As the winter nights draw in and the weeks start marching towards Christmas, there is nothing better than curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. However, this autumn, you can hear the sound of pens scribbling on paper echoing around the Library.
On Friday 26th November, the Storytelling Sessions begin. They take twists and turns through the imagination using guitar, song and visual art to help find your creative voice. Tea and sandwiches are optional. Some of Storytelling Sessions are fully booked but there is a waiting list. Contact the Library on 0141 248 9969 for more information.
November also sees the arrival of National Novel Writing Month (or NaNo as it is affectionately known as). It sets the challenge of writing a 50, 000 word novel within a month. Writing time begins on 1st November and the clock runs out at midnight on 30th. In NaNo it is quantity, not quality, that matters. I am taking part for the second time after failing miserably on my first attempt during 2009. The experience is shared by over 183, 000 participants across the world, all frantically writing to hit the 50, 000 goal by 30th November. Go to NaNoWriMo.org for more information. Some winners have written the entire 50, 000 required quota in three days so there is still time to take part! I’ll keep you posted about how I get on.
Mslexia, the well renowned writing magazine for women, is running its annual Short Story Competition. Jackie Kay, a GWL favourite, is the judge for this year’s competition. The first prize is £2, 000, a day with an editor at Virago AND a week long writing retreat at Chawton House Library. To enter, write a short story no longer than 2, 200 words on any topic or theme. Entries should be sent by 24th January 2011. More information can be found here.
The BBC are advertising for short stories for their radio show, Opening Lines. The deadline for submission is 30th November and stories should be between 1900-2000 words long. Opening Lines has an mid-afternoon broadcast slot so it would be best to bear this in mind when submitting material to them. More information regarding submissions can be found here.
Happy writing!
