This is exactly what I hoped for when I came in two months ago (I'm not normally a forum person on any site) but it looked like this would be the place where writers might talk about their work. So far, I have learned much about the value of pressure cookers, about caring for cats, how to produce magnificent cookies ( thank you Sara, indispensable ). And the weather in Canada and all points West.

If I may, Scott, a few queries of my own:

1) How possible would it be to tot-up the number of writers who might be interested?

2) How could it be any different from what is possible on the existing Writers stuff page?

3) As to the location, what is wrong with right here?

Quote by verbal

Let the first draft be your outline. Their point, I think, was not to slow your forward motion too much. Tell yourself the story in the first draft. Learn how to tell it to the reader in the second draft. Anyway, it's freed me up quite a bit.

This is a method I always use, Verbal-simply because I'm too dumb to plan and perspire. In fact I almost have ready a piece for SS that indicates the doubts and difficulties I have with a true family saga, which I have already begun on SS with two separate chapters.

Anyway, count me in. I don't know what time you stumble out of bed, Scott, but I'll put the kettle on, have a hot chocolate and a Sara cookie.

This raises one more point---disparity in times. Not a great difficulty.

Three wonderful days with each of my off-spring and their families. And only had two alcoholic drinks! (Am I aging?) Could be, since my Granddaughter gave me a very special book for Christmas entitled 'The Book of Jim' in which I learned many forgotten things abourt my life. I discovered that in July 1933, I spent 30 minutes as a single cell. I have absolutely no memory of that!

The consequence of these marvellous three days is I feel wonderful and hope you enjoy getting a wry smile from my recent (very brief) childlike piece:

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/humor/seasonal-gratitude

Much as I've loved Sara's magical cookies, I can' resist the look of those Pim's Orange cookies, with a hot chocolate. Mmm, thank you, Sugarcube, you know the way to an old man's heart. (through his taste buds!)

A very Merry and Safe Christmas to all you writers

After having all the presents wrapped, lights aglow, food ready for seasonal treatment, I discovered, (online Paramount site) a film titled 'California' starring Barbara Stanwick and Ray Milland. It was the film my wife and I saw together on our very first date 67 years ago. So, last night, we snuggled up on the sofa and watched it for only the second time. And this time, she held my hand--she hadn't on that first date.

A hot chocolate will go down well in this chill weather, and I'd feel cruel biting the head off one of Sara's reindeer cookies, so I'll just have a parcel and bite off the bows.

I have marked a few authors to be followed but find their stories have appeared without me being notified. Temporary lapse?

Ping, when I wrote of your 'Spooky' comp piece, I used the word 'erudite' and your response was that I had 'the wrong guy'. But the outline of helpful writing instructions you give above should stimulate anyone who has doubts about their own writing ability, and is most (I'll say it again) erudite.

It is a splendid, 'how to and how not to ' treatise'. and when added to Sugarcubes bold poem No Longer Your Atlas | Stories Space, and Mendalla's exceptional slant on a Christmas story, I am glad to be in such skilled company.

Now if someone could advise this old numbskull how to transfer a Christmas card File Explorer to this page I can wish you all compliments of the season.

Now a hot chocolate for a drab cold day and a bite at one of Sara's Christmas tree specials.

Well, lights are around the standard rose and when they go out there are still a dozen blooms at the top. In December? It really is amazing.

What is even more amazing is Sara's cookie display and that is the reall reason I'm here. I'll have the chocolate one with antlers (if there are any left) and I'll have to put the kettle on to get a hot chocolate.

Stay healthy.

Quote by AnnaMayZing
I have submitted The Nurses. Probably not happen though.

Good for you, Anna. If you don't try you never get. Your effort could astound them when placed alongside some of the rubbish they must be used to. Best of luck.

Quote by verbal
This is my first Christmas with no kids in the house. Meaning, for the first time in decades, I can sleep late on Christmas morning! Also didn't have to hang lights or put up a tree.

I must be out of place in here---I still believe in Santa Claus!

Just a hot chocolate, I think. No cookies--I'm slimming.

Best of luck for your opening night, Larry. I know how you will be feeling. I stepped into acting late (at 64) at Live Theatre, where Lee Hall (author of Billy Elliott) began testing his skills. In fact we were treated to hearing the very first reading of that original script.

But I still recall my first acting attempt. I came off that stage about six feet off the ground (and that's not easy when you're 64). The sheer exhilaration had me wishing I had started years earlier. The toll of seventy seven years forced me to surrender to writing only.

Anyway, I set off to wish you best of luck tonight---don't trip over anything! Jim

Quote by gypsy
Gift boxes with selections can be a good (safe) choice.

Thanks for your assist, Gypsy. Special teas would be fine, but I know our granddaughter always gets her those, also she is not a biscuit guzzler like me! I'm always in for a good (safe) choice so perhaps, if you have time, you could inform me what a gift box would contain and it could go on the list.

However, within the past two hours she has indicated a Van Gogh which has taken her fancy. Oh, yeah? Sounds grand, eh? His 'Almond Blossom.' Only it's a 76cm x 50cm print on wrapped canvas. I'm sure it will look great on our newly painted bedroom wall, and will certainly make up as a part gift. But I can't imagine her leaving it unwrapped until Christmas Day.

And I'm stuck for a surprise for her. Cruises and holiday specials are out these days. But thanks for your ideas, they have set the old brainbox buzzing. Glad to hear if any one else has ideas.

Oh, go on, I'll have another hot chocolate and choc cookie!

Thanks, Gypsy for starting my day in the right way, very funny ( I rarely giggle over breakfast) but I guess all the others are still in bed now.

BUT, I am very worried about what I can get my dear lady for Christmas. What can you get for a lady who seems to have everything, including amazing powers of understanding and patience to have to have tolerated me (and my crazed obsession with old movies) for all of sixty three years?

I'd better heat up the kettle ( if Mr Ape doesn't mind), make myself a hot chocolate with a triple chocolate crisp cookie out of cookie monster. Then I'll sit here a short while, and try to solve my Christmas problem.

.'Here, There and Everywhere' was our favourite track after we learned that the Beatles were not just "another one beat pop group". In fact on the night of one wedding anniversary, the hotel band asked for one more request. I asked for that, and since there were no dancing couples left. we had it to ourselves--so romantic. Pity that I danced more like Kermit the Frog than like Gene Kelly. Sweet memory.

Now how about a Beatles cookie and a hot chocolate. Thank you.

Yes, looking forward to reading what Ghost Orchid Press have lost out on.

I don't know if you've seen it but I think you'll admire Girlwriter's latest work 'The Ghostwriter'. It is well-worth a look.

What a 24 hours we have had. Red alert weather warnings as Storm Arwin (strange name for a storm) from the east hit our coast which is usually fairly tranquil. Not last night! Winds of up to 90mph,snow,rain--no sleep for many, I heard. I slept through most of it. But, this morning my dear standard rose (which I wrote lovingly of recently in the 'musings' genre.) was at an angle of 45 degrees and threatening to crash land on the lawn, but the wind was too strong to risk protecting it. Yet despite all that it still showed twelve large orange blooms. Defying the devil storm.

Sooo, I'm just in the mood for a big hot chocolate and a strawberry shortbread, please.

Late afternoon here, dark, cold but the sun has shone all day at its winter low level to make driving very tricky.

No blindness now though for me, picked up new specs to balance the effects of a cataract. Can actually read newsprint for the first time for years.

Is there a hot chocolate and any kind of shortbread, please?

Family trees can be fascinating though. I've traced my father's line back to 1815 and found an amazing number of births occurring just four or five months after the marriage of mothers and fathers. They didn't talk about that sort of thing in those days.

Now, could I try that a cup of that Red Rose that everyone is talking about, please? Along with a lemon shortbread.

Ping, Given your spooky success I'm sure you could work wonders with a story about cannibals, (long pig) is their main meal.

And just to ahow what a smart a-- I am, it is Bahrain, but surely Canada haven't qualified--oh, boy, we Brits have a great chance.

Quote by henrietta_fielding
I grab and coffee and biccies from the Elmo jar while I'm here!

Hi Henrietta, Enjoy your biccies but lay off the shortbread. I'm assuming that Sara, out of the goodness of her heart, made them especially at my request.

How are you anyway? Haven't been in touch for a while, I trust that life is treating you well.

Sara. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. You kept your promise so quickly. Different flavoured shortbreads in three jars. Magic! I could just sit here munching, and sipping hot chocolate, but my unfinished romantic story 'The Red Umbrella' begs attention so I can't linger . But thank you (or have I already said that?)

Sara, Make my day. Are there any shortbread cookies in your jars? Love shortbreads, would stimulate me into writing productively.

Scott, you've arrived in the nick of time. I thought everyone had gone Christmas shopping! I've just hung hopelessly around. Found the cookies but didn't know how to switch the kettle on. So before I get back to this short romantic (I think) story I'm struggling with, I'll try a cup of Earl Grey, please, if you will pour it. I'd only slop it all over the table.

Congratulations to Ping for his award, and to Violet and Writer Girl for their worthy achievements. I don't know how many busy folk were involved in the judging but I did not envy them the task of selecting from a widely differing range---so congratulations to them for giving their time and energies.

Not a lot of people know this--but I had my win last weekend. My daughter was here with my grandson and I asked him if he'd like to read my comp story. He read it and commented favourably, which encouraged my daughter (who has shown nothing but disdainful interest in my writing and has read nothing of mine) to pick it up and she sat reading, without raising her head once, even though football was on the TV and Liverpool F.C. were being beaten (she hates Liverpool). After 20 minutes, she raised her head to say "What a lovely happy ending." Only to add the clincher, "Was it your own idea?"

Scott, thanks for the advice, this should show it worked a charm.

Mendalla, excuse my blind ignorance but I note that most contributors on this site take the opportunity to plug their most recent work at the foot of their piece: eg. You have shown 'The Healer's Secret--which led me to that very fine tale.

Bad day with laptops my main one will not let me past the illustration opener. I think I'm going to need something stronger than hot chocolate.

Good luck with the eyes. Now that your here earlier than usual and your headache has cleared, I'll have that coffee now, no sugar.

Quote by verbal
Now, to do the same with an eye doc appt. in my sights (see what I did there?). I have faith.

Verbal, I don't know how bad your eyes are, but if you are offered a cataract op, take it.

I had mine done three weeks ago. In and out in one hour (20 minutes only op time). Told I would need the lenses on my specs readjusted after four weeks and things might be a little blurry until then. That was the case, but only in a minor sense. At the weekend I was watching a football game on TV and the figures were slightly blurry. I removed my specs to wipe then and was amaze to see pitch and players on screen much clearer and brighter. I could even read the names on the shirts. This without the specs. When I tested other programmes I found the same. Clearly something to do with focal length. I'm hoping my optician will shed some light (no pun intended) next week. So if you need it, and are given the choice, I strongly advise it.

Just read Writergirl's memoir 'Fat Granny' and agree with James's comment yesterday--well worth a heart-lifting read. So nostalgic.

I am slowly learning, (my usual speed) that time difference makes a difference to the sensibility of responses. For instance, Mendalla, I noted you were in touch here within the last hour. But you were talking 'breakfast' when it is three o'clock here on a grubby cold afternoon. Still, maybe I can learn to be more sociable while the fog of poor ideas clears.

I look forward too, to hearing the dulcet tones of Henrietta, in the near future and of making better links with the wise words of Anna and Verity. In the meantime.I'll pour myself a hot chocolate.

Hi Everyone, Just back from a first drive since my cataract op last week. Driving okay, at least I can see ALL of the road now. But, by hell, the wind's turned chill today. Could I beg a good hot chocolate, please?

Inebriated husband, home late. Reads friendly note, "Dinner in dog."