Sunday 22 June 2014

How this writer’s mind works (3)


I once had a very nosy neighbour whose main aim in life was to find out every little detail about everyone around her. She had no sense of tact and simply asked whatever she wanted to know, no matter how personal or intrusive it was.

I wanted to tell her to mind her own business. I wanted to make her understand that her constant prying was not only annoying but often very offensive. But, being a polite British person, I just avoided her as much as possible and, if she managed to waylay me, I feigned deafness and answered her questions with remarks about the weather.

When I moved house I was so relieved to find new neighbours who were friendly but liked to keep themselves to themselves.

But my nosy neighbour obviously stayed in my subconscious because she popped up again some years later – in one of my stories. It was a new genre for me that I really enjoyed writing, a mystery story that may (or may not) involve a murder!

http://alfiedog.com/products-page/linda-daunter/

And it is now available as an ebook from Alfie Dog Fiction for a mere 39p. 
  

Saturday 14 June 2014

Getting there


What’s better than being shortlisted for a writing competition?

Being shortlisted twice!

I couldn’t decide which of three very short stories to submit to the Worcestershire Lit Fest & Fringe Flash Fiction competition so I entered all three, and two of them have made it to the shortlist.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go to the festival because it clashes with a holiday I’m taking to help my little sister celebrate a big birthday. It looks really good though, packed with all sorts of interesting events, so I’m sure it will be very enjoyable for everyone who can get there. Perhaps I’ll make it next year …

Are you going to any festivals this summer?