Two newcomers have joined us for the JULY BLAST which seems to have started well (11 stories already)
Here are the latest prompts
Sunshine Superman
Bend Over Miss Brown, and Touch Your Toes...
Waiting For 4PM
Dee and the Kids are Watching Big Brother
Falling Plaster
Let's Not Be Evicted, let's Just Go Next Door
A Cheap White Wine
Three Reasons YOU Would Kill
Mellow Yellow
Approaching the Waterfall, Singing, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat
BLUE
Friday, June 30, 2006
Just About Started!
I sprang the July Blast on Boot Camp a coupla days early but nevertheless they responded in good style
06 Stories
10 Subs
61 prompts
4,566 words
Here are the latest set of prompts:
The Duke of Edinburgh
One Corporal
Problems With Venison
The Smell of Sundays
School-Run Blues
Zen and the Art of Washing Up
Is This Magic
Partner
How Experts Lay a Floor
Blackberries, Jam-Jars, My Father
Crushed
The First Square Pea
Thomas, a Boy
06 Stories
10 Subs
61 prompts
4,566 words
Here are the latest set of prompts:
The Duke of Edinburgh
One Corporal
Problems With Venison
The Smell of Sundays
School-Run Blues
Zen and the Art of Washing Up
Is This Magic
Partner
How Experts Lay a Floor
Blackberries, Jam-Jars, My Father
Crushed
The First Square Pea
Thomas, a Boy
Thursday, June 29, 2006
July Blast Started at 10 AM 29th JUNE
I'm away for a week from 29 July so we are starting the July Blast NOW (as in this minute)
I will, of course, write more stories and flashes, more total words, more submissions than anyone else, and twice the average.
BCers and any associates (£15 Admin fee for the single month) will be receiving at least three sets of prompts a day, probably more, will "flash" and write stories until they bleed. Will briefly comment on flashes, crit all stories, and sub-sub-sub from their July output and work done pre-blast.
From experience we know that the average "Blaster" produces 3-4 times their normal output, and the quality RISES, not falls. There is something about the pressure, the adrenaline, the BUZZ that switches on the writer-gene.
Anyone may join, including ex BCers at any time, but the charge is the same, whether for 1 day or 31 days.
If you don't do this, just watch this space, see the accumulating flash totals, story totals, subs, publications and prizes.
Alex
First Set of Prompts Here.
Exactly Where You Are
Going Naked is the Best Disuise
How Green Was My Valley
Dr Johnson's London
Memories of My Father Watching TV
Silent Spring
Shakespeare, on the Kitchen Table
DUST!
Dying, the Great Adventure
Evidence I Have Travelled to Be Here
Sam Sung, Private Eye, Deceased
Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew
Plastic
Lights, Music, Cancer, Bob Geldorf
The Intricacies of Butter
I will, of course, write more stories and flashes, more total words, more submissions than anyone else, and twice the average.
BCers and any associates (£15 Admin fee for the single month) will be receiving at least three sets of prompts a day, probably more, will "flash" and write stories until they bleed. Will briefly comment on flashes, crit all stories, and sub-sub-sub from their July output and work done pre-blast.
From experience we know that the average "Blaster" produces 3-4 times their normal output, and the quality RISES, not falls. There is something about the pressure, the adrenaline, the BUZZ that switches on the writer-gene.
Anyone may join, including ex BCers at any time, but the charge is the same, whether for 1 day or 31 days.
If you don't do this, just watch this space, see the accumulating flash totals, story totals, subs, publications and prizes.
Alex
First Set of Prompts Here.
Exactly Where You Are
Going Naked is the Best Disuise
How Green Was My Valley
Dr Johnson's London
Memories of My Father Watching TV
Silent Spring
Shakespeare, on the Kitchen Table
DUST!
Dying, the Great Adventure
Evidence I Have Travelled to Be Here
Sam Sung, Private Eye, Deceased
Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew
Plastic
Lights, Music, Cancer, Bob Geldorf
The Intricacies of Butter
Womag Success!
Cally Taylor sneaked a story past the guards and entered it in Woman's Own...!
Today she has heard she was runner up, gets published and wins a Brother Phone-Fax-Printer (and gets to be read by over a million women readers and a male car-park attendant from East Grinstead (he never married...)
July Blast Start TODAY!
Today she has heard she was runner up, gets published and wins a Brother Phone-Fax-Printer (and gets to be read by over a million women readers and a male car-park attendant from East Grinstead (he never married...)
July Blast Start TODAY!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
A Blast, a Blast, A Blast!!!
In July 2005 we ran "The July Blast" (at the now-defunct East of the Web) an intense month of writing at least a story a day, giving instant feedback, subbing etc. That was highly successful.
This July (2006) we hope to do the same at Boot Camp and can open a forum for guests/dabblers/the curious.
if you are interested (there will be a nominal charge to deter time-wasters) please contact
alex.keegan (at sign) btconnect.com
It is EXTREMELY intense, very demanding, but produces great work you can "live off" for a year or more.
PROMPTS for TODAY
But There's No Football?
The Stairs
Please send Your BIO
GPS
Boys' Toys
You Call That a Story?
A Slow Boat to China (and the Captain is Deranged)
Lunar Park
OK OK OK Allright Already, Sheesh!
The National Shirt Story Prize
Dog Eat Dog
Ticks
Reading Carefully
Three People and a Double-Glazing Salesman Killed
People Zoo
This July (2006) we hope to do the same at Boot Camp and can open a forum for guests/dabblers/the curious.
if you are interested (there will be a nominal charge to deter time-wasters) please contact
alex.keegan (at sign) btconnect.com
It is EXTREMELY intense, very demanding, but produces great work you can "live off" for a year or more.
PROMPTS for TODAY
But There's No Football?
The Stairs
Please send Your BIO
GPS
Boys' Toys
You Call That a Story?
A Slow Boat to China (and the Captain is Deranged)
Lunar Park
OK OK OK Allright Already, Sheesh!
The National Shirt Story Prize
Dog Eat Dog
Ticks
Reading Carefully
Three People and a Double-Glazing Salesman Killed
People Zoo
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
They All Count
Hope you have all sent in your entry for Bridport 2006!
One more hit to report, Colin makes last 20 in Frome, getes a small prize ($40) and dinner for two. Our 41st prize of the year, our 119th hit.
Prompts for Tuesday
Sneaking Goodies In
GPS
How Boring is Switzerland?
Early Morning Practise
Egg
Bridie & the Saxophone
Precision, Precision
Brave Enough to Fail
Falling to the Sky
50.6 is Not Half-Way
PC Only
Why Poems Should Rhyme
Wright's Candles, London
One more hit to report, Colin makes last 20 in Frome, getes a small prize ($40) and dinner for two. Our 41st prize of the year, our 119th hit.
Prompts for Tuesday
Sneaking Goodies In
GPS
How Boring is Switzerland?
Early Morning Practise
Egg
Bridie & the Saxophone
Precision, Precision
Brave Enough to Fail
Falling to the Sky
50.6 is Not Half-Way
PC Only
Why Poems Should Rhyme
Wright's Candles, London
Monday, June 26, 2006
Couple More Hits, Prompts
A couple more hits (I don't even have anything out there) but congrats to Lexie for one going in Southern Ocean Review and also to Nightwriter for a poem in Poetry Review.
Here Are Today's Prompts
The Plumber
Breathing Thin Air
Four Red, Sixteen Yellow
Rough Plaster
Trouble in Criccieth
A Blessing on This House
Trying to Be Properly White, Whitely Proper
Behind With The Assignment
Munich
Here Are Today's Prompts
The Plumber
Breathing Thin Air
Four Red, Sixteen Yellow
Rough Plaster
Trouble in Criccieth
A Blessing on This House
Trying to Be Properly White, Whitely Proper
Behind With The Assignment
Munich
Monday, June 19, 2006
Monday, Monday
Prompts
Voices
Father's Day
24 White Plastic Tubes
Daisy
78s
Paint the Bannister, Roger
It's Just Like Watching Brazil
Archipelago
Brian of Britain
Ray Pearson's Trunk
Not Quite the 30th
10p, 5p, 1p.
11 Ways to Be Unhappy
Voices
Father's Day
24 White Plastic Tubes
Daisy
78s
Paint the Bannister, Roger
It's Just Like Watching Brazil
Archipelago
Brian of Britain
Ray Pearson's Trunk
Not Quite the 30th
10p, 5p, 1p.
11 Ways to Be Unhappy
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Fallow Times, & Some Prompts
Last November-December (and into January) Boot Camp had a push on writing and subbing.
At one point I had sixty-plus pieces out there.
The result a flurry of hits, pubs, two first prizes, two places, a number of final-placings.
Then I started doing up the house, got involved with the development of the chapel in Wales.
Result? Now I have NOTHING out there (despite a lot of very decent stories ready to be subbed)
MORAL?
Be consistent. Aim to have a good total of works circulating and KEEP THE TOTAL UP!
It will now take a month to get back up to speed, three to see the results.
Bad Alex
here are today's prompts
Well Church Then...
Storm
Gloves and Hat, Even For Summer Trips
Not Far From Bala
Python Pat
Two Tea Chests, a Trunk
Making Love to Jimminy Cricket
Beep!
Walking into the River, His Guitar on His Back. Hallelujah!
Big Brother
Not Required On Journey
Do You Like Pie?
Palm Springs
Bravo-Bravo
The Critical Reader
Is it Hotter in Celsius?
At one point I had sixty-plus pieces out there.
The result a flurry of hits, pubs, two first prizes, two places, a number of final-placings.
Then I started doing up the house, got involved with the development of the chapel in Wales.
Result? Now I have NOTHING out there (despite a lot of very decent stories ready to be subbed)
MORAL?
Be consistent. Aim to have a good total of works circulating and KEEP THE TOTAL UP!
It will now take a month to get back up to speed, three to see the results.
Bad Alex
here are today's prompts
Well Church Then...
Storm
Gloves and Hat, Even For Summer Trips
Not Far From Bala
Python Pat
Two Tea Chests, a Trunk
Making Love to Jimminy Cricket
Beep!
Walking into the River, His Guitar on His Back. Hallelujah!
Big Brother
Not Required On Journey
Do You Like Pie?
Palm Springs
Bravo-Bravo
The Critical Reader
Is it Hotter in Celsius?
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
A Few More Prompts
Coming
Clouds, Thoughts, Walk
Serendipity
The Pain is Just Here, Here
Seven Basic Plots
China in a Day
A Bull in a Sweet Shop
Tear Along the Dotted Line
The Smell of Esso Blue
Perhaps, but then again...
Passably Perfect
Please Print
Two Flies in a Saucer
Coles to Newcastle
It's Just Like Watching Brazil
Clouds, Thoughts, Walk
Serendipity
The Pain is Just Here, Here
Seven Basic Plots
China in a Day
A Bull in a Sweet Shop
Tear Along the Dotted Line
The Smell of Esso Blue
Perhaps, but then again...
Passably Perfect
Please Print
Two Flies in a Saucer
Coles to Newcastle
It's Just Like Watching Brazil
Saturday, June 10, 2006
a few prompts
Saturday Prompts
Three Minutes to Go
Barbie
The Later Roman Empire
Cheese and a Bomb
The Son-in-Law
CRASH!
Sixpence, a Ghost, Rice-Pudding, China
Bounce, Chicken, Black-Eyed Peas, Route 66
Petticoats
Why Underwear is Often White
Larger
Three Minutes to Go
Barbie
The Later Roman Empire
Cheese and a Bomb
The Son-in-Law
CRASH!
Sixpence, a Ghost, Rice-Pudding, China
Bounce, Chicken, Black-Eyed Peas, Route 66
Petticoats
Why Underwear is Often White
Larger
Friday, June 09, 2006
How to Inspire Poetry?
I was asked yesterday how to enthuse a class of teens to read and write poetry.
Despite having published a few poems and won one first prize, poetry is a total mystery to me, unlike the writing of shorts. I can sometimes stumble into a poem but the underlying craft... pass.
If anyone out there reading this nknows a way to get kids going on this, please email me at
alexkeegan (at) bt connect.com
Cheers
Despite having published a few poems and won one first prize, poetry is a total mystery to me, unlike the writing of shorts. I can sometimes stumble into a poem but the underlying craft... pass.
If anyone out there reading this nknows a way to get kids going on this, please email me at
alexkeegan (at) bt connect.com
Cheers
World What?
Prompts
Where is Ecuador?
Why Pigeons Coo
A Month in the Wilderness
The World Pup
Black and Maybe Black
Ferrets
The Garden Shed, Hammock, North Facing
Blenkinsop's Three Rules
Sunburn and Blisters
The Accident and Other Topics
Grey and Nearly GREY
Where is Ecuador?
Why Pigeons Coo
A Month in the Wilderness
The World Pup
Black and Maybe Black
Ferrets
The Garden Shed, Hammock, North Facing
Blenkinsop's Three Rules
Sunburn and Blisters
The Accident and Other Topics
Grey and Nearly GREY
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Double Boot Camp Success
Not long after hearing of Boot Camper Colin U winning Cadenza's Short-Story Competition ($400) the fifth time on the trot this competition has been one by a Boot Camper, now we hear that Alexander Fox has placed $300 second in The Philip Good Memorial Prize, and yours truly is in $150 third place.
Total Winnings $4,410
FIRST PLACE
01 Colin $200 First Place in Slingink's Eurofiction
02 Mike Joint-Winner in 7Q FF9
03 Dave Joint-Winner in 7Q FF9
04 Lexie Wins Adult SS of the Year ($600) in "Killie"
05 Cally Wins Dark Tales ($60)
06 BCer wins 7Q FF10
07 Hazera wins Doorknobs & Bodypaint First Place
08 Alex Wins Pencil Bantry $300
09 Lexie Wins Cotswold Prize $1,000
10 Cally wins Bank Street SS Prize $140
11 Alex wins Lichfield Prize $250
12 ColinU wins Cadenza $400
SECOND
01 Lexie $150 Second Place in "Dame Throgmorton"
02 TomC gets $100 second in JBWB
03 BCer 2nd in 7Q FF10
04 Cally Joint second in Writers Dock Comp
05 Lexie $300 second place Philip Good Memorial Prize
THIRD
01 Lexie in 7Q FF9 Third Place
02 BCer 3rd in 7Q FF10
03 Tom's $25 3rd in Oz
04 Lexie $200 3rd in The New Writer
05 Alex $150 third place Philip Good Memorial Prize
4ths, HRs, NAMED FINALISTs
01 Alex Night Train Yates Comp, Last 12 "Floating"
02 Alex Poem in "Out of Love" Anthology
03 Laurie (Nartje) in "Out of Love" Anthology
04 Lexie, State of Being" HR at HISSAC (only winner is announced)
05 Lexie, second story finalist at HISAAC
06 Colin finalist in HISAAC
07 Colin HR in JBWB
08 Cally in Final of Belvedere
09 Lexie in Fish Anthology ($100)
10 Lexie last 140 of 1800, Fish
11 Haz named in Best of the web shortlist
12 Lexie Final of Writers Forum
13 Alex last 3 in Carve "Overseas Writer"
14 TomC HR'd in Bank Street SS Comp
15 TomC 4th in Twisted Tongue
16 Alex at Philip Good Memorial (plus second story placed 3rd)
17 Lexie at Philip Good Memorial (plus second story placed 2nd)
18 Cally HR in Lymm Festival $20
00 Laurie recently left but was also HR'd at Bank Street (not counted)
Lexie also recieved $25 & $10 payments
Winnings in Dollars, £ = $2, Euro = $1
for simplicity of calculation
Total Winnings $4,410
FIRST PLACE
01 Colin $200 First Place in Slingink's Eurofiction
02 Mike Joint-Winner in 7Q FF9
03 Dave Joint-Winner in 7Q FF9
04 Lexie Wins Adult SS of the Year ($600) in "Killie"
05 Cally Wins Dark Tales ($60)
06 BCer wins 7Q FF10
07 Hazera wins Doorknobs & Bodypaint First Place
08 Alex Wins Pencil Bantry $300
09 Lexie Wins Cotswold Prize $1,000
10 Cally wins Bank Street SS Prize $140
11 Alex wins Lichfield Prize $250
12 ColinU wins Cadenza $400
SECOND
01 Lexie $150 Second Place in "Dame Throgmorton"
02 TomC gets $100 second in JBWB
03 BCer 2nd in 7Q FF10
04 Cally Joint second in Writers Dock Comp
05 Lexie $300 second place Philip Good Memorial Prize
THIRD
01 Lexie in 7Q FF9 Third Place
02 BCer 3rd in 7Q FF10
03 Tom's $25 3rd in Oz
04 Lexie $200 3rd in The New Writer
05 Alex $150 third place Philip Good Memorial Prize
4ths, HRs, NAMED FINALISTs
01 Alex Night Train Yates Comp, Last 12 "Floating"
02 Alex Poem in "Out of Love" Anthology
03 Laurie (Nartje) in "Out of Love" Anthology
04 Lexie, State of Being" HR at HISSAC (only winner is announced)
05 Lexie, second story finalist at HISAAC
06 Colin finalist in HISAAC
07 Colin HR in JBWB
08 Cally in Final of Belvedere
09 Lexie in Fish Anthology ($100)
10 Lexie last 140 of 1800, Fish
11 Haz named in Best of the web shortlist
12 Lexie Final of Writers Forum
13 Alex last 3 in Carve "Overseas Writer"
14 TomC HR'd in Bank Street SS Comp
15 TomC 4th in Twisted Tongue
16 Alex at Philip Good Memorial (plus second story placed 3rd)
17 Lexie at Philip Good Memorial (plus second story placed 2nd)
18 Cally HR in Lymm Festival $20
00 Laurie recently left but was also HR'd at Bank Street (not counted)
Lexie also recieved $25 & $10 payments
Winnings in Dollars, £ = $2, Euro = $1
for simplicity of calculation
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Two More Hits for BC!
Tom has a story accepted by Scottish Print Mag "Random Acts of Writing" and Gabs one at "Secret Attic"
115 for the year.
115 for the year.
Friday, June 02, 2006
And ANOTHER First Prize
We mentioned Colin Upton's short-listing (result TBA)
and can now confirm Colin has WON (£200/$400)
FIRST PLACE in Cadenza's Short-Story Competition
This is Boot Camp's fortieth final-placing/prize
and its TWELFTH First prize of 2006
Well done Colin
alx
and can now confirm Colin has WON (£200/$400)
FIRST PLACE in Cadenza's Short-Story Competition
This is Boot Camp's fortieth final-placing/prize
and its TWELFTH First prize of 2006
Well done Colin
alx
Thursday, June 01, 2006
They Keep Coming!
Two more hits to report.
TomC is a shortlisted finalist in a UK National Comp, results TBA and Cally has won a £10 HR in Lymm.
Not a BCer but took part in last year's Children-in-Need Marathon Writing Session, congrats to Henry Peplow for his win in the . S. Mitchell Memorial Prize. Nice one, HP!
Alex
TomC is a shortlisted finalist in a UK National Comp, results TBA and Cally has won a £10 HR in Lymm.
Not a BCer but took part in last year's Children-in-Need Marathon Writing Session, congrats to Henry Peplow for his win in the . S. Mitchell Memorial Prize. Nice one, HP!
Alex
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