Winner Chosen

Thank you all so much for your comments. I truly appreciate the feedback both good and bad :)

I used randomiser to pick a winner which was number 9 - grHwr - Congrats!!

The Lost Daughter - Diane Chamberlain

Last night I finished The Lost Daughter by Diane Chamberlain which I found to be an excellent read. The main character, CeeCee, is very likeable despite making a very bad choice in her life to raise a baby that wasn't hers.

The book keeps a good pace and even though you know from the start roughly what the story is, it is still an unputdownable book. All the characters are well crafted and you can understand why some of them have certain personality characteristics. The book touches on capital punishment and makes you wonder acutally how guilty are the people sitting on death row. What is their story?

The mother of the main character died when she was 12 but left a legacy of letters for CeeCee to read at different stages of her life. These letters are woven into the book and I think it helps you to gain an understanding of CeeCee and why she chose the paths that she did. It does leave you wondering what choices you would've made if you found yourself in her postition.

The next book in my list is Deaf Sentence by David Lodge which I did start last night. I find that I have to have read at least on chapter of a new book before I go to sleep. Otherwise I just don't feel right!

First Attempt

This is my first attempt at writing a flash fiction. I've decided to publish this on my blog for feedback so please add your comments. However harsh!!

Please follow me on twitter to RT this to win a £10 voucher and leave a comment!
Ends 20th Jan 2012

The Assassin

The tube was packed as always. I even had to queue to get on. At what point will it become too much and the archaic London Underground will no longer cope with the number of passengers. I squeezed myself into the carriage, my face instantly making contact with the armpit of an oversized city worker. I can’t even get a tissue out of my bag let alone read the paper. The train lurches forwards and I stagger slightly, smiling apologetically as I do.

Suddenly the man cries out and slumps down, only making it to a kneeling position, as the passengers part he’s lowered slowly to the floor, skimming down the tights of a well dressed lady. He lays there, still and silent, the crowd look on in stunned curiosity. Someone kneels beside him and cries out ‘he’s not breathing, help him’

The crowd animates and a young guy with floppy blond hair pushes through and starts checking the collapsed man. Blood is slowing oozing out across the floor, making its way towards my feet. I sidestep to avoid it.

The young guy stops and bows his head. ‘He’s dead’ he softly cries. The crowd gasps, some stare, some look away. ‘I think he’s been stabbed, the blood, there’s so much blood’

I realise that the train has stopped. The doors are wedged open, swiftly followed by a blast of warm, stale air. We are all told to stay where we were and wait. I was slightly agitated by these demands.

After a while, a policeman confirms the man has died. ‘It looks like the perpetrator was standing somewhere here’ he gestures wildly to the area of pooled blood. ‘We will need to speak to everyone here’

I’d been waiting about an hour before I was interviewed. ‘I didn’t see anything, I didn’t hear anything. Shocking how this could happen in such a close space’ I declared. ‘Yes, you could say I was standing close to him and I can’t believe this has happened’

 

Of course they checked in my bag, emptying the contents on the floor. Lipstick, tissues and looses sweets littered the floor. They took my details and moved on to the next passenger. I was left to pick up my things.

After a few more hours we are led away and I finally make my way out of the same station I had left earlier. My phone rings so I dig in my bag to answer it.

“He’s dead” I said, absently stroking the hidden pocket on my coat “It’s done”

“B..b..but I’ve changed my mind” came the weak reply.

First Steps

Well I've decided on a writing competition to enter and I've made the first steps. I've written 2 x 500 word flash fictions entries. Just need a third now.

I found it quite easy to write a 500 word story which is a little bit worrying as it probably means they are no good. I've even managed to upset the other half and I've killed him off in one of them. Is that a sign?

Anyway I am now a bit stuck for a theme for the third entry. That's the trouble with be able to pick any style or theme, you really have to dig deep in the imagination pool. At least if you are given a word or a phrase you have something to strucure a story around. I find that works for me.

Anyway I've got another 500 words to write so I'll be off for a bit.

Laters!