Saturday, 27 September 2025

Big and small

Here I am, wandering around a stone circle. Anyone recognise it? I like the way the relatively large, man made circle is dwarfed by the natural landscape around it.

For those who were wondering, the avenue of trees in last week's post is growing on the site of Erddig castle (a motte and bailey) in Wales.

Free entry competitions

Here's a crime novel competition for authors who've not yet published a novel. The prize is publication and a $10,000 advance.

If a whole novel seems a bit daunting, how about a story in 50 words? The prizes are correspondingly smaller, but that's fair enough. This month's theme is quite appropriate for this blog.

13 comments:

ados123 said...

Ha! I recognise that stone circle :) One of the places we take guests...
Thanks for the comps, Patsy.
And as encouragement to your readers I won one of the comps you featured recently, a link I sent you as I intended to enter, for eco stories run by Southampton Uni. My little flash fiction was the winner in the food category but not overall winner. Still, I'm taking it, and the prize money...
Alyson

Sharon at A Quick Read said...

Well done to all with positive news. I haven't anything to report, apart from a poem being published in a local paper and WW reserving a story. I'm finding it difficult to get back to writing, after having the flu. I'm not pushing myself and I'll return when I feel ready.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Patsy.
Congratulations, Alyson on your win.
I had an 'on file' acceptance from Andrew Shaw.
I think it's Castlerigg.
HB

Anonymous said...

Thank you Patsy. I don’t know where the stone circle is, but your photo would look good on the front cover of a novel!
Congratulations HB, Sharon and Alyson.
I also entered the Green Stories flash fiction competition after you had mentioned it Alyson, and I was delighted to have made it to the shortlist.
Hope you soon feel better Sharon.
Dee

Marguerite said...

Congratulations on all the good news, Alyson, Sharon, HB and Dee! Not so good with the flu, Sharon, and I hope you recover fully soon. Nothing to report here except still trying to break through the Writing Magazine comps. Maybe one day... Another atmospheric landscape for a prompt, Patsy :) I don't think the comps are for me this week... says she who can't seem to write more than 1500 words at a time! Let alone a crime novel!

Patsy said...

@ Alyson - Oh, well done! And it's great to be reminded that real people do win some of these prizes.

@ Sharon - Sorry about the flu. You're right not to push yourself while still recovering. I hope you soon feel much better.

@ HB - Well done. And you're right about the location.

@ Dee - You write the novel and I'll be your cover girl!
Well done on getting shortlisted .

@ Marguerite – I never used to go over 1,000 words, until one day I started a story which kept on going and eventually became a novel.

Sheelagh said...

Well done Alyson, HB & Dee on your various writing successes. Nothing much to report from here. I too have been trying (Not too hard) to write something longer but find myself getting bogged down on what I've previously written, having to reread great swathes to recall if I've already said such & such. None of it is helped by big gaps in between working on it. One thing I've learned is to really appreciate the efforts that go into producing such a piece of work. Patsy love the photos, fab.

Eirin said...

Congratulations to Alyson, Sharon, HB and Dee - I agree with Patsy that hearing of successes within this group is excellent encouragement. Sorry to hear you've had flu, Sharon, and hope you feel fully recovered soon. Patsy, thanks as ever for pics and news - hope your own writing is going well.

Patsy said...

@ Sheelagh – I find it helpful to keep updating an outline plan, and to have a spreadsheet showing character info. Even so, there are times I need to go back and check things.

@ Eirin - Thank you. Due to travelling I've not written a great deal, but have managed some.

Marian said...

There seems to be some good news around - congratulations everyone. I had an acceptance from TPF and one put in file for Woman’s Weekly. Interestingly, that came in just after the 12 weeks were up.

I’ve had a go at the 50 word story!

Sheelagh said...

Thanks Patsy, I definitely need some kind of spreadsheet that I can update

Suzan Lindsay said...

To celebrate National Poetry Day, National Book Tokens has a free-to-enter poetry competition on the theme of 'play' for poems up to 14 lines. First prize is a £50 book token. You need to be quick though as entries close at midnight on Sunday (5th October). www.nationalbooktokens.com/win/the-poetry-playground-awaits-enter-our-national-poetry-day-writing-competition

Patsy said...

@ Marian - Congratulations on your own successes.

@ Sheelagh - Learning to use a spreadsheet was one of the two good things resulting from my last 'proper' job.

@ Suzan - Thanks for that. I'll add it to my next post for those who can work quickly.