Cathy Cade's Blog: Writing Wrinkles, page 12

Say It Like It Is

Dialogue can be tricky.If you want to make your characters’ conversations sparkle, there is plenty of good advice on the internet.But first, tidy up basics, like punctuation and speech tags, that can distract from your brilliant banter. This is a checklist to help you dust off your dialogue ready for that final polish that will … Continue reading Say It Like It Is

My Story on Story Chat

My story is currently featuring on Marsha Ingrao’s Story Chat. I should have mentioned this last week, but my head is all over the place at the moment… you have this weekend still to read, and please leave your comments. Story Chat is a good opportuninty for authors to receive feedback on their stories, so … Continue reading My Story on Story Chat

This Post is Something Else

At the moment I am spending more time than usual at home. Hubby is home from hospital, and between care visits, dog walks and shopping deliveries, I have more time than usual for puzzles (about which I have blogged before). I find that pen-and-paper puzzles engage the mind and stop it wandering into unwelcome channels. … Continue reading This Post is Something Else

After the Funeral

A shortie… After the Funeral “I fancy a Scotch.” “Now, Dad, you mustn’t go drowning your sorrows,” said Ginny. “Are you sure you’re alright tonight? You’re welcome to stay with us.” “Thanks, love. I’ll be fine.” “You don’t want to sit here moping on your own.” He wouldn’t be. Tomorrow he was adopting a dog … Continue reading After the Funeral

Inanimate Objects

Lately, inanimate objects seem to leap from my grasp at every opportunity. If a thing doesn’t fall from it’s high shelf when I open the cupboard door, it will evade my fingers as I reach for it. Needless to say, these are inevitably breakable things. Pens and pencils leap from my fingers, evading all attempts … Continue reading Inanimate Objects

Waiting

A poem. Breakfast over. Morning routines done,filling hours until it’s time to go.Walk dogs. Check our emails – his and mine.Then get back in the car and on the road.A half-hour drive. Ten minutes more to park,then, at his bedside, wait and watch him doze,exchanging a few words between each nap(sometimes the same words) till … Continue reading Waiting

AI Feedback

We are advised, when giving feedback to other writers, to say something positive, follow with something true critical, and finish with another positive. I participate in online feedback groups but find it difficult to point out anything that I would change if editing for myself. Commenting on style or language gliches makes me think, “Who … Continue reading AI Feedback

Lucking Out

A story I wrote ages ago… and forgot about ‘We’ve got to try again, Mum. We were so near.’ ‘I wish I could help you out, love.’ ‘Don’t be daft. We wouldn’t accept it, even if you could afford it – unless you won the Lottery.’ Amber laughed. ‘Must go, Mum, or I’ll be late … Continue reading Lucking Out

Singing in My Soul

I’m sharing this song from a New Zealand group. This is one of the songs my daughter chose for her funeral. It has haunted me ever since (pun fully intended). Lyrics are below. Singing In My Soul Fly My Pretties pick me up and downspinning me round and roundlight me up everytime i am bluei … Continue reading Singing in My Soul

Keystone Cowboys

A short story… “Jay’s on the way.” Dan slipped the mobile back in his pocket and rested his forehead on the steering wheel. At last. The older man leaned forward from the back seat. “Will yer stop yer flamin’ dancing, Timmo?” The tapping from the passenger footwell ceased. Kids were so jumpy these days. “Calm … Continue reading Keystone Cowboys