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Monthly Motivator – an opportunity to see your work on the website!
We have decided to begin a monthly motivator to give you a start to a piece of writing. This will be updated with a new exercise at the beginning of each month.
If you would like to write a piece of no more than 500 words, sparked by the monthly motivator, each month one will be chosen for publication on website. No prize but no charge either. Just a bit of fun and an opportunity to share writing.
Email your entries to vanda@writespace.co.uk
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the Monthly Motivator. The entries made for excellent reading about Christmases which weren’t quite so bad after all.
Five hundred words isn’t much in which to develop a plot, but this month’s winner, Edith Anderson from Bristol, has managed to give a real insight into family life, inject a touch of humour and deal with a sensitive issue which will no doubt affect a number of people at this time of the year.
Very well done, Edith, and Season’s Greetings to you all.
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THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.
I knew this first Christmas would be hard; everyone trying not to mention her name. Sheila died last Boxing Day - hit and run.
In September the family started planning what I should do at Christmas. As usual, big sister Iris was the most voluble. She’s always been a shopaholic but now she’s a rich widow she just throws money away. Look at that Christmas present she gave me.
Iris insisted on driving me to Linda’s for the annual family get-together. “So you can have a drink.”
As if that would make any difference.
By the loud silence as we walked in you wouldn’t think it was my own daughter’s house. Then forced Merry Christmases all round.
I was just giving money this Christmas. I’d always left the shopping to Sheila; she loved searching to find the right gift at the right price. We weren’t poor, we just had to be careful. I don’t think I spent much more than Sheila ever did, but a gift wrapped in ribbons and bows looks much better than a plain envelope.
Linda had tried with the table settings, but that extra touch her mother had was missing. After the meal was over I announced I was going to walk home. Iris was in full flow so I knew she was settled in for at least another two hours.
Linda was disappointed. “I’ve got your favourites from the Deli for supper.”
“I couldn’t eat another thing.” That was no lie. “The walk will do me good. It’s already been said today I need more exercise.” I looked pointedly at Iris, but nothing penetrates her thick skin.
The crisp December air was refreshing. Before long I was back home and had to admit feeling better of the walk.
I looked at my gifts; the usual aftershave and hankies. Linda had thoughtfully given me a single-cup coffee maker, but Iris, how does her mind work?
As I was pouring a generous, single malt, the doorbell rang.
It was Luke. “Hi Grandad. Mum’s sent you a doggy bag.”
“You didn’t have to come out just for that.”
“I was fed up and said I was going to Jason’s, so Mum said to call in.”
“Auntie Iris getting to you as well?”
We exchanged smiles.
“Now you’re here, come in.”
On the sofa was the gift from Iris. Luke studied it.
“ Can I have a go?”
I settled back with my glass and he was soon weaving around in front of the television. “This is cool.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a Wii. There’s another controller. Come on!”
We laughed so much we didn’t notice the time.
“Won’t Jason be expecting you?”
“No. That was just an excuse.”
He phoned Linda to say he was sharing supper with me. I opened a can of lager for him.
“Just the one - and don’t tell your mother.”
He grinned. “Play you again after we’ve eaten?”
For the first time in a year I went to bed happy.
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Monthly Motivator for January 2009
Write a short piece of no more than 500 words based on the outcome of your character’s New Year resolutions.
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