exception. As well as the monthly blog posts, the IWSG offers free support to insecure writers in lots of ways. If you think you might benefit, click on the link to take a look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This month's optional question is –</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaODWoepngj209p8BwBctrFj_cxGEsdMJZ7OE8MYUvSstnqHc2jFTY4RgwgF_OBTwwaTKwNvzmOnjaweCFEIRct9HLNyQYYK4ecLPouRk03GVbnhiqtlDChjC6w1PN4Y2TpyluZdwJIEI/s1600/L4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaODWoepngj209p8BwBctrFj_cxGEsdMJZ7OE8MYUvSstnqHc2jFTY4RgwgF_OBTwwaTKwNvzmOnjaweCFEIRct9HLNyQYYK4ecLPouRk03GVbnhiqtlDChjC6w1PN4Y2TpyluZdwJIEI/s320/L4.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?</span></strong><br />
<strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: center;"><br /></strong>
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think I ever have, although it's possible I've done so not realising a custom isn't as universal as I'd supposed. How about you? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I do it in almost every post, and I've been blogging for years, does it count as <b>tradition</b> for me to mention free to enter writing competitions? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYX3n3g02Vgj1Qa7r0cBEYEibXt0qSLiz6tDAeUcY_2SATaGhVKNna14pUGLFLOfK4Odty01XlJnyjJk2B9cDpF9f1GpgagalnEsOl5QmLapLP7mozc6b-NNWfR3QFcWg91xLlk86aMo/s1600/180611_9185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYX3n3g02Vgj1Qa7r0cBEYEibXt0qSLiz6tDAeUcY_2SATaGhVKNna14pUGLFLOfK4Odty01XlJnyjJk2B9cDpF9f1GpgagalnEsOl5QmLapLP7mozc6b-NNWfR3QFcWg91xLlk86aMo/s320/180611_9185.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.greenstories.org.uk/about-the-competition/" target="_blank">The University of Southampton are offering a range of free competitions</a> with good prizes. They all have a 'green' theme.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://parsecink.com/contest/" target="_blank">This one</a> is for sci-fi, fantasy or horror. Top prize is $1,000.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.hollandparkpress.co.uk/is-royalty-relevant-a-poetry-competition/" target="_blank">Here's a free poetry competition.</a></span>Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-79605099647469039732020-02-26T06:00:00.000+00:002020-02-26T06:00:05.354+00:00Forging<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpceSNzDS6QRmg8QF14_5U1h2tuP7_yFtJ_85id0ghV-3lmwbt62hyuOTXcg2G4r28KlgbDvZxfc4jIPt3vyAHjxNgh6C3VDpijqSAZIoZLBKLjQF0HaC4g2YXwodIrNs0PvH9VauaU0/s1600/lavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpceSNzDS6QRmg8QF14_5U1h2tuP7_yFtJ_85id0ghV-3lmwbt62hyuOTXcg2G4r28KlgbDvZxfc4jIPt3vyAHjxNgh6C3VDpijqSAZIoZLBKLjQF0HaC4g2YXwodIrNs0PvH9VauaU0/s320/lavender.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">For this <a href="http://parsecink.com/contest/" target="_blank">short story competition</a> from Parsec Ink, you're asked to write a story of up to 3,500 words on the theme of <b>forging</b>. Good word – I can think of several ways to interpet that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The contest is free to enter and offers a $200 prize. It's only open to non-professional writers. The entry must be sci-fi, fantasy or horror.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Forging</b> can mean creating something strong and enduring – to <b>forge</b> a career, legacy or relationship, for example. The encouragement of my granparents <b>forged</b> my love of gardening. If you <b>forge ahead,</b> you're taking the lead or making good progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Forging</b> can be to make an object from metal by heating and shaping it. A <b>forged</b> banknote is a <b>forgery</b> (fake, fraudulent copy) created by a <b>forger.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-78629796712168271822020-02-05T05:00:00.000+00:002020-02-05T05:00:03.319+00:00Art imitating art?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXBrjUh_ZVkWI2_JlqajYsCRTt-U5FMbdIVwgh3XYB-tO7nKaaUKPWXK4-H8brMsh072FE9elNqYk3LPwahSHv6zqTD3AXehFDInBYqkc2O_KilLuYE3l_FFuy1x54gp1S5HH7UkztxE/s1600/Woman%2527s+Weekly_0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXBrjUh_ZVkWI2_JlqajYsCRTt-U5FMbdIVwgh3XYB-tO7nKaaUKPWXK4-H8brMsh072FE9elNqYk3LPwahSHv6zqTD3AXehFDInBYqkc2O_KilLuYE3l_FFuy1x54gp1S5HH7UkztxE/s320/Woman%2527s+Weekly_0162.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: inherit;">Art</b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> is both human creative skill,
and the results of that skill.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">The arts</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> are different
branches of creative activity. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Painting is </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">an art</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">,
a painting is a </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">piece of art</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, painting is </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">one of the
arts.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />The word can also be used to
describe a skill or talent which doesn't produce a tangible result.
For example the<b> art</b> of not being around when there's work
to be done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It's the first Wednesday of the
month, so time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group post. You can
<a href="https://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">sign up here</a> if you're a an insecure writer, and/or would like to
support those who are.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />February's optional question is –
Has a single photo or <b>work of art</b> ever inspired a story? What was it
and did you finish it?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NC0eoiww0_aGM305XZ7efSzADvz3sULoibIC2CHe9aWDbgrwrR44Q2OwDgUu6RefGadWPuZm00rssEaOOdy95IKAjXy2pBbxhxS_wCWXhrY5X_7c6D-xnRMFpm__hrBk6xTF4UyQSwQ/s1600/DSC_0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1258" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NC0eoiww0_aGM305XZ7efSzADvz3sULoibIC2CHe9aWDbgrwrR44Q2OwDgUu6RefGadWPuZm00rssEaOOdy95IKAjXy2pBbxhxS_wCWXhrY5X_7c6D-xnRMFpm__hrBk6xTF4UyQSwQ/s320/DSC_0554.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">No – not a single one, but many.
My grandma was a good </span>amateur<span style="font-family: inherit;"> artist and <a href="https://www.maritimephotographic.co.uk/" target="_blank">my husband</a> is a professional
photographer, so naturally I have an interest in these two <b>arts.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjObV5U360Ck3hEuZrZJxACFbFluh3WanhgN25yna49x-rfTt_ki11D7Lb1P0WFU-Dw66vsccMcsHDKOPKqtfD2R54CGSZQRl_tqeUviDdetep2yRc7yLy27ELNc3eZVgBrjpG_FeoLFw/s1600/PMAPcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjObV5U360Ck3hEuZrZJxACFbFluh3WanhgN25yna49x-rfTt_ki11D7Lb1P0WFU-Dw66vsccMcsHDKOPKqtfD2R54CGSZQRl_tqeUviDdetep2yRc7yLy27ELNc3eZVgBrjpG_FeoLFw/s320/PMAPcover.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />In my novel <i><a href="http://mybook.to/PMAP" target="_blank">Paint Me A Picture</a></i>, the
main character learns to paint – which saves her life. She and I
were both inspired by a trip to the National Gallery. (The cover
<b>artwork</b> is by my husband.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FP9_gsB_cKo-1wtOgYS7Nxq1wwQoorG8JjlFAFLFD4b6NaBqN11Dj6SSZqfyfaJBI92omdt02NDbHoa8ra20VBvOnDYKGsQmFYWki8TvPa-yGx7OxYmw-Q-Gz7X_GxCmLtfowpyvtkk/s1600/LNBF-+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="989" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FP9_gsB_cKo-1wtOgYS7Nxq1wwQoorG8JjlFAFLFD4b6NaBqN11Dj6SSZqfyfaJBI92omdt02NDbHoa8ra20VBvOnDYKGsQmFYWki8TvPa-yGx7OxYmw-Q-Gz7X_GxCmLtfowpyvtkk/s320/LNBF-+cover.jpg" width="197" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />I've attended two writing workshops
with a connection to <b>modern art</b> and sold the stories I started at
each of them. One of my few historical works centres around a
(fictitious) painting, several of my contemporary short stories
involve paintings and painters.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />I also use photos for, and in, my
work.<a href="http://mybook.to/lnbf" target="_blank"> <i>Leave Nothing But Footprints</i></a> is a romance novel about photographers, and
photographers appear in quite a few of my short stories. I also take
photos when researching, to remind me of facts, views and feelings.</span></div>
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Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-267506735609804082020-01-29T06:00:00.000+00:002020-01-29T06:00:11.471+00:00Ligneous<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZI7gcszid-I1xVMrQjR7lzi_A8VSCIlF9UpfARF0gE_D6dpeBaD9IMZKsheaPpfso2cxOt2Z-8tKgS7U0C2_LQakEeELjHZs1EaTkSy5uIuOWwGKzS9b4NL1g5H7nTeud-PnK6pmMjk/s1600/DSC_0192-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZI7gcszid-I1xVMrQjR7lzi_A8VSCIlF9UpfARF0gE_D6dpeBaD9IMZKsheaPpfso2cxOt2Z-8tKgS7U0C2_LQakEeELjHZs1EaTkSy5uIuOWwGKzS9b4NL1g5H7nTeud-PnK6pmMjk/s320/DSC_0192-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ligneous</b> means made of wood, or resembling wood, or just downright woody.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Trees are <b>ligneous</b>, as are some ladders and signposts, pencils, old ships, logs, doors, floors, church pews, garden fences, park benches and traditional Dutch shoes.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeXtHGJT8pVwB1amNy2yZjSEiEgCHYPeju5CVRNRpZS9FHQARdE_bcRs8CQLwcnu2qnPx_b9hb7dvBdzXqnHKMgpakfZI5sTj2irNZvbPah6XpfZLUHfBJlcno49jqfs6PLAPxTE7yr4/s1600/Saliisbury_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeXtHGJT8pVwB1amNy2yZjSEiEgCHYPeju5CVRNRpZS9FHQARdE_bcRs8CQLwcnu2qnPx_b9hb7dvBdzXqnHKMgpakfZI5sTj2irNZvbPah6XpfZLUHfBJlcno49jqfs6PLAPxTE7yr4/s320/Saliisbury_0011.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5flvQmbDEEDwhnwRHSqI0iURSz6CsG9Zfbz7uoYmQzF08VGalTHOEn8r7fiEGLCCugelC57nx_443wTkU_BlCN0aNBNf4blJ9hbbliezEpO3hczmR_Xz-ucXO5FshcfqInow8Bux5Bpg/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5flvQmbDEEDwhnwRHSqI0iURSz6CsG9Zfbz7uoYmQzF08VGalTHOEn8r7fiEGLCCugelC57nx_443wTkU_BlCN0aNBNf4blJ9hbbliezEpO3hczmR_Xz-ucXO5FshcfqInow8Bux5Bpg/s320/2.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTWKLOx-7AX42xr7d56Xpn9SkasOA6QxfsT59UETL4YsALiasJ8v8uw5h9bdRNy5YRxAPg7AF7-6Mpp7xRiXgvAJEtSbKk1kD24gKyLlsnyjGl0QDwlHAjswWOU26JYP0Z2I1Adn5dF8/s1600/victory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1043" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTWKLOx-7AX42xr7d56Xpn9SkasOA6QxfsT59UETL4YsALiasJ8v8uw5h9bdRNy5YRxAPg7AF7-6Mpp7xRiXgvAJEtSbKk1kD24gKyLlsnyjGl0QDwlHAjswWOU26JYP0Z2I1Adn5dF8/s320/victory.jpg" width="208" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX-Xjv6nh7poZbzN6Skd-t-vbbCjI2qR4TLao5EgAtivKdWZCbh52rWN7K0hMsTdv7octWOAu8SzJsUfdr-FpHJaUcBKMu5c-hQQJE5U8UclT5FpZMy4Wo_6Y73X3oS9-pnVX9KXVK0o/s1600/DSC_0813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX-Xjv6nh7poZbzN6Skd-t-vbbCjI2qR4TLao5EgAtivKdWZCbh52rWN7K0hMsTdv7octWOAu8SzJsUfdr-FpHJaUcBKMu5c-hQQJE5U8UclT5FpZMy4Wo_6Y73X3oS9-pnVX9KXVK0o/s320/DSC_0813.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> What's your favourite <b>ligneous</b> thing?</span><br />
Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-36971108303792479172020-01-22T08:09:00.001+00:002020-01-22T08:09:06.724+00:00Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxv1Oghf-AbXij3jQcCtLlCj9ImEACiVwQg0oNISGgujYnJPoXavPxtEUhOMKdKxdYrIPIPpqxTE8tkD8lg52fE6KSjs04e1vbEzF52KJLUxM9Cb2w3cIYT00f8y762ugJ4NVEEE_FUc/s1600/aaww.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxv1Oghf-AbXij3jQcCtLlCj9ImEACiVwQg0oNISGgujYnJPoXavPxtEUhOMKdKxdYrIPIPpqxTE8tkD8lg52fE6KSjs04e1vbEzF52KJLUxM9Cb2w3cIYT00f8y762ugJ4NVEEE_FUc/s320/aaww.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The word <b>way</b> has a lot of meanings. <b>Way </b>more than I want to try squeezing into this post. It can mean a path or track, a physical or metaphorical route somewhere, a plan or course of action. How we behave is our <b>way of life</b>. A ship <b>makes way</b> through the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An object may be <b>split three ways</b>, as might our attention. The <b>way we feel</b> is important, as can be the <b>way</b> we make our <b>way in the world</b>. Way might mean the normal course of events, or a specified state (which you'll soon get the <b>way</b> of). We enter buildings through the <b>doorway,</b> then later look for the <b>way out</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">People can be <b>in the way</b> (or the <b>family way</b>) get <b>out the way</b>, or . We can even have it <b>both ways</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For a long time I've liked to think I have<b> a way with words </b>– and now I can prove it's true! <a href="http://mybook.to/AWWW" target="_blank">My latest short story collection is currently available at the introductory price of 99p (99c).</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you think of more meanings of, and uses for, <b>way</b>?</span>Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-611969113668213672020-01-15T06:30:00.000+00:002020-01-15T06:30:04.804+00:00Refulgent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIGxtU6ZyWjpLi33tcgxy1Imd8XSVRoTQfk_26nEwvsh6Zk_JlMcPygKKjwcDeOwdfgRUyiVBFoEbm2mFmD740zo59LrRktYn1Adk6sjc2cTMxydJoTYRjskSWj1CSBibv_WnDgPofNY/s1600/81571578_3463265017080664_3401118871522902016_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIGxtU6ZyWjpLi33tcgxy1Imd8XSVRoTQfk_26nEwvsh6Zk_JlMcPygKKjwcDeOwdfgRUyiVBFoEbm2mFmD740zo59LrRktYn1Adk6sjc2cTMxydJoTYRjskSWj1CSBibv_WnDgPofNY/s320/81571578_3463265017080664_3401118871522902016_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today's Wednesday word of the week comes from the wonderfully talented** Gary Davies*, of <a href="https://www.maritimephotographic.co.uk/" target="_blank">Maritime Photgraphic</a>. He described this ferry as looking refulgent in her new livery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Refulgent means 'shining brightly' or 'gloriously bright'. Do you think it's apt in this case?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">*My husband.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">**No, I'm not after anything ... this time!</span>Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-24130841893645075882019-12-18T06:30:00.000+00:002019-12-18T06:30:02.330+00:00Nice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0sSRGNfxxwa2Pf7NTunZAAX3Q14_j0JpusJFoFXD-4P7zeuxX0_O7R5q1ujGh1zCyAfcwLZDK0VZitAgVM_c6IpoeXwWA6SdDgdFneX7Q2DJ7Ewn1n3WmP_4ZTyiP2vcB8AjWqo8pxI/s1600/DSC_5586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0sSRGNfxxwa2Pf7NTunZAAX3Q14_j0JpusJFoFXD-4P7zeuxX0_O7R5q1ujGh1zCyAfcwLZDK0VZitAgVM_c6IpoeXwWA6SdDgdFneX7Q2DJ7Ewn1n3WmP_4ZTyiP2vcB8AjWqo8pxI/s320/DSC_5586.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<b>Nice</b> generally means pleasant, kind or satisfactory. It can also be used to show fastidiousness, a subtle distinction or something requiring careful thought.<br />
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This <a href="https://janscottbooks.wordpress.com/competition-time/?fbclid=IwAR1G-GRr0Ra8vt60Ufl3rT45Hsp9r3XWkuJmYrSTPxjV-6cboga_SZCKJnA" target="_blank">free to enter competition</a> is for short stories of up to 600 words. The prize is a £30 Amazon voucher and publication on the site. It sounds as though they want entries to be <b>nice</b> so here are some pictures to get you in the mood ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEWyOIgNj25NJtDSKH5d8yg9H26FujocTx3P0EagyWfzm9H8ekGCwwNJ8GCVjuzgSaZnOelb-lm50kjvm3fQMrt3W9xCUbFmEjROb6q28BxYsYKRHRXduIsqw_CA4par7YSAmlexC4h8/s1600/DSC_0736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEWyOIgNj25NJtDSKH5d8yg9H26FujocTx3P0EagyWfzm9H8ekGCwwNJ8GCVjuzgSaZnOelb-lm50kjvm3fQMrt3W9xCUbFmEjROb6q28BxYsYKRHRXduIsqw_CA4par7YSAmlexC4h8/s320/DSC_0736.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATTIKZCCECe9dhp744uKMlnPqLEonpKFpiHBVtLdFyo-AeG1mTSG1AXIi-RUODsc9DnRCMhuhJYz5bUP9tSoR2NLmry02vePkC6EWOvrlwMF_Q65P3SBszBkOvwCI0ti-DjBrmFxFYcU/s1600/pink+roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="799" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATTIKZCCECe9dhp744uKMlnPqLEonpKFpiHBVtLdFyo-AeG1mTSG1AXIi-RUODsc9DnRCMhuhJYz5bUP9tSoR2NLmry02vePkC6EWOvrlwMF_Q65P3SBszBkOvwCI0ti-DjBrmFxFYcU/s320/pink+roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Talking of <b>nice</b>, it was <a href="https://alysonfayewordpress.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Alyson Faye</a> who kindly sent me the link to this competition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSlnHEzMKoSICSSvNEIIPFNL_kOO2qjiQ-OrTokswNK0ZVV1_ZSbUFIzN9kalhnSUcAfBOSMkgdEBUPUXUx3CMaITwv4RoIMOxw0NSHys_uYHfSM_xplzh4HR-Br_noV0aoc9TTZQGvQ/s1600/spud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1180" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSlnHEzMKoSICSSvNEIIPFNL_kOO2qjiQ-OrTokswNK0ZVV1_ZSbUFIzN9kalhnSUcAfBOSMkgdEBUPUXUx3CMaITwv4RoIMOxw0NSHys_uYHfSM_xplzh4HR-Br_noV0aoc9TTZQGvQ/s320/spud.jpg" width="236" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb6krgXE93bevkaQgv7MU25LH-PMe3nWK8HmppO81JEcBfgOTKkrI9sS4wFuMaLe9pD2_tdbWjlyLPF4_34zpu2fAN3SbDyIvEJxHOn_sC1055byqFDFITj0-c1vxvUa2TwuAfeoS5Gk/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb6krgXE93bevkaQgv7MU25LH-PMe3nWK8HmppO81JEcBfgOTKkrI9sS4wFuMaLe9pD2_tdbWjlyLPF4_34zpu2fAN3SbDyIvEJxHOn_sC1055byqFDFITj0-c1vxvUa2TwuAfeoS5Gk/s320/cake.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span><br />
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(I'm featuring a different free to enter writing competition every day from the 8th December until Christmas Eve.)<br />
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If you know anyone 25 or under who is or was in care and is resident in the UK, be<b> nice</b> and tell them about<a href="https://coramvoice.org.uk/get-involved/voices-the-national-writing-compeition-for-children-in-and-leaving-care/" target="_blank"> this free writing competition i</a>n which they could win shopping vouchers.<br />
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Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-68918424499353910902019-12-11T05:00:00.000+00:002019-12-11T05:00:04.025+00:00Idea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An <b>idea </b>is a concept or plan formed by mental effort, a mental impression, an intention, vague belief or fancy ... and what you need to start every piece of writing.<br />
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<i><a href="http://getbook.at/AYOI" target="_blank">A Year of Ideas: 365 sets of writing prompts and exercises</a></i> is a book by me! You can try to win yourself a kindle copy by telling me, in 50 words or fewer, which day you'd like a writing prompt and why. Your answer can be true, funny, silly – whatever you like as long as you specify a date and give a reason.<br />
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Entry is by comment on this blog post only.<br />
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Closing date is midnight on the 18th December.<br />
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The winner will be announced on the 20th. Sorry, the prize can only be redeemed by those in the UK.<br />
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If the winner already has this book, then they may choose one of my novels or a short story collection instead.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(I'm featuring a different free to enter writing competition every day from the 8th until the winter solstice.)</span>Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-7875697575688697382019-11-27T05:00:00.000+00:002019-11-27T05:00:11.426+00:00Philology<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Philology</b> is the science of language. Keen as I am on English, that doesn't make me a <b>philologist</b>, as I don't do anything scientifically. However an alternative definition is the love of learning and literature, so I probably am a <b>philogian</b>, or at least partly <b>philological</b>. How about you?<br />
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Btw, there's still time to enter the mini competition to win an ebook. Just leave a comment which includes one of the M words <a href="http://patsy-collins.blogspot.com/2019/11/friday-freebie.html" target="_blank">here</a>, before midnight tonight.Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-27830608685814292412019-10-23T05:00:00.000+01:002019-10-23T09:30:52.740+01:00Threshold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A <b>threshold</b> is a point of entry, either real or metaphorical. Traditionally new brides were carried <b>over the threshold</b> of their marital home. A scientist could be <b>on the threshold</b> of an amazing discovery. <b>Threshold</b> can also mean a limit. It's said women have a higher <b>pain threshold</b> than men.<br />
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Originally a <b>threshold</b> was a raised strip of wood or stone. It was placed at the entrance to rooms such as kitchens and pantries where rushes, often scented with herbs, were strewn on the floor – as a kind of temporary carpet. Once dirty or wet, they could easily be swept up and replaced. The rushes were known as <b>thresh</b> and without the<b> threshold</b> to <b>hold</b> them in place, would have been spread throughout the house.<br />
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If you're on the threshold of completing something which involves new media, get it finished and enter it into <a href="http://newmediawritingprize.co.uk/" target="_blank">this free competition</a> to be in with a chance of winning one of 5 prizes ranging from £500 to £750.Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-70680027809605434252019-10-16T06:00:00.000+01:002019-10-16T06:00:05.767+01:00CensorA <b>censor</b> is an official who studies books, films, plays and the like and suppresses any parts they feel shouldn't be made public. This could be because they're illegal, obscene, a threat to security or anything else their employer doesn't want let 'out there'. They may decide a work is acceptable only to a limited audience – those over 18, or with security clearance for example.<br />
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<b>Censor</b> also means to make the changes the <b>censor</b> decided need to be made. That generally means removing the offending section. If that happens to your work, you've been subject to <b>censorship.</b><br />
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We can also mentally <b>censor</b> ourselves. Often that's a good thing as it prevents us blurting out secrets or making inappropriate comments. I don't think it's something we should do when writing – at least not in the first draft. Get it all down first, then you can start <b>censoring</b> (or editing if you prefer the term) by removing anything you feel shouldn't be there.<br />
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Thanks to <a href="https://amzn.to/2AMdaJG" target="_blank">Kath Kilburn</a> for passing on details of this <a href="https://nobrow.net/competition/?fbclid=IwAR1KRHjvj-Ke4ggiKsxq4qto8ntFR2e6UA8XZIo4gzy1d4eKer-Qcz0xb_E" target="_blank">free to enter writing competition</a>, with the theme of <b>The Censor</b>. You can submit a short story or a piece of creative non-fiction. The best dozen or so will be published and the authors will receive two copies of the anthology, plus £150. The overall prize is £2,000!Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-14960689746022147022019-10-09T05:30:00.000+01:002019-10-09T05:30:07.788+01:00Rhyme<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgSAlT-opswEZ8up_pMk1EkoBVcaQBnFROArPuiUKL-uQG2EP1Wq3Vcydi97G5M653i7vUohrifKBT0Sdij0PxmHMJhfujYRwiD-kAca3hSJi7WFnwssuv7IqMz5jUp8g5tFGR6EsubA/s1600/oranges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgSAlT-opswEZ8up_pMk1EkoBVcaQBnFROArPuiUKL-uQG2EP1Wq3Vcydi97G5M653i7vUohrifKBT0Sdij0PxmHMJhfujYRwiD-kAca3hSJi7WFnwssuv7IqMz5jUp8g5tFGR6EsubA/s320/oranges.jpg" width="320" /></a>A word is said to <b>rhyme</b> with another when the sounds at the end are the same. Round <b>rhymes</b> with sound, time <b>rhymes</b> with mime (and<b> rhyme</b>). <b>Half rhymes</b> are words which nearly, but not quite, <b>rhyme</b>. Orange and lozenge is an example. <b>Eye rhymes</b> are those words which look as though they'd rhyme, because the endings are spelled the same, but don't. For example tough and through. <b>Lost rhymes</b> are words which used to rhyme, but due to changes in pronunciation, no longer do.<br />
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<b>A rhyme</b> can also mean a verse or poem which contains <b>rhyming</b> words. These generally come at the end of lines. If they're elsewhere they're known as <b>internal rhymes</b>.<br />
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<b>Rhyming slang</b> is a way of speaking which replaces a word or phrase with another which<b> rhymes</b>, although the actual <b>rhyme</b> may be omitted. In 'taking a butcher's' the word butcher's refers to a butcher's hook, which <b>rhymes </b>with look, and therefore means have a gander or a shufty.<br />
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Thanks to <a href="https://beacreativewriter.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Bea Charles</a> for passing on the details of this<a href="https://www.nationalbooktokens.com/national-poetry-day-flash-poetry-competition?utm_source=caboodle&utm_medium=email&utm_content=flash-poetry&utm_campaign=20191003_bookshop-day19" target="_blank"> free entry poetry competition.</a> The winner will get a personalised £100 book token with their poem on and £300 worth of poetry books. The judge is Pam Ayres. I like her. (The rules don't state that the poem must <b>rhyme</b>.)Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-45231137183948287152019-09-11T06:30:00.000+01:002019-09-11T06:30:01.076+01:00Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiO3Eaj764JWd_4X-s-22YlJZ6W58JLTI1NiLuEfPyZcHeyn6KkZZYimzK3S6R_1Zp7yxMVepHp6f7HRGO9HEBsnRTr56_apBi0XANKJIwbax0toYUopy9Tmzo1UpOXACbc719UQzt3Q/s1600/190807_3224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiO3Eaj764JWd_4X-s-22YlJZ6W58JLTI1NiLuEfPyZcHeyn6KkZZYimzK3S6R_1Zp7yxMVepHp6f7HRGO9HEBsnRTr56_apBi0XANKJIwbax0toYUopy9Tmzo1UpOXACbc719UQzt3Q/s320/190807_3224.jpg" width="320" /></a>We're back <b>home</b> after ten weeks away in the campervan! (The photos are all of homes, or former homes, we saw on our travels.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.valeriewood.co.uk/val-wood-prize-love-letters/4590669527" target="_blank">Here's a free to enter writing competition</a>. Be sure to include your <b>home</b> address on the entry, so they know where to send the £100 prize, should you win.<br />
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The word <b>home</b> is usually used to mean the place where we live, but it can be used in a wider sense to mean the area, or even country we, or our family, originate from. It can mean our wider family and background, an institution, the end of a race, a position in sports and games ... It's where someone, or something, belongs.<br />
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To me, <b>home</b> means either the house, or the van, depending on which I'll be sleeping in that night. It's where Gary is, where I cook and eat, the place I read and write.<br />
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What does <b>home</b> mean to you?Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-18213653099334531482019-08-21T05:30:00.000+01:002019-08-21T10:27:39.503+01:00Zoomorphic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpXy40V9IyK0nUcJOYvw0F0ZqFBgxWEiTUY-baH3ORHaysHbjpnlscMvyXAlPWTY8rkuWxVq7krykE4DPW0-y0Bz89jR0fkf43r62ADsZTDaGRNlpPngzTgDkCoeywutWR5-duoA82tM/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpXy40V9IyK0nUcJOYvw0F0ZqFBgxWEiTUY-baH3ORHaysHbjpnlscMvyXAlPWTY8rkuWxVq7krykE4DPW0-y0Bz89jR0fkf43r62ADsZTDaGRNlpPngzTgDkCoeywutWR5-duoA82tM/s320/a.jpg" width="320" /></a>I really wanted 'grotesque <b>zoomorphic</b> corbels' as the word of the week, but as Gary pointed out, that's more than one word. Still, I can use them as the illustration, can't I? These are on the Castle Acre priory.<br />
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Something which is <b>zoomorphic</b> has, or represents, an animal form.<br />
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Thanks to Sharon Boothroyd for passing on the details of this<a href="https://voices.poetry.blog/competition/" target="_blank"> free to enter poetry competition</a>. It's open to UK residents only (dead or alive!) and there's a £100 prize. If you can work <b>zoomorphic</b> into your winning entry, I'll be really impressed!Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-64856082206293302472019-08-15T04:00:00.000+01:002019-08-15T04:00:07.391+01:00Lapidarium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuF1cc5MC50MGBDiDRxDFnSsJldxKIFItMOYCJrHKOZ2r0LdJx6q0Jc8vlLyO3uB5i0mOhEzYKPcsmOshM668-dESYFv-LMs7SyO0kzWjpwVvWp_m85to1w1uGkH4TjoLW-Gry4Uval0/s1600/191607_3730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuF1cc5MC50MGBDiDRxDFnSsJldxKIFItMOYCJrHKOZ2r0LdJx6q0Jc8vlLyO3uB5i0mOhEzYKPcsmOshM668-dESYFv-LMs7SyO0kzWjpwVvWp_m85to1w1uGkH4TjoLW-Gry4Uval0/s320/191607_3730.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A <b>lapidarium</b> is a collection of carved masonry and gravestones. This one is at Coldingham Priory.<br />
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I hope you appreciate the lengths I go to in order to find you interesting words ... Coldingham is 409.8 miles from my home!Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-28790665459823069532019-08-07T07:00:00.000+01:002019-08-07T07:00:02.912+01:00Lin, win and In(secure)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXXxG2koUHcpABxWhux7QKNxIkwFMHJvX8ii5hWqzPCrmarzsPN-8ualEXBVqoT2gNyNwCTYJ-2E-f4O4y2ASj3aexkdfJzL7kQqU024w51q5ZnH1M_oY4p6rQFCAbr55FcSPSaY9LVY/s1600/193007_4839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXXxG2koUHcpABxWhux7QKNxIkwFMHJvX8ii5hWqzPCrmarzsPN-8ualEXBVqoT2gNyNwCTYJ-2E-f4O4y2ASj3aexkdfJzL7kQqU024w51q5ZnH1M_oY4p6rQFCAbr55FcSPSaY9LVY/s320/193007_4839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Has your writing ever taken you by surprise?<br />
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That's this month's <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a> question. (If you'd like to join the group you can do so here – but you don't have to be a member to join the discussion.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BeVY0gfbe61Cdc0gwtnrfvPCC9BN1zLqx1Zze_-daoPI-kTAoAmlseghatTyqBsj8GHMcFGfnT5S0j9_luoGxZ-O8qK5P3KWz-GgD6uiPkhBUEGXNs2UmMZWsq4XyPTV_o29v2GES8k/s1600/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BeVY0gfbe61Cdc0gwtnrfvPCC9BN1zLqx1Zze_-daoPI-kTAoAmlseghatTyqBsj8GHMcFGfnT5S0j9_luoGxZ-O8qK5P3KWz-GgD6uiPkhBUEGXNs2UmMZWsq4XyPTV_o29v2GES8k/s200/Insecure+Writers+Support+Group+Badge.jpg" width="200" /></a>My answer is YES! I
don't think I could keep writing if that wasn't the case. When I
start writing, I don't always know the direction the story or
character's will take. I don't know if that story will sell, win a
prize or be one of those which doesn't quite make it.<br />
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Competitions wins have surprised me – I had a poem performed in the House of Commons and a novel published as the result of winning competitions. As a result I'm always on the look out for free to enter competitions, such as <a href="https://www.culturalweekly.com/2019-jack-grapes-poetry-prize-submissions-now-open/" target="_blank">this poetry one</a>, which I regularly share on this blog.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJwCEGFbxzEZW8uyjEB-6de1oOR455Tg0FuytBEv9ETUHYW08ZWNoZYUY5qCpLPm8pEz4BsqYVMADK63OuD-V4MhyphenhyphenvJHbvhbPoMUzBP1-FCnMJDGOw00Zk-vvdbKmoKAYYd-sueIOotQ/s1600/190208_5079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJwCEGFbxzEZW8uyjEB-6de1oOR455Tg0FuytBEv9ETUHYW08ZWNoZYUY5qCpLPm8pEz4BsqYVMADK63OuD-V4MhyphenhyphenvJHbvhbPoMUzBP1-FCnMJDGOw00Zk-vvdbKmoKAYYd-sueIOotQ/s320/190208_5079.jpg" width="320" /></a>The biggest surprise though has been the change to me as a writer. I started off 17 years ago, writing just for fun, imagining it to be a short term hobby I'd quickly abandon when a new enthusiasm took over (that's happened before). Today I'm a full time writer. I even present workshops to encourage other writers, such as <a href="http://www.nottinghamwritersclub.org.uk/meetings/saturday-7th-september/" target="_blank">this one</a> in Nottingham next month.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb12pzY4chwAd8aZdGfozF7HBVS3YBBta-lFJ2B-GfVasbS_J8J27vR1mxbLHPWfTrlBVD7iFAKaWCViGhiIfpTAYfzeiTXiV6YL72oHwI5uOHhHxOOygJhDf7xo97nmFt_uWVC4Rini4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb12pzY4chwAd8aZdGfozF7HBVS3YBBta-lFJ2B-GfVasbS_J8J27vR1mxbLHPWfTrlBVD7iFAKaWCViGhiIfpTAYfzeiTXiV6YL72oHwI5uOHhHxOOygJhDf7xo97nmFt_uWVC4Rini4/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Another thing which can surprise me is the English language. I'm always learning new words (which is why I post my regular word of the week). Today's is <b>lin</b>. A <b>lin</b> is a 'collection' of water – it can mean a pool above or below a waterfall, but is generally applied to the waterfall itself, or to a ravine through which water is forced, producing a torrent.<br />
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The photos are of The Lin of Dee (apparently Queen Victoria's favourite picnic spot) and The Black Lin (centre). On our current trip we've also seen The Lin of Quoiche and The Lin of Tummel (my favourite in terms of names). They're all in Scotland.<br />
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Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-46642306148375463512019-07-31T06:30:00.000+01:002019-07-31T06:30:02.429+01:00Artificial<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrT91oPw-hzhB2lmc3L-kdXNDoqMTy1ODIjRsvD_1tuxUoO6dnp4F22gDyVqtJUQYY6hviW531l9ulxoCPEVLRUC7hP0CP42YlcxZzK3Guc7AuCSVnBvBFpALWP6XF5tojxiFbXaH20A/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrT91oPw-hzhB2lmc3L-kdXNDoqMTy1ODIjRsvD_1tuxUoO6dnp4F22gDyVqtJUQYY6hviW531l9ulxoCPEVLRUC7hP0CP42YlcxZzK3Guc7AuCSVnBvBFpALWP6XF5tojxiFbXaH20A/s320/b.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Artificial</b> is something made by people, rather than occurring naturally, especially that which is a copy of something natural (eg <b>artificial sweetener</b>).<br />
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<b>Artificial</b> can also be used to describe insincere or affected behaviour.<br />
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I'm not keen on things which are <b>artificial</b> or false – I much prefer the real deal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sjG15gDRE7m9Q7eSVZ1LsmRugt3u8t23ROzzuFJQ2aN8NHZJkXzU6kzNeZfm1dsy1KnFkYzLOGQtUn8GUlqG6UWuc7TtBgoLmocEwwOqNbIEkw73udP-5yAOkyjjNiNUuw5gPzic5GE/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sjG15gDRE7m9Q7eSVZ1LsmRugt3u8t23ROzzuFJQ2aN8NHZJkXzU6kzNeZfm1dsy1KnFkYzLOGQtUn8GUlqG6UWuc7TtBgoLmocEwwOqNbIEkw73udP-5yAOkyjjNiNUuw5gPzic5GE/s320/d.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Can you think of any examples where the <b>artificial </b>version is better than the natural one?<br />
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Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/ABBK1" target="_blank">Alyson</a> for sending me the link to this <a href="https://commapress.co.uk/resources/prizes/" target="_blank">free short story competition</a>. The theme is <b>Artificial Intelligence</b> and the prize is £500.<br />
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There's still time to enter <a href="http://patsy-collins.blogspot.com/2019/07/friday-freebie-string-games-by-gail.html" target="_blank">last week's Friday Freebie</a> and win a signed copy of Gail Aldwin's The String Games.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUarc9c522Frqx9gjByXeth-9-ZPg3mP9ueRZUxrKneka9F1-tVw0wFw5zRZ613SUCSYMTWi9Y00WJkholhu73_A8FYXJ2Ji3yt3mn3EYdDXvhlT1wa110z1zkBgMrwusK16wj0rKiZ00/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUarc9c522Frqx9gjByXeth-9-ZPg3mP9ueRZUxrKneka9F1-tVw0wFw5zRZ613SUCSYMTWi9Y00WJkholhu73_A8FYXJ2Ji3yt3mn3EYdDXvhlT1wa110z1zkBgMrwusK16wj0rKiZ00/s320/a.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2HdnJ0CinOtX9w1ur3HDnepwc0TtvTfiBm0ZTjUx-vIKOpPa5D8u7AyqxVicpm-9e0zcD00Q1pcyn2slbfewBWMrBioxa1VJ1gcVaKlcagVKnU6su9Ifed4KkPsLeGUajSsxzjISSCg/s1600/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2HdnJ0CinOtX9w1ur3HDnepwc0TtvTfiBm0ZTjUx-vIKOpPa5D8u7AyqxVicpm-9e0zcD00Q1pcyn2slbfewBWMrBioxa1VJ1gcVaKlcagVKnU6su9Ifed4KkPsLeGUajSsxzjISSCg/s320/c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-89339319205307167302019-07-24T04:30:00.000+01:002019-07-24T04:30:00.211+01:00Subreption<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2sSLweNSQy8uYXfpqkcdqVlCiJTxeMRu3k9jyx27TfeAvkKqbHAa3dDZptJulsSRfA-wDIXkMvH9aOJst7gUMpRKzwApv-6SlNTj2uSMERSeOuHVBfM7QJQFd4dLCwrmsLkmDlpvCZc/s1600/L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2sSLweNSQy8uYXfpqkcdqVlCiJTxeMRu3k9jyx27TfeAvkKqbHAa3dDZptJulsSRfA-wDIXkMvH9aOJst7gUMpRKzwApv-6SlNTj2uSMERSeOuHVBfM7QJQFd4dLCwrmsLkmDlpvCZc/s320/L.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Subreption</b> is the method of obtaining something by surprise or misrepresentation.<br />
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I've had quite a few twist ending stories published – do you think it's fair to say that I obtained those sales by <b>subreption</b>?<br />
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Misrepresentation won't help you win this <a href="https://www.servicescape.com/short-story-award" target="_blank">short story competition</a>, but writing something which surprises the judges might. The prize is $1,000.Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7094649812212953878.post-1409716460608972542019-07-17T10:55:00.000+01:002019-07-17T10:55:01.178+01:00Excursus<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ1KguTnR0QzwLHJqozvhgpJcLk9YbENU66g9BxlZmyZjVgzLpP2yHnTw3-gfJ4zkTwxMNpPSNUPG5_vTAgQTOeeh19DoVSwgVpzMEgFsk1xzt6-te9A9QzdAxLWHUufuRyN1ZeTWsN8/s1600/DSC_1241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ1KguTnR0QzwLHJqozvhgpJcLk9YbENU66g9BxlZmyZjVgzLpP2yHnTw3-gfJ4zkTwxMNpPSNUPG5_vTAgQTOeeh19DoVSwgVpzMEgFsk1xzt6-te9A9QzdAxLWHUufuRyN1ZeTWsN8/s320/DSC_1241.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">An <b>excursus</b> is a detailed discussion of a particular point in a book, often placed in an appendix, or a digression in the narrative. It comes from 'excursion', which makes sense.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OzkkVmcKGKN57aNe835nB57HgNO6okB2tsRinDnehHLj9eIwBr2lBNsAU9pkD1XCeG024SbCXx_ScY7P_kmqeSWzW_McdQCMquQZ9Ib_I5M6qkQ6-XNA2tqKIRdon8WBO6_PkVjGb6s/s1600/DSC_1373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OzkkVmcKGKN57aNe835nB57HgNO6okB2tsRinDnehHLj9eIwBr2lBNsAU9pkD1XCeG024SbCXx_ScY7P_kmqeSWzW_McdQCMquQZ9Ib_I5M6qkQ6-XNA2tqKIRdon8WBO6_PkVjGb6s/s320/DSC_1373.jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">How do you feel about books which sometimes stray off the main point? Do you enjoy the excursion, or prefer to stay on track?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The photos are from one of our excursions in the van – I'm not digressing from the writing theme of this blog by posting them, as I'm writing a story set in this location.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zvUWCnRi4IGFNxWDN9WNJbt4D686w5VXik1Azt_t__vXVvyiszk_S1A9EJuxQ1d96ZcPys5BTYBphrkdW4HZw2TeRoV-76I0tg8r0SPDWdeNCm8Pjpc3fYO_MT1rfkvIGj8i6cSD1wU/s1600/DSC_1362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zvUWCnRi4IGFNxWDN9WNJbt4D686w5VXik1Azt_t__vXVvyiszk_S1A9EJuxQ1d96ZcPys5BTYBphrkdW4HZw2TeRoV-76I0tg8r0SPDWdeNCm8Pjpc3fYO_MT1rfkvIGj8i6cSD1wU/s320/DSC_1362.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">If you won the $1,000 prize in this <a href="https://www.servicescape.com/short-story-award" target="_blank">free to enter writing competition, </a>you could afford a lovely excursion – where would you go?</span><br />
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Patsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12263765378083045973noreply@blogger.com7