I really like the new balloon theme, so thought I would try it out to see what people think! The only snag seems to be that the links etc are at the bottom, and the layout is fixed and cannot be changed.
EDIT EDIT!!!!!
Ok, another change. I’m really trying to make this work, peoples! Let me know what you like/don’t like etc etc!
This post is really a shameless plug for a Blog of mine that I’ve set up to get me through August. It’s also to educate ‘the general public’ about how quite severe psychological difficulties effect day to day life, and why.
When I first joined the Westminster Writers, I was determined to keep the fact that I was diagnosed with a mental illness [that is, depression plus] a secret. This soon became impossible – you don’t write from the heart and relate meaningfully to your peers and cover up your vulnerabilities.
It’s also ‘de rigueur’ these days to come out of the closet about these things, to combat stigma. I wish it were that easy to combat snap judgements and prejudice about psychological vulnerabilities…
I’m also keen to explore what they call ‘life writing’ in a semi extended form and maybe get some feedback. It’s not a WordPress blog, but I may post excerpts here. You’re welcome to follow it if you wish.
The Blog can be found at – http://emotionalolympics.blogspot.co.uk/
[Feels like I haven’t posted a short story in a while. Another group exercise although I can’t remember where the topic for this came from. I enjoyed writing this one. Hope you like it.]
“I’m so sorry,” Jamie apologised as he stretched his hand out to help the fallen woman.
“That’s ok, I should have been paying more attention,” the woman smiled up at him as she took his hand and pulled herself up.
The second her hand touched his open palm, Jamie felt a slight jolt and had to steady himself. In the next few seconds, he saw it all. Their first date was a cheesy affair at an Italian restaurant he knew well. They both had too much wine but were still restrained enough to save their fist kiss for their second date, a much less contrived meeting at a live act bar where an obscure band they…
View original post 409 more words
Mr Trotter looked at his fruit trees and vegetable patch with sadness. It had been a wet summer and the plant roots were water-logged and he had shrivelled mouldy fruit and vegetables to show for his efforts.
Mr Green his forever nosey neighbour popped his head over the fence to give his opinion on the state of things.
“Bad luck Trotter, you should have got that greenhouse put in. My babies are doing well despite the wretched weather.”
Mr Trotter looked at Mr Green’s smug grin and felt himself shrivel up inside. Mr Green’s marrows were set to win the coveted ‘Most impressive fruit and vegetable’ competition again this October. How his neighbour grew them to that size, he had no idea. Flavour didn’t seem to matter anymore in the competition. Large sized alien fruit and vegetables genetically modified out of all proportion seemed to be the order of the…
View original post 619 more words
It’s Dark in the Park
A twilight stroll
in the hinterland of a central park
is a curious place, of moving shadows
and shades of grey.
Footsteps echo along paths.
Snickering couples in the dark.
A flashlight from park control,
highlights a pooch on cruise control.
It’s a time of light inversely proportional to volume.
The evening chorus of deafening birds,
crickets and frogs create a cacophony
somehow in symphony.
Creatures from horror movies enter the mind.
Breathe quickens under glittering eyes
hidden in bushes of various size.
Foxes, rabbits or dogs, it’s hard to say;
it could just be a couple of gays.
You speed up but hear your tail gather pace.
Is it a serial killer or a giant nut-seeking squirrel?
You can’t wait and dash towards the gate!
© Tania Dias
On our darkest days
even the dust is frosted with solitude.
In love with all the fallen trees
the shabby coats of dismay
ending trust.
A secret tryst with compassion
then
seeking bitter tears
limey deposits of soreness
betraying time’s shapeshifter.
All the boughs are broken
solidifying serenity
in the face of the enemy
worshipping dust
for the sake of the dawn –
do you have faith as an ally?
Still not sure how I’ll get over you;
just when I think I’ve reached the height of missing you,
new lows throw me back down to the base of this depression
Remembering things about you,
things I was aware of
& things I wasn’t aware I knew
Things of yours I hold onto,
tempted to make a monument to you
as monumental as I feel my love is for you
Always felt like I was trying my utmost to mean something to you,
while you emotionally stood stoic like your nature demanded it,
leaving me no choice but to leave you…or try harder to reach you
Make vows to leave you alone,
with angst & conviction
I truly believe my feelings for you I’ve turned to stone
Then I wake up one week later & feel full of you
like the most promising thing you can never imagine.
Angst turned…
View original post 251 more words
[After struggling with the writing exercise I blogged about this month, Girls Don’t Fight, this is my attempt at believable sci-fi (my first ever sci-fi story, hrrah). I hope someone out there enjoys it, it was a nightmare to write!]
“I think they broke my nose.”
Those words stopped Adrian Bench in his tracks. He turned to face the speaker who stood holding his nose and wincing. He couldn’t actually hold his nose, the glass helmet he wore prevented any physical contact but his hand was positioned in the right place.
God I hope this isn’t the first one, Adrian thought as he scowled at the man. “Stop whining and brace yourself. There are worse things to come,” he barked. Then turning to the people standing closest to him he whispered “Check him.”
The men approached the injured man and began a thorough search of his protective suit. The…
View original post 729 more words
One of my favourite poems. I’m not sure who wrote this…
REASON, SEASON, OR LIFETIME FRIENDS?
People always come into your life for a reason,
a season, or a lifetime.
When you figure out which it is,
you know exactly what to do.
——
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need
you have expressed outwardly or inwardly.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
or to provide you with guidance and support
to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part
or at an inconvenient time,
This person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and…
View original post 178 more words
westminsterwritersgroup 