Ni hao

 It was only two months ago...

 ...that I flew back to England....

 ...to read my Short Fiction competition winning story...

 ...at the Plymouth International Literary Festival...

 ...where I met Catherine McNamara, Tom Vowler, Anthony Caleshu, Jamie Edgecombe...

 ...and so many other writers and interesting people...

...and it was the first time I had been back...

...since moving to New Zealand...

 ...over six years ago...

...but the strange thing is...

...I feel like I only moved here yesterday...

...whereas Shanghai...

...seems so very long ago...

...and now all my memories are packaged up, and some are already in stories, waiting to travel somewhere. Maybe these pictures will inspire you...your story could end up in Plymouth and carry you to Shanghai, too. Give it a try, the Short Fiction Competition is open for entries now.

Wild women rave in winter

Plymouth with Pelt and Other Stories author, Catherine McNamara.

I had a marvellous time in Plymouth, despite arriving in a winter squall that had me and Catherine McNamara ducking for cover in one of Plymouth's many sociable pubs (we were reliably informed that The Dolphin is the place to be). Although the picture doesn't show it, we were like a pair of drowned rats, although Catherine managed to look gamine and beautiful whilst dripping wet!

 

But the weather did not put a dampener on our participation in the Plymouth Literary Festival and it was with sunny smiles, nerves and excitement that we pottered up through the centre of town to Plymouth University.

 

And Catherine's reading entranced me so much that I totally forgot to take photos! You'll just have to take my word for it that the readings went well and were enjoyed by everyone in the lovely audience. It was my first public reading and I couldn't have had a kinder reception - thanks, Plymouth! Thanks also to Tom Vowler and Anthony Caleshu for making me feel so welcome and at ease (a little too at ease, perhaps!) and thanks, too, to Jamie Edgecombe and all who shared a delightful celebratory meal.

I did remember my camera when I went for a dander around the sea front, however, and I found evidence of Plymouth's rich history from every vista.

 From the wealth of Empire...

...to walls of defence...

 ...from above the sea....

 ...the sea itself....

 ...beneath the sea....

...in praise....

 ...and protest....

 ...nature...

 ...and man made...

...everywhere, signs of an outlook...

...of island life...

 ...and aspirations...

...in memory....

 ...respectfully...

 ...and irreverently...

 ...in honour...

 ...bold....

 ...devout...

...remembered...

....and those that cannot be forgotten....

...a combative history....

 ...marked with pride....

...fierce vision....

...and curiosity....

...to the fruits of Lords and Ladies. In short, a fitting location to read a story about colonialism and a taste of being English.




If you'd like to read my Short Fiction competition winning story, "While Women Rage in Winter", you can buy it via the University of Plymouth's website - it would mean a lot to me, but, crucially, it would keep this endangered and important journal alive.

Rave in winter

I'm utterly overwhelmed to have won short FICTION's 7th Annual Competition with my story "While Women Rage in Winter".

I said a little while ago on Facebook that little beats the excitement of making the shortlist of this prize (I made the shortlist last year, too), but I take it back; winning tops being the shortlist kid - I have a perma-grin and an aching jaw to prove it!

My sincerest thanks go to Tom Vowler - a writer whose own work I admire immensely - and to short FICTION Editor, Anthony Caleshu, and to the University of Plymouth Press.