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