Norah Colvin

Live Love Laugh Learn … Create the possibilities

Category: Writing

  • Writing woes – Flash fiction

    For the past couple of months, Charli Mills has been posting a flash fiction challenge on her site Carrot Ranch Communications.

    I have been really enjoying the challenges as I hadn’t tried writing fiction in such brevity before. I do like having a go at various genres but the main focus of my writing is education and literacy learning. I am currently developing resources for children, parents and teachers which I plan to make available on a future website.

     Having many years’ experience in writing these types of resources, I sometimes think I would be willing to develop any resource requested by an early childhood teacher. Participating in the Flash Fiction Challenge was a way of proving to myself that I could attempt any topic and genre.

     However, I have not found writing a response to this week’s prompt so easy. Charli’s challenge was to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a travel horror story.

     I am not a fan of horror (real or imagined) and I haven’t done enough travel to have experienced a horror story (thankfully) but I was still keen to have a go and keep up my good participation record.

    The difficulty I was experiencing with this writing task made me think about writing tasks that are set for children in school. How many children have ever returned from holiday and been set the task of writing about “My Holiday”?

    Maybe that’s not so bad, they have all experienced it. But what about other topics that are of little interest to them.

     This week across Australia students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are sitting NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) tests.

    Students in those year levels are set the same writing task . They are given “a ‘prompt’ – an idea or topic – and asked to write a response of a particular text type” 

    Information on the acara (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority) webstite explains that

    “In 2014, as in previous years, the Writing task will be a single common task for all students. The 2014 Writing test will require students to respond to either a persuasive or narrative Writing prompt. However, the genre of the prompt will not be disclosed prior to the test period.”

    It goes on further to say that

     “The provision of a rich and broad curriculum is the best preparation for NAPLAN, including the Writing task.”

    I think I have a fairly rich and broad educational background with a reasonable level of literacy skills; but I am not convinced that, on any given day, in a restricted amount of time, under the watchful eyes of supervisors I would produce my best work in response to a prompt about which I may have little experience, knowledge or interest.

     

    What about you? How do you think you would go?

     

    Below is my response to Charli’s horror travel prompt. I don’t think it is my best work.

     

    Travel woes

    She willed the doors shut forever, knowing that open they must, or she’d be left behind.

    She mentally checked and re-checked required items. Surely there was something she had missed?

     Dread gripped her ankles, threatening her balance.

    Fear squeezed her chest, constricting her breath.

     Heights and enclosed spaces were not her thing.

     She straightened, attempting to hide the tremble from fellow travellers.

     “Don’t be crowded. I need space, air to breathe.”

     The doors opened. She was swept inside.

     They closed, encasing her. No escape now.

    Would she make the distance, mind intact?

     Ding!

    Floor 35. Here already.

     

    The NAPLAN writing tasks are marked against a rubric of 10 criteria. I wonder what the criteria for flash fiction would be and how I would score.

     

    Please share your thoughts.

  • Taking a risk with flash fiction!

    For the past couple of months I have been participating in a weekly flash fiction challenge set by Charli Mills of Carrot Ranch Communications.

     

    This week’s prompt:

     

    In 99 words (no more, no less) write about the experience of letting go of something that feels safe like training wheels.

     

    appeals to me because it is about stepping out to something new, moving out of the comfort zone, letting go of the past, and releasing previously held beliefs and feelings.

     

    These are not always easy things to do, but they are a necessary part of life. Indeed, it could be said that the very act of being born is the first of such occasions.

     

    The ability to try new things, the willingness to take risks, the determination to get up and try again after failure and the persistence to keep going are important attributes of successful people.

     

    In my role as teacher it was important for me to encourage the development of these traits in myself, as much as in my students. Without these abilities no learning occurs, no growth takes place.

     

    Sometimes a gentle push (read encouragement/incentive) may need to be applied to help overcome an initial reluctance for a particular activity. This reluctance may soon be replaced by an enormous excitement, energy and future love for the activity. Other times no amount of coaxing can get an unwilling participant to budge.

     

    It is equally possible that an activity towards which one rushes (headfirst, arms flailing, bells ringing) in due course loses its lustre to disappointment.

     

    Below is the piece I wrote in response to Charli’s challenge. I have not revealed the activity I had in mind. I’m sure that you have experienced or witnessed several similar responses throughout your life. I’d love to know which one springs to your mind!

     

    Please share your thoughts. I hope you enjoy this piece of flash fiction!

     

    www.openclipart.com http://goo.gl/EY7z5L
    http://www.openclipart.com http://goo.gl/EY7z5L

    About ___________?

     

    I don’t want to.

    I don’t feel like it.

    You can’t make me.

    It’s not fair.

    No-oo!

    Leave me alone.

    Sob.

    Sob, sob.

     

    No-oo!

    I don’t want to.

    Alright. I’ll sit over there,

    But I won’t do it.

    You can’t make me.

    I won’t even look.

    Stomp.

    Stomp, stomp.

    Thump.

     

    Humph! Stupid.

    It’s not even fun.

    They can do it.

    I don’t care;

    Don’t know why they dragged me here anyway.

    Told them I wasn’t going to do it.

     

    Haha. What happened?

    That looks like fun.

     

    Hey! Let me do it.

    It’s my turn.

     

    Boy, this is fun!

     

  • Flash fiction: Revival

    The challenge from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch Communications on April 23, 2014 was to:  In 99 words (no more, no less) describe the climate of a story as it changes to reflect a character’s mood or to create a sense of what is to come. This is my response to the challenge. I hope you enjoy it.

    dry spell
    kconnors http://morguefile.com/archive/display/8583%3C

    Revival

    Her motivation and inspiration was as parched as the cracked red soil beneath her feet. The days were hot and lazy: nothing to do until the rains came. One long languid day followed another. With no work to be done on the land, time did not pressure creativity. Without pressure, there was no rush, no will. The bright blueness of the skies, usually joyous, now oppressive. An occasional cloud or flash on the horizon made empty promises. Finally the winds whipped the clouds into a frenzy, reigniting her creativity as the relentless soaking rains awakened the dormant earth.

     

    Please let me know what you think.

  • Going on a treasure hunt!

    we're going on a bear hunt

    A few weeks ago I had the great pleasure of taking my two gorgeous grandchildren to a performance of Michael Rosen’s “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”. To say we enjoyed it would be an understatement. We had a rollicking good time.

    The performance involved a lot of audience participation including spraying the entire audience with water from the “deep cold river”; an event which left everyone slightly wet, screaming with anticipation and laughter, and genuinely having a wonderful time interacting with this fabulous text.

    We were already familiar with the text, of course, and had read it, recited it, acted it out and played a board game which has been made to accompany the text. None of this really prepared us for the delightful stage performance; but these pale in comparison with a telling by the master storyteller himself, Michael Rosen.

    Michael Rosen’s website is a veritable treasure chest with much to explore and delight.  From his home page you can visit his blog which he describes a as a place where he’ll

    “post up some thoughts and ideas – especially on literature in education, children’s literature in general, poetry, reading, writing, teaching and thoughts on current affairs.”

    You can also check out a full list of his publications. He’s very prolific!

    After attending the performance of “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” I shared with my grandchildren the video of Michael Rosen performing the story, which is also available from his home page. They loved it and we watched it “Again!”

    Then I showed them the video of Rosen performing his fabulous poem Chocolate Cake. We watched it four times! Artie, who is four (and a half) was joining in with the telling the second time, and by the fourth time was copying many of Michael’s actions as well as facial and vocal expressions. Artie laughed along with the story and excitedly called other members of the family to watch it with him.

    The next time Artie came to visit he was performing his own version, “Lollipop”, with similar actions and both facial and vocal expressions. His younger sister also had to have her turn telling the story. It was delightful and convinced me, though I needed no convincing, of the power of a great performer to turn children onto the fun of language, of playing with words, of performing, and of composing writing of their own. Creativity ignited!

    If you haven’t yet watched Michael perform Chocolate Cake, I urge you to do so. You are in for a treat. I’m certain you will not be able to watch it without a smile on your face.

    Michael is so passionate about making poetry come alive for children, he has made many videos on his website freely available to teachers for use in their classrooms.

    In his article “Teachers write to me saying, ‘What about poetry?’”, Michael begins by saying,

    The-best-thing-you-can

    He then goes on to present many fun ways of engaging children with poetry, none of which involve word study or comprehension exercises. He makes suggestions for performing, writing and talking about poems; and says that

    “The best and most important thing you can do with any poem that a child writes is either get it performed or ‘published.”

    and offers suggestions of how to do just that.

    Another thing he says in that article, which was the inspiration for the title of this post, is

    Treasure-what-each-child

    I couldn’t agree more.

    This is just a brief sample of the riches to be found on the Michael Rosen website. There are so many videos of Michael’s performances available that I have not yet watched them all. Please let me know your favourites and I will make sure I watch those too.

    Thanks Michael Rosen. We can learn so much from you while we are having fun!

  • The magic effect – why children need books

    Nor and Bec reading

     

     

    Children can be read to from the moment they are born, if not earlier. Preferably earlier!

    One of my favourite picture book authors and passionate advocate for reading to children is Mem Fox. I own, and have given as gifts, many of her wonderful books. I have attended her seminars and been mesmerised by her reading from her selection of stories. “Read more!” the adults beg. There are no children at these literacy seminars. This time it is a treat for only us: parents and teachers, literacy educators all.

    Currently Prince William, Kate and baby Prince George are visiting Australia. I was delighted to hear that they were given a gift of books by Australian authors, including some by Mem Fox. Over the years I have given many of Mem’s books as gifts; and kept just as many for myself!

     Reading magic

    One that I have given to many new or expectant parents, as I consider it a “must read”, is Mem’s book “Reading Magic – Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever”.

    I would love to quote the entire book for you, but it is better you read it for yourself. I will provide you with this quote from the foreword as a taster for the richness to be found inside.

    “It stands to reason that if we’re able to raise happier, brighter children by reading aloud to them, the well-being of the entire country will ramp up a notch. Children who realize in their first few weeks and months of life that listening to stories is the purest heaven; who understand that books are filled with delights, facts, fun, and food for thought; who fall in love with their parents, and their parents with them, while stores are being shared; and who are read aloud to for ten minutes a day in their first five years, usually learn to read quickly, happily and easily. And a whole lot of goodness follows for the entire community.”

    Mem's website

     

    Mem’s website, too, is a treasure trove just waiting to be explored by writers, teachers, parents, children and children-at-heart.

    You can listen to Mem read from her selection of books on the Current Read Aloud page. She reads three different books each month. Currently the books are Possum Magic, Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! and Goodnight, Sleep Tight. Be quick to listen to these, though, as they will change at the end of the month. But never mind, there’ll be another three to enjoy next month!

    Mem even gives a read-aloud lesson! Now there’s no excuse! As she says,

    “. . . let’s get on and change the world, one page at a time.”

    Yes, Mem, let’s!

     

    What are your favourite read-aloud books? What did you enjoy as a child? What do you enjoy now?

  • Flash fiction – Innocence shattered

    Here is my contribution to the seventh flash fiction challenge from Carrot Ranch Communications. I hope you enjoy it.

    In 99 words (no more, no less) write a biography for a character, alter-ego or you. 

    Innocence shattered

    She hurled it with such force that had it been his head, as she had wished it was, it too would have smashed into smithereens, just as the figurine had.

    “You ab-so-lute monster!” she screamed.

    She fell to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

    All her life she had thought it was her; something wrong with her; she that was wanting.

    But it wasn’t her. It was him. His wanting. His vile taking.

    The repulsive visions made her want to turn inside out and eradicate any trace of connection.

    Her ignorance had offered no protection; and now no solace.

     

    I welcome your comments.

  • Flash fiction – White flowers

    The sixth flash fiction challenge from Carrot Ranch Communications:

    In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes white flowers.

    When Charli posted this challenge, I was thinking of writing about my Mum’s white flowers. At the time I didn’t expect that she would pass away before I had it written. After losing her my mind has been otherwise occupied and I have struggled to think beyond those two words “white flowers”. However, tonight I decided to write a brief tribute to my Mum who peacefully went “to Heaven” on Friday evening.  We will say our farewells to her tomorrow. So, it’s not really flash and it’s not really fiction but it is on the topic and is 99 words.

    peace lilies

    These white flowers in the pot at my door remind me of you.
    I bought them for you, to remind you of home, when you moved, with reluctant acceptance.
    Peace lilies.
    Your beautiful peace lily flourished in the warmth of the sunny spot beside your favourite chair; the favourite chair that you took with you to your new home; that transported you to Heaven. You were ready.
    Now they reside with me, in the pot made by his hands; a fitting spot.
    You will rest with him in his plot, together again, now at peace, forever.
    Love you, Mum.

  • Flash fiction – Vagaries of time

    The fifth flash fiction challenge from Carrot Ranch Communications:

    In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that quotes from a song’s lyrics (could be a classical aria, a rock & roll song, anything).

    This is my contribution. I hope you enjoy it.

    Vagaries of Time

    She rubbed the grimy pane, squinting to peer inside.

    It was all boarded up now with chairs stacked haphazardly on tabletops and piled in corners decorated with cobwebs.

    On one side stood the jukebox covered in dust.

    Suddenly she was back in his arms, their bodies pressed tightly together, swaying to Mick singing “time is my side”. They thought they would be young and in love like this forever.

    “Hmmhmm! You okay, Miss?”

    “Yes,” she stammered, embarrassed.

    She stumbled down the steps, smiling as the words in her head became Van’s “precious time is slipping away…”

    Thanks for reading. I welcome all feedback.

  • Liebster Award acceptance responses

    liebster2

    Recently I nominated a number of bloggers for a Liebster Award. Out of the thirteen I nominated, six chose to share their thoughts by answering the questions I asked. Considering the percentage of responses that are often received to a survey, I think this is a great result.

    Below I have presented the questions that I asked and collated a summary of each response. If you wish to read each respondent’s answers in full, please visit their blogs. I’m sure you will find much more of interest.

    You may notice that not all respondents have answered every question, and that one respondent has chosen another question of her own. That’s okay. I gave them permission to do so!

    Remember, these were open-ended questions with no wrong answers and everyone did a marvelous job in answering them. I am very grateful to each for sharing the depth and openness of their thoughts. I think we have much to learn from them, and from each other. This is a list of respondents with links to their blogs.

    Anne Goodwin  annethology  annecdotal Anne Goodwin’s Writing Blog

    Nillu Nasser Stelter, Fiction and Freelance Writer

    Nicole Hewes Cultivating Questioners

    Charli Mills Carrot Ranch Communications Words for People!

    Caroline Lodge book word

    Nanny Shecando

     

    1. What do you value most in life?

    Anne Goodwin

    Authenticity; ambivalence; fairness; mutual respect.

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    the ability to choose how I live my life. Freedom is everything.

    Nicole Hewes

    moments of possibility and opportunity, where the world seems open and the choices seem infinite

    Charli Mills

    living in such a way that I look for beauty all around me and find good even when life’s path gets rocky

    Caroline Lodge

    my daughter

    Nanny Shecando

    the chance I get everyday to make the most of it. That I can do whichever I chose to do.

     

    2. What activities do you enjoy and why?

    Anne Goodwin

    Reading and writing; walking in the countryside; choral singing and growing (some of) my own food.

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    lazy afternoons in the park with my family; sinking into a bubble bath with a good book; singing when nobody is listening and dancing when nobody is watching

    Nicole Hewes

    reading

    Charli Mills

    Activities that connect me to living in the moment: gardening, cooking and writing about the birds outside my window

    Caroline Lodge

    Reading and writing, and talking about both with other enthusiasts.

    Nanny Shecando

    any activity that allows me to be creative

     

    3.What is something you wish you had more time for?

    Anne Goodwin

    I don’t think we can do everything (that’s what fiction is for – the chance to live other lives) and I’m reasonably happy with how I portion out my time.

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    reading and writing; other creative pursuits

    Nicole Hewes

    travel, try new recipes, read more books, and to spend with my friends and family

    Charli Mills

    I’ve found that by taking time to stare at a sunset or falling snowflakes, I have all the time in the world. It’s what I do with it that matters.

    Caroline Lodge

    it’s not so much time as ability to fit all the things I love in my life

    Nanny Shecando

    read more books

     

    4.What is one change you would like to make in the world?

    Anne Goodwin

    a shift in emphasis from a culture of greed to one of equality and compassion

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    more understanding for each other, first within our own countries and then across country boundaries; clean water for all!

    Nicole Hewes

    change our society so that equal educational opportunity could actually exist, so that everyone could have access to basic resources, and so that money and special interests wouldn’t dictate the media

    Charli Mills

    contribute to world change through one beautiful book at a time; honor the hero’s journey within us all and to actualize everyday beauty

    Caroline Lodge

    World peace; access to books for everyone

    Nanny Shecando

    people holding themselves accountable for their actions

     

    5.What is something you would like to change about yourself?

    Anne Goodwin

    I’d like to be more laid-back; a published novelist

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    I’d like to care less about what other people think about me.

    Nicole Hewes

    I would like to be a tad more outgoing and a little less independent

    Charli Mills

    To stop worrying whether or not people approve of what I do.

    Nanny Shecando

    to practice a, “you’re full of greatness so long as you tap into it and utilise it” mentality

     

    6.What surprises you most about your life – something good in your life that you hadn’t expected, dreamed of or thought possible?

    Anne Goodwin

    taking part in choral concerts of major classical works along with some pretty decent singers and a full orchestra. It’s a real emotional hit

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    The ease of transition from single person to family life; how tiring and rewarding it would be.

    I have evolved from a child with a mass of insecurities to someone who is comfortable with herself.

    Nicole Hewes

    Being in a relationship with a partner with a worldview quite different from mine who challenges my views and assumptions and is incredibly kind, supportive, and loving.

    Charli Mills

    an upheaval in my life would open the door for me to step into that writer’s life. It isn’t easy, but it is what I’ve dreamed of doing and I’m doing it.

    Caroline Lodge

    That it goes on getting better, that I go on learning, that there are so many amazing people in the world and I know some of them.

    Nanny Shecando

    that I am able to be so happy, comfortable, confident and secure in leading the life that I do.

     

    7.What ‘big” question do you often ponder?

    Anne Goodwin

    The fact that our species has invested so much energy and creativity in the technology of warfare and so little in strategies for living in peace with our neighbours.

    Nicole Hewes

    Why our differences continue to lead to such polarization and why empathy can be so selective.

    Charli Mills

    How do I listen to God’s calling and live in the light?

    Caroline Lodge

    How can articulate and intelligent people inflict direct and indirect suffering upon others?

    Nanny Shecando

    life vs the state of dreaming. How can we really distinguish which is which? How do we know if what we perceive to be real is actually so?

    8.What sorts of things amuse you?

    Anne Goodwin

    my husband’s dreadful punning jokes. And I quite like dark humour exemplified by the ditty Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from The Life of Brian

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    Slapstick comedy and Ally McBeal; innuendo; the children

    Nicole Hewes

    comments that my second graders make in our classroom; when the ridiculousness of an idea is exposed by positing the same thinking in another situation.

    Charli Mills

    Silly little things

    Caroline Lodge

    Unintentional meanings in things like the sign “uncontrolled pedestrian crossing” in London.

    Nanny Shecando

    the daily conversations that I get to share with the kids.

     

    9.What do you like to collect?

    Anne Goodwin

    Slugs from the garden

    Nicole Hewes

    copies of student work that blows me away with its insight or hilarity (I have a “smile file” where I keep these items). I also like to collect quotes and articles and stories that suggest that gender roles are actually shifting and gender stereotyping is altering. And pasta recipes

    Charli Mills

    Stuff from the ground that’s old–rocks, fossils, arrowheads, purple glass.

    Nanny Shecando

    books and old sheet music

     

    10.If you could talk with anyone and ask them to explain their ideas and/or actions, who would it be, and why?

    Anne Goodwin

    I’d ask the women who doled out white feathers to men out of uniform in the First World War why they thought they had the right. If I couldn’t time travel, I’d ask our Prime Minister, David Cameron, why he isn’t ashamed that a rich country like ours has spawned so many food banks.

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    both my grandfathers, who have both sadly died

    Charli Mills

    I’d love to talk to my 5th-great grandfather and ask him why he left North Carolina. He was a poet and wrote such sad verse about leaving those mountains as an old man.

     

    11.What is something you can’t do without?

    Anne Goodwin

    My glasses, voice-activated software

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    feeling connected

    Nicole Hewes

    a good book on my person at all times

    Charli Mills

    Internet!

    Caroline Lodge

    my daughter

    Nanny Shecando

    a notebook and pen

     

    12.What is something important you learned about life, and how did you learn it?

    Anne Goodwin

    That, unlike a work of fiction, we can’t scrub out the bits that don’t work and start again.

    Charli Mills

    A life of truth is not an easy one.

    Nanny Shecando

    you don’t get anything unless you ask for it

     

    13.What is your earliest memory?

    Anne Goodwin

    I distinctly remember standing on the steps leading up to the front door of our house, replying “two in August” to a passerby who’d asked my age. However, this being one of the stories my mother liked to tell about me, and knowing what I do about the fallibility of autobiographical memories, especially those from early childhood, I doubt its authenticity, and regard it as my mother’s memory, not mine.

    Nillu Nasser Stelter

    Probably my gran singing ‘Nanu maru nak’ (my nose is small), a Gujarati nursery rhyme, to me, but I often question whether my memories are real or reconstructed, so I can’t be sure.

    Charli Mills

    One of my earliest memories is of a black cat that I coaxed into being a pet on a ranch where I lived the first seven years of my life. That cat made me feel safe

    Caroline Lodge

    Someone threatened to steal my little sister. It was an early experience of a quandary: if I went to get adult help she might get taken, but could I make sure she was safe on my own. I was scarcely 3 and she was newborn.

    14.What sorts of things irritate you? (Caroline Lodge)

    Caroline Lodge

    There are lots of things, and one of them is the pervasive idea of favourite books and writers in tweets and blogs. It’s such a simplistic, reductionist concept that I try to avoid it. I added this question, just so I could indulge in a favourite whinge.

     

    The responses reflect the richness of our humanity, both the commonality and its diversity. Which responses strike an accord with you? With which do you differ?

    Please share your thoughts and keep the conversation going.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Flash fiction – It’s just the wind.

    The fourth flash fiction challenge from Carrot Ranch Communications:

    In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the phrase, “It’s just the wind.”

    This is my contribution. I hope you enjoy it.

     

    Her crumpled body pressed tightly into the corner; she willed herself a part of it.

    He was coming to get her.

    His tendril-like fingers scratched the window pane, prised up the screen, tore down the blind, demanded entry.

    With her eyes clamped shut, the images took charge: too terrifying to forget, too horrible to remember.

    He’d never let her be.

    His powerful hands pummelled the door, jangled the handle, wrenched it free.

    Hands blocking her ears failed to exclude the menacing howl.

    “There’s no escape.”

    Her screams found voice.

    “Hush,” they soothed the quivering mass. “It’s just the wind.”

     

    Thanks for reading. I welcome all feedback.