You know what today is, don’t you?
Yes, my darlings, it’s the 7th of February and you know what that means, don’t you?
No, it doesn’t mean it’s the 619th anniversary of the Bonfire of the Vanities, where the good people of Florence had a headfit and decided to purge the city of sin by burning books, paintings and make-up. It also doesn’t mean it’s the 112th anniversary of the Great Baltimore Fire, which left 35,000 people unemployed and caused $3.84 billion of damage in today’s money.
Well, it is these things, but of course you already knew that.
No, my sweet puddings of delight, what today is is exactly a week until – de-de-de-de-de-de-derrrrr!
St Valentine’s Day!
Now, apart from having a mob-related massacre named after him, being the patron of beekeepers, epileptics, fainting, travellers and plague victims, Saint Valentine is of course the mastermind behind the greetings card, floral and choc-tastic sell-athon that is next Sunday. Who would have thought that a 3rd century Roman priest and martyr would inspire such a commercialised grab-fest? Not him for one.
Anyhoo, in honour of the day, I thought I’d run a little competion. I have a series of
LOVE NUDGES,
key words, which if read in order could chart the beginning, middle and end of a doomed relationship (and let’s face it, the doomed ones are the most interesting, aren’t they?) Everyday next week, I’ll post a ‘nudge’ a day and all you have to do is write a little something relating to it and pop it in my comments box.
Your writing can take any form – poem (tanka, haiku, ode, blank verse, limeric – whatever you fancy, knock your poetic socks off): prose (up to three sentences), song lyric, ditty, advertising blurb … Really, whatever you fancy as long as it’s short-ish.
And don’t feel you have to be all Mills and Boon – I’ll be pleased to see romantic/horror, romantic/surrealism, romantic/magic-realism, romantic/sci-fi/zombie/Hemmingway fanfic. As long as it refers in some way to the day’s word and has some reference to a romantic relationship (straight, gay, bi, vegetal) that’s fine by me.
But nothing explicit in content, please – don’t make me blush, now.
If you’re an eager beaver and want to do some swotting up for the week ahead, here’s the schedule of events –
Monday: Attraction
Tuesday: Obsession
Wednesday: Jealousy
Thursday: Security
Friday: Regret
Saturday: Ennui
Sunday: Loathing
Yes, we end a week of romance with Loathing, and what a better way to finish. It’s what Val would’ve wanted.
Well, I said it was a competition and competitions have prizes, so the sweet soul who inspires me most over the week will either have my undying respect, admiration and pixel-licks, or (if they live inside the UK), will receive a copy of Still Me an anthology by my writing group All Write Then, and my first foray into print.
Final judging won’t start until the week commencing 15/2/16 as I’ll be in thorny-rosy-floristy hell until then.
Brownie points, extra love and virtual hugs and kisses got to all those who spread the word on any social media outlet, so Twitter and Facebook your little hearts out.
So, let the Love Nudge commence!
Love this!
(Can’t help but think the “keep it clean” was a note for me! Haha!)
I will totally spread the word! And will hopefully join in!
Kat x
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Haha! Not at all! It was just a note to save my blushes from anything too … adult. Would love you to join in if you’re able. And thanks for spreading the word, chick – you’re a sweetheart X
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Just scribbled a wee haiku!
And spread the word over on Twitter of course!
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You keener! Fantastic. Thanks so much. It’s the first competition I’ve run and as I don’t have that many people who actively participate on my blog, it could just be you and me – which would be just fine 🙂
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A gorgeous start. Really lovely x
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I think it’s a great idea!
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Looking forward to reading some great work. Thanks so much for joining in x
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Are we allowed more than one entry per word?
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Ooh, yes, do. I like to do that myself with the six word stories you see on Twitter. One’s sometimes not enough 🙂
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Yay! Cheers!
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Asked a few writer pals in Twitter to join in… Figures crossed!
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Err, yeah, I can tell. Had the most views ever yesterday on here – thank you again! Seems folks love a competition 🙂 x
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People love comps and prompts!
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So it seems! Thanks for spreading the word, you’re very lovely 🙂
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My pleasure!
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And me 😉
I shall give it a go 😀
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Thanks my love – looking forward to it!
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Haha! This is great! I wrote a paper on Savonarola, once. They burnt way too many paintings. :O
This sounds amazing! ❤
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Thank you! Yes, I studied it a little too, years ago. Interesting that they thought books and paintings were corrupting people. I wonder what he would want to burn these days? TV and the internet probably! I do hope you feel inspired to join in. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Oooh, this is fab. Not sure yet what I’ll do yet, but I’ll have a go. I added a link to my TLT#1 round-up, as well 🙂
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Thanks Sonya – very good of you. How did I miss TLT? Was trying to look out for it too. Will look out this week instead 🙂
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My pleasure. To be fair, I did post it quite late on Thursday. I promise I’ll be better organised this week!
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I can’t promise I will be! I’ll look out for it though 🙂
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A few people have posted entries late, as well. I’m not going to be draconian about everything written and up on Thursdays. I want it to be about inspiration and finding new writers, not speed 🙂
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Lovely. It’s great meeting new writers and reading some great work. Really enjoyable.
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I took a stab at it not to compete, but just for the fun of it:
http://melindakucsera.com/2016/02/07/they-might-be-senrys/
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Thansk so much – such wonderful poetry. Gorgeous.
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You’re welcome and thank you for your kind words on a cold, snowy Monday 🙂
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No snow here in Bristol, UK – but pouring rain and a wind so strong, I fear we’ll lose the roof before the day’s out! Storm Imogen showing us her worst. Keep warm 🙂
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you too! 🙂 I hope your roof stayed on
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Thank you! 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Great idea!
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Thanks, Cynthia.
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This looks so enticing, I’ll give it a go 🙂 Thank you!
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Thank you, Annie. Look forward to reading your work.
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And I look forward to participating!
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This is so lovely. Would you mind popping a link or pasting the whole thing in a comments box – I don’t want to miss it later! 🙂
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This was irresistible! https://janebasilblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/08/how-did-i-get-to-be-so-cynical/
BTW, I tried to retweet, but I can’t get into m twitter account at the moment. These things happen, to me at least…
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Here is mine! There are certain friends of mine who will be very grateful to you for encouraging me to go short!!! http://judydykstrabrown.com/2016/02/08/condensed-love-story/
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Day 2… https://janebasilblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/obsession/
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Day 3 – Jealousy: https://janebasilblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/10/jealousy/
This is fun!
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Here’s my effort for Day 4 – although it’s well gone midnight now, so strictly speaking i should be posting for Day 5…
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Another great stanza, Jane – left a comment on your blog. Succinct and true. X
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