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!

Musings

For many years I've considered writing a book. Like a lot of people I suspect. Following a turbulent year for many reasons, perhaps this is the year I should make that leap. Part of the reason for starting this blog is to encourage and motivate myself. At the very least, writing a blog will give me some experience.

I've found a few writing competitions, ranging from 500 words to no upper limit. My fear is that I am just not good enough. Some of the competitions offer a critique service so maybe I should take them up on that offer and hopefully learn a few things along the way.

I may improve, I may not but I think that now is the time to try. I feel ready.

Worst Case - James Patterson

Well I have just finished Worst Case by James Patterson and I must admit it was a good read. The book speeds through at a fast pace and doesn't lose itself with too much detail. The story is solid with some strong characters. The main character Michael Bennett is likeable enough and the book doesn't cover too much old ground about his past but enough to get an understanding. For me as a third book in this series I didn't feel like I had to go back to the first book to know what was going on. I did find that as I got to the last quarter of the book I was struggling to put it down as the suspense was drawing me in. The end was quite satisfying and tied up the story nicely.


The text in my paperback version of the book was quite large so it does not take long to read. I think it is a good inbetween book and by this I mean that if I have read a heavy book I need something light and easy before I move on to another heavy book.

So on to the next book and I have The Lost Daughter by Diane Chamberlain. 

Once Upon a Time..

Well good morning and a happy Christmas folks. This is the result of a bored Christmas morning before going to the in-laws for lunch. I have decided that I will blog about every book I read over the forthcoming year and see how things go from there. I am intrigued to see how many books I do actually read over the course of a year.

Firstly I am currently reading Worst Case by James Patterson which is story about children being held hostage. Not only are they the children of weathly parents but there are no demands for money. Instead lives are determined by the answers to very difficult questions. I will blog about the book once I've finished and will reveal the next book I will be reading.

Lastly lets not forget World Book Night 2012. I've singed up to be a giver and I hope to be able to share the joy of reading with others!