Time to get back into blogging

So I'm back.

It's been a year or so since the last post, not counting aloombabroad.blogspot.co.uk which accounted for my whereabouts for half of 2015. If you haven't already read it, take a look now.

So what have I been up to I hear you ask? Well, I've been writing non-stop which is pretty much my life. I've entered lots of competitions for writing and had lots of rejections - story of my life!

But I keep going. 'Never give up,' that's my motto.

Anyway, this time, I'm going to share a piece I wrote for a short play competition that was hosted through the BBC writers room. Little Pieces of Gold were hosting a competition for a 10 minute stage play about second chances. The project was called 'Never Too Late Too Dream', and each writer had to focus on a social, political or religious message surround a second chance.

After sitting and thinking for a while, I started to jot down ideas. Some crazy and far out there, others simplistic and basic in their story but exciting enough to pursue. The key is having a topic that can grip an audience whilst trying to see a way past the problem. It sounds a lot easier than it is.

I settled on a social message and focused on social media as the theme. Social media is becoming a demon in the sense that people live their lives by it. If they're not updating their status about have a cup of tea, they're uploading pictures of their dinner (yes, I've done it too).

Anyway, my story was about Jasper and Tammie, housemates and old secondary school best friends. Jasper is a laid back, refined kind of guy who has no desire to put himself out of his comfort zone. He does what he wants, when he wants. Tammie on the other hand is a social media nut. She is always online, updating her status and photo albums. But now it has come to a point where it is unhealthy and affecting her chances of a happy future.

The story unfolds with the history of Tammie's ex boyfriend, a pawn shop and a helium balloon. It's kind of quirky but I liked it.

But it didn't get put forward and that's OK. It's all part of learning and building the craft, or so they tell me.

Anyway, I've just left my job and my girlfriend has moved back to her native, Ireland. I'm pursuing a career in writing, full steam ahead but finding it tough. But I'll refer you back to my motto above.

I'll keep you posted!

Taking some time out

Hi guys,

Sorry I haven't posted since April but I've been busy organising my travels around Asia. 

Now I'm on the edge of something amazing, heading off to Beijing to begin my huge trip on Wednesday, but I'd really love for you to stay up to date with me on my travels so check out my latest blog, A Leaf Out Of My Book: Abroad to see how I'm getting on.

As always, thanks for your support and I look forward to you leaving me a message on my new blog.

Best wishes.



Check out my travelling blog - www.aloombabroad.blogspot.co.uk

Sitcom writing

Hey guys,

So I have today finished editing the first three episodes of my six episode sitcom, set around the lives of a couple of roommates from different generations. It is honest, heart warming, and extremely crude, but I think it works well.

I wanted something that young people and older people can relate together, touching on issues such as divorce, sex and general awkwardness - the latter I'm an avid partaker in!

Tomorrow I'm having a script reading with a bloody good unofficial editor, who doesn't shy away from the realities of missing links and flow of a story. (I'm surprised she's not already an editor to be honest). She has a keen eye for spotting bits I've missed where I am blinded by the story so my gratitude goes out to her. Cheers Suz.

Let's hope she likes it!

All the best

x

Short Story Competition - 2015 & Radio Play

Hey guys!

Happy 2015!

So, I entered the 2015, International Short Story Competition online. I'm was placed in heat 42 and was the only representative of Great Britain in my group (a shout out to the two Irish participants, who are helping me fly the flag for Europe).

Our criteria was to create a mystery short story, with a character (main or sub) who was a traveling salesperson (I know travelling has two 'l's' but it is an American run competition so I must respect their spelling), in addition to incorporating 'a secret hiding place' into the mix.

We were given 8 days to create something and after four days of pulling my hair out (what's left of it anyway - check out my author page to see what I mean - http://aloomb.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page.html), I managed to produce a story called 'It's Only A Matter Of Time.'

Unfortunately, at this time, I can't share any of it with you, due to competition rules but I am currently working on my diploma, and a radio play. Below is a short snippet, which I hope you'll like and leave me a comment on. Remember, radio is all about audio, not like television. So you have to describe and direct when there is noise!

With best wishes, always.

                NARRATOR:                        Monty gazed to his left at the business man 

                                                         snoozing against the window. His face was 

                                                         concealed by the huge collar from his long, black 

                                                         coat; it was wrapped around him like a blanket. On 

                                                         the other side, a young, female had her headphones

                                                         in her ears and was typing away on her laptop, 

                                                         furiously. Monty felt out of place. Everyone around 

                                                         him was young, and at eighty six, he felt that  

                                                         he was intruding in a world that now belonged to 

                                                         young people; a world that had once belonged to 

                                                         him at that age. That feeling was strengthen when a

                                                         young man slumped into the seat opposite him.  

                                                         Monty smiled to greet him, but all that was 

                                                         returned was ignorance. The man just put his 

                                                         headphones in and proceeded to put his hood up.

FADE OUT.

FADE UP – TRAIN RATTLING ALONG TRACK.

                TICKET COLLECTOR:         Tickets please.

SHUFFLING MOVING SOUND.

                TICKET COLLECTOR:         Thank you, Sir.

A RINGTONE PLAYS ALOUD IN THE CARRIAGE.

                ASH:                                 Hello..? Hiya, how you doing? (PAUSE) yeah, I’m 

                                                        on the train now. (PAUSE) dunno, probably 

                                                        another couple of hours yet. (PAUSE) don’t 

                                                        worry, I’ll be there. (PAUSE) I promise. (PAUSE) 

                                                        you know it difficult for me. (PAUSE) because I 

                                                        don’t like Christmas, and regardless of what my 

                                                        mum says, it’s not easy to just pretend 

                                                        that everything is normal. (PAUSE) Yes, yes, I 

                                                        know. Look, I need to go but I’ll see you later. 

                                                        (PAUSE) (WHISPERING) Yes, I love you too… Bye.

ASH SIGHS ALOUD.

                MONTY:                            Um, excuse me, son.

                ASH:                                 You talking to me?

                MONTY:                            Yeah… is everything alright?

                ASH:                                 What?

                MONTY:                            Is everything OK?

                ASH:                                 What are you talking about?

                MONTY:                            I’m was wondering if you were OK?       

                ASH:                                 Why?

                MONTY:                            I just heard a bit of your conversation…

                ASH:                                 You were listening into my 

                                                        conversation?                            

                MONTY:                            Well, I would have properly, but, well, you know, 

                                                        these damn hearing aids are a hindrance 

                                                        sometimes.

THERE IS A SHUFFLING NOISE BEFORE A HEARING AID WHISTLES.

                ASH:                                 What are you doing?

                MONTY:                            Adjusting these blasted things. I can’t hear what 

                                                        you’re saying.

THE WHISTLING FADES OUT.