What's your 'Writing New Years Resolution'.

We posed the question what's your 'Writing New Years Resolution' to the Scribblers and Jotters. These were the responses.

Ann writes ....

My writing resolutions are as follows:
1. Spend more time on the writing course, for which I
paid good money! I really must allocate a certain
number of hours per week to it. Perhaps a tick sheet
would help!

2. I must get on with that historical novel set in the
Hundred Years War. At my present rate it is going to
take longer than that to finish it!

Best wishes to all for New Year
Ann

.... Di writes ....

I don't make resolutions but I do make goals for the year. My writing goal is to write at least four pieces of short fiction, up to around 1500 words during the year. And to make a firm decision on the subject for my Dissertation by June.

Should be interesting to see what everyone else comes up with.

Best wishes

Di

ps. Happy New Year to you too!

.... Dave writes ....

My New Years Writing Resolution...s...?

My intentions are
To find time to write creatively again.
To enter one competition a month.
To do my homework!
To finish a first draft of my railway career and look for a publisher
To submit at least four radio scripts
To try and write a theatre play
To participate in any joint writing venture that Scribblers may undertake.

Owzat for fiction????

Oh and talking fiction I forgot my best selling novel too....

Dave

.... Happy New Year everybody....:-)

'Interview' with Ken May one of the writers of 'The Lost Sock'.

I asked Ken for some material for the new mini series page on the website and what he knocked up was so good I thought I'd repeat it here.

Ken writes....

Interview with Ken May one of the writers of the Lost Sock.

Q. What prompted the creation of the Lost Sock?
A. Chris Gosling - it's all his fault. He asked the scribblers if they would consider writing something for Felixstowe TV, a mini soap or similar.
Q. So is the Lost Sock a Soap?
A. Far from it. In the beginning all the scribblers brought their ideas to the table, each one exiting and fresh, ready to expand into something new and that’s when it all started to go wrong.
Q. Wrong, in what way?
A. Each one of those ideas on its own would have made a beautiful soap, exploring human frailties, vulnerabilities and issue of a deep and moving nature. But when they were all brought together, they began to mingle and merge, then they started to change, some may even say evolve, into one very demanding story line. As writers we were lost to its power, slaves to its devices and driven by its desires, there was no telling where it was going to take us. We just obeyed its commands.
Q. But isn't that’s the way ideas develop.
A. Yes, but it isn't a TV soap. It has drama, comedy, suspense and an interesting plot line, nothing like Eastenders.
Q. But surely that’s a good thing.
A. People don't want interesting they want mundane, repetition, something with the word celebrity in the title. Give them something interesting and who knows what might happen.
Q. Well only time will tell and I am sure it will be a great success. Thank you for your time.

The Lost Sock Now showing on a computer screen near you

Mini Serial launch: Chris from Felixstowe TV this Friday on the Rachel Sloane program on BBC Radio Suffolk live from 1.00pm

Hi Scribblers!

Hope you've had a lovely Xmas - so far. The snow has arrived, a bit late for a white Xmas, so hope it doesn't stick around too long!

Just to let you know that the mini serial is being launched this Friday once Rachel Sloane has grilled Chris from Felixstowe TV BBC Radio Suffolk live sometime between 1.00 and 2.00 pm.

A reminder that next year [ !! ], on Tuesday 3rd January, the Scribblers will hold their AGM at the Library at 7.30pm - an ideal opportunity for you to have your say and help to plan for our future.

Until then,

A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to everyone!

Keep Scribbling!!!

Dave

Related Links:
The Rachel Sloane program on BBC Radio Suffolk
Felixstowe TV Mini Series Homepage
Felixstowe TV

Interesting Local Photography: 'these are not my eye's'.

Whilst wandering around the old internet I found these pics by local snapper 'Jamie' who seems to be based in Lowestoft.




For more check out these are not my eye's and these are my eyes: the beach well worth 5 minutes.

Felixstowe TV on News 24 along with comments from Chris Gosling and Ruth Dugdall.

From the Felixstowe TV website ....

A BBC News 24 documentary, dealing with citizen-journalism, featured footage from Felixstowe TV last night. The programme showed film from the Herman de Stern fire, recorded exclusively at the peak of the blaze by FTV, along with comments from Chris Gosling and Ruth Dugdall. The film is repeating on 31st December at 0630 and 1330, and at 0130 on BBC News 24. It will also show on BBC World at 1530 and 2230 GMT on Christmas Day, and 0130 GMT on Boxing Day.

NewsText

The BRIDPORT PRIZE 2006 - Short story and poetry competition

A great little tip here from Paul in the Ipswich Writers Group.

The BRIDPORT PRIZE 2006 - Short story and poetry competition is taking submissions for their 2006 prize, however the usual £6 competition entry fee gets you a Professional Reading and a written readers report, which is something that can cost a pile.

I’m afraid I cant find anything about it on the website so I guess we will have to rely on the tip ....

On Writing 1: Good and Bad Procrastination.

Firstly a huge thankyou to yours truly for keeping things going as I pettered out a little in the run up to Chrismas - those of you who know me can probably guess why :-) (clue Adnams). So welcome back and a merry chrismas to all of you - there is a pile of material outstanding so there should be quite a lot to keep you all going for a while.

In the meantime why not read this very interesting piece by Paul Graham about Procrastination.

Good and Bad Procrastination: "
The most impressive people I know are all terrible procrastinators. So could it be that procrastination isn't always bad?

Most people who write about procrastination write about how to cure it. But this is, strictly speaking, impossible. There are an infinite number of things you could be doing. No matter what you work on, you're not working on everything else. So the question is not how to avoid procrastination, but how to procrastinate well."

Felixstowe Scribblers Report of Meeting 20th December 2005

Felixstowe Scribblers Report of Meeting 20th December 2005

Apologies were received from Christine, Rachel, Lisa, Di, Allen, Judy and Gordon.

In attendance were Liliane, Ken, Tony, Zoe, Peter, Ann, Scott, Mark, Les and Joan, Morag and Lewis, Dick, Ruth, Kate, Alex and Dave lus members of the cast of 'The Lost Sock' along with Felixstowe TV's Chris and 'staff'.

A MEETING WITH A DIFFERENCE..

THE LIBRARY

As you will know by now, the meeting was switched totally from the Library to the Brook Hotel. Phase one of the library rebuild has been completed but there are still some access and facility problems to overcome. These will be sorted by our AGM in January.

THE BROOK HOTEL & Felixstowe TV

So we switched to the Brook Hotel to join Felixstowe TV and members of the cast to watch the finished first episode of 'The Lost Sock' which will go out live on 30^th December. A tremendous achievement by all concerned with the ideas, writing, acting and filming the 'event of the year'!

A nice evening once again, this time without any literary content, but one that rounded off another enjoyable and interesting year.

SCRIBBLERS NEWS

JACK and CAZ.

The latest news from Caz about Jack was received on Sunday evening. An email read:

"We have just spent a precious couple of days at home after being in Addenbrook's for a whole month without a break whilst Jack has been undergoing treatment. Over Christmas we have four days at home but still have to attend Ipswich hospital on a daily basis for IV anti-biotics.

Jack will only have four more radiotherapy sessions left after Christmas to complete his planned treatment, then we hope to get home and only attend clinics and for follow up scans etc.

Jack is good spirits and has enjoyed so much spending time with Kai, his Dad and Daniel his brother even though neither of us are looking forward to going back to Addenbrook's tomorrow to spend the week there.

Hope you all have a great Christmas with a New Year full of hope and new tomorrows. When Jack is well enough we hope to catch up with you Bye for now

Lots of Love

Caz, Karl, Jack and Kai (Kai is Jack's 15-week old Labrador Puppy)xxxx "

A follow up text says they hope to be home Friday for Christmas.

A SEASON OF GOOD WIILL AND MESSAGES FROM SCRIBBLERS OF 'OLD'

Last meeting we had a message from our former secretary, Marilyn Lamond and this seems to have generated others. From my early days at Scribblers, messages of goodwill have been received from Desmond Mason who I believe still does a paper round at over 80 years of age!

Another from those early days, Cynthia Briggs sent a letter to wish all Scribblers a Happy Christmas. She has now moved into a small bungalow to be near her daughter in Cardiff whilst her husband Peter, who is far from well,
remains in care in Hereford. Luckily they are able to visit him regularly. Of our first anthology Cynthia says, " I have read it with pleasure of happy memories and marvel at the high standard of writing.. "

Doreen Rayner sends best wishes for Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year. Currently she is tied up with several projects, and very occupied with the situation surrounding local hospitals.

A message that comes from our dear friends, Debbie and her Alex who are now happily domiciled in France along with their billygoats, ducks, a horse & a cat. Amongst all the time renovating and preserving many of the old
features of their property, Debbie is still writing her story of 'Colette' whenever she can find a few spare hours to spare! They send their best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to everyone at Scribblers.

Another message comes from our former journalist friend Gilly Maddison who wrote an article on the Scribblers some time ago then decided to join us! Gilly has had a complete change of career and now works with 16 - 19 year olds
at Otley College helping students with their English and Maths etc. and still finds time to study for a psychology degree. She wishes us all a lovely Christmas and a happy 2006.

Richard Barker still can't make meetings at the moment and has been unable to write anything for a while now. Richard says that when the situation improves he intends to return but for now wishes a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Scribblers and especially to Jack and Caz.

And finally comes a message from dear Belinda all the way down there in Australia. Belinda says, "I wish I was there with you guys - yes I do miss you all and England and the life we had there for the short time. I am trying to
sit down long enough to put together a Christmas newsletter to send out but I just wanted to drop a quick hello to you and can you say hi to everyone at the meeting on Tuesday night. I hope you all have a wonderful time and enjoy your
evening out - I am thinking of you all. I am glad to hear that the Felixstowe TV show / filming has been going well and I am sure you have not only had fun making it but now in watching it as completed episodes. I wish I could be there
as I have said but I am in spirit and mind and wish you all Season's Greetings and as big Arnie said - "I'll be back!!"

Take care Dave and hope this finds you well and happy and thanks for keeping me up to date with all the emails - it is always good to hear the news.

Love from Belinda - and Geoff says hi too and to all at the group as well. "

THE WEBLOG at http://nar8or.blogspot.com

Has now surpassed 3,000 hits and continues to do extremely well. Alex is still working towards getting our new website up and running very soon. He's already 80% there - a tremendous effort on his part with his limited time.

Don't forget - if you have any news or items you would like to include on either the weblog or the new site then please contact Alex at fswebsite@hotmail.co.uk as soon as possible.

Writing Fiction: A Weblog by Crawford Kilian

As you browse around you come accross the most remarkable little nuggets.

Crawford's weblog does what it says on the tin - its about writing fiction - what I think is unique about it is its pithhyness and flintyness. It is sharp, harsh, brittle and gets points across very quickly, memorably and usably.

A writer who really is writing abot writing for other writers.

Crawford Kilian was Born in New York City in 1941, and grew up in Los Angeles and Mexico City. He Returned to NYC for college (Columbia '62), did two years in the US Army at Fort Ord, worked as apprentice tech writer in Berkeley.

He then Moved to Canada with his wife Alice in 1967, stumbled into teaching and found he loved it. At Capilano College since it opened in 1968. Taught in China, 1983-84.

He has written a lot of books and articles; his current projects include a novel and articles for online journals.

He lists his interests as Writing, teaching, politics, hiking, history, environment.


Writing Fiction

Writing.Com: Writers, Writing, Creative Writing, Fiction Writing, Online Writing, Online Creative Writing, Writing Contests

Another huge online creative writing community. The home page asks you to generate an account but I suggest using the links at the top of the page to take you to a huge variety of writing related information.Writing.Com: Writers, Writing, Creative Writing, Fiction Writing, Online Writing, Online Creative Writing, Writing Contests

Next Meeting is at the Brook Hotel.

Hi Scribblers,

Just to remind you that our next meeting will be at the Brook Hotel Orwell Road Felixstowe from 7.30pm this coming Tuesday 20th December. This is because of the likely access problems at the library until the New Year.

Felixstowe TV have a room set aside to show the first episodes of the mini-serial, and then it will be a nice friendly social event when we can meet up with some of the actors and perhaps share a drink.

It will not be necessary to bring along any refreshments as I suspect the hotel would frown at that!

So no homework this time, hope to see you all at the Brook Hotel on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.

If you are unable to make it then please have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year!

With seasonal greetings to you all,

Dave

Writing resources: Writing-World.com.

Another huge resource that you could easily spend a week ploughing through.

There is a free newsletter to subscribe too, a huge selection of articles about writing for example What Kind of Writer Do You Want to Be? by Terje Johansen or A Writer in Motion: Newtonian Laws for the Modern Author by Jim C. Hines . There is a list of openings, and the usual directory of classes, contests, and links page.

Welcome to Writing-World.com!

News from Belinda and Geoff.

Alex writes ....

Geoff asked me to pass the following on ....

Hi,

Nice to hear from you, we are both well and yes in Aus at my mothers in Adelaide in South Australia. Will be here until 4 Jan 06 having spent 3 weeks in Queensland on return in Oct, I may stay longer in Adelaide to fix a few things up that we will not be able to achieve during Dec and move to Qld later. Other then that just putting up with the fickle weather, whilst not cold it is actually very strange for the time of year.

All the best for Xmas and a happy new year and if you could pass the same on to all others especially those without emails in scribblers

thanks

Geoff and Belinda

Writers Resources: BBC - Get Writing

Explore and develop your creative writing skills with the BBC. Get advice from the experts, publish your writing online, and meet fellow writers in the huge online community.

Some of the many areas the website covers are....

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
Get Writing gives you top tips and advice on getting your stories, scripts and poems out there.
read an article, or take a mini-course

Read

Read top writing from our past competitions and anthologies. browse read

Mini-courses Improve your writing with expert advice and structured courses. view all courses

The Craft Read articles on writing plays, poetry, short stories, comedy and more. read our articles

Tools and Quizzes Get inspiration and break through writer's block, or just have a laugh. check out the tools

Watch and Listen The experts share their experiences and tips in short, easy-to-watch clips. see our audio/video

Useful Links Find websites of magazines, agents, and other online resources for writers. see our directory



BBC - Get Writing - Homepage

ThatBlog

A cyber accomplice of ours 'thatgrrl' aka Laura in Ontario's blog is coming on nicely - she now describes herself as a 'Canadian Scribbler' but Im sure that is a coincidence.

ThatBlog

Urban Dictionary: Define Your World

One of my favorite little sites. Certain people love to try to 'lock people out' with their use of specialist vocabulary - particularly 'cool words' or slang (I have no idea what is the cool word for slang these days).

With the proliferation of new media and the internet it seems there is an industry springing up of people who seem to get off on deriving the most inaccessible vocabulary - and wheras in the 80s it may have taken months for a new word to permeate - now it is weeks if not days.

The best solution I have come accross is the wonderful little website Urban Dictionary which takes the wiki approach and has a peer reviewed community try to collectively keep track of what is going on out there in the language.

From the Urban Dictionary website ....

'Urban Dictionary is a slang dictionary with your definitions. Define your world.'

.... warning - this is a site that it is really easy to loose half a day browsing.

Here is my present favorite 'hip word of the moment' defenititon.

1. Podestrian

A person who can be spotted with the iconic white standard iPod earbuds in their ears.

Derived from a combination of iPod and Pedestrian.

'I saw 3 podestrians wait for a bus.'

Urban Dictionary: Define Your World

Ruth and Chris featured on 'BBC NewsWatch' programme.

Our Ruth and Felixstowe TV proprietor Chris have been featured on a BBC report about local TV projects featured in the 'BBC NewsWatch' programme.

The streamable video has been taken down now but there is a text summary of the BBC TV programme NewsWatch.

Meeting/Premiere/Xmas Party on 20th December switched to The Brook Hotel.

Dave writes....

Hi Scribblers,

IMPORTANT CHANGE OF VENUE

An important note for the Scribblers is that the meeting on 20th December has been switched from the library to The Brook Hotel.

I apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause but the reasons for the switch from the library are two fold. First that, although the library will re-open to the public on the 20th., at present there are some problems to resolve regarding access to the new area of the building for evening events together with security arrangements. I hope you will agree that it will be safer and wiser to switch venues to the Brook Hotel.

Of course this rather fortunately coincides with the Felixstowe TV presentation of the 'premiere' of episode one of the mini-serial, most of episode two and a rough cut of episode three.

This event will commence at 7.30 and once completed there will be plenty of time for a chat, meet the actors and maybe a festive drink or two. So for this year at least, there will be no need to supply any of the little goodies that have become a regular feature in the past.

I hope that you will all come along to the Brook - remember it will be a 7.30 start at the Brook Hotel. If anyone needs a lift then I am sure we will will be able to organise something for you. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Meetings at the Library will commence again on January 3rd with the AGM.

Until 7.30 on the 20th December at the Brook Hotel...

Keep scribbling!

Dave

Online Jotters: Notice Board 1Hot off the presses! The first online jotters e-magazine is out now.

Hot off the presses! 'Notice Board' the first issue of the new Online Jotters e-magazine is out now.

Most important and interestingly the magazine contains the results to the first Online Jotters Short Story and Poetry Competition. Congratulations to all the winners.

Also included for you to read is ....

• Chris Gosling writing about his experiences With Felixstowe TV
• The three winning stories from the Online Jotters Short Story Competition
• Two stories about Online Romance from Jan and Mark
• Dave's piece 'Writers Block'.
• An article by Morag about her experiences Publishing Online.
• The winning Online Jotters Poetry Competition poem.
• A piece by Jan on her favorite bookshops.
• There is a list of websites for you to checkout.
• Putting pen to paper.

For that real 'magazine' feel Jan has prepared it as an e-book, a '.pdf' - this is a file format that a few of you may not have come across before.

For those of you new to '.pdf' read all about them here - to view a '.pdf' you need a document reader program called Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available from free of charge from Adobe.

Acronym Finder: Alphabet Spagetti Unraveled.

Quick one: I just cant live without AcronymFinder

Here is an example Acronym Finder Search: What does FAQ stand for?: "FAQ"

Morag Clarke: Book Launch 22nd December at Newton Hall, for 'Green Wellies and Wax Jackets'

Thursday 22 December between 12-2pm at Newton Hall Equestrian Centre, Walton, Suffolk Morag Clarke, author of Green Wellies and Wax Jackets will formally launch her new book; Green Wellies and Wax Jackets will appeal to anyone who has ever ridden a horse, attended a riding school, fallen in love with a handsome man.Morag Clarke or Morag Lewis

From Morag's website ....

Green Wellies and Wax Jackets will appeal to anyone who has ever ridden a horse, attended a riding school, fallen in love with a handsome man.

Imagine Cinderella, the two ugly sisters, and a domineering stepmother transported to a stable yard, and the day-to-day running of a riding school. Add a film crew, one drop-dead-gorgeous actor, and a determined film producer, and you have the setting for Green Wellies and Wax Jackets – a hilarious romp through the world of show jumping and equestrian activities.

Lewis Trevelyan wants a competent rider to star in his latest action film and Ursula Johnson, proprietor of Hollyfield Stables and Stud, thinks she has just the girl (or girls) for him, in the shape of her two ungainly daughters, Vanessa and Caroline.

Lewis, however, has spotted another girl riding the cross-country course – a girl who intrigues him much more, and he will do anything (well, almost anything), to track her down.

Thanks to the Spatec weblog for the original material.

Morag also is having a try at a weblog. I really must get round to updating the sidebar. UPDATE I have updated the sidebar - Ive tried out a couple of new things - any comments to the usual place fswebsite@hotmail.co.uk.

Short story competition: Chapter One Promotions

Johanna Bertie writes ....

We are currently running our annual International Open Short Story Competition, which is offering prizes of up to £2,500, plus publication.

All that we ask is that the story is less than 2500 words, the author's own work and previously unpublished.

The entry fee is £8 per story and the deadline is midnight on Saturday 14th January 2006. Entries can be submitted by post or online.

For more details please check out www. chapteronepromotions.com/ short_story.htm

Please pass on this information to any writer who you think may be interested.

Yours sincerely,

Johanna Bertie
Chapter One Promotions

Short story competition

The Watchetts Press ~ affordable self-publishing solutions

From the Watchetts Press ....

The Watchetts Press are pleased to announce the launch of its new website.

Run by published authors - this is a useful resource for writers looking to self-publish a small collection of their work in a booklet format.

Full details are available on the site itself.

www.thewatchettspress.com

The Watchetts Press ~ affordable self-publishing solutions

Alan Durant on a writers’ course in northern France April 06.

Alan Durant writes ....

Got an idea for a children’s book – and need help writing it?

Join Alan Durant, acclaimed author of over 50 books, on a residential writers’ course in northern France next April (2006).

This course on writing for children of all ages will offer the opportunity to develop techniques and share ideas, during one-to-one tutorials and group workshops, with plenty of time for writing in a relaxed holiday atmosphere and lovely rural setting.

The course runs from 7.4.06 – 12.4.06. Cost £375 to cover fees, accommodation and all meals.

Interested? For further details contact Alan Durant directly by email at alan@durant1234.fsnet.co.uk or by phone on 07944 374734 or visit his website at www.alandurant.co.uk .

Alex writes ....

its a really good site - well worth a visit.

Felixstowe Scribblers Report of Meeting 6th December 2005.

Felixstowe Scribblers Report of Meeting 6^th December 2005

Apologies

were received from Caz and Jack who are unable to attend. Morag and Ruth were attending the Suffolk Book League lecture by Deborah Moggach, Ann was visiting relatives, Tony was competing in a bridge tournament, Bill was attending a local event whilst Peter is unwell and Lisa is quarantined because her son has chicken pox. Barry was caught up with work once again.

In attendance were Alex, Les, Liliane, Scott, Louis, Dick, Judy, Christine, Gordon, Ken, Allen, Zoe, Kate and Dave.

SCRIBBLERS NEWS

JACK and CAZ.

The latest news from Caz is that Jack remains in Addenbrooks and will be for some time yet. It seems that they will have four days at home over Christmas before reporting back to the hospital before the New Year when, infections apart, the final radiotherapy should be given.

It really is impossible to understand how they are feeling. Talking to Caz on the telephone from Addenbrook's she sounded exhausted but is always there for Jack.

Poor Jack, it must be so terrible for him with all the treatment. Some upsets him, he misses home, he misses his puppy, his friends and probably not uppermost in his mind, his new school.

Our love goes out to him and his parents as ever. At this time of the year, especially, he needs to know that he is in our thoughts.

THE NEW GROUP…

We were informed that a new group of writers had been formed by Sue who will no longer be attending Scribblers. It seems that this is more a group of friends rather than a formal group that was indicated originally. They will meet monthly to discuss and critique their work, together with their future writing plans.

It is a shame that Sue no longer feels happy in our large group, and here I wish to record thanks for the effort and hospitality she has shown in the past with committee work. I wish her every success for the future.

On the question of other writing circles, let it be recorded that Felixstowe Scribblers have absolutely no objection to other groups for whilst competition is healthy it is always a pleasure being in touch with other organisations and being able to help where possible. The Ipswich Writers group was in contact with Scribblers before they formed officially, and there has been some contact with another Suffolk group of writers from Clare together with the Tendring writers over the border in Essex.

PUBLISHED AGAIN - AT LAST!!!

Morag's

book Green Wellies and Wax Jackets has finally been published and should now be on sale in local bookshops. If you are unable to find a copy then please contact the Scribblers who will put you in touch with our lovely author.

Along with Ruth - our other lovely author - they sold copies of their novels at the tabletop sale at Kingsfleet Primary School in Old Felixstowe last Sunday.

Morag has a book signing between 12 - 2pm on 22nd December at Newton Hall. Further news should follow soon.

MESSAGE FROM A FORMER SECRETARY

Received a short note from our last secretary Marilyn and husband Steve who are still trying to sell their property in Spain without too much success. They have now moved down to Hove from their last base in Birmingham, have had a terrible time with their car and lost the joy of their life, their beautiful dog Jade. One can understand Marilyn's 'Christmas - bah, humbug!' comment… She does wish the Scribblers better luck!

THE ONLINE JOTTERS

The Online Jotters are now back up and operating normally. From what I gather the competitions have been judged by Dianne and Mike Wilson and Jan provided with the results. These will be announced in the Jotters e-zine when it is published nearer Christmas.

THE WEBLOG at

http://nar8or.blogspot.com

Now fast approaching 2,800 hits it continues to do extremely well. Alex is still working towards getting the new website up and running by the New Year - a tremendous effort on his part with his limited time.

Don't forget - if you have any news or items you would like to include on either the weblog or the new site then please contact Alex at fswebsite@hotmail.co.uk as soon as possible.

THE WAY THINGS GO.

Both Alex and I had set aside time last weekend, Alex to pursue the completion of the new website and I had planned six hours to get down to some serious writing once again. Events of the weekend overtook both of us which
meant even more time dealing with Scribblers issues and none on our proposed tasks. Such is life on your committee….

FORTHCOMING AGM.

You will be aware that we will be holding our AGM on January 3^rd next year. If you wish to include any items on the agenda or comment on either Felixstowe Scribblers or the Online Jotters then please let me know by email or hard copy no later than Tuesday 20^th December. The agenda will then be finalised and sent out to all Scribblers prior to the AGM, and hope that Jan will agree to forward it to her Online Jotters members.

THE PLATFORM.

Both Alex and Christine read out their 1,500 word open themed work for comment. Especially interesting was Alex's work on a budgerigar whilst Christine provided another two chapters of her wartime story.

The shorter work on the theme SCENT provoked quite a diverse response - much of it very humorous.

Kate

opened with Dreams, and Zoe followed with her poem Invisible Footprints.

Our senior member Allen proffered his interpretation of the subject based on dogs…

Ken

shared his untitled work whilst Dick read out Hot Temptation'.

Gordon

, without any homework, read out Dave's 'Texan Legend' on the anniversary of Roy Orbison's death. The poem is posted on the weblog and comments are invited.

Louis

read 'Following the Scent' and Scott produced 'Plonk'

Liliane

turned romantic with 'The Scent of All Roses' whilst the work of the week has to go to Les with his 'On the Scent'

Dave

closed with 'Scent'.

WATCH THIS SPACE : THE NEXT MEETING

Being the final meeting of the year and just before Christmas too, it has been usual for the Scribblers to have a little party rather than a normal meeting. Plans had been made to hold this meeting at the Library on Tuesday 20^th December between 7.30 and 9 pm with the party moving on to the Brook Hotel afterwards for a viewing of the Felixstowe TV mini-serial.

Now since our meeting two things have been discovered and clarification is being sought - first that the Library will actually be closed for a period up to and including the 20^th December and not the 19^th as originally advertised. Additionally the Brook Hotel has agreed for the use of a room only between 7.30 and 9.00 pm.

Currently the option seems to be that we will meet at the Brook Hotel but this will be confirmed in the first half of next week. So, Scribblers, sorry for any confusion at this present time but details will follow.

WATCH THIS SPACE

No homework has been set for the meeting - instead, any ideas for the AGM, events for next year, etc., please let me know by the 20^th.

So until next time,

Keep WATCHING THIS SPACE !!

Dave

Letter to a budding playwright.

If I could just offer a little advice 'man to man' and I could just council the tiniest bit of 'caution' and offer a personal opinion.

In Writers Groups, and I’ve been to quite a few over the years, a little situation that crops up now and again is the very welcome ‘new’ person appearing from nowhere and announcing to the ‘older’ members – many of whom have been at it one way or another for quite a few years - that they, the ‘new’ person, have decided they are going to be a writer. The ‘new’ person often say’s it in such a way that makes the older members feel a bit uncomfortable, and a strange simultaneous mixture of superiority and nervousness, as they remember their own ideals and optimism when they started out on the same road all those years before, and the things they then thought and said, and they squirm in they’re seats, and they want to say something, which they frequently don’t. To often this ‘new’ person disappears again – weeks or months later - nobody knows where to – and another unique voice is lost – and the writers squirm and don’t say anything about that either.

Now I’d say that Writing is arguably one of the most competitive fields in Public Life that there is. It is estimated that the entire UK Publishing Industry together publishes much less than a 100 first time Authors each year - and that is one of the more optimistic estimates - and remember most of those are TV Presenters, Journalists and 'connected' people. Theatre is even more competitive with maybe a dozen, if that, making the initial breakthrough each year. In the Theatre World there is a really quite vicious rat fight over the very limited resources that there are, and you need to remember the quality of the people you are up against - people with Degrees, and decades experience as writers, Actors and theatre practitioners - and a host of other qualities and capabilities. Its very easy as a 'newcomer' to any field be a bit of an 'innocent abroad' and gush 'naive enthusiasm'. I think it is important that you remember that this is not a road you are the first person to travel, and though the prestige and rewards of succeeding are immense and well documented you need to not underestimate how difficult and competitive the field you are entering is. Yes, in any field there are people who break through, against the odds, with a mixture of brilliance, persistence, hard work and luck, but for every one of those there are countless deserving others who don’t. Even in my very limited circles I know a dozen budding playwrights - and frankly most of them are pretty good - admittedly one has made a breakthrough in the last year and smashed the glass ceiling - but even that is after two very long decades of hard work. I guess you need to be aware that you’re trying to barge a very, very long queue, and there are some very good people already ahead of you in it.

To make a few fatuous examples; if you look at the raw numbers it is arguably easier to make a record that gets in the pop charts, get elected to a high political office, become a TV personality, or play for a premiership football club than become what many people would regard as a ‘successful’ writer.

I’d hate to do anything to dissuade or discourage you - but Id hate to mislead or deceive you either. I think if your going to throw yourself into this, you need to be doing it for the right reasons - and not waste time perusing something that may just be a pipe dream.

Now there absolutely is no reason why you, any less than anyone else, shouldn’t be the one in a million, and I’d really encourage you to write, but I’d hate to leave you thinking this was a smaller task than it is. And there are a thousand absolutely fantastic reasons to write other than being the next big whatever.

Anyway end opinion. I didn’t mean it to turn into such a lecture.

Poetry Archive: claims to be the world's premier online collection of recordings of poets reading their work.

The Poetry Archive claims to be "the world's premier online collection of recordings of poets reading their work". The main page will open a RealAudio file whether you want it to or not, so you may prefer to explore the site from one of the inside pages, like the Historic Recordings page, where you can listen to Robert Browning (reciting "How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix" and forgetting the words halfway through), Alfred Tennyson ("The Charge of the Light Brigade") or W.B. Yeats (sonorously declaiming "The Lake Isle of Innisfree"). Or if you want something more modern, there's Ashbery, Heaney, Logue, Pinter .. (Warning: all links to individual poets have embedded RealAudio files.)

Poetry Archive

The Penguin UK Website: What's involved in different publishing jobs?

We have featured material from the Penguin UK website before. Penguin UK has posted a series of interviews with various people involved in book production, from rights-clearance to distribution to IT. It's a great peek inside what the different jobs are like inside Penguin's corner of the publishing industry. Its really quite illuminating.

Who are you and what do you do? Penguin UK

'Suntrapman': Felixstowe Suntrap of the East Coast.

This is a website by a campagning resident of Felixstowe who likes to go by the Nom de Plume 'suntrapman'. I actualy did a webdesign course with 'suntrapman' a couple of years ago - we turned out erm; rather different as you can see. 'Suntrapman' takes an offbeat look at the changes to Felixstowe down on the South Seafront - a frequent theme of us here - amongst many, many other issues.

Felixstowe Suntrap of the East Coast.

Also check out 'suntrapman's' excellent reportage of the scandal at the Herman De Stern.

Great stuff 'suntrapman' - we doff our caps at your energy and passion - keep it up - and your identity is safe with us.....:-)

Felixstowe TV has an excellent new links page for local Clubs, Groups and Charities.

What an excellent links page - well sieries of links pages - this must cover pretty well every organisation in Felixstowe.

There is Clubs, Groups, Charities.

There is also Businesses, The Councils and official bodies and Local People's websites.

Phew - nice one Chris.

Collaberative Weblogs: 'Damn Interesting' and '3quarksdaily'.

Well what is to be said About DamnInteresting.com....yet another highly superior collaberative weblog. A digest of realy interesting and quirky facts and articles - a real the best of the web.

They write 'about' themselves ....

'Welcome to our directory of damn interesting things. We few writers have been at it since September of '05, working to provide daily articles about all manner of subjects. DamnInteresting.com was originally founded by Alan Bellows, and he is also the resident web designer.'

Damn Interesting

Also can I take a second oportunity to point to 3quarksdaily. Yes it too is just another blog, sure, but a good one. 3quarksdaily is a filter blog much like our very own, but with only 15 users (and an editor). As they say on their about page "On this website, my guest authors and editors and I hope to present interesting items from around the web on a daily basis, in the areas of science, design, literature, current affairs, art, and anything else we deem inherently fascinating." They do an admirable job.

Damn Interesting

Premiere and Christmas Party: The next meeting is Tuesday 20th December at 7.30pm.

ANOTHER UPDATE! (1930 09.12.05) WATCH THIS SPACE : THE NEXT MEETING
Being the final meeting of the year and just before Christmas too, it has been usual for the Scribblers to have a little party rather than a normal meeting. Plans had been made to hold this meeting at the Library on Tuesday 20th December between 7.30 and 9 pm with the party moving on to the Brook Hotel afterwards for a viewing of the Felixstowe TV mini-serial.
Now since our meeting two things have been discovered and clarification is being sought - first that the Library will actually be closed for a period up to and including the 20th December and not the 19th as originally advertised. Additionally the Brook Hotel has agreed for the use of a room only between 7.30 and 9.00 pm.
Currently the option seems to be that we will meet at the Brook Hotel but this will be confirmed in the first half of next week. So, Scribblers, sorry for any confusion at this present time but details will follow.

WATCH THIS SPACE

No homework has been set for the meeting - instead, any ideas for the AGM, events for next year, etc., please let me know by the 20th.
So until next time,
Keep WATCHING THIS SPACE !!

Dave

UPDATE - (0000 7.12.05) When I first posted this I wasn't in possession of the full set of facts - the following is what is actually going to be happening. Sorry for any trouble caused.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 20th December and is commencing at Felixstowe Library at 7.30pm. As well as our usual 'mini' Christmas Party where some Scribblers bring along a few nibbles and a certain Scribbler will bring along a boom box and a case of lager (I wonder who that could be?) After that we will be accepting Felixstowe TV's invite and will be going along to The Brook Hotel at approximately 9.00pm to see the 'Premiere' of the completed first few episodes of the mini sieries. Apparently all the actors will be there and we are quite looking forward to it.

As well as our 'mini' Christmas Party where some scribblers bring along a few nibbles and a certain Scribbler brings along a boom box and a case of lager at the next meeting Felixstowe TV will be along with the completed first few episondes of the mini sieries so it will be a Premiere too. The next meeting is on Tuesday 20th December and is at Felixstowe Library at 7.30pm.

More information about the Brook Hotel Felixstowe.

Immense applause that will not end. "Only the Lonely" - the 17th anniversary of Roy Orbisons death.

Dave writes ....

TRIBUTE TO A TEXAN LEGEND

It's many years on and many years gone,
Since December six, eighty-eight,
And his final song had echoed out
Within his homeland Texas State.

The voice that passed away that day,
Was more than desperate and sad -
He'd never sing alive again
And that, my friends, was all so bad.

Yet in our minds, our hearts, our homes,
Melodies linger on and long,
Down the volume, he'll still be heard
So high above his mourning song.

A man whose life was full of grief,
His wife hit by a killer truck
Claudette died on her motorbike.
Then another tragedy struck.

Two sons died in the burning flames -
Gone were Tony and Roy DeWayne -
At his Hendersonville homestead.
Just how could he survive the pain?

Deathly anguish and bitter thoughts,
Replaced with professional calm
He rose again above his grief,
His loyal fans were in his palm.

Each song he sung, a masterpiece
The Texan sang so beautiful,
Etched on the world's eternal disc
Voice unquavering, powerful.

Listen to his ballad "Claudette",
His "Crying" and his "Blue Bayou".
Then "It's Too Soon to Know" and yet
If "Only the Lonely" weren't true.

"In Dreams" of his "Pretty Woman",
Was he "Running Scared" from "The Crowd",
Way down to his "Sleepy Hollow"
To write and sing, vibrant, aloud.

Record, perform, on stage his act,
Immense applause that will not end.
As the world pays great homage to
“’Roy Orbison“’ - Texan legend.

© Dave Feakes
written 06/12/98.on the 10th anniversary of Roy's death.

Scribblers Websites 4: Ruth has her own website now.

Ruth Dugdall's website at ruthdugdall.co.uk

Scent: The next meeting is at the Library on Tuesday 6th December. The homework theme is "Scent"

Hi Scribblers,

First the reminder that our next meeting is at the Library on Tuesday 6th December. The homework theme is "Scent" and has a 500 word limit whilst Alex and Christine volunteered for the 1,500 open themed work.

A quick but late note from Morag that her new book, Green Wellies and Wax Jackets, will be on sale this Sunday when she, along with Ruth, will be selling their wares at Kingsfleet Primary School in Old Felixstowe (off Colneis Road,) from 10am to 3pm. If you are in the area or able to attend, then please pop in. I'm sure they will be pleased to see you and even more pleased if you buy one of their books!

The Annual General Meeting comes up in January, so if there are any items or issues that you would like to have raised then please let me know before Christmas so that the agenda can be finalised. Thanks.

Until Tuesday,

Keep Scribbling!

Dave

Orwell: Politics and the English Language - the classic Essay from 1946.

Orwell: Politics and the English Language

'Most people who bother with the matter at all would admit that the English language is in a bad way, but it is generally assumed that we cannot by conscious action do anything about it. Our civilization is decadent and our language -- so the argument runs -- must inevitably share in the general collapse. It follows that any struggle against the abuse of language is a sentimental archaism, like preferring candles to electric light or hansom cabs to aeroplanes. Underneath this lies the half-conscious belief that language is a natural growth and not an instrument which we shape for our own purposes.'

I never tire of this.

All the Orwell you will ever need at the absolutely excellent K-1.com