Once upon a time...

I believe all stories should start with 'Once upon a time...' but then I'm an old fashioned pig. Why not check out this new anthology of tiny tales 'Once upon a time: A Collection of Unexpected Fairytales': A collection of 89 modern and adapted fairytales (each is only 1-page long) from the Once Upon A Time Flash Fiction Competition, run in conjunction with UK National Flash Fiction Day, 16th May 2012. All proceeds go to the National Literary Trust (http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/).

The Indoor Writer's fairytale 'Just Add' is part of the anthology. It does have a cheery ending, but be warned many of the tales do not end happily.

Here is link to the paperbook version on Amazon and click here for the Kindle version.

The magic of Swanwick: People

As you can see from the photo (right) I enjoyed swanning at Swanwick this summer. Okay, so I tagged along to keep the Indoor Writer company - she'd won a week at the Writers' Summer School (how jammy was that?) with her non-fiction article 'Bluebirds over France' (to be published in October issue of Writing Magazine). I had to keep guard over the crystal bowl while she got to meet lots of interesting people - well they were all writers - so I'll let her tell you more ...

I wasn't sure what to expect as a White Badger (first timer) at Swanwick Writers' Summer School as I nervously arrived for the first tea and cake session on Sat afternoon. Within minutes other writers were welcoming me to the school and introducing me to others. This was quite unlike any other conference/event I've attended in my professional life, where if you come on your own you can easily stay on your own (unless you're a born extrovert). But the White Badge system really works and the Swanwick diehards will swoop you up and embrace you as one of their own simply because you are a writer. I also soon realised that tea and cake are a vital ingredient of the Swanwick tradition. Even now back at home I get cravings for cake and a natter at 3.15pm.

Secondly I was unprepared for the size of the event. Expecting to be one of about 40-50 delegates I was overwhelmed to find myself with 240 other writers. The usual opening at mealtimes to a new companion was 'and what do you write?' And each time I asked this question I was never quite prepared for the response. Swanwick attracts writers of all genres. There are many fiction writers, of short stories and novels, but equally many poets, non-fiction and technical writers. I met several individuals specialising in training materials and books, all who enjoyed Swanwick for the chance of sampling other genres.

I will write more in another post on the courses attended, but today I wanted to share the most valuable aspect of the Summer School: the people. Since coming home I've been emailing and tweeting new friends, some I hope will become firm friends. It was great to share my writing projects with others and to learn about other writers' successes (and mistakes). I had fun at the Poetry Slam (listening not participating), loved the Busker's evening, embraced my ambitious streak for the Literary Quiz (my team came a close 2nd) and relished the variety of evening speakers. I wasn't brave enough to step onto the Eurovision Disco floor for the first night, and that was the only night I retired early as simply just too knac-sorry-exhausted. Also hid for the karaoke night, though LitPig was keen to have a go.

One of the most inspirational speakers was Rebecca Woodhead (Writing Magazine columnist on media). I spoke with her after lunch and even off the podium she was still enthusing on the benefits of social networking for writers. Up close she looks at least ten years younger than her age, which she attributes to her diet of non-processed foods (with the exception of chocolate!), but I'd put her youthful appearance down to her positive personality and pure zest for life.

Below I'm pictured alongside the other prize winners:

Front left to right: me (Tracy Fells), Sue Petitt (runner-up Children's Story), Veronica Bright (winner Children's Story)
Back Left to right: Mike Berry (runner-up Adult Short Story), Maureen Jeffs (winner Adult Short Story).
If you regularly read Writing Magazine then look out for the competition adverts - why not set yourself a goal to enter for 2013? The prize is a full week (Sat - Frid morning) at Swanwick Summer Writers' School - all costs covered (worth about £400).

I can understand why many Swanwickers return year after year. Once you've sampled the menu, you just can't wait to get back for more. And it seems Swanwickers simply go on forever - many have been returning for ten years plus. I think I may have stumbled on the secret of a long writing life: Swanwick Summer School ... and cake.

My networking action list:

• Join Google+ (then I can sit round a virtual camp fire and talk writing with new Swanwick mates)
• Make more of my Facebook page
• Use blog and Twitter to promote other writers and their work
• Earn enough through writing to book my place for 2013!

Random words Flash Fiction competition

Here is an excellent challenge if you like writing Flash Fiction, or an opportunity to experiment if the genre is new to you. Helen Yendall is running a Random Words competition here and offering two sets of prizes. I really like it that she's running a New Writer category for writers who haven't yet been published (full terms on her Blog), which is good to see as it's tough to get placed when you're starting out when so many more experienced (and professional) writers are regularly entering competitions.

All you have to do is pen a 250 word story, which must contain these 4 words (chosen at random by Helen):
reluctant, plague, magazine, sleep

So take a look at the prize on offer and the terms of the competition over at Helen's Blog about writing.

Good luck,,,

A brief intermission

While the Indoor Writer is putting together several blog posts on the Swanwick Summer School here is a brief intermission featuring some photos from her recent holiday on the Isle of Wight (worth a visit if you've never been, it's a cross between Devon and Dorset... with plenty of good walks, pubs and cream teas).

We stayed at Roseland Cottage (below centre), near Calbourne village, with it's flower filled garden.

    Iguanodon footprint (above) at Compton Bay.

Word of the day: Gallimaufry

I keep seeing the word gallimaufry and here is a related post from the excellent Dovegreyreader. Gallimaufry has nothing to do with Doctor Who and means a jumble or hotchpotch (another great word). Now need to write it into a short story.

Swanwick Writers' Summer School

By the time you are reading this I should be returning from Swanwick. The indoor writer won herself a whole week at the Swanick Writers' Summer School and I'm tagging along. I was rather miffed to have been left out of the Berlin trip so there's no way she's leaving me behind this time. I will be taking copious notes and hopefully some photos to bring back to the blog. Always wondered what really goes on a these "summer schools". Apparently they swoon about drinking tea, eating cake on the lawn whilst musing on literary themes. Rubbish! Bet my curly tail they never leave the bar and spend hours talking about "that book" - you know, the one by that nice English lady EL James about soft prawns (I'm sure that's what the indoor writer said it was full of...).

Looking forward to meeting and hearing:
Linda Lewis (author of The Writer's Treasury of Ideas & prolific short story writer)
David Nobbs (Reginald Perrin and many other great comedies)
Helen Lederer

and meeting new writers and bloggers!

Escape to the Country by Patsy Collins

You can read all about how Patsy Collins' debut novel came to be published on her writing blog and here (when LitPig met Patsy). It's an inspiring story for all writers in 'having a go' and submitting your work to competitions.

This is a lovely, light and frothy read. An ideal book to pack for the holidays, but also great to curl up with by the fire (with tea and crumpets) during our cooler seasons. Leah 'Escapes to the country' when she's been accused of serious misconduct in her financial job. Her live-in boyfriend, Adam, fails to stand by her and she flees from London to Aunt Jayne's farm in Kent.

Aunt Jayne comforts Leah with herbal teas and homemade cooking and helps her to de-stress with solid hard work on the farm. As Leah learns about aching muscles and early mornings she's thrown into a dilemma when meeting the handsome and charming tractor driving Duncan. Her feelings about Adam are questioned as she starts to fall for life in the country and, of course, for Duncan.

Patsy grew up on a farm and her knowledge is slipped nicely into the book without any lecturing tone. There is plenty of Patsy's humour in this book making it nicely upbeat, with the occasional giggle too. I ripped through it on a city break to Berlin. It was a perfect tonic to take away the fears of take-off and landing, and allowed me to sneak back to the rolling English countryside whenever I tired off museums and Bavarian beer.

Escape to the Country is available on Amazon (and kindle version here), and you can get a signed copy here.

I'd love to have the recipe for Aunt Jayne's love potion herbal tea. Patsy - if you read this, how about a follow-up with Aunt Jayne's country recipes...

Oh and if you're worried Patsy reassured me that "no real pigs were harmed in the writing of this book", always good to know.

Keep reading...