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Tuesday, 8 December 2009

Christmas, Cats and #Fridayflash


Those of you who follow me on Twitter (@FutureNostalgic) will no doubt be familiar with the Christmas preparations here at Pen-thusiast Towers, namely the fun and games we've had putting up our Christmas tree. I swear, it was only out of its box for 30 seconds before No. 4 Cat took up residence...

Mrs. Future; Nostalgic called in a feline relocation expert (yours truly!) and once No. 4 Cat had been raked out of the branches, and I went to staunch the bleeding, she managed to get the decorations on the tree. Just in time...

It's worse now there are toys to play with - the poor Christmas Robin decoration will never be the same again - I'm sure it's having nightmares!

I have however, noticed how No. 4 Cat shares an ability with small children of a similar age - and if you've ever tried to get a recalcitrant toddler into a pushchair (stroller) you'll know exactly what I mean. As soon as she feels me apply that lifting-out-of-the-tree grip, No. 4 Cat goes all stiff and heavy. It's not as though she actively hangs on for grim death, it's more like extremely effective passive resistance; I wouldn't be surprised if she's out doing sit-ins and campaigning for mice's rights or some such when she's older!

I suppose there is an upside to having a cat with so much personality (did someone say too much personality?), and that is she does provide some inspiration for writing, which brings me neatly on to #fridayflash.

Friday what?!

#Fridayflash.

Err...isn't that...

No! Nothing at all to do with hanging around in a public place on a Friday, wearing nothing but a dirty raincoat! #Fridayflash is all about writing. Let me explain...

Created by J. M. Strother, #fridayflash is, in a nutshell, short fiction of 1000 words or less, posted on the author's blog on a Friday, with the title and URL Tweeted on Twitter along with the #fridayflash hashtag; it is also possible to post the URL on the #fridayflash group page on Facebook.

Last Friday's list of #fridayflash stories can be found here.

I was (so they tell me) quite good at English Language at school and used to enjoy creative writing essays, in fact it was about the only part of school I did enjoy, but what with one thing and another (work, life, family, etc.) it's been years since I've done anything like that, and I wasn't sure I still could.

Last month was NaNoWriMo, and a few of my friends on Twitter took part. I, on the other hand, took one look at the idea of writing a 50 000 word novel in a month and was last seen driving a (metaphorical) fast pair of feet in the opposite direction! 50 000 words in a month? Me? Yeah, right!

Enter #fridayflash. Hang on a minute, 1000 words maximum and no time limit? Hmmm. Surely I can crank out 500 words or so? How hard could it be? Well, it wasn't easy, but I did it - then I checked my word processor’s word count feature. 1014 words! Hold on, how did that happen?! Out with the red pen, and a couple of days later I'd managed to get it under the 1000, so I posted it in the hope maybe a couple of people might possibly stop by and read it.

Wow! I was truly humbled by all the wonderfully constructive and supportive comments. What a great bunch of people the #fridayflash authors and readers are.

Maybe I should have another go...

I've now written a couple of #fridayflash stories, which (shameless plug!) can be found here, and here, but I'm already coming to see what a great medium #fridayflash is. If you have access to Twitter, do search the #fridayflash hashtag, you will not be disappointed!



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8 comments:

Lauren said...

Oh, your cat is adorable. When mine was a kitten she needed to be rescued from very tall gumtrees quite often... glad she grew out of that fast. :)

Sam said...

Lauren - Thanks for those kind words, my cat is certainly adorable, and a complete terror in equal measure! ;)

Laura Eno said...

They all have their own personality, don't they? Wonderful photos and this is a great post! #Fridayflash is very addictive. I've found it sharpens your writing, having to tell a story in so few words.

Sam said...

Laura Eno - Personality? Oh yes! My cat has personality in spades, which I think stems from her being a rescue cat; she came with 'baggage.' I never thought I'd be able to fill 1000 words for #fridayflash and have been really surprised that I did. I agree, the word limit does make me think long and hard about exactly how to tell the story without exceeding the limit.

Marisa Birns said...

Love the image of your grown kitty staging sit-ins and demonstrations for the rights of mice!

A family member has two beautiful cats and I am always honored when they allow me to stroke them. Not very often, mind you.

#Fridayflash is a wonderful place to write. And you're correct in saying that writing 1,000 words or less is NOT that easy.

Cheers!

Sam said...

Marisa Birns - Thanks for your kind words. My cat has a penchant for washing your hand while you stroke her...then biting you!

To start with I worried about being able to write 1000 words, soon found that wasn't the problem. #Fridayflash is great, and the people I've met are just wonderful. :)

phonelady said...

wow Sam what an awesome cat . Would love to have another cat but with the birds dont think it would work LOL !!! Thank you for the beautifull christmas card .

Sam said...

phonelady - Oh, No. 4 Cat would be no good for you then, she likes birds of any flavour!!! ;)

Glad the Christmas card arrived OK. Hope you and yours have a great Christmas. :)

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