Internal Combustion Workshop

Following the success of the Nuts & Bolts writing workshop, BWC affiliate small hushed waves is putting on another half-day workshop. Further details from small hushed waves manager Fintan O’Higgins, below:

“small hushed waves are pleased to present the Internal Combustion Workshop, a half-day course designed to give your stories drive and get them moving.

The workshop is open to writers of all levels of experience, and will be based around discussions and writing exercises, to explore how to give your story the dramatic fuel it needs.

Although the morning will encompass short stories, our focus on the mechanics of storytelling means that the workshop is also perfect for writers of longer fiction, plays,  screenplays and even poetry.

Come with an idea for a story and we’ll explore ways to make that story work.

When? Sunday May 12, 2013, from 14:00-17:00 (with a coffee break!)
Where? Sterling Books, Brussels
How much? The cost of the workshop is €15. Simply email us at smallhushedwaves at gmail.com for our bank details
How do I sign up? Simply email us at smallhushedwaves at gmail.com
What should I bring? Writing materials and plenty of energy

We look forward to seeing you there!”

Nuts & Bolts Writing Workshop

For those of you interested in sharpening those sentences, provoking those plots and ferreting out those fancies, you might be interested in coming along to the Nuts & Bolts Writing Workshop on Saturday, March 23.

The workshop will be run by small hushed waves, a new company managed by BWC Member Fintan O’Higgins. Fintan has provided some more information below:

“The Nuts & Bolts workshop is a three-hour course designed to get your imagination working, and to generate your own original ideas to work on.

The workshop will be held on Saturday 23 March, from 10:00-13:00 (with a coffee break in the middle) in the upside-down Bibliothèque room in The Egg:

The Egg
Rue Bara 175
B-1070 Brussels

We are giving a special discount for this ‘sampler’ workshop. However, since places are limited, you will need to make a payment of €15 to secure your place. To do this, simply email us on smallhushedwaves at gmail.com and we will provide you with our account number.

Although plenty of ideas and inspiration will be provided, writing materials will not be, so please make sure you bring these along with you.

We look forward to seeing you there!”

2013 International Short Story Competitions

Since we have plenty of short story writers here at the BWC, I thought I’d compile a list of international short story competitions for 2013. Well, from February onwards, anyway!

There are more writing competitions than you can shake a lemming at, so I narrowed my search to competitions that are (a) international, (b) include publication in either anthologies or magazines, and (c) preferably do not require the donation of one or more of your limbs in order to enter.

Most of the competitions listed below require that your submission has not been published elsewhere beforehand, but you can check each site individually for comprehensive entry rules. Some also include poetry and flash fiction categories, so I’ve indicated those ones where applicable.

Disclaimer: I cannot speak for the legitimacy of any of these competitions. Entry is at your own risk. Please do not pelt me with rotten aubergines if it turns out you enter something dodgy.

MARCH DEADLINES

The Nelligan Prize for Short Fiction

Theme: Open
Word limit: Under 50 pages
Entry fee: $15USD
Prizes: 1st prize £2000USD
Deadline: March 14, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Fall/Winter 2013 edition of Colorado Review
Website: http://coloradoreview.colostate.edu/nelligan-prize

The Pinch Literary Awards

Theme: Open
Word limit: 5000 words max
Entry fee: $20USD
Prizes: 1st prize $1000USD
Deadline: March 15, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Spring edition of The Pinch Journal (University of Memphis)
Website: http://www.thepinchjournal.com/contest/

Mslexia 2013 Women’s Short Story Competition

Theme: Open
Word limit: 2,200 words max
Entry fee: £10 per entry
Prizes: 1st prize £2000, 2nd prize £500, 3rd prize £250
Deadline: March 18, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Issue 58, Mslexia Magazine
Extra information: Women writers only
Website: http://mslexia.co.uk/whatson/msbusiness/scomp_active.php

The Bath Short Story Award

Theme: Open
Word limit: 2,200 words max
Entry fee: £5 per entry
Prizes: 1st prize £500, 2nd prize £50, 3rd prize £50
Deadline: March 30, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: E-book anthology
Website: http://bathshortstoryaward.co.uk

Love on the Road 2013

Theme: Stories about making connections
Word limit: 5000 words max
Entry fee: $10 (unclear from website which kind of dollars they want!)
Prizes: 1st prize $200, 2nd prize $100, 3rd prize $50
Deadline: March 31, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Love on the Road 2013 (Anthology)
Website: http://loveontheroad2013.com/

Exeter Writers Short Story Competition

Theme: Open (but no children’s stories)
Word limit: 3000 words max
Entry fee: £5 per entry
Prizes: 1st prize £500, 2nd prize £250, 3rd prize £100
Deadline: March 31, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Exeter Writers website
Website: http://www.exeterwriters.org.uk/p/competition.html

Five Stop Story 2013 Quarterly Short Story Competitions

Theme: Open
Word limit: 3,000 words max
Entry fee: £5 (gets cheaper with multiple entries)
Prizes: 1st prize £100, two runners up £10
Deadline: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 (quarterly competition)
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: On Five Stop Story website, and Five Stop Story iPhone and iPad app.
Extra information: ‘Five Stop Story’ means the story can be read within 5 stops on the London Underground. Cool idea!
Website: http://www.fivestopstory.com

APRIL DEADLINES

Inkhead Short Story Competition

Theme: Stories must be written under one of five possible titles (listed on their website)
Word limit: 1000 words max
Entry fee: £5 per entry
Prizes: 1st prize £150, 2nd prize £60, 3rd prize £40
Deadline: April 1, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Inkhead Winners Anthology
Website: http://www.inkhead.co.uk/pages/competition-2013

Bristol Short Story Prize

Theme: Open
Word limit: 4,000 words max
Entry fee: £8 per entry
Prizes: 1st prize £1000, 2nd prize £700, 3rd prize £400
Deadline: April 30, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology (Volume 6)
Website: http://www.bristolprize.co.uk

The Flying Elephants Short Story Prize

Theme: ‘Hunger’
Word limit: 2500-5000 words (but judges are flexible)
Entry fee: FREE
Prizes: 1st prize $2000, three finalists £1000
Deadline: April 30, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Two stories maximum
Publication: Online (AndWeWereHungry website)
Website: http://andwewerehungry.org/short-story-contest-at-a-glance

MAY DEADLINES

The Bridport Prize

Theme: Open
Word limit: 5000 words max
Entry fee: £8 per entry
Prizes: 1st prize £5000, 2nd prize £1000, 3rd prize £500
Deadline: 31st May, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Bridport Prize 2013 Anthology
Extra information: Also includes poetry and flash fiction categories
Website: http://www.bridportprize.org.uk

Barbara Pym Centenary Short Story Competition

Theme: Stories must be written in a ‘Barbara Pym-esque’ style
Word limit: 2,200 words max
Entry fee: £7
Prizes: 1st prize £150, 2nd prize £100, 3rd prize £50
Deadline: 30th May, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Green Leaves (journal), and online
Website: http://www.barbara-pym.org/Homepage.html

JUNE DEADLINES

Cinnamon Press Writing Awards

Theme: Open
Word limit: Short stories 2000-4000 words, first novels/novellas up to 10,000 words (can be longer, but they accept only the first 10,000 words)
Entry fee: £12
Prizes: Short stories: 1st prize £150; Novels/novellas: £400)
Deadline: June 30, 2013 and November 30, 2013 (twice yearly competition)
Multiple entries permitted: Not stated
Publication: Short stories published in Cinnamon Press winners’ anthology, novels/novellas published by Cinnamon Press
Extra information: Also includes a poetry category, and monthly writing competitions
Website: http://www.cinnamonpress.com/competitions/major-awards

JULY DEADLINES

Wyrd Books Short Story Competition

Theme: Open
Word limit: 2000 words max
Entry fee: Free (as far as I can tell!)
Prizes: Publication only
Deadline: July 31, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Not stated
Publication: Non-profit paperback ‘Wyrd Stories’
Extra information: Entries that do not make it into the collection may be published on the website
Website: http://www.wyrdbooks.co.uk/Wyrd_Stories.html

Highlands and Islands Short Story Competition

Theme: Open (no link with Scotland necessary. Unconventional story lines encouraged)
Word limit: 4000 words max
Entry fee: £5 (or 3 stories for £12)
Prizes: 1st prize £400, 2nd and 3rd prizes £50
Deadline: July 31, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Not stated
Publication: Online only (HISSAC website)
Website: http://www.hissac.co.uk/CompetitionDetails

OCTOBER DEADLINES

The Scott Prize (for short story collections)

Theme: Open
Word limit: Short story collection between 30,000 – 75,000 words
Entry Fee: £20
Prizes: First prize £1000
Deadline: October 31, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: N/A
Publication: Publication and contract with Salt Publishing
Extra information: Individual short stories that may have already been published can be included within your collection
Website: http://thescottprize.co.uk

NOVEMBER DEADLINES

The New Writer Annual Prose and Poetry Prizes

Theme: Open (but must reflect ‘writing today’, whatever that means!)
Word limit: 500-3000 words
Entry fee: £5 per entry
Prizes: 1st prize £300, 2nd prize £200, 3rd prize £100
Deadline: November 30, 2013
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: The New Writer Annual Collection (anthology)
Extra information: Also includes a poetry category
Website: http://www.thenewwriter.com/prose-and-poetry-prize

Writers’ Village Short Story Competition

Theme: Open
Word limit: 3000 words max
Entry fee: £15
Prizes: 1st prize £1000, 2nd prize £250, 3rd prize £50
Deadline: November 30, 2013
Multiple entries permitted:
Publication: Writers’ Village website
Extra information: This competition guarantees feedback from judges for all entries received
Website: http://www.writers-village.org

ROLLING DEADLINES

Writers’ Forum Short Story Competition

Theme: Open
Word limit: 1000-3000 words
Entry fee: £5 (or £3 for subscribers)
Prizes: 1st prize £300, 2nd prize £150, 3rd prize £100
Deadline: Rolling
Multiple entries permitted: Yes
Publication: Published in Writers’ Forum Magazine
Extra information: Also includes a poetry competition
Website: http://www.writers-forum.com/comps.html

Okay, so that’s where I got up to before getting tired. For a more comprehensive, but seemingly mainly Canadian-based list, you can visit this website. For details of competitions predating February, you can visit the UK’s Booktrust website, which is where I found plenty of the competitions listed above.

If any BWC members or random site visitors know of a competition that fits our bill (i.e., it’s international, includes publication, and doesn’t cost a kidney to enter), just email us at brusselswriterscircle at gmail.com and I’ll see about adding it to the list.

I hope this is useful for some of you! And remember, no rotten aubergines for dodgy listings…

New Tuesday Night Venue

After many years at the lovely Cercle des Voyageurs (from which, incidentally, we derived the ‘circle’ part of our name), we’ve recently switched our Tuesday night venue to the nearby La Maison des Crêpes. That’s right, we seem to have some sort of circle fixation here at the BWC. We’ve gone from meeting in a circle to meeting around circles. Edible ones!

La Maison des Crêpes is very nearby to the old Cercle, and we have a special room upstairs reserved especially for us. It has old encyclopaedia pages as wallpaper, so if you start to drift off while somebody’s reading (not that that ever happens), you can catch up on some antiquated knowledge. The waitstaff also pop up to see if we need to top-up our drinks throughout the evening, and to find out whether the sweet smells drifting about the place have made us desirous of pancakey sustenance.

It’s a cosy, friendly venue, right in the centre of Brussels, and we’re pretty chuffed with it so far. If you’d like to join us for a Tuesday night session sometime soon, we’ll be upstairs eating circles from 7:00pm at:

Rue du Midi 13
1000 Bruxelles

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sunday Lovely Sunday

At the BWC, we’re a keen bunch. We share our scrawlings three times a week: on a Tuesday evening, Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon. Of course you don’t have to come to all three meetings every week (though some do!); the main point of having three separate meeting times is to provide a little flexibility. Following Nick Hogg’s recent marketing push for Thursday evenings, we’re now going to hear from Jack Gilbey on the virtues of Sundays.

Couldn’t find a decent picture of Garden City Brasserie, so instead here’s a picture of something you might find there…

“The Sunday writers’ group is slightly different. For one thing, the daylight start time is ideal for the Cinderellas in our group (though less attractive to the vampires among us). For another, this group is sometimes the setting for workshops. In the past, we have had workshops on writing speculative fiction, writing from the perspective of the other gender, performing stand-up comedy (complete with mike!) writing about zombies, and satirising another member of the group.

In our workshops (which will usually be announced by the previous Tuesday if you are on our mailing list), the usual format is as follows: advance warning ensures that those of a nervous disposition can prepare themselves. On the day, there is an introduction to the subject, followed by examples of the desired text, and then we have spontaneous writing. There is a brief/scenario to write about, then we each write a piece (or pieces), there on the spot, for 15-20 minutes (sometimes longer). After that, we then take turns reading our pieces aloud and letting others comment on them.

We have been attending Garden City in the centre of Brussels, which, as its outdoor name suggests, has been really rather lovely as a summer location. It has plenty of room inside, and, if we make up more than half the numbers, we can have the music inside turned down, too…

Some possible future workshops might be:

• Writing in the style of a well-known author
• Writing about our first/a very distant memory
• Characterisation

Suggestions for future workshops are welcome. Look forward to seeing you there soon!”

Mondays are moving to Tuesdays

After a recent email voting session described by BWC Chairman David Ellard as “almost as exciting as Eurovision, and decidedly less fixed”, it has been decided that the Monday evening meetings are permanently moving to Tuesday evenings. The time and place remain the same – 7pm at Le Cercle des Voyageurs – and the change is effective from next week (Tuesday October 30).

Hope to see all of you who cast your vote for Tuesdays then!

Put Away the Hourglass

In a recent Radiolab podcast, I learned about how Oliver Sacks overcame his writer’s block back in 1968. He was struggling to complete his first book, Migraine, and eventually reached a point of such desperation that he decided to set himself a deadline. Okay, so that in itself is nothing unusual – most writers try this at some point or another when they’re feeling stuck – but what adds a dash of drama to this scenario is that his was a literal deadline. He told himself that if he didn’t finish the book in 10 days, he’d have to commit suicide.

You might sneer, but Sacks was apparently very serious about it. So serious that he ended up completing the book in 9 days.

It’s doubtful that Sacks was the first writer to use self-bribery as a way of getting the thing done, but considering that this was 44 years ago, it’s possible that he was before his time when it came to the ludicrously short timeframe he set for himself.

The podcast is really great (as Radiolab podcasts always are), and if you want to listen to the rest of it you can do so here. For now though, I’m going to leave Sacks’s rashness behind and dance with this idea of ludicrously short timeframes instead.

Now I’m not sure about you, but sometimes I feel a degree of pressure to write not only prolifically, but quickly. I get the impression that the old saying, ‘To be a writer you must write’ has been reinterpreted as, ‘To prove that you are a writer you must write as much as you can, as fast as you can.’

The pressure doesn’t come from other writers alone, either. It seems to come from everywhere. Friends ask what kind of writing schedule I set for myself, people have questions like, ‘How many words do you usually write per day/per week/per month?’ or ‘How many words have you written on your novel so far?’, as if quantity is everything.

I even found an article recently which talks about the proliferation of ‘productivity’ applications for writers. If you’ll allow me the slight diversion (it’ll slow us up, but hopefully you’ll see the point of it), I’ll describe some of them for you now:

Write or Die is a new iPad application that “forces you to write by providing consequences for distraction and procrastination”. You can set the application to three different levels of strictness. The ‘Normal Mode’ sounds harsh enough – if you stop writing, the application plays an ear-shattering noise until you start again – but in ‘Kamikaze Mode’, if you stop writing for a certain period of time, the despotic thing starts killing off the words you’ve already written.

Then there’s Pomodoro, an application that claims to help you focus and obliterate procrastination. You set a timer for yourself, writing in intervals of say, 25 minutes, with 5 minute breaks in between, sort of like what you might do at the gym.

The next one in line – Written? Kitten! – is a little softer than the others: you set a word goal for yourself, and every time you reach it, you are sent a picture of a kitten. If you’re lucky, you might even get two kittens in a barrel.

Apart from the applications, there’s also National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short), where participants bust a gut to complete a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. According to the website, “Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It’s all about quantity, not quality. This approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.”

Now don’t get ahead of me. I’m not going to say that these things are evil, ridiculous (well, the kitten one is pretty silly) and don’t work for anybody. Of course different techniques work for different people, and you do need to write a lot so that you can sift out the good from the bad. It’s just that the development of these applications shows a sort of social expectation, or social understanding, that these days, writers are supposed to be fast.

I just think it’d be useful to pull back a bit and ask ourselves whether this drive to be prolific Road Runners will help us to produce our best work. As Jenny Diski, the writer of the article on productivity applications, put it, we should “consider the possibility that writing is not just about writing, it’s also (and maybe mainly) about the space in between the writing, when nothing seems to be happening, or random stuff is having an incoherent party inside your head.”

Writing is about daydreaming. It’s about taking a walk. It’s about listening to music. It’s about buying muffins. It’s about eating. It’s about hula-hooping and cleaning out your fridge and watching five X-Files episodes in a row.

“My ideas usually come not at my desk writing, but in the midst of living,” said the famous diarist, Anaïs Nin.

This isn’t about encouraging laziness, or lack of discipline. It’s simply about reminding ourselves to slow down once in a while. As the great Sir John Cleese said in his talk about creativity, giving yourself plenty of time to meander around different possibilities means that you’re more likely to come up with an original idea than if you had forced yourself to make a quick decision.

It’s an idea that would most definitely be shared by the Canadian journalist Carl Honoré. His book, In Praise of Slow, describes a growing resistance to this ‘Cult of Speed’ we seem to be living in, and tells us that we’d all do well to get in touch with our inner tortoise. Just as Carl began to get more enjoyment out of reading bedtime stories to his son by slowing down, perhaps we’d get more enjoyment out of writing if we weren’t always burdened by the sense of time running out.

In the end I think it’s one of those paradoxes, like how exercising actually gives you more energy rather than less. Maybe if we slow down we’d feel like we have more time rather than less. So instead of setting ourselves ludicrously short timeframes to work within like Sacks did, maybe we should be like the Grandpa in the slow lane of the swimming pool. He’s not in any hurry, he’s still doing a good job, and – most importantly – he gets there in the end.

By Sarah Wiecek