Just got back from a dutiful family visit and see that our site is back online! Had to drive home through the torrential rain. Yes, you guessed it, it’s a Bank Holiday… Whitsun or Pinksteren as they call it here. Still, it's great weather to write in!

• Chris N has provided our weekly blog. After a period of writer’s block she’s rediscovered inspiration in her beautiful surroundings in Spain. She’s written a wonderful piece about a stroll to the local castle which made me feel I was walking alongside her! Perhaps a tip for all of us when the Muse doesn’t strike, just get out and write about the area you live in!

• Sally has provided the Monday Muse prompts which include; an unexpected scratch card win, a recurring dream and a thief who’s been stealing from his/her boss for years. And two lovely picture prompts from her recent trip to Jordan! Plenty to whet your creative appetites there.

• The May Writing Challenge is still open for submissions and feedback.

• The Bragging Stool is a little quiet this week so I will go over there and post a mini-brag, not a publication but a very complimentary letter from the editor of Amsterdam Quarterly telling me how much he enjoyed my story and poem in Foreign Encounters!

• The Anthology 2013 is now receiving its first submissions. Keep an eye out for the emails from Submittable, so far I’ve enjoyed reading all the pieces.

• Next formal chat is Sunday 26 May at 11 am via Skype. Paola is in the chair. Unfortunately, Jo won’t be joining us at the meetings for a while because of a Sunday job she has over the coming months.

Wish you all a good week with lots of writing inspiration!

 

• Nicola has provided our weekly Blog on the subject of book covers and whether they influence a potential reader.
• Alyson has provided the Monday Muse prompts which all involve stars in one way or another.
• The May Writing Challenge is still open for submissions and feedback.
• On the Bragging Stool we have Alyson with an expat piece published in The Oldie, along with Paola who also has a piece in the same issue. Well done, girls!
• The Anthology 2013 is now receiving its first submissions. Watch out for the emails from Submittable and hope the experience is an enjoyable one!
• We had an informal Chat on Sunday - sorry I couldn't make it, I did pop in but stormy internet connections got the better of me! Our next formal Chat is on Sunday 26th May via Skype
• If you are interested in reviewing books and blogging Nicola has posted in Bits and Bobs a request from Jo Parfitt

I hope you have a good writing week! 

I hope you have a good writing week! 

And finally a quote about editing...

I have rewritten–often several times–every word I have ever published. My pencils outlast their erasers. 

Vladimir Nabokov

Vanessa has penned our weekly Blog on the very important subject of dialogue when writing fiction. Check out the link she provided which highlights some simple advice, but as always there is never just one answer!

Jany should be providing our Monday Muses, so check back later - a lot of musin' going on amongst our members lately - which is great!

Dianne successfully chaired our formal chat yesterday and has provided some notes in the Meeting Room. Dianne has also created our May Writing Challenge with lots of opportunity for all.

We have Laura on the Bragging Stool who has two brags both stories accepted for anthologies so well done Laura! I think Alyson was also shortlisted in the final six for a blog story competition

Finally but not least, our Anthology 2013 is now almost ready for launch off! Thanks to all for contributing to The CFS and especially to Laura and Crilly for their patience. Can;t believe it's this time of year again!

• The call for submissions will open on Wednesday 1st May, The submissions page is now finalised and links will go live then.
• Three reading groups have been allocated plus those who may wish to assess poetry submission. Let Jo know if she's made any wrong assumptions!

 

Monday Muse

Val has given us some great spring-themed ideas: I shall have to put the aircon on and dream, as our flowers die and even the mosquitoes have given up in the heat!

 

Blog

Vesna has written a piece about audiences which has really got me thinking: yes, we write for a wide audience, but we also work hard to have our own voice...hmm...

 

Bragging Stool

The bragging stool has been quiet this week so let me just put in a quick brag (or rebrag): my Abbateggio story is in the May Oldie, though I have yet to see it!

Anthology 2013

·      Great news: Amanda Hodginkson has agreed to write our foreword

·      Laura has produced our CFS. I have made a few suggestions for amendments based on issues we faced last year: please have a look, if you haven’t yet,  and make comments as soon as possible as our deadline is looming…

·      We are still unsure of a title: we may use the title of one of the entries, or may still come up with something completely new!  I am not sure whether we have scrapped our previous suggestions completely…

April Writing Challenge

Crilly has written a touching story for a competition: do go over and give her your comments! Still some time time left: come on poets, let’s enter Stephen Beattie’s comp!

Works in Progress

Rilla has written a poem about a recent trip to the beach: have a look – this is not your typical bikinis and parasols, and has an unusual angle.

Chapter Group

This group has been really busy, with chapter postings from Mary, Nicola, Vanessa and Jo.  I am filled with admiration for anyone who can write an entire chapter, not to mention a whole book!

Next Formal Chat

28 April, with Dianne in the Chair.

Monday Muse: Doreen has created some creative writing prompts using numbers which has attracted quite a bit of interest!

Blog: Jany has penned a clever blog comparing modern children's books to  those written some time ago. And Colin Firth, watch out, Jany has a role for you!

Bragging Stool: Has been busy with Laura's article about Hong Kong being selected in the Expat Blog and Alyson's story shortlisted in the Writers News Diary competition, well done both!

Anthology 2013: The results of the recent votes are as follows; Charity - Book Aid, Preface Author - Amanda Hodgkinson and working Title - People and Places. The next stage is the Call for Submissions which Laura is drafting so watch out for it in the forum

April Writing Challenge: Is open with lots of opportunities to try your hand at, or submit something of your own choosing. Jill has an interesting article for Destination France that has received some useful feedback

Bits and Bobs: Paola has posted some useful critique guidelines for poetry especially useful as we have more members who are submitting poems for critiquing.

Chapter Group Vanessa's 2nd Chapter of House of Zaronza awaits some feedback if you have the time.

Next Informal Chat is this coming Sunday 14th April at 11am via Skype and this time the clocks have moved (depending on where you live)! So check CET time.

Shout out if I've missed anything...

Monday Muse

Doreen has provided us with some wonderful song titles for the Monday Muse. I am sure these will evoke some memories and flush out some interesting muses.

Bragging Stool

The Bragging stool is busy this week. Paola had an article on life in Dhaka accepted by Expatclic.

Alyson was shortlisted in the Choc Lit Hero Competition (the results are due next week so good luck from all of us!)

Rilla had two poems about Bangladesh included in the arts and literature section of her local newspaper.

Well done ladies!

***Anthology 2013 ***

You will probably have noticed Jo has added the Task Timetable to Dropbox  for which everyone was invited to join. It is also on site.

Please be sure to check with Dropbox that you are down for the correct tasks.

Also, please can you be certain to add your vote for your preferred charity no later than this coming Saturday 6^th April as we need to get the Call For Submissions document underway asap.

 

April Writing Challenges

Jo has just posted the challenges for the month of April...plenty of choice there including 3 x Poetry Competitions, 4 x Short Story comps and 1 x Non-fiction  travel comp. Something to suit everyone.

 

Next Meeting.

Our next informal meeting is Sunday 14^th April via Skype at 11am

If I have missed anything, please let me know and I will amend things.

 

Finally, a quote from Truman Capote...

To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about but the inner music the words make.

 

Crilly has provided some inspirational prompts in this week’s muse.  She has kicked off with characters for a story -  a Buddhist monk and a cowboy. Her phrase “And she cried”, could apply to so many situations.  For the WA teachers there is a prompt about the first day at school. Maybe you can still remember how terrifying or exciting it was. There are 4  picture prompts too. Something for everybody!

Which leads onto the blog about bestselling women’s fiction, namely ‘chick-lit’. Dianne has raised an issue about writing to suit the market or your interests.  Not all women want to write about 20 year-olds, chocolate cake and on/off relationships. Dianne has included an article from Myslexia about Empty Nest lit about how older female characters are increasingly popular.

Paola takes centre stage on the bragging stool today with her Hidden Gems piece for gowalkabout blog. In third place she has won an MP3 player. Well done, Paola! Congrats to Jill for being shortlisted with her article, Ice Mountain in Graves, France.  We all enjoyed reading Alyson’s account of a spectacular wedding cake temple in Thailand.

Preparations are underway for the 2013 WA Anthology.  Jo has posted a poll on which charity WA members would like for sales profits. There is a tie between Foreign Bodies and Distant Dreams as the title but the chosen theme is People and Places. There are several suggestions for foreword authors. Crilly is co-ordinating volunteers and tasks.

Finally there is plenty to choose from in the Monthly challenge for both short story writers and poets.

• Firstly a big welcome to Rilla who has commenced her months trial with Alyson as her buddy. Rilla has been very active already, has submitted a muse and her writing goals!
• Crilly has provided four writing prompts for the Monday Muse and four wonderful pictures - so poets and writers get scribbling!
• The March Writing Challenge is open, Paola has been busy with some poems and there is plenty of the month left to get something posted for feedback.
• Doreen has written the Blog on the apostrophe (aaargh the dreaded apostrophe!) and the entertainment this tiny little mark gives her. 
• Alyson keeps the Bragging Stool warm with a piece accepted by the Oldie forming a double page spread! Well done!

The biggest challenge for us this week is moving ahead with Anthology 2013. If we plan to go ahead with the call for submissions opening in May, we haven't got all that long - I know where is the time flying? So if you haven't please visit the following forums and make your mark...

• Theme vote for Anthology - People and Places is currently top with 8 out of 13 votes. 
• Title vote for Anthology - currently a tie with 4 votes each (out of 15?) between Distant Dreams and Foreign Bodies
• Task List - around half of the members have volunteered, if you haven't could you please do so - before the meeting on Sunday, thanks!

The date of our next formal meeting via Skype at 11am (CET) is this coming Sunday 24th March

This week on Writers Abroad we've been busy lot:

Anthology 2013 - Crilly has put out a sign up sheet for volunteers for this year's anthology. Please sign up to something if you haven't already done so. Also a vote is taking place on a title and theme for this year.

Monday Muse - Vesna has added this week's Monday muse with some sayings, a sensory exercise and picture prompts to start you off. Paola is already ahead of the game and has posted a poem. It was good to see poems posted last week for the muse, too, since this is a form of writing some of us (me) often overlook.

Blog - Mary has provided this week's blog on neurological linguistic programming with the premise that if you concentrate on someone successful you will be successful too. Obviously I've been concentrating on the wrong people all my life ...

Bragging Stool - the bragging stool is hot this week, with Jill and Paola shortlisted in the Hidden Gems competition and hopefully fighting it out for a kindle or a camera. Nicola had an excellent review for her book in the Bittersweet Blood series. Jill has had a double page spread (!) in MMM with one of her photos - I may have mis-worded that. Apologies, Jill. Well done! Laura one a short short story competition of only one hundred words with a funny piece and finally I had a story accepted by People's Friend. 

Writing Challenges - The March challenge is still open with several suggestions such as Words with Jam First Page Competition and Southport International Poetry competition, but as ever if you would prefer some other piece of work critiqued post it up.

Members- nice to see Jayme posting work and joining in and Rilla will be starting her month's trial soon so please say 'hi' to her on the site. 

Meeting - our next formal meeting will be Sunday 24th March with Chris N in the chair. More details to follow.

Finally a quote taken from this month's Writers News from Hollywood agent H N Swansen (1899-1991). He represented F Scott Fitzgerald, that made me laugh. He said, "when I am asked what kind of writing is the most lucrative, I have to say ransom notes."

Happy writing everybody. 

• Foreign Encounters - Jo will be donating 450 Euros to Books Abroad and Paola has been busy promoting the Anthology at an event in Dhaka, great pic!
• Anthology 2013 - voting has taken place and majority feel we should keep this years production a combined one. Jo will set up vote for theme and title and Crilly will be posting the task list for volunteers
• Monday Muse - Vesna has set some great prompts using different creative devices plus a fab picture
• Blog - Alyson has blogged on the importance of targeting your submissions to short story competitions and shares the secret to her success in Frome Competition last year.
• Bragging Stool - Sally has had a story published on Story Shack and Laura has also had some flash fiction published for which she will provide a link. Well done both! Nicola also has another cover for us to view... very evocative!
• Writing Challenges - Nicola has a new prologue for comments and Vanessa has subbed her first chapter... 

Sorry if I've missed anything, happy writing 

Jo has posted this week’s Monday Muse with a choice of using the theme of a kiss, an intriguing opening line, or (a chance for poets here) writing an ode. If all that fails, there’s a great picture to inspire us.

Laura has written a Blog we can all relate to about how we read and write in the modern electronic age. Whether we go for e-readers and write straight onto the screen, or whether we still like to turn a real page of a book or write long-hand is a choice we all have to make.

During yesterday’s Formal Chat – sorry I missed it – talk was about WA’s 2013 Anthology. It is going to be interesting to see what theme is chosen once we cast our votes. You’ll find more details from Jo’s Notes on the formal chat, in the Meeting Room forum.

Don’t forget to take a look at the Chapter Group where Vanessa has started posting chapters of her historical novel set in Corsica, The House at Zaronza. A great start which has already got me hooked. Pop over and make a comment if you’ve time. It’s next on my list, Vanessa! And Paola has posted another February Challenge and is looking for critiques. I’m onto that too!

Last but definitely not least, we have a very enthusiastic-sounding Jayme from Costa Rica joining us on a month’s trial for Membership. A big welcome and I hope you’ll love it enough with us to stay. It would be great to have a member from yet another continent to add to our diversity.

Anything I’ve forgotten I’m sure you’ll let me know. 

 

Blog: The discovery of Richard III’s bones prompted Mary to write on the subject of Tey’s The Daughter of Time. Since I’m an historical fiction fan I particularly enjoyed this post and it made me think about how historical interpretation shapes historical fiction writing.

 

Anthology: Foreign Encounters was released on Valentine’s Day as an ebook. What better day to have a Foreign Encounter? Information about where to purchase the ebook can be found on our homepage.

 

Bragging Stool: It was a quiet week. Dianne was the only one planted in the middle of the stool with her article for Writing.ie about the Irish chapter of the Historical Novel Society.

 

February Challenges: A couple new threads have been added to the challenges for this month. The writers will appreciate it if you pop over, have a read and comment.

 

Next Sunday, 24^th February, 11am CET, is our formal meeting. Jany is chairing it as long as the vampires and werewolves don’t scare her away. See you then.

 

Angela has supplied this week’s Monday Muse prompts – and they offer a good selection to get your teeth into.

Someone once said that a picture is worth a thousand words, which is not great news for writers. However, most mags want pix with articles as well as words and it’s not easy to supply high quality images. So Jill has posted this week’s blog on selling pictures with articles. This is a subject close to my heart and Jill has some very good tips for those writing travel or related articles.

The Bragging Stool is gratifyingly well-occupied this week with double brags from both Jill and Dianne. Jill’s story ‘Emma’s Choice’ was published in My Weekly and she was runner-up in the Cazart competition with ‘Shoes of the Infidel’. Dianne’s story ‘Mud and Bilberries’ appears in Ireland’s Own, while her article about her local writers’ group is published on Ireland.Ie website. Congratulations to both for well-deserved successes.

This year’s Anthology is now more than a gleam in our eye and we have set up a forum to capture ideas for the 2013 theme. Please go and have a look and add your two penn’orth.

February’s Writing Challenge forum is up with a selection of competitions to choose from – or an alternative challenge of your choice, fiction or non-fiction.

A number of members have posted up their Writing Goals for 2013 and I never cease to be amazed at the variety and motivation they display. So if you haven’t already, tell us what you’re planning to do this year.

Our next informal chat will be next Sunday 10^th February at 11h00 CET on Skype as usual.

Happy writing!

We have some tempting Muse Prompts from Alyson on Dr Who: 'Exterminate, exterminate...' Oh dear!  

Chris has bravely tackled the issue of self-belief. I'm sure that this is familiar to all of us. Thank you Chris

Looking through Writing Goals I see that a number are already on the way to being achieved. Alyson is planning to enter her Monday Muse of last week for People's Friend. Good Luck Alyson! Mary has posted Chapter 4 of Heaven and Jo has plenty of replies for her chapter 8 of The Dukes Shadow.

In Bits and Bobs Alyson and Vanessa both regret the demise of 5minute fiction. If anyone can suggest any good flash fiction markets do please post.

In the Bragging Stool we have Chris with her Bloodlust in 2nd place in the Write link Christmas Chiller. Congratulations Chris - and have fun with the 10 quid! It's the honour that counts.

Be sure to read Vanessa's Notes in the Meeting Room for Jan. 27th meeting. Writing goals are well on their way. And it's only January! Val joined the meeting from Egypt and I'm sure that we are all concerned about what is happening there. There is news on the 2012 Anthology and plans for an e-book version in the near future. We need to re-double our promotion. Suggestions already for 2013 anthology.

All good wishes for this coming week.

This week’s blog by Val brings up the tricky subject of plot. Something I always find difficult when writing my Nano novel. Plot is very character-driven in my stories. I always try to map it out first but it usually ends up going astray. According to British author, Christopher Booker, there are only seven basic plots to choose from! I will tell my novel that next time I’m trying to rein it in!

Alyson has some lovely floral inspired muses for us, in preparation for the Chelsea flower centenary. Some amusing quotes should help get your creative juices flowing...

On the bragging stool is, ahem, me. A modest success but nevertheless; one of my Monday Muses is to be published on The Story Shack and will be accompanied by an illustration by a professional graphic designer.

Writing goals forum is hot and is still being added to. When I feel a bit more inspired I will get over there and state my writing goals as well. So lots to keep us amused and hopefully we'll all be motivated to write something this week!

This week's muses are a mixed bunch about boring jobs, disappointing gifts, fate and 'Why didn't you call me?' Something for everyone?

Paola is firmly perched on the bragging stool this week. She has heard from her husband that her Vietnam piece (Bay tu Long), which started as a May challenge, is in the latest Oldie. Congratulations, Paola.

I haven't seen any new figures for Foreign Encounters. Hope it's still selling fast.

Lots of heavy goals were added to the Writing Plans for 2013 last week. I recommend that if you haven't already, you should have a look at them. I felt exhausted just reading what our members are going to do. If only half of it gets done, we'll be on a roll! 

Our next meeting - Formal - is on 27th January, 2013 at 11 am via Skype. Angela will be in the chair.

If I've missed anything, please let me know.

 

Jill is keeping the Bragging Stool warm with a brag (OK, re-brag) about her impressive feature in Destination France.

 

The authors of the December 50 Word Challenge have been revealed, with some surprising results. It was a great idea and we should do it again — such a challenge is not just for Christmas!

 

Our New Year’s Resolutions must include having a go at writing challenges. It’s too soon to give up! Resolution: Must do better than in 2012. To get us started, Mary offers some prompts about superstitions. So whether you have your hero or heroine walking under a ladder, eating garlic, fish or apples, you’re sure to find some inspiration. Touch wood.

 

Elsewhere, Alyson points us towards the Hidden Gem competition, but can anyone do better than her evocative piece about Thailand?

 

Sally touched on resolutions in her blog — the first of the year. She also shared a thought-provoking observation she had discovered in an article she read — writers tend to be introverts rather than extroverts. Do we stand on the sidelines and observe? Speaking personally, I would say yes. I sometimes get so engrossed in watching and noting that I forget to join in. Read it and see what you think. Judging by the comments already received, we’d better think about the Writers Abroad Introverts Club.

 

Not sure if we’ve reached €500 with Foreign Encounters yet. If not, the goal must be quite near.

 

Don’t forget the informal chat, this Sunday. If I don’t see you there, Happy New Year everyone.

 

To kick start the New Year and dust of the cobwebs of the old, why not have a go at the Monday Muse? Dianne has provided us with some well themed prompts on Beginnings and Endings - don't forget the middle!

I have written (well, wittered) the Blog taking a leaf out of the books of some famous writers and artists and encouraging you to look out of you window as an inspiration for your writing. Do tell us what you see from your 'backyard'

Alyson maintains full occupancy of the Bragging Stool as her story in the Erewash Christmas Chillers is now available to read.

And we approach the unveiling the December 50 Word Challenge. Who wrote what and could we tell! Reveal all by the end of today...

Looking forward we have the January Writing Challenge, with lots of opportunities to write something, big or small, to be published or polished. Paste your work here for feedback in the safety of WA

Finally I shall be creating a new forum for Writing Goals 2013... now where have you all disappeared to?

Felice Anno Nuovo!