Cathy Cade's Blog: Writing Wrinkles, page 13

Non-words Used Alot

Non-existent words that turn up in print, online, in TV interviews and pupils’ homework. My eldest daughter – a teacher – contributed some actual examples. Alot: as in, “He was in alot of trouble.” The word alot does not exist – not to be confused with allot which is a legitimate word meaning to apportion … Continue reading Non-words Used Alot

Try to Remember

A tercet about remembering stuff. … ‘Good morning, Mum! And how are you today?’ ‘Mustn’t grumble, dear. I’ve just found these tucked underneath my gloves, hiding away.’ ‘Why do you want them? Those are spare car keys. Don’t tell me that you’ve lost your keys again. When did you use them last? Think, Mother, please. … Continue reading Try to Remember

Feedback from Hugh

Click this link to read Hugh’s lovely feedback from Hughsviewandnews in his recent post… about feedback. Hugh’s post about feedback in general, cites the recently published anthology of tales from Marsha Ingrao’s Story Chat initiative and singles out Wendy’s story A Dress for a Princess for glowing praise. Since Wendy Fletcher is leader of our … Continue reading Feedback from Hugh

Eviscerating Santa

I buy those “roadkill” toys for my dogs these days – the ones that aren’t stuffed with filling for them to pull out all over the house. But, of course, a Christmas present is something else again. … This particular Santa had been brought for another dog who, sadly, died on Christmas Eve. It seemed … Continue reading Eviscerating Santa

Feeling Invisible

Lately I’ve been trying to get work done on our house with little response to my emails and messages. Add this to the difficulty getting through to the clinic for any kind of response and online orders failing to turn up, and I’m beginning to feel (virtually) invisible. Deliveries I’m sure we’ve all suffered the … Continue reading Feeling Invisible

Together

Of all the burrows in all the world… … Of all the burrows in all the riverbanks in all the world, she’d come to his. The young doe backed in as far as she could; the water-vole felt her tremble. A terrier pup thrust its nose into the hole, then pulled back and began to … Continue reading Together

Do You Think That’s Funny?

Does our sense of humour change as we age? ”’ I mentioned in a former post that my sense of humour had changed over the decades. TV programmes, scenes in books, lines that used to make me laugh, no longer tickle my funny bone. I recall driving along as a newly-qualified driver hearing Tony Blackburn … Continue reading Do You Think That’s Funny?

Another Tale of Two Tails

'Two o'clock and all's well.'a shivering warchman rings his bell.

To Italicise or NOT to Italicise?

… Italics are used to provide emphasis and to show contrast. I also use italics to indicate thoughts of a character, but this is a personal preference. It is becoming common not to italicise thoughts in fiction where the intention is clear without them, especially if there is a lot of thinking being recorded. Too … Continue reading To Italicise or NOT to Italicise?

What’s Next?

### I am reaching an age at which more of my friends and acquaintances are falling of the perch. It tends to concentrate the mind on what comes next. Although I drafted this post some months ago, the recent loss of a close, young, and vibrant family member, gives the subject new relevance. After this … Continue reading What’s Next?