Diluted Dante wrote:

Thanks for the sensible response tin.

Basically, the question is, is the wording a bit old fashioned/stuffy in places, and would that matter for modern kids? Would you replace for example "innkeeper"? Or is it fine as it is?

We took turns reading these a couple of nights ago. Tilly wants to give her thoughts in the form of voice messages. Have you got Whatsapp?

Diluted Dante wrote:

Thanks for the sensible response tin. Basically, the question is, is the wording a bit old fashioned/stuffy in places, and would that matter for modern kids? Would you replace for example "innkeeper"? Or is it fine as it is?

(Back from holiday)

I think "innkeeper" is fine. You could switch out for "landlord", but most kids won't know what that is either. In my experience kids are less worried about the language - lots of words are new to them - and are more interested in the story.

It's the parents you need to worry about, and again it's not so much where words seem old fashioned, but where modern sensibilities may have eclipsed them. So whilst "innkeeper" isn't an issue, I guess "filthy stranger" may just trigger a few sniggers from the Finbarr Saunders crowd (though I'm not sure what you'd change it to without the same problem - "dirty man" is worse! You'd probably have to go with something generic like "The Unwelcome Visitor".)

Tilly's take is definitely worth having - predicting what will throw children is notoriously tricky.  (I once wrote a story for a child who loved everything weird, but was really put off by one character possessing a beard.)

Finally getting a little rhythm on The Book. Probably going to have it ready for beta readers in a couple of months. Excite!

Also, my last story is being reprinted in an anthology alongside some very successful writers including, um, G.R.R. Martin. So that's a win and a half. GO ME.

tigersgogrrr wrote:

Finally getting a little rhythm on The Book. Probably going to have it ready for beta readers in a couple of months. Excite! Also, my last story is being reprinted in an anthology alongside some very successful writers including, um, G.R.R. Martin. So that's a win and a half. GO ME.

Wooo!

If you want someone to read the beta version (probably very slowly) feel free to send it my way.

Meanwhile I'm 3/4 of the way through the play I promised to write for a friend.  It will be seen by about 5 people I suspect, but I'm enjoying working through it...

Great news Tiger. I’d be up for reading a beta version too.

Thanks all!

I may take some you up in beta reading when all is said and done...

DS: Fantasy, I'm afraid. No elves or anything too Classic but lots of daemons. A bit YA though so likely not your thing. I promise I'll finish my horror short about Biddi and his oily eyes for you soon...

Doorstep? Are you sure that was me?

A couple of months ago the local AmDram group asked me if I could write them something to commemorate the coronation.  So I wrote them a couple of short plays (20 minutes each - they're stand alone, but also work better as a two act 40 minute thing). They performed them over the weekend having persuaded me to direct them as well.

I have learnt that I'm not a particularly great director, but it went pretty well. (I was fine at "can you try playing it like this - but shit at answering things like "so what colour do you want this backdrop then?") Clearly not even close to the films and TV that some of you have penned, but it was nice enough. They went for a weird structure - running my play, then someone else's, then the second of mine after that.  The other play was by a proper playwright so it's vaguely satisfying that mine stood up. More so that a few people came back the second night because they'd enjoyed the first one so much.

Anyway, in the very unlikely event that anyone wants two short, very vaguely coronation related plays to put on let me know and you're welcome to borrow them...

(In the meantime they've asked me if I fancy writing them a musical.)