Pull Out All the Stops

I've just finished reading 'Pull Out all the Stops' by Geraldine McCaughrean, a sequel to 'Stop the Train'.  Much of the action takes place  on a storm-damaged Mississippi paddle steamer during the late eighteenth century. The narrative is fast-moving, funny and hugely enjoyable, But, above all, it's  superbly written in a style sparking with originality and fizzing with humour. Anyone who is seriously interested in writing, whether for children or adults, should read her work. Every page just dances with original images: describing the storm-swollen river, 'And when it has made its point, and withdrawn, it leaves behind flotsam, like a drunkard's tip on the bar.' Or, talking about Cissy, the central character, 'Cissy sat back down in her chair, tears pressing her eyes like cows in a cattle crib.'  - Wonderful stuff!

Short Story Competitions

Having set aside the novel for the moment (trying to pluck up courage for a major redraft!), I've been exploring short story competitions to provide motivational deadlines to keep me writing. There are so many of these that it can be very confusing but this month's edition of the magazine 'Writing' provides a selection of interesting ones. I've also spent some time checking out useful websites which list current competitions for all genres. Here are three that I've found useful in providing links to rules, entry forms etc. www.firstwriter.com (need to subscriber to this one but it's pretty cheap), www.theshortstory.org.uk/prizes and www.jbwb.co.uk/writingcomps.htm
Happy writing! And do keep me posted about any aspect of writing you'd like to discuss.