November 8

Write exactly 50 words using - essential, backdraft/backdraught, immediately, focus.

Homework

There is a problem in your life. It could relate to money, work conditions, housing, travel possibilities or relationship difficulties. Write a story about this problem outlining why it has made your life difficult. Tell why you can or can't solve the problem and how this is affecting your life. Maybe you describe how you try to fix the problem or why you can't do this. The ending may be good or bad or maybe it will be little of both or perhaps neither. Write either in first or third person"

 

October 11

Write exactly 50 words using - berserk, lookout, conundrum, consequential. Berserk, by the way,  is an old Nordic word about old Viking warriors who wore a shirt  [serkr] made from the skin of a bear [bjorn] instead of armour and drove themselves into a frenzy of violence.

Homework

There is a lot more to this story than just what is told in the poem. Obviously Lochinvar was a pretty hard case. A lord but maybe also a harddrinker, perhaps a playboy and a gambler or even a brawler. Why had Ellen’s father turned him away for so long? What about the “laggard in love”. Were Lochinvar and Ellen ever found? Where? Was there ever reconciliation? Write a story about the same people that adds background without repeating the essential story. Be creative.

LOCHINVAR

Sir Walter Scott

O, young Lochinvar is come out of the west,

Through all the wide Border his steed was the best;

And save his good broadsword, he weapons had none,

He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone.

So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war,

There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.

He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone,

He swam the Esk river where ford there was none;

But, ere he alighted at Netherby gate,

The bride had consented, the gallant came late:

For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war,

Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.

So boldly he entered the Netherby Hall,

Among bride’s-men, and kinsmen, and brothers, and all:

Then spoke the bride’s father, his hand on his sword,

(For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word,)

‘O come ye in peace here, or come ye in war,

Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?’

‘I long woo’d your daughter, my suit you denied;

Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide;

And now I am come, with this lost love of mine,

To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.

There are maidens in Scotland, more lovely by far,

That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.’

The bride kissed the goblet: the knight took it up,

He quaffed off the wine, and he threw down the cup.

She looked down to blush, and she looked up to sigh,

With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye.

He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar, —

‘Now tread we a measure!’ said young Lochinvar.

So stately his form, and so lovely her face,

That never a hall such a galliard did grace;

While her mother did fret, and her father did fume,

And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume:

And the bride-maidens whispered, ‘’Twere better by far

To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.’

One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear,

When they reached the hall-door, and the charger stood near;

So light to the croup the fair lady he swung,

So light to the saddle before her he sprung!

‘She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur;

They’ll have fleet steeds that follow,’ quoth young Lochinvar.

There was mounting ’mong Graemes of the Netherby clan;

Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran:

There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee,

But the lost bride of Netherby ne’er did they see.

So daring in love, and so dauntless in war,

Have ye e’er heard of gallant like young Lochinar?

September 13

Write a 50 word paragraph including the words: peppered, soothing, confronting, technical.

Write a story beginning with the following: "He sat in the gathering darkness for what seemed an interminable time, reflecting on the train of events that had brought this situation to a head.

 

August 9

Write a 50 word paragraph including words: mouse, shine, anger, joyous.

 

Complete stage three of July impromptu writing challenge:

Stage one: A scene setter describing the when’s, where’s, why’s and how’s of an unexpected meeting. A man and a woman who have met before, but are only slight acquaintances run into each other unexpectedly in a town away from their homes. For reasons that you will concoct they decide to go for a coffee. Describe the meeting from recognition to the arrival of the coffee.

Stage two: Throws a can of worms into what has become a very pleasant little meeting. They are enjoying each other’s company and their coffee when a third person walks in who is a close friend of the spouse of one of the above. This is totally unexpected as all three are away from home Although nothing untoward has occurred a little tension ensues.  Describe the ensuing scene but don’t bring it to a resolution.

Homework: Develop the story you have started. You may well want to revise the thread completely and probably you will want to build the detail but stick to the basic theme. It may end well, it may end badly or it may end with lies and subterfuge. That is for you, the writer to decide.

Suggestions: Choose a style you enjoy. It may take the form of poetry, screenplay, prose, Sci-fi. Whatever makes your heart sing! Or choose a style that you would like to explore, something that’s more of a challenge. Dive into your creativity. Have fun!

 

July 12

Write a 50 word paragraph including words: chopper,  carefully,   sliding,   cushion.

Write a story or essay of 300 to 600 words based on, or inspired by, or connected with the song Hotel California by the Eagles.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair

Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air

Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light

My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim, I had to stop for the night

There she stood in the doorway, I heard the mission bell

And I was thinking to myself, “This could be heaven or this could be hell”

Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way.

There were voices down the corridor, I thought I heard them say

“Welcome to the Hotel California

Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)

Such a lovely face

Plenty of room at the Hotel California

Any time of year (any time of year)

You can find it here”;

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes-Benz, uh

She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys that she calls friends

How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat

Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the Captain, “Please bring me my wine”

He said, “We haven’t had that spirit here since 1969”

And still, those voices are calling from far away

Wake you up in the middle of the night just to hear them say

“Welcome to the Hotel California

Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)

Such a lovely face

They’re livin’; it up at the Hotel California

What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)

Bring your alibis”

Mirrors on the ceiling, the pink champagne on ice

And she said, “We are all just prisoners here of our own device”

And in the master’s chambers, they gathered for the feast

They stab it with their steely knives, but they just can’t kill the beast

Last thing I remember, I was running for the door

I had to find the passage back to the place I was before

“Relax,” said the night man,” We are programmed to receive

You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

The song  is often interpreted as a critique of the hedonistic lifestyle and excesses of the 1970s. It tells a haunting narrative that explores themes of entrapment, addiction, and the seductive lure of fame. The lyrics depict a traveler who arrives at a luxurious hotel, only to realize that he can never leave, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the dark side of the American Dream. Additionally, some interpretations suggest that the song reflects the band’s own struggles with addiction and the pressures of fame. Overall, Hotel California remains a cultural phenomenon with multiple layers of meaning that resonate with listeners. Hotel California maybe tells the story of a weary traveler in the desert looking for a place to stay for the night. Then again maybe it tells something quite different. Some people say it was based on a real place and others say no. One such place is on the Baja Peninsula. The traveler underwent some strange experiences. Was he drugged, exhausted, overcome in some way? He can never leave, or can he ? Did he? Did he try? Was he physically or metaphysically stopped…if he was stopped at all? Build a story around Hotel California, accepting or leaving out any or as many of the elements highlighted in the song as you like.

 

 June 14

Write exactly 50 words, including four words: caution, rhythmic, flock, figured. 

Write a poem about anything you choose. You can follow the suggestion by Tim Heath to delete 5% to 10% of the words in it the the day after. If you wish you can send it to him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

May 10

Write exactly 50 words including: hypnotism, procession, many, outstretched.

Write a 500 to 600 word essay, using one of these photos of children, pictured below, who are undergoing emotional distress. Build a story around the circumstances that have led to this.

 

April 12

Write exactly 50 words, including four words: denying, arrive, barely, stuttering. 

A story or essay of 300 to 800 words that must include: a social occasion of some sort, a bicycle, a mystery parcel and the number 12.

 

March 8

A paragraph of 50 words exactly, including four words: knights, coach, helicopter, wrestling.

Essay topic:

1. “That’s not what happened at all.” To include the phrases:
He/She looked up sharply, and an expression on his/her face that was hard to fathom.
2. Choose a sentence from a book that you are reading, preferably a metaphor, and bring it along to the next meeting.

 

February 9