Sharing my work posted by other bloggers #2 Tiddles

Also first published here Lou's Writing News, Cues and Reviews: Drabbling: The results of the Twenty-Twenty Club Drabble Competition 2023 (louviewsnewscues.blogspot.com) on March 6th 2023 

Tiddles

I loved you from the moment I saw you lying upside-down in your litter tray. Eighteen months old and mad, you were meant for me. Nobody else could cuddle you; your pointy black face and moss-green eyes staring up at me in bewilderment. Always.

We removed the wallpaper because you kept climbing it, got used to mopping up puddles of water, puddles of wee when you started to forget, when you went blind.

Now, I hold you to my chest like a new-born, so you can feel my heart beating as your own runs out. I love you. Always.

Sharing my work posted by other bloggers #1 Sometimes Even Tina

I wrote Sometimes Even Tina for a 100 words Drabble competition from my writing group. It's about how easy it is to lose your identity when your name seems to be an afterthought.

It was first published on March 6th 2023 here Lou's Writing News, Cues and Reviews: Drabbling: The results of the Twenty-Twenty Club Drabble Competition 2023 (louviewsnewscues.blogspot.com)

Caterina was dull. Everyone who met her as a babe remarked that she was ‘no trouble at all,’ which translated as ‘she doesn’t do much, does she?’ By the time she started school, everyone had forgotten Caterina’s name. She answered to all sorts, sometimes even Tina. She didn’t know to correct them, so she didn’t. Everyone who met her remarked how ‘clean and quiet’ she was, which translated as ‘she’ll never leave her mark.’ So, it was rather ironic that when Caterina disappeared that day, everyone finally looked for her. But by then it was too late.

Updated May 15th 2023! You Aren't a Proper Writer, Then?

Fatboy Slim had a song, "Praise You" https://youtu.be/ruAi4VBoBSM (1998/99), with a video by Spike Jonze that always brings on happy-tears. The song features a sample of Camille Yarbrough performing her song, "Take Yo' Praise" https://youtu.be/sGQbtyctPmE (1975). The lyrics - in case you had forgotten them - go:

"We've come a long, long way together,

Through the hard times and the good,

I have to celebrate you, baby,

I have to praise you like I should."

And, it's pretty damn easy to praise and celebrate others, isn't it? Just takes a little courage and good manners. Praising your own triumphs though? celebrating what you've done? Waaaaaay harder!

I thought I'd compile a list of all my writing wins, and celebrate myself here. I was pleasantly surprised there were so many, and all available online either to read for free (though a donation to one of the sites (Makarelle) would be appreciated) or to buy, outright. The purpose of this post isn't to boast, but just to say to myself that I'm doing good! It isn't necessary to write a novel to be a proper writer (short-form writing is just as hard, and fulfilling, thank you very much), it's just necessary to keep on writing well. That's it. So, here's my list of output from the last year, well done me!

Creative Pieces:

Makarelle Independent Literary and Creative Arts Journal @makarelle1

Issue 1: Spring 21 “Coming Unravelled” Makarelle Spring 2021 "Coming Unravelled" (flippingbook.com)

Those Who Can

Issue 2: Summer 21 “Tattoo” Makarelle Summer 2021: 'Tattoo' (flippingbook.com)

Happy Birthday

The Ballad of Dove and Nate

Issue 3: Autumn 21 “Twisted Tales” Makarelle Autumn 2021: 'Twisted Tales' (flippingbook.com)

The Mirror at Midnight

Issue 4: Winter 21/22 “Love is Love” Makarelle Winter 2021/22: 'Love is Love' (flippingbook.com)

I’ll Still Bring Flowers

Issue 5: Spring 22 “Landmarks” Makarelle Spring 2022: 'Landmarks' (flippingbook.com)

Beside Myself with Glee

Successio Eirian

 

Via Amazon.co.uk

Makarelle Anthology One ISBN 979-8499762516 Anthology ONE: Amazon.co.uk: Makarelle: 9798499762516: Books £8.00

Those Who Can

Happy Birthday

The Ballad of Dove and Nate

The Mirror at Midnight

 

Crossing The Tees Flash! Mob: We Hope This Finds You Well ISBN 9781005952624 Crossing The Tees Flash!Mob: We Hope This Finds You Well: A Collection of Tiny Stories Written and Published in a Week eBook : The Tees, Crossing: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store £free (Also available at Smashwords – Crossing the Tees Flash!Mob: We Hope This Finds You Well – a book by Crossing The Tees )

Red-eyes

PTA Fancy-dress Fundraiser 7pm-10pm, Refreshments Provided

Future Endeavours

Dipping Your Toes: An Anthology of Life at the Lido ISBN 9781739886752 Dipping Your Toes: An Anthology of Life at the Lido: Amazon.co.uk: Lido, Brightlingsea, Loten, R. E.: 9781739886752: Books £5.00

The Brightlingsea Harpy

Words From Wonderland: Edited by R. E. Loten, and J. M. Langan ISBN 9781915970060 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Words-Wonderland-Twenty-Club/dp/1915970067

Alicia and Stevie

Breaking the Spell

Sometimes Even Tina

Which Way I Ought to Go from Here

Via Drakethebookshop.co.uk @drakethebookshop

Crossing the Tees: 5th Short Story Anthology ISBN 978-1914170270 Crossing The Tees – 5th Short Story Anthology – 26-27 Silver Street, Stockton on Tees (drakethebookshop.co.uk) £10.00

'Lexi’s Cone of Love'

Crossing the Tees: 6th Short Story Anthology ISBN 978-1914170393 Crossing the Tees Short Story Anthology – “The most magical little bookshop . . . a little piece of heaven in what can be a crazy world.” (drakethebookshop.co.uk)

£10.00

‘Curiouser and Curiouser’

 

New Welsh Review @newwelshreview

New Welsh Writing Awards 22: Rheidol Prize for Prose with a Welsh Theme or Setting (Highly Commended) 2022 Shortlist - Rheidol Prize for Prose with a Welsh Theme or Setting - New Welsh Review

Blinks and Shards

 

MS Society blog @mssocietyuk

“In Praise of Valentine’s Day and Being Kind to Yourself” In praise of Valentine’s Day and being kind to yourself | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK (mssociety.org.uk)

“What Mothering Sunday Means to Me” What Mothering Sunday means to me | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK (mssociety.org.uk)

Fairlight Books 

Fairlight Books - Literary Fiction and Short Story Publisher

Number Six Is a Half-broken Mind 'Number Six is a Half-Broken Mind' by Beck Collett | Fairlight Books

Factual Pieces/ Special Features:

The Open University in Wales

“The OU gave me my confidence back': Beck's experience of studying with MS’ 'The OU gave me my confidence back': Beck's experience of studying with MS | Open University in Wales

 

WalesOnline

‘How The Open University enabled mum with MS to regain her confidence’ How The Open University enabled mum with MS to regain her confidence - Wales Online

 

Western Mail

‘How The Open University enabled mum with MS to regain her confidence’  (27 April 2023) p. 18