Dictionary Stories 2010-02-26

Nab

"Nab," dad said as he reached over grabbing a chip.
"That's not the right word," Charlie said, "why don't you get yourself some chips?"
"Your mother's got me on this diet - no chips."
"Got to indulge now and then." Charlie said, passing his father a couple more chips.
"You're mother wouldn't agree with that."
"What she doesn't know won't hurt her."
"Not true," dad said. He was clearly enjoying the chips. He held the last one up like it was a holy relic before placing it on his tongue, biting and closing his mouth dramatically.
"You could try the exercise thing."
"I suppose," dad said, "think I could combine exercise and chips?"
"If you walked far enough or often enough."
Dad smiled as an idea crossed his mind,"I'll do the shopping on foot today. See you in a couple of hours."

The Pen is Mighter than the Keyboard

Like I said In a recent Writer's Blog this began as an exercise in class.

The Pen is Mightier than the Keyboard

My page is blank. So many possibilities; centaurs cantering over a hill, starships, fleets, empires, principalities, wizards, warriors and werewolf - It's still blank.
A part of my mind says 'write, just write and see what happens. This isn't my first writer's block - I've been here before - I know the patten. I'll write so far and then go back - edit - edit - edit after an hour or so two hundred words will have been written.
What about paper?
How did books get written before the computer? I can imagine Shakespeare looking at a page of Hamlet, a beautiful script - in both scenes of the word - then he sees it, yes, he's used the wrong there! The whole page has to be painstakingly rewritten.
Now things have gone too far the other way. It is now all too easy to edit. I heard once about an author, Harlan Ellison, who would sit in the window of a cafe with a pad of paper. As he finished a page he would stick it to the window. Those who passed by the window could read what was written but Ellison had to continue to write. Editing could come later.

Writer's Blog 2010-02-16

A couple of weeks ago we were given the prompt "The pen is mightier than the keyboard." This was in writing non-fiction. I must admit when I heard that I was unconvinced. After thinking about it however I decided there is a great deal of truth in that statement.

I have now started writing my books with pen and paper, about three pages a day, and found it works so much better than using a computer. For one thing you can't go back and edit so you keep the momentum going! Another is that if you need to make notes or work something out you can do so in the margins!

Dictionary Stories 2010-02-16

Ma'am

"Ma'am," Chief Broadhurst said.
Ma'am it still sounded strange to the ears of Lieutenant Llewellyn. The Chief Petty Officer had served for nearly thirty years and yet had to call her ma'am. She pushed herself up from the Harrier and climbed down on to the deck.
"Thank you Chief."
"Your welcome. Are you all right ma'am?"
"First night landing."
They walked across the deck to the control tower. Llewellyn knew that Commander Air would be their waiting for her. She was sure he'd find some small fault with her landing.

Dictionary Stories 2010-02-15

Lab

"Lab was completely destroyed sir," Sergeant Walker reported.
"Cause?" the Superintendent asked.
"We have been unable to find one."
The Superintendent left his seat and crossed the room. He stroked his bearded chin in thought as he looked out the window.
"A lab doesn't just blow up. What we're they working on?"
"The lead scientist was not very forthcoming about that sir. She would only say that she trusted her staff and that they we're not working on anything controversial or explosive."
"A lab has gas taps."
"Yes sir. It wasn't a gas explosion however."
"Keep on this Inspector."
"Sergeant sir."
"Not if you solve this mystery."
"Yes, sir. Thank you sir."
"Dismissed."

Dictionary Stories 2010-02-12

Kabaddi

"Kabaddi!" Mr Jones paced across the headmasters office. "They have a problem with a game. Why?"
"Well," said the headmaster, putting on a toff accent, "it's just not cricket."
"Literally and figuratively, I see."
"I'm sorry Mr Jones but you'll have to go back to the approved games."
"I will. Headmaster, Games lessons are difficult as it is to motivate the students. They were enjoying themselves."
"I don't think the governors are using logic."

Mr Jones left the headmasters office. As it happened he had a Games lesson straight away. Once everyone was changed they gathered in the sports hall.
"What are we doing today sir?" Mitchell asked.
"Cricket," Mr Jones said.
"What about that other game, sir?"
"I'm afraid we're not allowed to play that. The governors want us to stick to conventional sports."
"To hell with them," Mitchell said.
"Language," Mr Jones said, though only halfheartedly.
So they set up the wickets, bat and cones and played a strange high school variety of cricket. When the ball was thrown the batter hit it and tried to get as many runs round the cone before the bowler was in position to bowl again.
"This isn't cricket either," Mr Jones said to himself.

Dictionary Stories 2010-02-11

Jab

"Jab,Jab," said Kurt. He brought the Biro down onto Boris's arm.
"Cut it out!"
"It'll be a needle next time!" Kurt taunted.
"I know," said Boris, "I don't need you to remind me of that!"
Boris moved away from his brother to the far end of the room. Kurt was an annoying pain a lot of the time but he would usually stop when asked to. Boris however couldn't help but look at his arm, which now had pen marks, he was still scared. The whole idea of the doctor plunging a needle into his arm was terrifying.
"Ready?" mum asked entering the living room.
"Ready?" Boris confirmed.

Boris and mum got into the car and set off for the doctor's surgery. Mum picked up one of the old magazines, Kurt just looked uncertainly round the room. Soon his name was called and they headed through to the doctors room.
"How are you today?2
"Okay," Boris said.
"Good," the doctor said. He reached behind him for a needle. "This will only hurt for a moment."
"I thought doctors we're supposed to say 'this won't hurt a bit.'"
"I never lie to my patients."
The doctor carefully pushed the needle into Boris's arm. It stung for a moment then the tube the doctor attached began to fill with blood.
"That wasn't so bad," Boris said.
The doctor passed him a piece of cotton wool which Boris held in place till the doctor secured it with some micropore.
"We'll have the test results in about a week."

Dictionary Stories 2010-02-10

I

I think that this entry is somewhat of a cheat! After all a sentence starting with I can go any which way it wants. I could tell you about my childhood, university or my non existent love life. I believe I will postpone however as I would like to keep people reading. I know though that very few people actually read this blog. So I will try to be quite interesting.

I got nothing.

I will be back later in the week with a story of Jab. Also I'm in a celebratory mood as it is reading week next week, Tibetan new year this week end and a friend's birthday today. So happy birthday to all those born today, hope you all have a great time.

Dictionary Stories 2010-02-05

Ha

"Ha," said Sarah. She clicked her fingers in triumph and began to type feverishly. She was sure she was making mistakes but it didn't matter. Practically the first thing they told you when studding creative writing was that editing could come later. She had been working on her novel for, well if you counted her childhood crayon scribblings, all her life and still it wasn't done. At least four of the chapters she had written had been chapter one at one time. Now she had had the inspiration and decided to write long hand. Without a backspace button editing had to come at the end. Every evening she had written at least a page and had filled two large pads of paper. Now was the time to write it up on the computer. This had the advantage of instantly having a chance to edit.
Now she had added the prologue, epilogue and dedication and was ready to send the manuscript off. Only time would tell if it would be the next Harry Potter or a complete flop only enjoyed by friends and family.

Dictionary Stories 2010-02-03

Gab

"Gab, the gift of the gab he's got," Granddad said.
"Surely nobody will listen to that moron," I said.
Granddad smiled. I think he appreciated my naivety. He know the power some people could command. They could say the most stupid things any yet somehow they were believed. We continued to watch the speech. The scary thing was a lot of what he said made sense but his solutions, we know, would be bad. If that small man on the television screen was elected he would slowly close the noose around anyone he didn't like. Granddad had been an historical professor and knew the methods that would be employed. Once the program was over he sat me down and spoke with great severity.
"Listen. If he is elected he will come for us, his people will, but not all at once. Speak out before his attention is turned to you. If you do not then by the time he has their will be no one left to speak for anyone."
"I understand," I told him.
I'm not sure I really understood but on searching the web I found I quote. I think it was to what granddad had alluded.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out. *


* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...